The Common App is either your best friend or worst enemy. It offers great convenience because you send just one form to many schools. However, if you complete it suboptimally, then, well, you've just sent this application to many schools. That said, I will walk you through all the parts of the common app in this next series of blogs. If you haven't started your application yet, then start now!
I will be reviewing the online common application.
What is the common app?
The common app is an admissions application that is common for many schools. Most schools require a supplement in addition to the application, which you can view and submit at the common app website. The common app has the meat of your application though.
Registering:
Head on over to http://www.commonapp.org In the middle of the screen, you should see a form to log in. Underneath, click the link entitled "Never Registered?" Now fill out the form truthfully. It's just your name, address, telephone number, etc. Comply with the legal information by checking the box, and then voila, you have a common app account.
Showing posts with label admission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label admission. Show all posts
Friday, November 21, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Essays - Choosing a Topic
Quite possibly the most important part in writing a college essay is picking the topic. When applying, you will compose a plethora of essays on only on a handful of topics. I used a modified version of my Common Application essay for most of my other application and scholarships essays, because I spent the most time editing my common app essay.
When picking what you will write about, make sure your essay is relevant to the prompt. While this guideline seems like common sense, we have an innate and detrimental tendency to stray off topic. Therefore, it's a good idea to pre-write and outline your essay, just as you would for any other writing assignment.
The best advice I have is this: make sure your topic is unique and personal, not cliche or trite. This is naturally the hardest part about selecting a topic. Let's see an example. The archetypal essay topic (which I'm sure you've all encountered) is: "Evaluate a significant experience . . . " To brainstorm, write down critical experiences in your life, such as milestones, turns of events, or just strange happenings. You don't have to attach any personal significance to them yet. Next, try to write down more specific, if less significant, experiences. This could include the first time you played an instrument, a personal victory, etc. Next, include anyone who has influenced on your life, and try to associate an event with them, such as an important conversation. Now that you have an array of topics, select a few that do not seem commonplace, but rather unique. For example, eliminate the family vacation, the band camp trip, etc.
In your revised collection of topics, associate a value or characteristic, such as maturity, independence, clarity, etc. that you gained from the experience. This is a pivotal part in choosing your topic. Every applicant will undoubtedly have some sort of interesting experience; what sets your essay apart from others is what you've personally gained from the experience. In short, do not merely sum up how this event influenced other events that happened in your life, but rather clarify how it has helped you grow as an individual.
However, you may feel that none of these events have impacted you in some profound, barely effable way. You need to really analyze the event and construe a personal significance, even if it not apparent at first. In another blog, we will go into writing and editing your essays.
Back to The College Guide - Admissions Advice
When picking what you will write about, make sure your essay is relevant to the prompt. While this guideline seems like common sense, we have an innate and detrimental tendency to stray off topic. Therefore, it's a good idea to pre-write and outline your essay, just as you would for any other writing assignment.
The best advice I have is this: make sure your topic is unique and personal, not cliche or trite. This is naturally the hardest part about selecting a topic. Let's see an example. The archetypal essay topic (which I'm sure you've all encountered) is: "Evaluate a significant experience . . . " To brainstorm, write down critical experiences in your life, such as milestones, turns of events, or just strange happenings. You don't have to attach any personal significance to them yet. Next, try to write down more specific, if less significant, experiences. This could include the first time you played an instrument, a personal victory, etc. Next, include anyone who has influenced on your life, and try to associate an event with them, such as an important conversation. Now that you have an array of topics, select a few that do not seem commonplace, but rather unique. For example, eliminate the family vacation, the band camp trip, etc.
In your revised collection of topics, associate a value or characteristic, such as maturity, independence, clarity, etc. that you gained from the experience. This is a pivotal part in choosing your topic. Every applicant will undoubtedly have some sort of interesting experience; what sets your essay apart from others is what you've personally gained from the experience. In short, do not merely sum up how this event influenced other events that happened in your life, but rather clarify how it has helped you grow as an individual.
However, you may feel that none of these events have impacted you in some profound, barely effable way. You need to really analyze the event and construe a personal significance, even if it not apparent at first. In another blog, we will go into writing and editing your essays.
Back to The College Guide - Admissions Advice
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Extracurricular Activities: How to prepare yourself for college beyond your academic life
Hey there, it's John again. There are several things colleges look for in their applicants besides GPA and test scores. One thing that may set you far above the other applicants is the extent to which you are involved. I just want to tell you a little bit about the types of Extracurricular Activities I recommend and provide some examples of the types of groups I was involved in during high school. I will separate this into two categories: Extracurricular groups and volunteer work.
EXTRACURRICULAR GROUPS: These groups include academic clubs (Quiz Bowl, Math Club, Science Olympiads, etc.), sports teams (football, basketball, etc.), service oriented clubs (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.), and religious oriented groups (Youth Groups, missionary groups, etc.). If you can obtain high level positions in these organizations, they will help advance your chances of success in the admissions process. The more variety you can fill yourself with, the more you will stand out in the application process. For example, someone who has a high GPA and is only involved in academic clubs will be no better off than someone with a relatively high GPA that is involved in academic clubs, sports teams, and service oriented clubs.
Some of the clubs and positions I served in during high school include Boy Scouts - Assistant Scoutmaster; Student Government - President; Beta Club - President; Quiz Bowl; Tennis Team; Soccer Team; Drama Club; Crossfire Youth Group; Advisor to the Superintendent. These are just some examples of the types of groups I recommend. This list represents a good variety of the aforementioned types of groups.
VOLUNTEER WORK: This is something that colleges pay special attention to even though it is an uncommon occurrence on applications. When filling out your applications for college, be sure to include ALL of your prior volunteer service. This can be service through religious affiliated groups, service oriented groups, or just volunteer projects that you design. If you have not yet done any service, it is not too late. Just get out there today, think about what your community needs, and act soon! Volunteer work can be as simple as collecting food for your local food pantry or as in depth as repairing homes.
Some of the volunteer work I included in my college applications include: Planning food drives for the local food pantries, going on mission trips to other states and helping repair dilapidated homes, holding voter registration drives in local high schools to register students for the upcoming elections, and erecting a flag pole, dedication site, and handicap accessible sidewalk in my local park for my Eagle Scout service project. These different types of service amount for over 300 hours and helped me get accepted into Cornell University.
These are just some suggestions of the types of activities you should get involved with while you still have the chance. My SAT score was well below average for the colleges and universities I applied to, yet I was still accepted. If not for these various groups and multiple service activities, I probably would not have gained admittance into certain prestigious universities.
EXTRACURRICULAR GROUPS: These groups include academic clubs (Quiz Bowl, Math Club, Science Olympiads, etc.), sports teams (football, basketball, etc.), service oriented clubs (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.), and religious oriented groups (Youth Groups, missionary groups, etc.). If you can obtain high level positions in these organizations, they will help advance your chances of success in the admissions process. The more variety you can fill yourself with, the more you will stand out in the application process. For example, someone who has a high GPA and is only involved in academic clubs will be no better off than someone with a relatively high GPA that is involved in academic clubs, sports teams, and service oriented clubs.
Some of the clubs and positions I served in during high school include Boy Scouts - Assistant Scoutmaster; Student Government - President; Beta Club - President; Quiz Bowl; Tennis Team; Soccer Team; Drama Club; Crossfire Youth Group; Advisor to the Superintendent. These are just some examples of the types of groups I recommend. This list represents a good variety of the aforementioned types of groups.
VOLUNTEER WORK: This is something that colleges pay special attention to even though it is an uncommon occurrence on applications. When filling out your applications for college, be sure to include ALL of your prior volunteer service. This can be service through religious affiliated groups, service oriented groups, or just volunteer projects that you design. If you have not yet done any service, it is not too late. Just get out there today, think about what your community needs, and act soon! Volunteer work can be as simple as collecting food for your local food pantry or as in depth as repairing homes.
Some of the volunteer work I included in my college applications include: Planning food drives for the local food pantries, going on mission trips to other states and helping repair dilapidated homes, holding voter registration drives in local high schools to register students for the upcoming elections, and erecting a flag pole, dedication site, and handicap accessible sidewalk in my local park for my Eagle Scout service project. These different types of service amount for over 300 hours and helped me get accepted into Cornell University.
These are just some suggestions of the types of activities you should get involved with while you still have the chance. My SAT score was well below average for the colleges and universities I applied to, yet I was still accepted. If not for these various groups and multiple service activities, I probably would not have gained admittance into certain prestigious universities.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Nailing the Interview
I realize that some of you have applied early decision / action to schools already, and you have the option / requirement of an interview. Always opt to have an interview, especially for your reach and match schools. If a school holds interviews, but doesn't set them up for you, then make sure you take the iniative and find out how to get one. Just call the admissions office and ask them about it. Really, it's not a big hassle and it's completely worth it.
Here are the important parts of an interview:
1. Preparation - Never go into a college interview cold turkey; you should have an idea of what sorts of questions they will ask and how you want to answer them. Google "college interviews" for some of the archetypal questions that are asked. Also, know what specifically draws you to the school, such as its aspects of its academics, its campus, etc. If you have to, do a little research beforehand. This topic always comes up interviews, so you want your reasons for interest in the college solidified in your mind. Secondly, think about your best qualities - in academics, personality, and extracurriculars - and be sure you can cite experiences that exemplify them. For example, when was a time when you showed leadership and acted under pressure? I was asked this at my Columbia interview. It might be a good idea to look over your resume before an interview and pick out what best exemplifies you.
2. Pre-Interview - Dress for the occasion. It's better to overdress and show that you mean really business than underdress. Make sure you show up early for the interview. Punctuality demonstrates your earnestness and allows you to collect your nerves. On that note, don't be nervous. Be yourself; that is, only be the best parts of yourself. Speak in your everyday voice but don't use colloquialisms. "Yeah, i pwn3d the SATs" is not adequate.
3. The Interview - This is your opportunity to portray your best qualities and also your human-ness. You're more than just numbers on a paper, and now you have to prove it. If possible, try not to mention things that are already on your application, such as your GPA, SAT scores, etc. It's best to try to answer questions using anecdotes about rewarding experiences you've had; even if you don't think they were so beneficial, embellish the experience to show how you became a better or more complete person out of it. To illustrate, say camping is one of your favorite hobbies. Be prepared to talk about how you've gained independence, resilience, and meticulousness from it with examples. Furthermore, always elaborate your answers and make them pertinent to yourself. Remember, this is a showcase of YOU. At my MIT interview, I was asked what my favorite book was. I gave an explanation of the book and why I liked it, but I never really related it to me. I should have said something along the lines of, "I could really relate to the protagonist of Atlas Shrugged. We had many resonances in character, like diligence . . ." Of course, I would want to back that up with a specific example from my life and that of the protagonist. No matter how cheesy or abstract you sound, show what you've gained from an experience.
Don't forget that the interviewer is also present at the interview (lol) and that they're usually alumni. Don't hesitate to ask them questions about the school, such as why they chose it, what opportunities it opened for them, etc. In fact, I recommend brainstorming a few questions that you WILL ask them throughout the interview or afterwards. Not only can you get questions answered from firsthand experiences, but also you show interest in the school.
4. Post-Interview - The interview is not the be-all end-all of the application process. I don't believe, however, that "it helps more than it hurts." A mediocre interview does not help at all and equates to a great opporunity missed. A great interview can be your ticket in to a school. Just be well prepared. Remember, you want to display your best characteristics and cite specific examples that convey them. It's a good idea to follow up the interview with a pleasant email or letter thanking the interviewer. If the interviewer has not produced the write-up yet, then your face will be fresh in his mind. After your first one or two interviews, you will become more comfortable in selling your abilities and displaying your prowess.
Here are the important parts of an interview:
1. Preparation - Never go into a college interview cold turkey; you should have an idea of what sorts of questions they will ask and how you want to answer them. Google "college interviews" for some of the archetypal questions that are asked. Also, know what specifically draws you to the school, such as its aspects of its academics, its campus, etc. If you have to, do a little research beforehand. This topic always comes up interviews, so you want your reasons for interest in the college solidified in your mind. Secondly, think about your best qualities - in academics, personality, and extracurriculars - and be sure you can cite experiences that exemplify them. For example, when was a time when you showed leadership and acted under pressure? I was asked this at my Columbia interview. It might be a good idea to look over your resume before an interview and pick out what best exemplifies you.
2. Pre-Interview - Dress for the occasion. It's better to overdress and show that you mean really business than underdress. Make sure you show up early for the interview. Punctuality demonstrates your earnestness and allows you to collect your nerves. On that note, don't be nervous. Be yourself; that is, only be the best parts of yourself. Speak in your everyday voice but don't use colloquialisms. "Yeah, i pwn3d the SATs" is not adequate.
3. The Interview - This is your opportunity to portray your best qualities and also your human-ness. You're more than just numbers on a paper, and now you have to prove it. If possible, try not to mention things that are already on your application, such as your GPA, SAT scores, etc. It's best to try to answer questions using anecdotes about rewarding experiences you've had; even if you don't think they were so beneficial, embellish the experience to show how you became a better or more complete person out of it. To illustrate, say camping is one of your favorite hobbies. Be prepared to talk about how you've gained independence, resilience, and meticulousness from it with examples. Furthermore, always elaborate your answers and make them pertinent to yourself. Remember, this is a showcase of YOU. At my MIT interview, I was asked what my favorite book was. I gave an explanation of the book and why I liked it, but I never really related it to me. I should have said something along the lines of, "I could really relate to the protagonist of Atlas Shrugged. We had many resonances in character, like diligence . . ." Of course, I would want to back that up with a specific example from my life and that of the protagonist. No matter how cheesy or abstract you sound, show what you've gained from an experience.
Don't forget that the interviewer is also present at the interview (lol) and that they're usually alumni. Don't hesitate to ask them questions about the school, such as why they chose it, what opportunities it opened for them, etc. In fact, I recommend brainstorming a few questions that you WILL ask them throughout the interview or afterwards. Not only can you get questions answered from firsthand experiences, but also you show interest in the school.
4. Post-Interview - The interview is not the be-all end-all of the application process. I don't believe, however, that "it helps more than it hurts." A mediocre interview does not help at all and equates to a great opporunity missed. A great interview can be your ticket in to a school. Just be well prepared. Remember, you want to display your best characteristics and cite specific examples that convey them. It's a good idea to follow up the interview with a pleasant email or letter thanking the interviewer. If the interviewer has not produced the write-up yet, then your face will be fresh in his mind. After your first one or two interviews, you will become more comfortable in selling your abilities and displaying your prowess.
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