What To Do For College Applications

You Only Need To Explain Extraordinary Covid

Students have seen a range of impacts during the coronavirus pandemic. Some may have missed one season of a sport, others lost loved ones or were diagnosed with COVID-19 themselves.

Gary Clark, director of undergraduate admission at the University of California, Los Angeles, told USA TODAY that admissions officers assume that all students may have been impacted by COVID in some way, shape or form.

He encouraged students who were not significantly impacted by the pandemic to focus on their achievements in applications.

The idea of every student having to write that I wasnt engaged in activities. I wasnt able to do this specific thing I typically do outside of class. That’s not necessary. We recognize and understand that that is going to be the case, he said.

If a student has to really think too hard or really struggle to explain how, then they probably don’t need to write about it, he said.

DJ Menifee, vice president for enrollment at Susquehanna University and board director for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, told USA TODAY that students who faced major impacts during the coronavirus pandemic should feel comfortable being their authentic selves in the process.

Relaxed policies:College applications pour in because of optional ACT, SAT test scores amid COVID-19

Think Outside The Box For Extracurriculars

Springall told USA TODAY that admissions officers know students have had sports, extracurriculars and other activities delayed or canceled.

He encouraged applicants to focus on any responsibilities they took on during the pandemic, citing students who may have helped younger siblings with virtual school while their parents worked.

Students, especially this last year, carry some extra responsibilities, and maybe they don’t think to document them because they’re not getting a paycheck, or it’s not something that their school is sponsoring, Springall said.

If it’s a commitment and time and a responsibility, then we want to hear about it, he said.

Question : What Are Your Academic Strengths

Why they’re asking this: In an effort to get to know you as a student, colleges are interested in getting your perspective on where you excel academically.

What they’re looking for: Don’t make this answer too short. Don’t just say, “I’m good at science.” When discussing your academic strengths, explain how you’ve capitalized on your strengths. If you’re an excellent writer, for example, how have you used your writing skills to excel in school? How do you plan on continuing to use your strengths?

How to prepare: Make sure you know your academic strengths. You should be able to explain how you recognized your strengths, how you’re currently using them, and how you plan to use them in the future.

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Work With A Nonprofit

Many nonprofit organizations allow volunteers, and while work is online, there may be more opportunities than before. If there is a cause you care about, consider volunteering for organizations that promote it. Of course, only do this if this is something you are truly passionate about and will stand for. Admissions officers will make assumptions about your passions make sure they are making the right assumptions. For example, if you have never left the country and dont really understand foreign politics, it wouldnt make sense to volunteer at Amnesty International.

You should also consider local organizations, which are normally more accepting of volunteers food pantries, animal hospitals, nursing homes, animal shelters, etc. The website of the organization will likely tell you how to volunteer, but if not, you can always email a volunteer coordinator or director your interest in volunteering with the organization in any capacity. If you can, suggest a few ways in which you can volunteer virtually.

The 14 College Interview Questions You Must Prepare For

The college interview process can be nerve-racking. This interview gives the college you’re applying to another opportunity to evaluate you and help determine whether or not to offer you admission. However, your college interviews won’t be nearly as scary if you know what to expect.

In this article, I give you the 14 college interview questions you absolutely must prepare for. I explain why you’re being asked these questions and how to provide great answers. Furthermore, I offer advice on how to prepare for your interviews so that when the time comes, you’ll be ready to ace them.

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Don’t Forget Essential Documents

Dont forget to provide your high school transcript, SAT/SAT II/ACT test scores, and letters of recommendation as needed. Take the required admissions tests well in advance in case you dont earn a qualifying score the first time you take them. One tip: DO NOT send the admissions panel flowers, chocolates, balloons or muffins.

Honesty Is The Best Policy

Dont lie on your college applications. Embellishing the truth will only hurt you in the long run and admissions officers are authorized to check your claims and references. Allowing your parents to complete your application is also dishonest. You are the person who is applying to college, not your parents. It’s fine to ask their opinions about it, but it’s cheating to have someone else write your essay or fill out your application.

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College Admissions Consulting / Transfer Admissions Consulting

• UC / University of California Essays

• Personal Statements

*This applies to one application cycle for first year or transfer. For other services not included in the package, we charge our standard hourly fee.

We suggest our college or transfer admissions clients apply to at least four schools to maximize their chances of gaining admission to at least one school. Your admissions consultant will provide greater detail about which schools fit into which category for you.

To maximize the chances of gaining admission to a competitive university, we suggest that our college or transfer admissions clients apply to at least six schools .

** Our experience shows that without a waitlist appeal letter or letter of continued interest, the applicant has a 12% chance of getting off a waitlist at a competitive school. With a good waitlist appeal letter and waitlist campaign, that moves up to 45%. A waitlist campaign involves contacting the school on multiple occasions every few months to remind them of clients accomplishments and continued interest.

High Grade Point Average

Dont be afraid to show off a high, grade point average, this is the time to do it.

If you maintained a consistently high GPA over your high school career, thats great. You can set and hold a high standard for yourself, which demonstrates focus and commitment.

However, if freshman year was tough but over the remaining three years you improved your GPA significantly, admissions officers will pay even more attention.

They want to see your potential for growth. The more you can show, the more theyll be interested in you.

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Question : Why Are You Interested In This College

Why they’re asking this: This is an important question and one you should definitely prepare for, since colleges want to see that you’re taking the application process seriously and have a legitimate interest in attending the school.

What they’re looking for: Talk about your interest in a major or academic program, the cultural values of the school, or extracurricular activities that drew you to the college. Again, be thorough and specific. Don’t talk about prestige or rankings, and don’t say you just want to go there because it’s close to home none of this shows genuine interest in this specific college!

How to prepare: To answer this question well, you’ll need to conduct extensive college research before the interview. You should be able to cite specifics when answering this question. Follow the same advice as if you were writing the answer to this question for your application essay.

Submit Your High School Transcript

Your transcript is a record of all the classes you took in high school, along with the grades earned in those courses. Work with your high schools guidance or college counselor to have your transcript sent to your colleges.

It can take a few weeks for your request to process, so dont wait until the last minute to submit your request.

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Be Neat And Organized

College admissions review panels do not appreciate misspellings, grammatical and syntactical errors. Technical issues discredit you as a serious applicant and if you turn in a hard copy application, be sure to write as neatly as possible. Also, it helps to have a friend, teacher, or family member look over your college application before submission to assure that it is neat and complete.

How Do I Choose The Right Application To Use

Some colleges may accept all of these forms of applications and some schools may only accept one form. However, the Common Application is generally the best choice, as this application is most widely used across the country. If you are applying to a college with multiple application choices, it is best to contact that school and find out if they have a preference. If there is no preference, you can feel confident using the Common App.

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What Makes A Good College

When evaluating schools, there are a number of factors to consider. The size, location, and culture of the campus are all important. Knowing what you want to study also helps, particularly if you are very passionate about a particular subject. Most larger schools offer a wide variety of majors, but some smaller colleges will have slimmer pickings, so keep that in mind.

Affordability will be important for many students. You shouldn’t entirely dismiss pricier schools right away, particularly if you have a strong academic background and could earn a large scholarship. Still, if cost is of primary concern, you’ll probably want to limit your search to public schools within your state and states with reciprocity agreements.

What Is The Format Of Job Application Letter

The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the job you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. You might conclude by briefly and concisely saying why you think you are an ideal candidate for the job.

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Question : What Do You Expect To Be Doing 10 Years From Now

Why they’re asking this: Just to set the record straight, you don’t need to have your entire future figured out. Colleges understand that you probably won’t have everything decided and your plans are likely to change. What they do want is students with direction.

What they’re looking for: Colleges want students who are motivated to achieve their goals. The bad, general answer is to only say you expect to have a fulfilling career and be making a positive impact on the world. What are some specific activities you’d like to do? How do you plan on impacting the world? You don’t have to limit your plans to professional goals. Do you want to take your mom on a vacation? Or have weekly gatherings with your best friends from high school?

How to prepare: You can write down some detailed notes answering this question. Paint a picture of the life you want to have in 10 years. That picture should reveal your uniqueness.

The 14 Most Common College Interview Questions

The questions I’m listing and explaining were either referenced in multiple admissions websites and interview advice guides,or are general enough that you’ll be able to answer a number of similar questions by preparing for them.

Below, I provide you with each question. I then explain why colleges are asking it, what they’re looking for in a response, and how you can prepare for the question ahead of time.

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Dont: Leave Any Question Unanswered

Simply put, dont assume. Construct your responses and provide supporting materials as if those reading it know nothing about you. The reality is, that they dont. For example, If on your transcript it says that you were a part of a team or organization 3 out of 4 years, one of the first questions another person might ask is why not senior year? In your defense, senior year can be pretty hectic. However, the people reading your application dont know that. All they see is a hole in your story. Try to avoid that as much as possible. The goal is to tell a complete story.

What Is Involved In A College Application

Are you ready to find your fit?

The year leading up to your first semester of college is an exciting time. It can also be hectic and stressful, particularly if you are not certain how to apply. Although the requirements for an application vary widely between schools, there are certain common aspects and there are also certain pitfalls you should try to avoid.

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What Is A College Admissions Resume

A college admissions resume is a document describing a student’s academic and job-related skills and experiences. It is included as a part of the student’s overall college admissions application. The purpose of a college admissions resume is to demonstrate to the college that the applicant is capable of academic success by providing an overview of the student’s academic and job-related history.

Unlike a job-seeking resume, a college admissions resume should focus on academics rather than past jobs. If the student has held a job or jobs, they should list them, but the bulk of the resume will describe academic achievements and school-related activities.

Question : What Would You Change About Your High School

Why they’re asking this: With this question, colleges are looking for your ability to identify problems and get a better understanding of what you’re looking for in a school. By learning what you’d change, they get a chance to learn more about what matters to you.

What they’re looking for: Colleges want a thoughtful response. Be specific and respectful. Don’t say, “I’d get better teachers.” Say that you’d allocate more resources to the music department so that more students can have the opportunity to learn how to play new instruments. Discuss how learning an instrument helped you, and describe the current state of the music department. Try to make it clear that you want to improve your school to benefit the personal and academic growth of all of its students.

How to prepare: Think about the strengths and weaknesses of your high school. What are some specific problems it has? What are the consequences of those problems? What steps would you take to make improvements?

Shouldn’t other kids have the opportunity to rock out like this?

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Choose An Application Platform

Once your college list is more or less final, take a look at application platforms such as the Common Application and the Coalition Application, which aim to streamline and help you manage the college application process. Decide which service you prefer, create an account, and begin familiarizing yourself with the platform.

For a review of leading application services, see:

Sports Activities That Can Help To Make Your College Application Stand Out

You might be wondering if sports look good on college applications. And they do besides being another commitment, they reveal discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

If you practice and play with friends during the summer, you can always list your sports as a hobby on your resume. However, if you are going to commit a lot of time to a sport, you may want to consider taking it to a higher level of organization.

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Interviews And Campus Visits

Visiting campuses can go a long way towards helping students decide where they want to go to school. In addition to helping assess whether the environment is a good fit, these tours may actually boost your candidacy by demonstrating your interest in an institution.

Some schools keep track of student visits and consider this in their admissions processes. However, larger universities or Ivy League schools do not usually track student visits. Many colleges also require a formal interview with an alum or admissions officer especially Ivy League schools and other private universities. Most questions help interviewers develop a perception of you based on your interests, strengths and weaknesses, and aspirations. While most evaluations do not directly lead to a final decision, an engaging interview can certainly help your candidacy.In addition to the few dozen schools that require formal interviews, others offer them as optional components. If you’re applying to one of these schools, we recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to interview. Taking this extra step to demonstrate your interest can positively affect your chances of getting an acceptance letter.

Work On Your Personal Statement

Youll want to give yourself as much time as possible to craft a thoughtful personal statement and write any supplemental essays the colleges you are applying to might require. Summer break, when you are free from the distractions of school, can be an ideal time to start – -and even finish — your essay.

The Common Application and the Coalition Application, as well as some colleges, publish their essay prompts in the spring or summer prior to senior year. Take advantage of any free time you have over the summer to explore the prompts, brainstorm different approaches, and write first and second drafts.

For essay-writing tips and current prompts, see:

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