Applying to College…

Natalie Thomas, Class of 2008

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Dear SJA student,

Welcome to a guidebook all about applying to colleges. For my capstone project my

senior year, 2008, I created this guide to relieve your stress associated with the college

admissions process. During my junior and senior year I was a neurotic, anal mess when it came

right down to it: I refused to listen to colleges anyone suggested, and instead I found my own; I

spent hours searching for colleges, only to X them off my list; I finally decided my field of study,

twelve times; I tried to involve my parents, but soon lost patience with their “you mean it’s not

the same as applying in the 1980’s?” attitude. From the lessons I learned during this long,

dreadful process, I developed this book (one more thing for you to lug around in that all-ready-

too-heavy backpack) to make your life easier. It’s full of “How-to suggestions,” bits of advice,

and hopefully a couple lines that will make you smile.

I found that time easily slips away when applying to college unless you are on top of the

process. During your Junior and Senior year, your parents will pester you with questions about

your future, every single person you have ever been introduced to will have an opinion about

which schools you should investigate, and you will have a preposterous amount of homework to

do on top of that. Not to mention the time you will spend filling out the applications, writing the

dreaded college essays, and trying to maintain a lively social life, because hey, face it, most

colleges don’t allow freshmen to park cars on campus. And now that you’ve heard all of that, I

don’t blame you for wanting to pack your bags and run off to join the circus. But don’t worry, a

few simple steps that require minimal effort will create a tranquil first semester in your Senior

year. So take a deep breath and relax. You will be fine.

Good Luck!!!

Natalie Thomas, Class of 2008

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INDEX

o Dealing with your parents……………………………………………………. Pg 7 o The Timeline…………………………………………………………………. Pg 9 o Types of Colleges…………………………………………………………….. Pg 13 o Choosing Classes……………………………………………………………... Pg 14 o Meeting with your Guidance Counselor……………………………………... Pg 15 o Searching for Schools………………………………………………………... Pg 16 o Choosing a select few colleges to apply to…………………………………... Pg 17 o Visiting Campuses…………………………………………………………… Pg 18 o Standardized Testing………………………………………………………… Pg 20 o College Essay………………………………………………………………... Pg 24 o Applications…………………………………………………………………. Pg 27 o Asking for Recommendations……………………………………………...... Pg 28 o College Interviews…………………………………………………………… Pg 30 o Financial Aid………………………………………………………………… Pg 32 o Hearing back…………………………………………………………………. Pg 35 o Glossary……………………………………………………………………… Pg 37 o Appendix…………………………………………………………………….. Pg 38

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Dealing with your Parents

Most likely your parents will want to be involved in the college application process. To make this as painless as possible there are a few steps you should take. My advice may sound annoying, but I promise listening to me will keep your parents off your back. For the most part.

α Communicate with them. Let them know what is going on and ask them for help.

Even if you don’t need help, ask for something little because it will make them

feel involved. Lots of parents really want be involved.

α Set deadlines for yourself (especially if you like to procrastinate) and stick to

them. Give your parents a list of those deadlines so they can remind you. And if

they don’t have to remind you, they will see how independent you are.

α If your parents know grammar and spelling, have them proof read your essays.

α Bring up college, the future, money, etc. often when you sort of feel like talking

about it. Otherwise, your parents will bring it up at the worst possible times and it

will stress you out. Trust me, it happened my senior year way too much.

α Have a discussion about paying for college before you send out all of your

applications. Discuss if they will contribute to your college fund, and if so how

much. That way you can apply to some affordable schools too.

α Remember that you growing up and becoming independent is really really hard

for your parents. They remember when you were a baby and needed them for

everything. They don’t like that you don’t depend on them as much anymore, so

cut them some slack.

α Give your parents the letter I wrote to them on the next page.

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Dear Parents of High School Students,

For my Senior Capstone Project I created a guide dedicated to helping Saint Johnsbury Academy

students survive the college admissions process. The guide outlines what your child should be doing to

prepare for college throughout their high school career. You play a major role in this process, especially

as parents of Academy students. You have signed class schedules, talked to advisors, and gone to

parents’ night. Now, it’s time for you to help your student apply to college.

As a student who has been through the college admissions process, I have found that parents’

roles can be confusing. This is where I am going to try and help. First, you need to realize that you have

raised your child to be independent and successful. You have to trust that your child will be fine next

year on their own. Second, let your child come to you for help and advice. Let them bring up college,

and if they don’t by the middle of their Junior year bring it up. Stay involved and have discussions, but

don’t force them to look at schools they are not interested in. Remember that they, not you, will be

spending the next four years in college. Encouragement is great, but remember to allow your student to

make their own decisions regarding college. Let them fill out their own applications, write their own

essays, and make arrangements to visit schools. They are old enough to talk on the phone to set up

appointments. Third, ask your child to set deadlines and make them stick to them. Deadlines are very

important for everything from writing essays to sending out applications. Sticking to deadlines decreases

stress later on. Fourth, fill out/help fill out financial aid applications. There are a lot of questions that

your kids will not be able to answer without your help. Fifth, don’t stress out. Let this be an enjoyable

process. You want your kids to let you visit them once in a while after they have enrolled in college.

Also, please refrain from asking every single one of your kid’s friends which colleges they are

applying to, whether they have heard back or not, etc. every single time you see them. I know you care,

just do it every other time instead of every time. The same questions just get old. Also, try not to brag

about which schools your child is applying to and how smart they are. This gets old fast. It annoys other

parents, just like it annoys you when other parents do it to you.

Have fun and enjoy the process! It all gets easier with time. Good luck, Natalie Thomas, Class of 2008

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Freshman Year Work hard, get used to the Academy, have a social life, have fun

Join Clubs, Activities, try out for sports teams, find your niche

Sophomore Year

Work hard in all your classes

Choose hard classes for your Junior year

Find something productive to do over the summer

Don't start searching for colleges yet. You'll be so sick of that c-word by your senior year. The

college admissions process already takes up half of your high school. Don't make it take up

more then that. Please. Have a life. Be happy.

Junior Year All year

o Work hard in your classes

Fall

o Create an account on Collegeboard.com

Get SAT questions sent to your e-mail daily

o Create an e-mail account that’s appropriate (NOT bootygrl@hotmail.com or

playa90210@yahoo.com) Colleges will NOT be impressed

o Clean-up your myspace or facebook pictures and blogs. (Colleges look)

o Play around on different college websites

o Have some idea if you want to play sports in college, and talk to recruiters, especially

if you want to play a winter or spring sport. This will be the last year they can see you

play before you apply to college.

o Stay involved in extra-curricular activities; if you have the opportunity to take a

leadership role do it.

Winter

o Improve your vocabulary by reading some books and magazines. Sports Illustrated

and the New York Times count.

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Spring

o April

Sign up for the SATs and study a little bit

Visit college campuses and take notes on what you like/don’t like about them

o May

Take the SATs

Meet with your guidance counselor

Do some more college searches

Request information from colleges you are interested it.

Choose the hardest classes you can do well in for your senior year

o June

Ask your teachers for recommendations

• Give them a bio (See chapter on asking for recs)

Summer

o Do something productive (volunteering, internships, job, etc.)

o Fill out Common Application Online

o Write a college essay

Senior Year

Fall- • September

ASK TEACHERS for RECOMMENDATIONS ASAP if you haven’t already. It

doesn’t matter whether you’re applying for the early for regular design.

Write another/touch up a college essay and have teachers who know you well

read it

Make an appointment with your guidance counselor, I know you have one.

Looking at new colleges? Order free course catalogs and “I want you” catalogs

Be prepared to work hard this quarter because it’s the last one colleges look at

if you’re applying early

Sign up for SATs, SAT IIs, ACTs, and other horrible-We-want-to-ruin-your-life

standardized testing in October or November.

• October

Keep working on applications; these should be done if you’re applying early

action or early decision

If you’re planning applying for financial aid, go onto FAFSA.gov and apply for a

pin number. (Your parents also need a separate pin number from yours)

If your potential schools require PROFILE, go on-line and fill it out. (This takes

FOOOORRREEEVVVEEERRRR, so have your parents help)

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Relax, because you’re so far ahead of so many other people around the United

States

Take those standardized tests and get them over with. Also, send them to the

colleges you applied to.

Send out early action/early decisions applications

• November

Take those standardized tests if you need to.

Send out early action/early decision applications (many deadlines are

NOVEMBER 1 and NOVEMBER 15)

Continue to work hard in your classes; this semester is the last one colleges

see before sending out that acceptance letter

• December

All you people applying regular decision: Get your stuff done now, and not the

first three days of the second semester before deadlines are due.

The rest who applied early: start looking for letters in the mail/ check your

status online

Winter- • January

Write thank-you notes to the teachers who wrote your recommendations

Fill out FAFSA if you are eligible for financial aid

• Use the FAFSA work booklet

• February

Relax

Mud Season- • March

Check application status on-line, look in the mail

• April

Look over financial aid letters and schools you are eligible to attend

Visit (revisit) top choice schools you got into

Send out down payment to save your spot by the middle of the month; DO

NOT send it before you receive financial aid award letters

Start looking for a summer job

Spring- • May

Write notes to your teachers and guidance counselor telling them what your

plan is next year.

Get ready for prom and graduation

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• June

First Monday in June = Graduation

Write thank-you notes for all the graduation cards and presents you receive

Sign up for Freshman Orientation

Summer- • July

Work hard

Hang out with friends as much as possible

Start looking at stuff you’ll need to bring to your dorm

• August

Clean out room, get rid of stuff you don’t need

Start packing

Go to Freshman Orientation, if you haven’t already

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Types of Colleges College vs. University: Colleges educate a smaller number of students than Universities do. Universities usually have multiple programs of undergraduate study, many research opportunities, and offer Masters’ and PhD. Programs. They are broken up into colleges that specialize in a certain area. Colleges within a University usually have their own campus or part of campus. A “college” has a smaller number of academic programs (liberal arts or science), and a smaller number of students. Private: Private schools have private endowments and do not receive grants from the federal government. Tuition is the same for all students. Endowments are usually larger. Public: Public schools receive money from the government to help lessen tuition and provide service for the State. In-state residents usually pay less tuition than out-of-staters. (UVM and UNH are public schools) Technical School: You will receive an Associate’s Degree upon completing a 2 year program or a certificate after a 1 year program. They may require an ACCUPLACER placer test. These schools tend to teach specific skills in various trades. For example, some academic programs include business administration and paralegal work, and non-academic programs consist of automotive, welding, and construction. International: Schools outside of the United States that require very different things depending on the country. They also have very different deadlines so stay on top of those. I didn’t apply to any international schools, so I’m not going to be much help in this department. Work with your guidance counselor and know exactly what you need to do. Military Academies: These schools require a Congressional nomination, a medical exam, a physical test, a strong academic background, and leadership within the community. All cadets receive a Bachelor’s of Science upon graduation. While there is no pecuniary cost to attend, cadets must be on active duty in the United States Military for 5 years.

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Choosing Classes At SJA ? ? ? ? ?

As a general rule: choose the most challenging course load you can possibly do fairly well in. This does not mean take all academic courses. Don’t even try it. For your SOPHOMORE year:

� Keep all of your post-high school graduation options open so take challenging classes. You really don’t know whether you will want to be attending a competitive 4-year school or a business school or entering the military.

� If you’re taking a language: this is the year to double up. Taking 2 language classes consecutively will make your life soo much easier because you will only have 3 weeks to forget all of that Spanish you learned in the fall versus 3 months of summer vacation.

� Talk with your advisor and guidance counselor. They have a pretty good idea about what classes are good to take and when to take them.

� Notice all of the classes that are only offered during your sophomore year and if some of them are prerequisites you need for other courses later on.

For your JUNIOR year:

� Again, choose an academically challenging course load. This is the last full year colleges’ look at before making a decision to accept/deny you.

� Take a variety of classes, especially if you have an interest in an area different from the core classes.

� Don’t try and convince your guidance counselor to take 4-AP’s. You will most likely be miserable, you won’t absorb as much as if you had taken 1 or 2, and your social life will suffer. Have fun in high school; enjoy your experience as a whole. You have the rest of your life to learn things. This is just the beginning.

For your SENIOR year:

� First of all, don’t even try to take all blow-off classes. You’ll be bored out of your mind and colleges will think you’re a major slacker. Take hard classes, challenge yourself, and work hard. Go out with a bang.

� Second, don’t choose all academic classes. If you haven’t taken an art class or performing arts try it. You’ll most likely enjoy it and colleges like a well-rounded student.

� Third, remember that at some point before the Semester break and some point in the spring you will be struck with a treatable, but non-curable illness: senioritis. There is no cure, you just have to suck it up and get through it. Everyone will be going through it just keep pushing forward. By this time it’s almost over.

� Enjoy your last year in high school: support your sports teams, go to theater productions, go to concerts, take part in LI Weekend and Winter Carnival; it’s your last year to do so.

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Meeting with your Guidance Counselor

When to meet

2nd Semester your Junior year, fall your senior year When it’s most convenient for you. Your lunch is a great time. You

don’t miss class and your guidance counselor will most likely let you eat in the office.

During your free block or study hall class (cough** cough** I do believe that all Academy students either have a study hall, free block, or performing arts class each semester)

I’m guessing this will be much easier during the new 5-block schedule

Making those meetings productive

Have a list of questions to ask Tell your guidance counselor what you’ve been doing Have your GC (guidance counselor is too long to type a million times)

read your essays and look over your application Ask their advice on things your not sure about Stay in touch with them. Pop in to drop stuff off. You can have 5

minute meetings. E-mail them. Stay on top of things. GC’s are not here to spoon feed you or to apply

to college for you. Remember to always say thank-you. Without them you would be so

lost in the college process.

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School Searching Here are two of your best-friend-websites: collegeboard.com &

access.bridges.com To use both of these websites you will need to create a username and password. Try and create a really easy, appropriate username that you will be able to remember (like your 'college' address) and password. Write at least your usernames down and if you use 27 different passwords- write those down too. I am assuming you can all navigate around a website so I am not going to explain every single little link. You can figure it out. Collegeboard.com

• College Searches o Go to student section and college searches. Go through the different

characteristics-try a couple different ones to start with and work you're way through. You can always look at the list at any point in your search.

o Save the schools you like o There's a link for the college's website under "At a Glance"

Access.bridges.com

• College Searches o Go to choices planner once you have signed in o Click on the School Finder and choose which perimeter you want to start with

(school size, location, cost, etc) o You can save your searches to look back on them later

Beyond Websites & In General

• When you're doing college searches start with different characteristics to start with-it will give you different schools and options because the schools you like junior year may not be your favorites later, so have a variety

• Bookmark schools you like and go back to look at them again sometime • Schools you really really like: Go onto their website and under prospective students

order their "Apply to Our School" packets. They contain more information and you can write notes all over them

• Click on the "link" for the actual college website and surf their sites • Learn how to zone out while looking interested so when your Dad's boss or your

Mom's sister-in-law's cousin tells you to look at certain school you don't rip your hair out or act rude (sooooo useful)

• Summer of your junior year: try to look at 20-50 schools on you're search lists. Ones you immediately don't like: cross them off. Do one or two at a time. It seems like a lot but it's really not that bad. Plus your guidance will LOVE you at the end of the summer.

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Hopefully, by now you have a plethora (just kidding, not that many) of schools that strike your interests that you want to apply to. Optimally, you should be able to narrow that list down to about 5. Any more is a waste of money and it means you didn’t spend enough time researching schools. You might as well have been picking them out of a hat.

Narrowing that List DOWN: * Have a variety of Schools: * You want a “safety” or more than realistic schools, a few realistic schools,

and a reach school. Be honest with yourself. Talk with your guidance counselor.

* You want an affordable school so you won’t be in hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt when you graduate.

* Choose your favorites; have enough research done to know what you want. Be comfortable with the schools you chose.

* I LOVED all the schools I applied to. I knew upon applying that I would be happy going to any one of those 5 schools, so when I got deferred I wasn’t too worried about it.

Now that you’ve got those 5-ish schools you’re applying to grab some note cards. Fill them in like this:

Name of School you’re

applying to

Admission Deadline Financial Aid Deadline (if necessary) Application requirements: *Essay *Application Supplements *SAT/ACT scores *Transcript *Recommendations *Interview *Etc.

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During the end of your Junior year through your Senior year, you will need to visit college campuses. Visit some with your parents—they will embarrass you, be prepared—and visit some with friends or by yourself. This way you get two different perspectives and keep your parents involved. Plan your visits ahead of time and call the admissions office to set up an appointment (tour, informational session, interview perhaps). Visit during vacations or on weekends. You do have a few excused absences for college visits. HOWEVER, you must clear these with the administration BEFORE you go and all of your school work must also be in before. Rules of Campus Visiting

1. Wear comfortable walking shoes (4-inch heels are not fun when walking all over the campus)

2. Dress appropriately, this is probably the first time the admission officers will see you. 3. Turn off your cell-phone during the tour. Don’t text during it. Don’t listen to your ipod.

You get the picture. 4. Try and stay close to the front of the tour group so you can hear and ask questions.

(Don’t do this if your tour guide has an irritating voice and listening reminds you of nails on a chalkboard)

5. Ask lots and lots of questions. If you don’t, your parents will and you have no control what comes out of their mouths.

6. If you are applying to a school that’s a 6-hour plane ride away try and figure out what type of campus it will be. Then find a school with a similar campus closer to home. Guidance counselors are great at telling you where you can find a similar campus.

7. Remember that even though you may want to be a million miles away from home right now, next year may be different. Be very honest with yourself if you could handle not seeing your family during every vacation. And poor college students can’t usually afford a plane ride home every weekend.

8. Visit more than once. From my experience whether I like the campus depended on two things: the weather and the tour guide. It’s tragic that those were my impressions, but if the weather = bad, yucky campus, if tour guide = nails on a chalk board, get me away from here.

9. Try and visit classes, especially to schools you have been accepted to. This will mean a week day visit, but it’s worth it to experience what you may be doing next year.

10. You will just know. When you step on the campus you will just know of whether or not you can see yourself fitting in there. You won’t be able to explain it, although people will make you try.

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1. Are we seeing a dorm room? If yes, is it in a freshman dorm? 2. Do you have any special types of dorms? (Chem-free dorms, language dorms, girls only

dorms, etc) 3. Is it easy to get in touch with professors when we’re not in class? (Do they have regular

office hours where you can talk about a paper or concept you didn’t understand) 4. What is this school’s meal plan? (Pay by dish of food, one price for everything, just use

an id to get in) 5. Is the guidance office/career placement center good at helping students find jobs after

college? 6. How easy is it to study abroad? 7. What countries can we study abroad in? Does it cost extra to do this? 8. What special international programs are run through this school? 9. Can I see the inside of buildings where I might be taking classes for a specific field of

study/major? 10. Can I see the field house or certain sports facility? 11. Is this a blue-light campus? 12. What’s the social scene on campus? 13. What’s the party scene on the campus? 14. Is this a suitcase school where most students go home on weekends? 15. Do lots of people attend the sporting events? 16. Is it easy and fun to play intramurals? 17. Where are the closest local attractions? Is it a college town? 18. Can you use your meal-plan money at local eateries? 19. How far away are we from a mall? pharmacy? grocery store? wal-mart type store? 20. Are there buses that bring students to those places mentioned above? 21. When can students bring cars on campus? How expensive is it? 22. Are their student resource centers where we can get help with a class? How helpful are

they? How easy are they to access? 23. Do most students live on or off campus? When students become juniors do they move

off campus? 24. Is there anything negative about living here on campus? 25. __________________________________________ (Ask your own questions)

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Standardized Testing A standardized test is a lovely little thing made by delightful people

forces you to sit at a desk for 4 hours practicing filling in little circles with letters in them. The SAT doesn’t even stand for anything—it used to but then everyone realized its name (Scholastic Aptitude Test) was a lie. And you can’t false advertise… so the SAT is now just the SAT.

I need to make this point very clear: STANDARDIZED TESTS DO NOT TEST YOUR INTELLIGENCE OR YOUR ABILITY TO TAKE COLLEGE LEVEL CLASSES. THEY TEST NOTHING. Except, maybe your ability to fill in circles. But that’s all.

Despite the standardized test’s inadequacies to show anything, it is one of those things you must take to apply to many colleges. Especially, large universities. Some Common standardized tests include: The SAT, ACT, TOEFL, the Accuplacer, and SAT II’s. There are some great websites that you should use when preparing for these exams like Collegeboard.com. All standardized test have practice exams you can either get off the internet, by in a book, or get from your guidance counselor. The Night before the Horrible, No Good Test:

Gather together everything you will need for the test Grab some hard candy, unwrap them, and put them in a small plastic

bag. You can suck on them during the exam. Shh… Go to bed at an early-normal time. (10:30 at the latest)

The Day of the Horrible, No Good Test: Eat a healthy breakfast Do some practice problems to warm up. During the test, move your feet as much as possible and write on all parts

of your test During breaks walk around, try and stay energized Relax; after graduation, no one will ever ask about your SAT scores again

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SAT When to take the SAT:

Don’t take it more than twice. I did. It was a waste of time. Ignore this rule if you buckle down and study again or take a prep class.

Take it once the second half of your Junior Year and once the fall of your senior year. Taking it your Junior year will give you an idea of which schools are realistic. It’s important to do this so you don’t get set on a school only to find out your SAT scores are waaayyy to low.

o Sign up way before the deadline. Crushing the SAT:

Know all of the directions so you don’t waste time reading them. Learn vocab; it will help you in the Critical Reading Section. Don’t try and

cram the night before; it won’t work. Have and use your calculator when you need it. Buy a Princeton Review Book, check out an SAT practice book from the

library, or take the Princeton Review Class. Sign up for the daily SAT question in you e-mail from collegeboard.com. It’s

free and takes about 30secs to complete. Do lots and lots of practice questions; learn the shortcuts in the Math

section. Leave more questions blank, you’re score will go up because you lose ¼ of a

point for each incorrect answer. Write on every single part of your test. It’s yours, you paid $42.50 to take it,

and you can do what you want with it. o Underline what the questions asking o Circle important words o Scribble out the question if it’s really kicking your butt…

Oh, and practice your cursive. You will need it. Essay: Spend a few minutes making an outline; it’s worth it. Math Section: The questions are in order from Easy, Medium, to Hard Sections. Spend time on the first 2/3 and get those right. Work on hard questions only if you have time. CR: Mark up passages as much as possible. Move around the questions, they do not go in order from least to most difficult. Writing: Do the find the mistake (middle) first, then to sentence completions and fixing the paragraph.

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SAT II’s SUBJECT TESTS

These tests are specific to a certain area of knowledge. Usually, students are

expected to take an AP course beforehand to be able to pass them. However, some students who have taken accelerated Academy classes have passed these tests with flying colors.

Unfortunately, you do actually need to know some stuff to take these tests. They have different levels of math, types of history, English, literature, languages, sciences, etc

They also have SAT II’s study guides, or you can just use an AP-everything-you- need-to-know review to practice. Collegeboard also has some practice questions online to look at.

Otherwise, same things as any standardized test.

ACT

The ACT is more reading based. You can do it with/without a writing section for the English part of it.

ACT is much more popular out on the western coast. New England still uses mainly the SAT. However, if you’re applying to schools out west usually they will put your SAT scores into some formula and come up with an ACT score. This can also be done vice versa.

The biggest difference is that NO POINTS are subtracted from your score for WRONG answers.

Most standardized tests are the same. They test nothing, except how well you can fill in bubbles.

Write all over this test too; it’s yours. If you end up doing really badly on the SAT and think it’s because of the test

format (be honest with yourself), you can take the ACT, too, at a later date. If you do significantly better, colleges will notice.

This test is only offered once or twice at the Academy so stay on top of the dates and sign-up deadlines.

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ACCUPLACER

This test supposedly tests how prepared you are for college classes. Your score will help determine what level classes you should start with in college.

There are basic math, English, and reading questions. There is no time limit on this test. I took this test and it took me about an hour.

But I read fast, so it may take longer. Make sure you completely understand what the questions are asking.

You have to take it on a computer. Therefore, you can’t write all over it which stinks. You cannot use a calculator or notes.

Feedback is immediate. You see your scores as soon as you finish.

TOEFL

This stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language.” Original, huh? These test results supposedly indicate how well you will be able to communicate

English in a university or college setting. Make sure you have your passport for this exam. You will need it to sign in. On

that note, have all required and suggest documents. Know what test format your testing center offers. It can be either on a

computer or on paper. The ACADEMY offers the internet based TOEFL exam. This test is only offered once or twice at the Academy so stay on top of

deadlines.

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The Essay

*So far this is the single most painful thing you will ever experience in the college application process. I apologize for that. However, it’s not nearly as painful if you follow my directions. Start writing your first college essay the spring of your junior year or summer before you senior year. Many Academy English classes will have you do this anyways. Steps to Successful College Essay (This is one option, if you have a killer idea go with it)

1. Look at your essay prompts. The 2007-2008 Common Application Prompts are on the next page

2. Chose a prompt. Chose a topic. Type. Brainstorm. Get everything in your head and onto paper. This is a start—when you write your essay your thoughts will be much clearer and less scattered.

3. Write an introduction: write a picture. Illustrate a scene or piece of your life that you’re focusing your essay on.

4. Explain or show the history of the idea/event/person in your life and why it is important to you or its significance in your life. Then explain how the significance has changed over time.

5. Show how what you learned helps you now. 6. Explain why those lessons will help you in the future. Be very very specific.

Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do say a couple options. Show you have plans and are thinking about what you want to do.

7. Ending—leave it at that or draw another picture with words. Then, give it a week or two, go back to it and revise. Once you’ve done this have someone spell check it and grammar check it. Then give it to a teacher who knows you well and will give you feedback on it. English teachers are always a great resource. Tips

α Be as specific as possible α Describe, don’t tell α Read other college essays by good writers (appendices/guidance counselors) α Talk about yourself. Especially if you’re describing a person who’s had an impact on you.

Describe the impact more than the person.

Common Application Essay Prompts (Fall 2007)

o Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

o Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. o Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. o Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.)

that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence. o A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational

mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

o Topic of your choice.

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Essay Topic: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

Just for a moment I am taking away your laptop computer, your blackberry,

your ipod, your Coach purse. In return I am giving you two pairs of clothing, one

for work and one for Sunday. I am giving you a house made of clay, clay that you

dug out of the hillside a mile from your home. You are lucky—you have two rooms

and a rotting board for a door. I am also giving you a corrupt government, where

the officials you elected lie to you and put their own interests ahead of your own.

Yet while it seems like you have every reason to be depressed and unhappy, you

are not. You rejoice in what you do have—friends and neighbors, family, a

bountiful corn crop you will harvest in the fall.

You are a Honduran, specifically a Mayan who lives in the mountains without

any electricity or water. The August before my senior year of high school, I

traveled down to Honduras on a mission trip with the United Baptist Church from

my small hometown of Vermont. Spending ten days on a medical trip, counting

thousands of vitamins and filling prescriptions, I discovered how luxurious and

simple my life in the States seems. I now make a point to savor each and every

blessing I do have.

As I develop into that person, I will make the world a better place, one step

at a time. I believe that actions speak stronger than words, so each little action I

do, I will do with a purpose. Each time a smile at a stranger, I will grin in hopes of

lifting the strangers’ spirits so he will, in turn, beam at someone else. You never

know how many days you can brighten with the simple gesture of smiling.

Now, I am going to give you back your ipod, your blackberry, and your

laptop computer. I am giving you back your four bedroom, three bath house, your

hybrid car, your cashmere sweater. You’ve got it all back, now what are you going

to do to make the world a happier, more appreciative place? How are you going to

change the world? I know what I will do. I’ll smile and remember to say thank-

you, I’ll remember what I have and then I’ll figure out a way to help others by

serving Thanksgiving dinner the Covenant House in New York City or sponsoring a

little girl form Cambodia. So whether I’m teaching high school students or studying

the human brain I will make a conscious effort to do my part in the world.

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My brain storm for the Previous Essay (As you can tell, it doesn’t need coherence or make

sense to anyone else)

Seeing the Hondurans take control and take a step to control their lives was

empowering. Although they had so little, at least in our American minds, they still had the desire to help themselves and their children. They also showed a strong faith, content with what God gave them—it did not matter they had two outfits of clothing while we had ten. They showed a sense that they knew we are all equal in God’s eyes. Although I am not a deeply religious individual, I do believe that there is something greater out there. After experiencing another part of the world, which is not a prosperous or materially wealthy as the States I realize how lucky we are. My eyes were opened. I no longer see what I lack—I focus on and give thanks for the bounty of things I do have. I lost my desire to complain and wish for material objects, instead I see what I have surrounding me and look for ways to make the world a better place. I want to see a plentiful future for others around the world. I look for little ways of doing that—whether it’s sending a note to soldier overseas, thanking him for his dedication and bravery, or writing a letter to Bernie Sanders asking him to push for intervention in Darfur, or sending supplies to Honduras. Even when I lack the finances to support someone less materially fortunate, a simple gesture as smiling at a stranger could cause a domino effect that may lead to a change.

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Applications

Admission Plans

Early Decision: You apply the fall of your senior year. If you get in, you HAVE to go there, unless you can’t possibly afford it. You can only apply to one school early decision. (Would you ask someone to prom in October? No, because you might not like them in May. Same thing for colleges. What you like now might not float-your-boat in April)

Early Action: You apply in the fall, but are free to go to any school. You can apply to more than one. It’s non-restrictive

Regular Admission: You apply in the winter and find out in March. The majority of people do this.

Rolling Admission: You can apply whenever you want, the school accepts/denies you as the get the applications.

Filling ’em out 1. In the July before your Senior year download and fill out the Common Application. Even

if you don’t send it out it’s good practice. 2. Fill out as much information as you know. 3. Ask your parents to help fill out the rest (Mom’s Maiden name). 4. Spend time filling out your extra-curricular activities and volunteer hours. These are

important. Put the more impressive ones first (Put National Honor Society at the top and Sports Fan at the end)

5. Check all of your information a couple of times. 6. Upload your essay(s) if you’re applying online. Make sure there are NO grammatical

errors. 7. If your schools accept the Common App, send the Common App. This will make your

life soo much easier.

Sending ’em out 1. Double check everything first. Send them out before the deadline. 2. Sending them is anti-climatic. Don’t expect too much… not that exciting. 3. If you’re sending them with your guidance counselor, have a credit card ready. 4. Make sure recommendations and transcripts and any other required information are sent

out. This is still your responsibility. Stop in to ask your guidance counselor every day if they have done sent all of it yet. You want to make sure everything is all set.

5. Call your school to double check and make sure everything was received. Ask if there is anything else they need.

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Asking for Recommendations

Who? People who know you well and can attest to your leadership and character

This can be a teacher, a coach, a community member, a boss, a advisor, a

faculty member in charge of a club/activity you’re involved in

You will have to have more than one: try to do two different types of people who can give different perceptions of you (attest to your academia, leadership, community service, personality, etc) look at the requirements of the schools you are looking at and then go from their)

Teachers: They didn’t necessarily have to “give” (teachers don’t give grades,

you earn them) you the best grade, but they saw how hard you worked in the class and how much you struggled. This way they can tell how you overcame your struggles and worked hard.

When? Try very very hard to ask teachers/community members/coaches at the end

of your junior year or the very very beginning of your senior year—teachers write a ton and they will be able to spend more time writing about you if you give them plenty of notice (at least 6 weeks before you send you applications). Basically, ASK BEFORE THEY GET BUSY.

Ask teachers to be done your recommendations at least 2 (probably 3 or 4)

weeks before you actually have to have them for your school deadlines… some teachers forget, they have lives too

When you ask for a recommendation, don’t be afraid to ask if they feel they

could honestly write you a strong one. If they don’t, you don’t want them writing one for you. It not only wouldn’t be the best reflection of you, but it wouldn’t be fair to the teacher. And if they do say no, think long and hard why and then ask someone else.

How you can make it easy for them: Fill out the worksheet on the next page, make copies of them and give them

to the people filling out your recs Include the “rate this person from 1-5” recommendations also

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Send a reminder a week before you want it if, when YOU ask your guidance

counselor, the guidance office hasn’t received it yet

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Recommendation Background Information

1. Colleges that you are interest in applying to/types of colleges: 2. Intended major/field of study:

3. Sports (level, how many years, note awards)

4. Extra-curricular Activities (Include after-school jobs): 5. Volunteer Work (include number of hours) 6. Internships/Other Activities:

7. Awards you’ve received (besides sports)

8. How you have spent your summer vacations

9. Other (include if you will be a first generation college student)

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Interviews College Interview: A place where you can show a side of you that’s not so apparent in your application and college essays. This can be a nerve-racking, stomach-wrenching experience. Try not to be nervous. You can prepare quite easily for them. The Basics:

There are a couple types of interviews:

o One-on-one with an admissions officer

o One-on-one with a student from the school

o A group setting

When to conduct them:

o When you’re visiting a campus that’s far away; avoid making 2 trips

o If an admissions officer is going to be within a couple hours of your town.

o During the fall of your senior year before/after you apply.

Things you must do

o Research the school beforehand and have some questions ready

o Show up on time

o Don’t bring a parent to your interview (they can drop you off, but CANNOT listen to the

interview)

o Don’t wear inappropriate clothing (being in dress code would be nice)

Don’t look too stuffy (3-piece suits—too much), but try to look presentable. No

Pajama pants, baggy t-shirts, jeans probably aren’t appropriate clothing

o Don’t swear or use too much slang

o Don’t chew gum

o Act confident, but not cocky

o Ask questions about the school that you can’t find online, it shows you’re interested.

o Don’t reply with yes or no answers unless there’s really nothing to add

o Don’t say this is your “safety-school” (If you do… probably not your safety school anymore)

Preparing for the Interview

o Have you parents ask you questions (see on next page)

o Have questions ready for the school, show that you know stuff—like what classes they offer

the name of their sports team, etc.

o Have a scrapbook or portfolio if you are interviewing with a school where you know you

want to play lacrosse (sport) or write for the campus paper

o Read the newspaper the week before so you can talk about contemporary issues

o Have a couple books you can talk about off the top of your head (theme, plot summery,

characters, why interesting, author, name of book)

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Sample College Interview Questions

Why do you want to attend ______ College/University?

What classes are you taking? Are any of those intellectually stimulating?

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

What are you interests outside of school? (limit it to 3)

Describe yourself in three words.

What are your weaknesses/strengths?

What book have you read that you would recommend to someone?

Describe your family.

If you could be any animal what would it be and why?

What do you think about __contemporary issue of the week?

What makes you a good student and why?

Tell me about your high school.

What’s the most significant experience you’ve had?

What classes have had the most impact on you?

Who has influenced your life?

Which historical figure or famous person you look up to?

What makes you ready to attend college?

What are you going to bring to the campus?

How to Answer those Questions Be honest. If you’re not and they find out… bye bye acceptance letter

Remember this is a conversation, not an interrogation. Answer in a way you would if

you were talking to your great aunt, casually but not as if you were hanging out with

friends.

Don’t memorize answers. It sounds like you memorized them. These people do have

educations and probably degrees.

Don’t say umm. Stay silent. Pauses are better that ummmmm’s that last forever.

Answer and then ask them about their experience, subtly. People love talking about

themselves and it’s a good way to find out if you have something in common.

o Example: Question: Do you play sports? Answer, Yes, I’ve played basketball for

the past 3 years. It’s helped me gain confidence and learn leadership. What

about you, did you play sports in high school?

Try very hard not to ramble

If you can’t completely answer the question, steer it in your own direction. Hopefully

this will spark a new path for the conversation.

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FINANCIAL AID

This is a very good reason why you should stay on your parents’ good side. I was nice to my mama and she filled out both FAFSA and CSS Profile for me. I virtually did nothing. However, there are things you can do to make this process easier. FAFSA

$ Stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid $ In the fall of your senior year go onto fasfa.ed.gov and sign up for a pin number. BOTH

you and your parents need a separate one. Once you do this, store the pin numbers and passwords in VERY SAFE places. Whatever you do, DO NOT lose them. You will need them when you’re filling out the actual forms.

$ Fill out the FAFSA workbook which you can get from the guidance office first semester. $ The FAFSA application for the next year comes out January 1. Fill the form out as soon

as possible after this date because it means there will be more money available for grants.

$ Estimate numbers and tell the truth for the day you apply. You can always go back and fix things later.

$ Check all of the options for what type of aid you want (work-study, loans, grants). You can always refuse them later. It’s better to keep all of your options open.

$ Send the FASA report/forms to all the schools that need them before the deadline.

CSS Profile $ This comes out in October and takes forever to fill out. $ You should dedicate a whole weekend organizing all of your financial information and

then, the next weekend, fill this out. $ This one asks personal questions like what car do your parents’ drive and how much you

paid for your pets. $ You may have to pay to send this report to schools. You fill out all the information and

then the website decides whether or not you can afford the $40 to send it to the schools you want.

$ Not all schools ask for these forms. Usually, small liberal arts colleges want them. There is a list on their website of schools that ask for them.

$ CSS Profile deadlines are a lot sooner than FAFSA’s. Make sure you look at all of your college deadlines for financial aid applications and don’t be late.

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Types of Financial Aid Federal: Money that comes from the federal government. This is financed by tax dollars. School Aid: This money comes directly from the school. Schools with a large endowment have more money to give to students. Private Sources: Scholarships. Grants: Grants do not have to be paid back. This is free money. Many grants are need-based, meaning the go to the students with the most financial need. Loans: This is money you or your parents have to pay back. There are different types of loans: some you can take out, others your parents can take out. There are two major categories of loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Subsidized loans mean that the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while the borrower is in still in school. You must be enrolled as at least a half time student. Unsubsidized loans mean that the borrower is responsible for the interest during the life of the loan. Students must be enrolled at least half time. Federal Work Study: You earn money during the school year by having on-campus jobs. You do not have to repay the money. You MUST go to your job to get paid. If you sign up early, get a job where you can do homework while working. These are the good jobs. Scholarships: Free money that you have to apply for. (See next page)

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Scholarships $ Scholarships=free money. When you receive scholarships you do not have to pay the

money back. It’s yours. $ NEVER EVER apply for scholarships that ask you to send them money or tell you a

scholarship is ‘guaranteed.’ It’s a SCAM. This also includes “you won a contest” … that you never entered, “can we have your credit card number,” etc. Be smart about it.

$ There are different types of scholarships: merit scholarships for academic excellence,

need-based scholarships, and athletic scholarships.

$ Look for local scholarships and ask your guidance counselor for help. Watch the

deadlines (February through June). Write essays the same way as you would for a college essay and fill out the forms.

$ Vermont students should go through the VSAC scholarship booklet and highlight

scholarships they are eligible for. o Make sure EVERYTHING is EXACTLY in the anal format VSAC wants it in.

Otherwise, they will throw out your application. This includes ESSAYS and RECOMMENDATIONS. If you aren’t allowed to look at your recommendations, have your guidance counselor check for you.

$ New Hampshire students should go through the NHHEAF scholarship booklet and do the

same thing: highlight ones you are eligible and follow the directions. $ Look for LOCAL scholarships, especially if you have been involved in the community.

There is a smaller pool of students who are eligible. Ask guidance counselors for ideas. Usually they have a list of them.

$ Fastweb.com is a scholarship search engine. If you have time, go ahead and apply for

some. But make the local ones the top priority. $ Ask for more recommendations or ask if the people can take out the “college” part of

their recommendation to adapt it for a scholarship.

$ Apply to lots of them; it will make the price of college go down.

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Rejected Getting Deferred: There’s still hope!!! This means you applied early and were deferred into the regular admission. There’s still a chance!! Now you have things to do. First read this poem: Deferred: the only poem by Nathaniel Hill, Class of 2008 "No, I got deferred," I say it means it's neither yea or nay But if all good things go my way I'll hear good news on an April day. I thought I'd be sad, I'm not even mad. I made the first cut, they deferred my butt. Who's to complain? I know I'm not lame. In fact I feel better, I've got some letter. Life is a chance Take off your pants fly high like a bird even when you're deferred. Second, talk to your guidance counselor about what you should do. It’s always a good idea to write a thank-you letter to the school saying “I really appreciate the opportunity to be considered during the regular admission.” This shows that you really want in. Third, follow the school’s advice. Some schools want another writing sample or recommendations. Other schools want an update on what you are doing to stay involved in the community. Getting Denied: I’m very sorry. There is really nothing you can do. The school has made their decision. Move on; believe my philosophy that everything happens for a reason. You will flourish somewhere else. Make the best of the situation and keep a positive attitude.

You can wallow in self-pity for no longer than 1 hour. Ice cream, chocolate, and frosting all help the pain go away.

- 34 -

Accepted

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

This is awesome news!!!! Now that you have all of your acceptance letters you need to consider all of your choices. Remember what characteristics are really important to you and make a Pro and Con List for each school you have been accepted to...

COLLEGE A

PRO CON

Also, DO NOT send your deposit until you have seen financial aid award letters. It

doesn’t matter if you got into your dream school—you really don’t want to be in a $200,000 debt upon graduating college. That would suck. Also, play your schools off each other. If you received a great award letter from School A, but really want to go to School Z show them the letter. Let School Z know what’s going on and how much you would rather go there.

Keep applying to scholarships and saving money. Follow your heart, but still be smart. Go where you are going to be happy and in the

least amount of debt.

- 35 -

Glossary ◙ ACT: A standardized test with a larger variety of subjects. You do not lose

points for incorrect answers ◙ Accuplacer: Test you take to determine what level of college courses you are

ready to take. (Tech schools and community colleges mostly) ◙ Blue-light campus: at any spot on campus students can see at least 2 blue

lights, where there is an emergency phone to call security or police. It’s to make the campus safer.

◙ Deferred: You applied early and the decision was postponed until the regular admission pool of applicants.

◙ Early Action: non-restrictive way to apply to schools in the fall of the senior year.

◙ Early Decision: restrictive way to apply. You get in, you go. ◙ Endowment: how much the college/university is worth. The bigger the

endowment, the more $$ available for financial aid. ◙ ETS: The horrible people who write the SAT and AP Exams. ◙ First Generation College Student: This means you will be the first one in

your family (don’t include siblings) to attend and hopefully graduate from 4-year college.

◙ Regular Admission: You apply in the winter. It’s non-restrictive. ◙ Rolling Admission: College decides as they get applications. No deadlines. ◙ SAT: It doesn’t stand for anything. It’s the longest, most pointless test you

will ever take that doesn’t test you on anything. Unless you decide to go to law school, med school…

◙ SAT II’s: Multiple Choice Subject Tests. Accelerated and AP classes prepare you for these tests. You can take up to 3 subject tests on one test day.

◙ Subsidized loans: Government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half the time in school.

◙ TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language. It’s important for International students who want to go to college in a country that speaks English. More expensive than SAT and ACT.

◙ Unsubsidized loans: Borrower has to pay interest the whole time.

- 36 -

Appendices Index Essays (written by Academy seniors in Fall 2007)

Common Application Essay #1 (Baseball) *Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

Common Application Essay #3 (Baseball) *Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

Common Application Essay #6 (Living in a rural New Hampshire Town) * Topic of your choice.

Special Prompt Essay (Architecture)

Website Addresses www.commonapp.org www.collegeboard.com www.ets.org/toefl access.bridges.com www.finaid.org/fafsa/cssprofile www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fastweb.com

Other Resources

VSAC Scholarship book for Vermonters VSAC Meetings Open to Public NHHEAF Scholarship book for New Hampshire residents

- 37 -

Common Application Essay #1 Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its

impact on you.

Saturday, September 1, 2007. The day of Boston’s last no hitter. Top of the 9th, 2 outs, Buchholz was

up on a 1-2 count. I was standing in the center field bleachers—Row 31 Seat 4. The ticket I paid 85$ for had

an original sale price of $12.00, not the greatest seat, but a seat nonetheless. We were all on our feet, holding

our breath waiting for Buchholz to throw the last pitch. Upon hearing the ball hit Varitek’s mitt everyone

looked to the umpire and waited. So many eyes and minds waiting for that phrase that separates amateurs and

legends, “Strike 3, you’re out”, the ump said with detachment—he didn’t care either way, but we did. The

stands erupted. I hugged five strangers and held up the greatest letter in baseball, the “K” taken from a page of

my free program.

Clay Buchholz’s actions during his no-hitter are a model for how I choose to live my life in little, rural

Saint Johnsbury, Vermont. I make a conscious decision to focus on the present and execute passionately.

While I may not be able to throw 94-mile an hour fastball, I still live by his philosophy. My experience at

Saint Johnsbury Academy has taught me to strive for excellence and put my whole heart into every step of

every project I take on, whether in the classroom or on the playing field. When working on structural

calculations of a school dormitory plan, if I were to miscalculate the theoretical snow load on the roof in the

structural design phase, the results could be disastrous; the weight could collapse the building. Instead of

surrendering to a potential engineering problem, I have the ability to remain calm. I work hard to anticipate

errors and conflicts, correcting designs until I have the finished product that is aesthetically pleasing as well as

structurally sound. I keep my composure and stand on the mound ready to give 100% on the next pitch with

confidence, careful to avoid slip-ups.

Despite fatigue and the growing anticipation of the crowd, Buchholz continued to throw each pitch

with all the focus and strength he had, still throwing the heat, reaching 94 mph even after his pitch count

exceeded 100. Even with a sprained ankle during the second half of lacrosse season, I refused to sit the bench

a second more than I had to. I gave it my all every chance I got; I did not let injury stand in the way of my

lacrosse season, I didn’t hesitate for a second to take a 75 mile an hour shot to the chest so the goalie didn’t

have to.

When I snag a high-stress engineering-job after college, I realize the pressure will be daunting.

However, I know I will squash the pressure by applying my “Buchholz-Abilities.” I will take one design at

a time, putting all of my energy into that project. Each levelheaded action I take will be deliberate; I will

enjoy working through every project I encounter.

- 38 -

Common Application Essay #3 Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

With runners on first and third and two down in the bottom of the ninth, Dan’s baseball

team needed one out to advance into the playoffs. As the pitcher began his motion to the plate,

the runner on first took off with a flash, and without hesitation Dan caught the ball behind the

plate and shot down the runner at second base with a cannon of an arm making the runner look

so slow that you might think that he had a refrigerator on his back.

The decision Dan made a few years later not only overshadows the way he used to play,

but also gave me a new reason to admire him. Now, as a young adult, I admire him because of

how the influence he has had on me.

Coming out of a small Vermont town, Dan walked onto a D1 baseball team. After three

years of working his way up from the very bottom, Dan was going to be a junior in college and

the starting catcher for the UVM Catamounts. His dream had come true and nothing could go

wrong. After years of sports, the abuse his knee was taking behind the plate became evident.

After an unsuccessful surgery, Dan could choose between receiving a knee replacement at forty,

and focusing primarily on his education. Dan made a level-headed decision, and called it quits.

He knew that the reason he was going to college was to receive an education, not to play sports.

Making the baseball team was just a bonus.

Two years ago, I began my summer by going to Senior Babe Ruth practice the day after

school let out for the vacation. Ten minutes into the practice, I realized that this team was not for

me. Only half the players showed up on time, and fewer than that were serious about having a

successful season. I immediately decided to try out for the American Legion team consisting of

players from three local counties and a few from across the river in New Hampshire. There was

only one problem. The team was made up of college kids—athletes that played for colleges such

as Bates and the University of Southern New Hampshire. I had just finished a season on the JV

team in high school.

After three days of agonizing tryouts the coach gave me the choice of going back and

playing for the Senior Babe Ruth team, a team that I saw as loose and unorganized, or staying

with the Legion team where I would see little if any playing time at all. I told the coach in that

same face-to-face conversation that I was staying and that I would “make” my own playing time.

- 39 -

Throughout my athletic career I rarely saw the bench during games. That summer

everything changed. In June I didn’t see any playing time. Instead of being discouraged, I saw it

as an opportunity to work my way up from the bottom as I had watched Dan do through his

athletic career. As the summer wore on, the coaches began to use me in critical situations to

pinch run. In the middle of July, I started the second game of a few double headers and ended

the season with six starts while the team was deep into the chase of a playoff birth. Last summer

I played for the same team and never missed a start.

Now that I am eighteen years old, I look back and realize I have walked right into Dan’s

shoes without missing a step. I set my limits and have experience in working my way up from

the bottom. Dan’s attitude inspired me to understand my limits, and to set my goals beyond

others’ expectations to ensure that I reach my highest potential. I feel that if I am not going to

complete a task to the best of my ability, then why begin? That is why I did not stay with the

Senior Babe Ruth team. Whether I walk-on to a team in college, or end up competing in

intramurals, I will understand, like Dan, that my priority while attending college is not sports—

my focus will be education.

- 40 -

Common Application Essay #6 (Living in a rural New Hampshire Town) Topic of your choice.

Middle of Nowhere, USA

My hometown, Monroe, New Hampshire, has a population of roughly 700 people, 800 cows, and

126,000 chickens. There are no restaurants, no stores, no movie theaters, no hotels, and no gas stations.

Houses are scattered on and off of route 135 (the only main road running through Monroe) and the village

consists of one small public library, one post office, one town hall, and one school. The Monroe

Consolidated School provided me with the first nine years of my scholastic education. All schools teach

you how to read and write and the basics in math, science, and history. If you’re lucky, you may even

learn to cook or draw a decent picture of a fruit bowl. But Monroe did something more that makes its

two-story, ten classroom structure stand taller than any other.

My class at the Monroe School, the graduates of 2004, never consisted of more than nine

students. Five of us were there for the first day of kindergarten and received our diplomas on graduation

day. At Monroe, you get to know more than you want to know about your classmates, and it is

exceptionally hard to hide anything from your teachers. With a class of nine, you can’t duck behind the

kid in front of you to dodge a question or put your math homework on your desk in hopes it will pass at

quick glance as your English essay. In my little sister’s class, it was even worse; one absent person meant

only two-thirds attendance. On any given day she had a 50-50 chance of her teacher calling on her to tell

him what occurs in the mitochondrion of a cell. However, not being able to hide from your teachers isn’t

all bad; it means that they can push you to your limits and guide you toward your passions. My sixth-

grade teacher, Ms. Hyland, helped me discover that I am a math addict. My-eighth grade algebra teacher,

Mr. Newton, then finagled that love into a pursuit of design and architecture.

After graduation, I went from a class of nine students in Monroe, to a mass of 230 freshmen at St.

Johnsbury Academy. Attending a school of 1000 students (300 more people than in my entire town) was

terrifying. But I was prepared for it. Not just prepared in the sense that I knew the quadratic formula or

the function of a chloroplast, I was ready for the world. I carried in my backpack blank paper and pens,

as well as a strong sense of community, responsibility, and self. That I owe to Monroe…even if there are

more cows than people and infinitely more chickens than cows.

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Special Prompt Essay (Architecture)

Note Bene: This Essay was used for both of the following prompts

Cornell Architecture Program Please respond to the essay question below (maximum of 500 words) that corresponds to the undergraduate college(s) to which you are applying College of Architecture, Art, and Planning: How does the major you would like to study in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning match your intellectual, academic, and career interests? Discuss any activities you have engaged in that are relevant to your chosen major. Carnegie Architecture Program Please submit a one-page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen your major, department or program. This essay should include the reasons why you've chosen the major, any goals or relevant work plans and any other information you would like us to know. If you are applying to more than one college or program, please mention each college or program you are applying to. Because our admission committees review applicants by college and programs, your essay can impact our final decision. Please do not exceed one page for this essay.

Every year for 13 years, my family drove 24 hours to visit my grandmother in Florida.

During those long car rides, with siblings and luggage packed tightly around me, I would stare

out the car window for hours at a time. I found myself gazing at the building that went flying by

along those 1,427 miles. As I got older, I was increasingly intrigued by the structure and design

of those buildings and houses. I began to recognize patterns in styles and designs, specific to a

particular town or city. I remember looking especially at the houses that were abandoned, run in,

or partially destroyed, and trying to imagine exactly what they must have looked like when they

were first built. It was on those long car rides that I first realized that I had a passion for

architecture.

I am a very math-oriented person. I love that in mathematics there is a right and a wrong

answer. Numbers just click in my brain. I have loved math ever since I began work with algebra

in the 6th grade. Now, in AP calculus, I still find relief when I pull out my math homework.

Unlike history and government, it all makes sense when I’m asked to calculate the limit of a

function. Consequently, because of its roots in mathematics, physics has also become one of my

favorite subjects. It allows me to use my skills in math, and apply them to real-life situations that

may then be used in the field of architecture.

Architecture, however, is not just numbers and physics. To be a successful and

memorable architect, one must have a certain sense of creativity and craft. Since I was young, I

have loved to sketch and doodle and create without restrictions, on anything that I could get my

hands on: napkins, history notebooks, and once, upon a beautiful white wall… which I repainted

shortly thereafter. For school projects, I have always like to sketch out my plans before I execute

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them, sometimes going as far as creating scale models out of index cards. Everyone else called it

perfectionism. I called it attention to detail.

In middle school, a shop class was offered to us as extra credit and it quickly became my

favorite class. We designed and built are own shelves, tables, and other various units throughout

the year. In high school, I am currently taking drafting courses to expand my knowledge in the

laws of architecture. Five students, in, have also been asked to complete a set of blue prints for a

company in St. Johnsbury as an extra project. This project has been wonderful, as it allows us to

experience what it would be like to work for an actual architecture company.

It is my hope, that I can use my passion for math, physics, and design to build a career in

architecture. I hope to take my skills, acquire more throughout college, and apply them to the job

of my dreams.

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Website Addresses o www.commonapp.org

*Fill out and common application, supplements

*Pay for applications

o www.collegeboard.com

*College Searches

*Practice test Questions/Send test scores

*AP Information

o www.ets.org/toefl

*Information about the TOEFL exam

*Practice questions for TOEFL

o access.bridges.com

*College Searches

*Career Quizzes to give you some ideas

*Quizzes to find out your learning type

o www.finaid.org/fafsa/cssprofile *Application for financial aid for some private schools

o www.fafsa.ed.gov *Federal Application for Financial Aid

*Get a pin number for you and parents

*Fill out actual application in January

o www.fastweb.com *Search engine for scholarships

Other Resources

o VSAC Scholarship Book o Contains scholarships with information on how to apply, get from guidance counselor

o VSAC Meetings Open to Public o Look for letters from Academy Guidance Counselors with dates

o NHHEAF Scholarship book for New Hampshire Residents o Contains scholarships with information on how to apply, get from guidance counselor