How to Write a Great Personal Statement
Everyone should know how to write a great personal statement. Not only is this skill necessary during the college admission process, but it could also benefit you when applying and interviewing for jobs and scholarships. With admission representatives (and employers and scholarship committees) reading hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, the personal statement you submit with your application may be the key to unlocking your college (and employment) dreams. By following a few simple steps, you’ll be able to draft a personal statement that is sure to make your application stand out from the crowd.
You Had Me at Hello
The introductory sentence and paragraph just may be the most important element in your personal statement; grab your audience quickly and draw them in to your world. Admissions officers are looking for something unique and intriguing, so wow them right off the bat. This can be done through at snapshot of who you are or with a quick engaging story; in either case, make your opening paragraph entertaining and compelling. Read the rest of this entry »
Tackling Your College Admission Essay
If you haven’t started your college admission essays, now’s the time to get moving! Regular college admission deadlines will be here before you know it, and you don’t want to find yourself trying to crank out an admission essay a day or two before it is due. For some, the mere thought of what to write may have them dragging their feet. For others, it may be more of a mechanical issue. Whatever the reason, we are here to offer you some suggestions on how to get your creative juices flowing.
First, you have to decide what to write. Not all college admission essay questions are the same, but in general, they are meant to probe you for a deeper understanding of who you are and what you can bring to the college campus. When trying to decide between essay topics, consider how writing about each topic could possibly reveal your personality, goals and ambitions. Read the rest of this entry »
Five Things High School Juniors Should Do Before New Year’s Eve
As we head into the holiday season, college planning is probably the last thing on your mind as a high school junior. You are probably consumed with holiday shopping, semester exams and projects, or trying to decide what to wear to the winter formal. Many of you may be dreaming about staying home from school and sleeping in late; however, this is the perfect time for you to work on your plans for college. Before you ring in the New Year, be sure you complete the following five tasks for high school juniors.
1. Register for the SAT and/or ACT. I know you might have just finished taking the PSAT and the last thing you want to do is think about another college admission test right now. But this is actually a perfect time to schedule yourself for one of the spring test dates. Taking the SAT or ACT in your junior year will help you get more comfortable with the tests and identify areas where you may need some additional help. Get ready for a spring test now, and you’ll have a much easier time, and be under less pressure, in your senior year. Read the rest of this entry »
Seniors: Five Things ‘To Do’ Before 2012
Can you feel it in the air? High school seniors everywhere have started the countdown to graduation. It’s only a few weeks before we ring in the New Year, and before you know it, you’ll be headed across the stage to get your diploma! I know you are anxiously awaiting the winter break and a much needed reprieve from classes, but this is no time to neglect your college preparation agenda. Before we ring in 2012, here’s a list of five things every high school senior should be working on now…
1. Complete your college applications. This should go without saying, but don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today! Check to make sure you have ALL items needed for your college applications: letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, college admission essays, etc. Be sure to have someone review everything for errors/omissions and get your applications ready for submission. Next, submit them online, or (if you are sending them offline) take your completed packets to the post office or UPS store to be weighed to ensure you have the proper postage; nothing would be worse than getting back your applications returned as undeliverable after the deadline due to insufficient postage. Read the rest of this entry »
NACAC Encourages Flexibility on May 1 Universal Reply Date
Sunday, May 1st is the National Candidate Reply Date, the deadline for most students to enroll for school, make a deposit, or formally accept scholarship offers from the schools they will be attending in the fall. In the wake of the tragic tornado outbreaks in several states throughout the southeastern United States, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling is asking for flexibility from college admissions offices with regard to the May 1st deadline for student deposits and commitments. NACAC is hoping schools will understand that there may be delays in receiving replies from students in the affected areas. Already, the University of Alabama has suspended normal operations, postponed commencement exercises, and extended the scholarship acceptance date. Any students affected by the recent tornadoes are encouraged to contact the admissions offices at their schools if possible to request an extension of the acceptance deadline.
Performing Arts Colleges: Personal Insight on Applying & Auditioning
Have you been in ballet shoes since before you could tie your sneakers? Played the violin before you could recite your ABC’s? If so, perhaps you are thinking of attending a performing arts college. Wondering how you would go about that? Lucky for you, I have personal insight into the process. My sister was a member of the Conservatory at Shenandoah University and graduated with a degree in Dance.
One of the first decisions she had to make was whether she wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree in Dance. Many performance dancers opt for a B.F.A., as the training and education is very specific to the major. My sister decided she wanted a broader degree and chose a B.A. Like any other student, she had to first consider if she could get into a college based on her grades and test scores, and then she had to evaluate the dance program based on her interests and her skills. Read the rest of this entry »
Your Guide to College Success With a Learning Difference
Everyone enters college expecting to learn a lot in the classroom. And while college is absolutely about the education you receive, it is also about educating yourself in the ways of the world. It’s a time where you learn to stand up for yourself and act as your own advocate.
For students with any sort of learning difference, being your own advocate when applying to college is even more important. So what does this mean? It means understanding exactly what you need to be a successful student, feeling comfortable in discussing those needs, and asking for help meeting those needs. Read the rest of this entry »
Learning Differences and Applying to College
The idea of attending college can be both exciting and daunting. After all, the college application process alone is tedious and time consuming. And it can feel much more overwhelming for a student who has a learning difference. Recently, I chatted with my cousin who’s been there, done that, and got through it on his own with hard work and planning.
As a child, my cousin was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and factors affecting his short-term memory. In a nutshell, he had a hard time concentrating on his schoolwork. Based on his diagnosis, his high school enrolled him in a support program designed to assist students with mild learning differences and prepare them for college. He was also provided other accommodations in high school, such as recording lectures and extra help after class. Read the rest of this entry »
College Communications and Admission Assumptions
“Congratulations, you won!” Ever seen that on an envelope in your mail or in the subject line of an email? Usually they are just advertisements promising something too good to be true, but would you believe some colleges use this same advertising technique?
As soon as you take the SAT or even the PSAT*, colleges will start sending you information. You’ll receive emails, brochures, even applications. Some of the information might be generic, but some of it might be personalized just for you. It’s easy to read a letter with your name on it inviting you to visit the school or some other personalized offer and think that the school is holding a spot for you. But don’t be fooled! Read the rest of this entry »
Put Your College Application on Video!
Get the video camera out; it’s time to apply for college! Nope, that’s not a typo; your eyes do not deceive you. Several colleges this year are allowing students to supplement their applications with a short YouTube video. The video below, from a Tufts University applicant, actually went viral. (And as of this post, the video has been viewed 102,261 times!)
So what does that mean for you? Read the rest of this entry »
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