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The essay can make the difference between acceptance and rejection! Acceptance into college becomes more difficult as more students apply for a finite number of spaces. There are probably thousands of students who look like you when equating your achievements to SAT/ACT scores and a GPA.
The essay must highlight your accomplishments and experiences that make you unique. It must distinguish you from thousands of other applicants who look like you on paper. It must demonstrate your:
Leadership
Writing ability
Keen intellect
Motivation
Maturity
Creativity
Most schools will provide you with questions that you must answer. For the most part most schools ask the same questions, phrased differently. You may be able to use the same well written essays multiple times.
Writing a stellar college is not easy so start early! The perfect time to start is the summer before your junior year. Form a study group with a few friends. Each week, work together on your essay. In the end, have them critique your essay and constructively critique their essay.
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Before you write...
Begin brainstorming possible essay topics: If the application limits you to a particular topic, brainstorm different ways to answer the question.
Think about what qualities you want the admissions office to know about yourself: Are you nice? Compassionate? Did you have struggles throughout your teenage years? Decide how you will be able to convey these qualities. Tell your unique story and avoid using clichés!
Organize your thoughts and experiences to focus your ideas. Outline your essay: It will help to organize your essay.
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Begin writing...
Write your essay: Your first paragraph should introduce your essay to the reader. Make the reader interested in your essay and excited to read more.
When writing your essay, use detailed descriptions: Refrain from telling your story. Use vivid details and active verbs.
Don't switch tenses, tone or style: If you decide to tell the story from the first person perspective, stick to this throughout the essay.
Answer the question: You learned this in Kindergarten. Follow all directions.
Make sure your essay is well organization: You do not have to necessarily follow the typical "introduction, body paragraph(s), conclusion format". However, your essay must be organized and tell a story that makes logical sense to a reader.
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After your first draft...
Edit your essay: Edit your essay yourself. Afterwards, ask a parent, teacher, or professional to edit and proofread your essay. If you submit an essay that contains errors, colleges may believe that you don't pay attention to detail and penalize you.
The essay is very important! Spend plenty of time constructing your essay. Remember the rules your English teacher taught you about constructing a strong essay.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Recommendations
Your recommendations must be strong: it must set you apart from the rest of the candidates. It is important to respect your teachers in high school and excel in your classes. It is also important to build relationships with your teachers so they know you beyond your analysis of the Canterbury Tales.
When your senior year arrives, formulate a list of teachers and counselors. Choose teachers who taught you in your junior and senior year.
Meet with your teachers: Highlight moments in classes which demonstrate your academic intellect. Inform each teacher about the colleges you are applying to and why you want them to write you a recommendation. Choose teachers who know you well.
In addition, ask individuals who know you outside of the classroom to submit supplemental recommendations, such as an athletic coach, supervisor at a summer job, or religious leader.
Provide each teacher with the following information:
The recommendation form and any supplemental information.
Your personal statement: You want the recommender to refer to specific information explained in your personal statement. A teacher can elude to academic successes, personal attributes, and extracurricular activities also contained in your personal statement.
A resume
An addressed, stamped envelope.
A detailed list of deadlines for each college.
Give each teacher ample time to complete the recommendation: Would you be annoyed if a student asked for a recommendation which was due in 2 days? Show teachers respect and give them at least two months time to write the recommendation. Obviously, the earlier you can ask your teacher for a recommendation, the better.
Submit recommendations timely: If the recommendation must be mailed directly to the school from each teacher, make sure the teacher mails it at least two weeks in advance. If you must mail the recommendation with the application package, collect all recommendations two weeks in advance.
Write your recommenders thank you notes: Write your teachers thank you notes and make sure you tell them what school you will be attending.
When your senior year arrives, formulate a list of teachers and counselors. Choose teachers who taught you in your junior and senior year.
Meet with your teachers: Highlight moments in classes which demonstrate your academic intellect. Inform each teacher about the colleges you are applying to and why you want them to write you a recommendation. Choose teachers who know you well.
In addition, ask individuals who know you outside of the classroom to submit supplemental recommendations, such as an athletic coach, supervisor at a summer job, or religious leader.
Provide each teacher with the following information:
The recommendation form and any supplemental information.
Your personal statement: You want the recommender to refer to specific information explained in your personal statement. A teacher can elude to academic successes, personal attributes, and extracurricular activities also contained in your personal statement.
A resume
An addressed, stamped envelope.
A detailed list of deadlines for each college.
Give each teacher ample time to complete the recommendation: Would you be annoyed if a student asked for a recommendation which was due in 2 days? Show teachers respect and give them at least two months time to write the recommendation. Obviously, the earlier you can ask your teacher for a recommendation, the better.
Submit recommendations timely: If the recommendation must be mailed directly to the school from each teacher, make sure the teacher mails it at least two weeks in advance. If you must mail the recommendation with the application package, collect all recommendations two weeks in advance.
Write your recommenders thank you notes: Write your teachers thank you notes and make sure you tell them what school you will be attending.
The Interview: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
As part of the application, many schools require an interview.
Before the Interview...
Prepare to be interviewed by a variety of people: You can be interviewed by an admissions officer, current student, or alum.
Practice Interviewing: Practice your interviews with someone who can be objective, such as a neighbor or a teacher. Videotape or record your practice session. Answer these questions about yourself:
What do you want the interviewers to know about you?
How can you highlight your strengths and show the interviewers you have learned from past experiences?
How do you show them you have researched the school?
Develop answers to some commonly asked questions such as:
Why do you want to attend the particular college?
What are your extracurricular activities and interests?
What is your favorite book or movie?
What do you want to do after college?
What are some of your weaknesses?
Look presentable: It doesn’t matter what they tell you, dress up! Iron your clothing! Do not wear tennis shoes or clothing that you would wear to the beach. Make a lasting impression.
Arriving 15 minutes early is considered on time: Give yourself time to relax before your interview. Tell your parents to wait in the car or give them 5 dollars to get some coffee. This is your interview. Your parents should stay away.
Interview with the school, even if it is optional: If an interview is optional, attend, unless you are socially awkward.
Obtain a copy of the college brochure: Study up on the college. What is the college known for? Where is the college located? Bring your interview information with you, including the form informing you of the location and time of the interview.
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During the Interview...
Test scores and grades do not define you: The interview is your chance to prove that you have a personality. Test scores and grades do not capture your best aspects. Demonstrate to the college that you are personable and likeable. It is also your chance to ask questions about the college to show the interviewer that you have done the proper research.
Don’t Repeat! Expand: In your interview, don’t just repeat everything in your application. Expand! For example, on paper, you might have listed one of your extracurricular activities as soccer. However in your interview, you can discuss your role on the soccer team, emotions you felt after loosing or winning the state championship, or how your experiences on the soccer team has encouraged you to major in sports medicine. Interviews are also a good time to explain circumstances that could have affected your grades or test scores.
Arrogance will get you nowhere: Be confident, not arrogant. You may think you are the best thing since sliced bread but arrogance will just annoy the interviewer.
The school is your first choice! Think about it! The interview is more likely to give you a strong evaluation if he or she believes the school you are interviewing for is your first choice.
Stay calm and do not be nervous: Be yourself and stay calm. Show that you are a mature, companionate student who is ready for college. Try to not get nervous.
Ask questions: You want to show the interviewer that you have done your research. Ask intelligent questions and not ones that can be answer via the college brochure.
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After the interview...
Send a thank you note: Send a thank you note to all of your interviewers.
Learn from the experience: In the end, learn from all of your interviews. Evaluate you performance. What could you have done better? This won’t be your last interview.
Before the Interview...
Prepare to be interviewed by a variety of people: You can be interviewed by an admissions officer, current student, or alum.
Practice Interviewing: Practice your interviews with someone who can be objective, such as a neighbor or a teacher. Videotape or record your practice session. Answer these questions about yourself:
What do you want the interviewers to know about you?
How can you highlight your strengths and show the interviewers you have learned from past experiences?
How do you show them you have researched the school?
Develop answers to some commonly asked questions such as:
Why do you want to attend the particular college?
What are your extracurricular activities and interests?
What is your favorite book or movie?
What do you want to do after college?
What are some of your weaknesses?
Look presentable: It doesn’t matter what they tell you, dress up! Iron your clothing! Do not wear tennis shoes or clothing that you would wear to the beach. Make a lasting impression.
Arriving 15 minutes early is considered on time: Give yourself time to relax before your interview. Tell your parents to wait in the car or give them 5 dollars to get some coffee. This is your interview. Your parents should stay away.
Interview with the school, even if it is optional: If an interview is optional, attend, unless you are socially awkward.
Obtain a copy of the college brochure: Study up on the college. What is the college known for? Where is the college located? Bring your interview information with you, including the form informing you of the location and time of the interview.
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During the Interview...
Test scores and grades do not define you: The interview is your chance to prove that you have a personality. Test scores and grades do not capture your best aspects. Demonstrate to the college that you are personable and likeable. It is also your chance to ask questions about the college to show the interviewer that you have done the proper research.
Don’t Repeat! Expand: In your interview, don’t just repeat everything in your application. Expand! For example, on paper, you might have listed one of your extracurricular activities as soccer. However in your interview, you can discuss your role on the soccer team, emotions you felt after loosing or winning the state championship, or how your experiences on the soccer team has encouraged you to major in sports medicine. Interviews are also a good time to explain circumstances that could have affected your grades or test scores.
Arrogance will get you nowhere: Be confident, not arrogant. You may think you are the best thing since sliced bread but arrogance will just annoy the interviewer.
The school is your first choice! Think about it! The interview is more likely to give you a strong evaluation if he or she believes the school you are interviewing for is your first choice.
Stay calm and do not be nervous: Be yourself and stay calm. Show that you are a mature, companionate student who is ready for college. Try to not get nervous.
Ask questions: You want to show the interviewer that you have done your research. Ask intelligent questions and not ones that can be answer via the college brochure.
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After the interview...
Send a thank you note: Send a thank you note to all of your interviewers.
Learn from the experience: In the end, learn from all of your interviews. Evaluate you performance. What could you have done better? This won’t be your last interview.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Should I Attend College in The Big City?
Cities have many jobs and internships: The college experience is expensive. Tuition for some schools can exceed the price of a luxury model car. And, if you add up the amount of tuition for four years at certain schools, you can drive a Bentley or 13 Toyota Corollas.
Many students will need to work during college, whether it be to serve lumpy “potatoes” in the dining hall, filing away thousands of twenty pound chemistry text books in the library, or selling super skimpy clothing at a cheap clothing story.
In cities, you can find a job on campus or branch off campus and find a job in the community. You have four years to experiment and try your luck at any crazy job under the sun, on or off campus, such as a docent at a museum or a promoter at a trendy club. You can even dress up as a character at a local amusement park.
You can also try jobs and internships in your field of interest. For example, you may want to work at a investment banking, law firm or accounting firm. Just don’t expect to become the CEO at twenty years old.
Remember that if you take a job off campus in the city, you should factor in travel time. Also, most off-campus employers won’t understand the excuse “I want to go to Miami for spring break so I can’t come to work for three weeks.” That would seriously disrupt production. If you find a job on campus, your supervisors will most likely accommodate to your hectic school schedule.
Cities can provide you with more organized excitement: Cities have stores, museums, movie theaters, restaurants and other activities that can provide you with excitement. However, for many colleges in the city, the on-campus social scene can be lacking and undeveloped.
For example, many students who attend schools in cities may not feel as attached to their colleges. Why support a football team who is 2-10 if you can attend the opening of the new club down the street? Colleges within cities may have fewer activities because students leave the college for their social outlets. Make sure you investigate the schools closely and decide if on-campus social activities are important to your college experience.
Cities can be expensive: It’s all relative right? Certain cities are more expensive than others. But for the most part if you are making a decision to attend school in downtown Chicago or rural Mississippi, I guarantee rural Mississippi is cheaper. Cities tend to be more expensive than rural areas. Your salary as, let’s say, a newspaper delivery girl will not extend as far in the city as it will in the rural areas. Plus there are distractions in the cities, which cost money.
Cities can feel less safe: People are a bit more cautious in cities when it comes to personal safety. Most people in Los Angeles or New York City wouldn’t dream of leaving their doors unlocked while completing their daily errands. Their neighbors would rob them blind. The moral of this story is clear: you should be careful everywhere. Lock your doors and don’t walk at night alone.
Many students will need to work during college, whether it be to serve lumpy “potatoes” in the dining hall, filing away thousands of twenty pound chemistry text books in the library, or selling super skimpy clothing at a cheap clothing story.
In cities, you can find a job on campus or branch off campus and find a job in the community. You have four years to experiment and try your luck at any crazy job under the sun, on or off campus, such as a docent at a museum or a promoter at a trendy club. You can even dress up as a character at a local amusement park.
You can also try jobs and internships in your field of interest. For example, you may want to work at a investment banking, law firm or accounting firm. Just don’t expect to become the CEO at twenty years old.
Remember that if you take a job off campus in the city, you should factor in travel time. Also, most off-campus employers won’t understand the excuse “I want to go to Miami for spring break so I can’t come to work for three weeks.” That would seriously disrupt production. If you find a job on campus, your supervisors will most likely accommodate to your hectic school schedule.
Cities can provide you with more organized excitement: Cities have stores, museums, movie theaters, restaurants and other activities that can provide you with excitement. However, for many colleges in the city, the on-campus social scene can be lacking and undeveloped.
For example, many students who attend schools in cities may not feel as attached to their colleges. Why support a football team who is 2-10 if you can attend the opening of the new club down the street? Colleges within cities may have fewer activities because students leave the college for their social outlets. Make sure you investigate the schools closely and decide if on-campus social activities are important to your college experience.
Cities can be expensive: It’s all relative right? Certain cities are more expensive than others. But for the most part if you are making a decision to attend school in downtown Chicago or rural Mississippi, I guarantee rural Mississippi is cheaper. Cities tend to be more expensive than rural areas. Your salary as, let’s say, a newspaper delivery girl will not extend as far in the city as it will in the rural areas. Plus there are distractions in the cities, which cost money.
Cities can feel less safe: People are a bit more cautious in cities when it comes to personal safety. Most people in Los Angeles or New York City wouldn’t dream of leaving their doors unlocked while completing their daily errands. Their neighbors would rob them blind. The moral of this story is clear: you should be careful everywhere. Lock your doors and don’t walk at night alone.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Campus Blog
Would you buy a house, sight unseen? Well why would you commit to spending four years of your life at a school you have never seen? You should tour all schools that you are considering attending.
Do not need to wait until you have the acceptance letter in your hands. Before touring schools, research each school. Locate college guidebooks, visit the college website and ask questions to current students or alumni.
You should start as early as 9th grade when looking at colleges. Here are some activities you must do when touring campuses.
Visit during the DAY and at NIGHT to see the campus environment: Most students visit college campus during the day. However, students should visit at night to judge the social life of the campus. Do the students lock themselves in their dorm room on Saturday nights or do they party hard until the wee hours of the morning? If an active social scene is important, you should definitely visit colleges at night. Try to stay overnight with a student on campus also.
Pick up a newspaper: College and town newspapers and college bulletin boards describe the events that occur around the college. A local town newspaper can indirectly describe the relationship between the town and the school. Do the residents complain about the college?
Read the crime statistics: Must I explain why? While attending school, you probably don’t want to be victimized. Research the number of crimes and the TYPE of crimes committed. For example, many of the crimes on college campuses can involve theft of items such as bicycles, laptops and backpacks. Other campuses may have more violent crimes, such as assault. No matter where you attend college, be careful and protect yourself and your belongings.
Visit a class: Obtain a listing of freshman and sophomore classes. Attend a class. Is the class a lecture hall class with hundreds of students? How engaged do the students seem with the lecture? How connected does the professor seem with the class? Does the professor engage the class in discussion? After the class, approach the professor and ask for a copy of the syllabus. In addition, ask for statistics regarding average class size.
Talk to students and faculty members: Ask the students and faculty intelligent questions and listen to their answers.
Eat the food: Do not make a decision about a school based on the quality of the food. However eat on campus to observe the environment in the dining hall? Do people use the dinning hall as a social outlet or do they grab food and rush out? Do students eat with a knife and fork or their hands? Does food stay on plates or is it tossed around the dining room?
Visit the buildings and facilities: Do facilities seem modern or do the buildings seem warn? Is every building, street and park bench under construction? Attending college on a construction site and waking up to a jack hammer can get annoying. Visit the gym and the library to observe the environment. Does the library seem easy to navigate? Do many students study in the library
Schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor: If you have not applied to the college, a campus visit is a perfect time to meet an admissions officer or schedule an interview. If you have already been accepted to the school, negotiate your financial package.
Tour the local community: Does the local community resemble Las Vegas or a retirement village? Is there a night life outside the college? Is the community wealthy, middle income, or lower income? How far away are stores?
Keep a Journal: Write down your thoughts when touring colleges. When determining the best college for you, revert back to your notes.
Do not need to wait until you have the acceptance letter in your hands. Before touring schools, research each school. Locate college guidebooks, visit the college website and ask questions to current students or alumni.
You should start as early as 9th grade when looking at colleges. Here are some activities you must do when touring campuses.
Visit during the DAY and at NIGHT to see the campus environment: Most students visit college campus during the day. However, students should visit at night to judge the social life of the campus. Do the students lock themselves in their dorm room on Saturday nights or do they party hard until the wee hours of the morning? If an active social scene is important, you should definitely visit colleges at night. Try to stay overnight with a student on campus also.
Pick up a newspaper: College and town newspapers and college bulletin boards describe the events that occur around the college. A local town newspaper can indirectly describe the relationship between the town and the school. Do the residents complain about the college?
Read the crime statistics: Must I explain why? While attending school, you probably don’t want to be victimized. Research the number of crimes and the TYPE of crimes committed. For example, many of the crimes on college campuses can involve theft of items such as bicycles, laptops and backpacks. Other campuses may have more violent crimes, such as assault. No matter where you attend college, be careful and protect yourself and your belongings.
Visit a class: Obtain a listing of freshman and sophomore classes. Attend a class. Is the class a lecture hall class with hundreds of students? How engaged do the students seem with the lecture? How connected does the professor seem with the class? Does the professor engage the class in discussion? After the class, approach the professor and ask for a copy of the syllabus. In addition, ask for statistics regarding average class size.
Talk to students and faculty members: Ask the students and faculty intelligent questions and listen to their answers.
Eat the food: Do not make a decision about a school based on the quality of the food. However eat on campus to observe the environment in the dining hall? Do people use the dinning hall as a social outlet or do they grab food and rush out? Do students eat with a knife and fork or their hands? Does food stay on plates or is it tossed around the dining room?
Visit the buildings and facilities: Do facilities seem modern or do the buildings seem warn? Is every building, street and park bench under construction? Attending college on a construction site and waking up to a jack hammer can get annoying. Visit the gym and the library to observe the environment. Does the library seem easy to navigate? Do many students study in the library
Schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor: If you have not applied to the college, a campus visit is a perfect time to meet an admissions officer or schedule an interview. If you have already been accepted to the school, negotiate your financial package.
Tour the local community: Does the local community resemble Las Vegas or a retirement village? Is there a night life outside the college? Is the community wealthy, middle income, or lower income? How far away are stores?
Keep a Journal: Write down your thoughts when touring colleges. When determining the best college for you, revert back to your notes.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The FAFSA and the PROFILE
If you plan to apply for financial aid, you should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. The FAFSA is issued by the federal government. Whether you are considering attending community college, vocational school, or a four year college or university, start the college financing process by filling out the FAFSA. You must fill out the FAFSA to get federal financial aid. Even if you believe you do not qualify for government funding, you may still want to fill out the FAFSA. Many companies that offer private scholarships require information contained on the FAFSA. States also give financial aid based on the information on the FAFSA.
The information collected from the FAFSA helps determine 1) who qualifies for need based federal financial aid and 2) if the student qualifies, how much the student qualifies for.
The FAFSA formula calculates need based financial aid based on parent and student income and assets. The assets included in the calculation are cash, investments, and real estate (excluding primary residences). Retirement plans, insurance, personal debt and home equity are not included in the FAFSA calculation.
Colleges expect 35 percent of student savings to be used for the cost of colleges versus 12 percent of parent savings.
After determining parent and student income and assets, the FAFSA calculation determines how much the student and parent must contribute for college.
In addition, the College Board College Scholarship Service developed the PROFILE. The PROFILE allows colleges to ask different questions about additional income and assets not disclosed by the FAFSA. The PROFILE can also allow parents to explain high debt or special circumstances not disclosed in the FAFSA calculation.
In addition to the FAFSA and the PROFILE, individual colleges will ask applicants to fill out additional financial aid institutional forms.
The information collected from the FAFSA helps determine 1) who qualifies for need based federal financial aid and 2) if the student qualifies, how much the student qualifies for.
The FAFSA formula calculates need based financial aid based on parent and student income and assets. The assets included in the calculation are cash, investments, and real estate (excluding primary residences). Retirement plans, insurance, personal debt and home equity are not included in the FAFSA calculation.
Colleges expect 35 percent of student savings to be used for the cost of colleges versus 12 percent of parent savings.
After determining parent and student income and assets, the FAFSA calculation determines how much the student and parent must contribute for college.
In addition, the College Board College Scholarship Service developed the PROFILE. The PROFILE allows colleges to ask different questions about additional income and assets not disclosed by the FAFSA. The PROFILE can also allow parents to explain high debt or special circumstances not disclosed in the FAFSA calculation.
In addition to the FAFSA and the PROFILE, individual colleges will ask applicants to fill out additional financial aid institutional forms.
You know that college is expensive!
The cost of attendance for college increases each year. Everyone should consider higher education. But, what exactly are the fees and cost associated with college? How can you cut costs?
Tuition: This is the cost of the academic portion of college. Tuition usually helps keep the lights on in the academic buildings and pays salaries. You can usually cut the cost of tuition by attending a public school or a community college for the first two years and transfer to a four year college. You can also find ways of cutting the amount of time you stay in college. For example, you can take Advanced Placement classes in high school, which may give you credit for certain classes in college.
Fees: These are the costs associated with registration for class. In addition, a college may charge you a fee for college sponsored activities. Let’s say the college decides to organize a line dance or costume party. The money to organize and implement this program will come from fees tacked onto your bill.
Room and Board: This is the cost of your tiny dorm room that you will share with four people and the marginal food you will be forced to eat. You can cut these costs by living at home with your parents. You can also get a roommate. If you have a kitchen, you can also cook a portion of your meals and downgrade your meal plan. In addition, your parents can investigate purchasing property in the town where you attend college. This way, instead of paying high rent for a dorm room or apartment, you can pay down a mortgage.
Health/Dental Insurance: You will need health insurance. You will get sick and need preventative care. Check to see if the school offers health insurance. Many health plans allow students to stay on their parent’s health plans until age 25 years old.
Books: The cost of books depends on how many and what type of classes you take. You can cut costs by buying books off the web or buying used books.
Extra expenses: These costs can fluctuate based on where you attend college. There is a cost associated with partying and other forms of entertainment. Also you may need to buy clothes, want to join a sorority or fraternity or travel abroad. You can cut down many of these expenses by not engaging in expensive activities.
Tuition: This is the cost of the academic portion of college. Tuition usually helps keep the lights on in the academic buildings and pays salaries. You can usually cut the cost of tuition by attending a public school or a community college for the first two years and transfer to a four year college. You can also find ways of cutting the amount of time you stay in college. For example, you can take Advanced Placement classes in high school, which may give you credit for certain classes in college.
Fees: These are the costs associated with registration for class. In addition, a college may charge you a fee for college sponsored activities. Let’s say the college decides to organize a line dance or costume party. The money to organize and implement this program will come from fees tacked onto your bill.
Room and Board: This is the cost of your tiny dorm room that you will share with four people and the marginal food you will be forced to eat. You can cut these costs by living at home with your parents. You can also get a roommate. If you have a kitchen, you can also cook a portion of your meals and downgrade your meal plan. In addition, your parents can investigate purchasing property in the town where you attend college. This way, instead of paying high rent for a dorm room or apartment, you can pay down a mortgage.
Health/Dental Insurance: You will need health insurance. You will get sick and need preventative care. Check to see if the school offers health insurance. Many health plans allow students to stay on their parent’s health plans until age 25 years old.
Books: The cost of books depends on how many and what type of classes you take. You can cut costs by buying books off the web or buying used books.
Extra expenses: These costs can fluctuate based on where you attend college. There is a cost associated with partying and other forms of entertainment. Also you may need to buy clothes, want to join a sorority or fraternity or travel abroad. You can cut down many of these expenses by not engaging in expensive activities.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Where should I go to college?
Deciding where to attend college can be one of the most complicated decisions of your adult life. You want to be happy and experience new challenges.
If only college bound individuals could punch their unique characteristics into a computer and have it spit out the name of the perfect school! This would eliminate the pain and aggregation of attempting to guess which school you should attend.
Or, what if every school around the country had the same people, activities and academic curriculum? Determining where to attend college would be easier.
However life is not easy so why should the college decision process be? There are so many questions you should consider when deciding to go to college. Some depend on your individual preferences. Here are a few questions to consider when researching colleges:
How much will it cost to return home? How would you get home? If you attend college in your hometown, travel costs would consist of a gallon of gas. However if you attend college several states away, you will have to factor in plane or train expenses into your budget for college.
Should you attend school on the West coast or the East coast? Should you try your luck with the South or Midwest? Each geographic area has its own identity, right? If you attend school in Tennessee, you will receive a different experience than those who attend school in Los Angeles.
Do you want something similar or different than what you have been accustomed to in high school? If you live in the city, do you want to experience life in a rural area? If you live in the rural areas do you want to try your luck in the big city?
Do you want a college with an active student body? Do you want the college to depend on the community for social outlets? Do you care if the college is devoid of activities on and off campus? Are you planning to join a fraternity, sorority or a specific club? Is diversity important to you? Is it important for you to attend an all female college? A Black college? A religious college?
Do you want to attend college in cold weather or warm weather? Do you want to catch some sun between classes in Los Angeles or pick ice cycles off your eyebrow while walking to the dining hall in Chicago?
Do you want to attend a public or private school? Private schools may provide a more intimate feel.
Are you interested in a particular academic program? Are specific department reputations important to you? Are you interested in majoring in a particular area that may not exist at all colleges?
What is the graduation rate? How many students actually graduate from the college? Is the rate more than 50%? 80%? A low graduation rate could mean that students find the coursework difficult or the environment not conducive to learning.
Ultimately you should chose a college that challenges you mentally and will help you achieve your future goals.
If only college bound individuals could punch their unique characteristics into a computer and have it spit out the name of the perfect school! This would eliminate the pain and aggregation of attempting to guess which school you should attend.
Or, what if every school around the country had the same people, activities and academic curriculum? Determining where to attend college would be easier.
However life is not easy so why should the college decision process be? There are so many questions you should consider when deciding to go to college. Some depend on your individual preferences. Here are a few questions to consider when researching colleges:
How much will it cost to return home? How would you get home? If you attend college in your hometown, travel costs would consist of a gallon of gas. However if you attend college several states away, you will have to factor in plane or train expenses into your budget for college.
Should you attend school on the West coast or the East coast? Should you try your luck with the South or Midwest? Each geographic area has its own identity, right? If you attend school in Tennessee, you will receive a different experience than those who attend school in Los Angeles.
Do you want something similar or different than what you have been accustomed to in high school? If you live in the city, do you want to experience life in a rural area? If you live in the rural areas do you want to try your luck in the big city?
Do you want a college with an active student body? Do you want the college to depend on the community for social outlets? Do you care if the college is devoid of activities on and off campus? Are you planning to join a fraternity, sorority or a specific club? Is diversity important to you? Is it important for you to attend an all female college? A Black college? A religious college?
Do you want to attend college in cold weather or warm weather? Do you want to catch some sun between classes in Los Angeles or pick ice cycles off your eyebrow while walking to the dining hall in Chicago?
Do you want to attend a public or private school? Private schools may provide a more intimate feel.
Are you interested in a particular academic program? Are specific department reputations important to you? Are you interested in majoring in a particular area that may not exist at all colleges?
What is the graduation rate? How many students actually graduate from the college? Is the rate more than 50%? 80%? A low graduation rate could mean that students find the coursework difficult or the environment not conducive to learning.
Ultimately you should chose a college that challenges you mentally and will help you achieve your future goals.
Monday, March 3, 2008
An Admissions Decision: Denied, Accepted, Waitlisted
In April, a college will finally send all applicants back a letter, notifying them of the admissions decision. Here is a list of the possible decisions:
Denied: You may have received a letter, informing you that the college can not accept you for admission. It is not the end of the world. Most schools only have a set number of openings and a large applicant pool. The whole process is a numbers game. Don’t take it personal. Move on with your life.
Waitlist: Some schools have sent a letter stating that they are not rejecting or accepting you. They will wait to determine how many accepted students will matriculate into the college. In the middle of summer, they will notify you as to whether you will be accepted or denied. You can choose to stay on the waitlist or decide that it’s not worth the hassle.
If you have been waitlisted but are still interested in the school, send the college a well written letter further emphasizing your interest. In addition, send the college any awards or honors you may have received during your senior year and a final transcript.
Deferred: A college can defer a student if a student has applied early decision or early action. Deferral usually means that a college will not make a final decision regarding the applicant until more information is gathered or until a student is compared with the regular applicant pool. Make sure you send the college your final transcripts.
Accepted: You will receive some letters stating that you have been accepted. Celebrate your acceptances! Go out to dinner. You should feel proud of accomplishing so much. When you have decided to attend a school, make sure you notify the school in a timely manner. Make sure you submit your financial deposit before May 1. In addition, tell all schools that you do not wish to attend, that you are declining their offer.
Denied: You may have received a letter, informing you that the college can not accept you for admission. It is not the end of the world. Most schools only have a set number of openings and a large applicant pool. The whole process is a numbers game. Don’t take it personal. Move on with your life.
Waitlist: Some schools have sent a letter stating that they are not rejecting or accepting you. They will wait to determine how many accepted students will matriculate into the college. In the middle of summer, they will notify you as to whether you will be accepted or denied. You can choose to stay on the waitlist or decide that it’s not worth the hassle.
If you have been waitlisted but are still interested in the school, send the college a well written letter further emphasizing your interest. In addition, send the college any awards or honors you may have received during your senior year and a final transcript.
Deferred: A college can defer a student if a student has applied early decision or early action. Deferral usually means that a college will not make a final decision regarding the applicant until more information is gathered or until a student is compared with the regular applicant pool. Make sure you send the college your final transcripts.
Accepted: You will receive some letters stating that you have been accepted. Celebrate your acceptances! Go out to dinner. You should feel proud of accomplishing so much. When you have decided to attend a school, make sure you notify the school in a timely manner. Make sure you submit your financial deposit before May 1. In addition, tell all schools that you do not wish to attend, that you are declining their offer.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Shopping for College: Should I Bring the Kitchen Sink?
When I went away to college, I literally brought the kitchen sink. I brought clothing that I haven’t worn in ten years, shoes that haven’t fit in five years and a blanket I haven’t used since I was a toddler. I even tried to figure out ways to put my bookshelf into my suitcase, to no avail. Eventually I learned that I didn’t need to bring my entire bedroom to college. Here are some of the essentials I felt were necessary for college life.
Appropriate Clothing: Bring appropriate clothing. Don’t bring your whole closet! That ripped Madonna T-shirt and matching biker shorts do not need to come with you to college! Buy appropriate clothing for cold weather conditions such as gloves, mittens, hats, jackets, boots, socks, thermals, and earmuffs. Buy most of these clothes online or in the same state where you will be attending college especially if you are from an area with warm weather. Purchasing snow boots on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles is never a good idea.
Identification: Bring important identification, such as a driver's license or an identification card. If you plan to work, you will need to bring a social security card with you to college.
Pictures: You may want to bring pictures with you to college. Pictures are nice to accent a room and can give character to a smelly small dorm room. When you get homesick or start missing a friend, you can look at pictures and reminisce.
Dorm Size Refrigerator: Are you really planning to get up to eat breakfast in the dinning hall before that 8:00am class? I guarantee you will change your mind once you start college. Refrigerators are nice to store milk for breakfast or other items you may want to eat. Many colleges have community refrigerators, which look like the inside of a trash can. You don’t want to put your food in those refrigerators. If you are traveling long distances, purchase the refrigerator close to where you will be attending college.
Bike: Bikes allow you to travel from one side of the campus to the other quickly. You can save time, especially if you are late to class! You can also deliver newspapers as a side job. Again, don’t ship a bike. Purchase a bike where you will be attending college.
Backpack: In college you can not bully people to carry your books so a backpack is necessary to transport your books.
Bathroom items: You will need a few towels, wash cloths, a robe and flip flops (so you don't have to step on the nasty hair clogs in the shower.)
Laundry bag: This will allow you to transport your laundry to the laundry room. Most schools have a laundry service also. You can pay several hundred dollars a term to have someone else wash your own laundry and pick up your dry cleaning.
Phone: You need a phone soyou can call home and cry to your parents. Cell phones are an option however you will want to have a land line phone also, just in case something happens with your cell phone.
Bedding: You will need blankets, sheets and pillows. Most colleges have twin extra long mattresses in dorm rooms so that students who are six feet tall feel just as comfortable as those who are four feet tall. You can sometime purchase your bedding through a company which contracts with the college. This way, you don't have to lug bedding on the plane with you. It will arrive straight to the college.
Television/Stereo: These items are a necessity but they both are not excellent distractions
Computer/Printer: Handwriting term papers are not acceptable in college.
I found that these were the basics that I needed when going away to college. Many of these items I was able to purchase around my college. Bringing unnecessary items only cluttered my already small dorm room.
Appropriate Clothing: Bring appropriate clothing. Don’t bring your whole closet! That ripped Madonna T-shirt and matching biker shorts do not need to come with you to college! Buy appropriate clothing for cold weather conditions such as gloves, mittens, hats, jackets, boots, socks, thermals, and earmuffs. Buy most of these clothes online or in the same state where you will be attending college especially if you are from an area with warm weather. Purchasing snow boots on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles is never a good idea.
Identification: Bring important identification, such as a driver's license or an identification card. If you plan to work, you will need to bring a social security card with you to college.
Pictures: You may want to bring pictures with you to college. Pictures are nice to accent a room and can give character to a smelly small dorm room. When you get homesick or start missing a friend, you can look at pictures and reminisce.
Dorm Size Refrigerator: Are you really planning to get up to eat breakfast in the dinning hall before that 8:00am class? I guarantee you will change your mind once you start college. Refrigerators are nice to store milk for breakfast or other items you may want to eat. Many colleges have community refrigerators, which look like the inside of a trash can. You don’t want to put your food in those refrigerators. If you are traveling long distances, purchase the refrigerator close to where you will be attending college.
Bike: Bikes allow you to travel from one side of the campus to the other quickly. You can save time, especially if you are late to class! You can also deliver newspapers as a side job. Again, don’t ship a bike. Purchase a bike where you will be attending college.
Backpack: In college you can not bully people to carry your books so a backpack is necessary to transport your books.
Bathroom items: You will need a few towels, wash cloths, a robe and flip flops (so you don't have to step on the nasty hair clogs in the shower.)
Laundry bag: This will allow you to transport your laundry to the laundry room. Most schools have a laundry service also. You can pay several hundred dollars a term to have someone else wash your own laundry and pick up your dry cleaning.
Phone: You need a phone soyou can call home and cry to your parents. Cell phones are an option however you will want to have a land line phone also, just in case something happens with your cell phone.
Bedding: You will need blankets, sheets and pillows. Most colleges have twin extra long mattresses in dorm rooms so that students who are six feet tall feel just as comfortable as those who are four feet tall. You can sometime purchase your bedding through a company which contracts with the college. This way, you don't have to lug bedding on the plane with you. It will arrive straight to the college.
Television/Stereo: These items are a necessity but they both are not excellent distractions
Computer/Printer: Handwriting term papers are not acceptable in college.
I found that these were the basics that I needed when going away to college. Many of these items I was able to purchase around my college. Bringing unnecessary items only cluttered my already small dorm room.
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