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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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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