Get Me Into College: Ten Tips to Strengthen Your College Applications

Dr. Rebecca JosephGetmetocollege.org/hsgetmetocollege@gmail.com

What Do Colleges Look For…GradesRigor of CourseworkTest ScoresApplicationsEssaysRecommendationsActivitiesInterviewsDemonstrated InterestStrong Senior Years

Grades Grades are the top factor of admissions. Please make sure to enter all academic information

correctly on applications. Get an official copy of your transcript and check. Get extra copies for future usage. Make sure you report the correct GPA—don’t estimate.

Ask your counselor. Senior year is critical year. Colleges will see your

grades. Most colleges will see your first semester even after

application is submitted You can even send in first quarter grades to early

colleges. Colleges will see second semester-avoid the black hole

of senioritis

Rigor of Coursework Colleges expect you to keep the

difficulty of your classes consistent through senior year.

You list your senior grades on applications.

If you change classes, you must notify colleges.

You cannot drop classes.If you are planning on transferring, your

grades all year are the most important of all time.

Test ScoresYou have one more time to take SAT

or ACT. You must send your test scores to

colleges. They are not official unless you send them.

Double-check that colleges received scores.

Some colleges take◦Only highest overall day◦Highest per section

ApplicationsKeep all application usernames and

passwords on your phone and on your computer

Once you apply, please make sure to keep all emails—they will send you college specific user names, enable you to track status of all submitted materials, and send you info about scholarships

Make sure all paperwork is submitted

Applications-Part 2Make sure you fill out all sections

of applications.Look at optional sections and see

if you can submit key additional information

Spend the rest of November and December completing high quality applications.

Print them out before submitting and double-check for mistakes or omissions.

RecommendationsPlease remind teachers and counselors

to submit your recommendations in time for your colleges.

Track the submission on Naviance, Common Application, and individual college websites.

If you need extra recommendations, contact recommenders now and find out how to submit the recommendations

Give gift cards and thank you notes.

ActivitiesMake sure to continue with your

leadership and initiative in activities.If colleges ask for activities, be as

descriptive about your leadership and initiative as possible.

Keep a record of what you do all year. If you are planning to transfer, your

activities are key this year and next summer.

Make sure you have an up-to-date resume.

Application EssaysYou need to keep revising your essaysMake sure they answer all parts of the

promptMake sure you give visuals and key

examples of your leadership and initiative

Have someone you trust proof them for grammar and technical

Format the essays correctly. ◦Common Application◦Other applications

10 Essay Reviewing Questions1. Does your essay start with a story that hooks us in from the

first paragraph?2. If you start in the past, do you get to the present very

quickly? Colleges want to know about the recent you. Great essays can start more recently and weave in past events.

3. Do you write only in the first person and not spend too much time describing anyone or anything else? Use my one-third-two-third rule. You may not spend more than 1/3 of the essay describing anything other than your own activities and goals.

4. If you are writing about your community or family or location, do you get to the present and your life and life works quickly? Can this description only connect to you and your story of who are you and how you are making a difference?

5. Do you only tell one story and not try to tell your entire life story?

More Reviewing Questions6. If you are writing about an obstacle or challenge or failure

overcome, do you get to how you have responded and made a difference in the life of your community by the second or third paragraph of the essay? Admissions officers want to know who are you and how you make an impact drawing upon your obstacles or challenges or failures.

7. Do you have a metaphor that goes through the entire piece…does this metaphor reveal who you are and what you offer to potential colleges? You can embed this metaphor throughout out your piece.

8. Can I close my eyes and picture your story? Does it make you sound unique and not like anyone else applying? Can I see your leadership and initiative and the power of what you will offer a college campus?

9. Do you tell new stories and qualities in each separate essay your write? Do you make sure to reveal powerful information and core messages that colleges will need to know to admit you and give you money to attend?

10. Endings-Do you end with a bang? Do you make it clear by the end you have goals and aspirations that drive you. Your endings must be specific for some prompts like the University of California and University of Texas, but can be more oblique and implied in Common Application and many supplementary essays. Do you end your essays leaving the reader with the desire to get to know you more, to see you on his or her campus, and to share your essay with someone else?

 

Interviews and Campus VisitsGo to college websites and see if they conduct

interviewsCheck my tips.

http://getmetocollege.org/hs/short-and-sweet-interview-tips

Interviews are information or evaluative. Many campuses do them after you submit

application. Make sure your respond to requests immediately.

Make sure you prepare and send a thank you note within 48 hours.

Also it’s not too late to visit colleges on your list that are within an hour or two away.

Demonstrated InterestTry to visit local colleges on your list if you haven’t

already.Even if you can’t visit, you can demonstrate

interest to a college.One of the college specific webcasts today counts. You can read their blogs, you can follow them on

twitter, you can go to local events.Keep track of what you learn so you can use it in a

college specific essay or contact info on Common Application.

If you apply, and then something really cool happens, send the admissions officer in charge of your area with an update email.

Senior YearSenior year is difficult in many ways

but it is essential to do well.You must keep your grades as high

as possible.You can apply for as many

scholarships as possible.You must enjoy yourself but not

allow the black hole of senioritis to take over your life.◦Two stories

You can do it!I know you can make the next

few months really count.If you need any help,

◦Look at my website: getmetocollege/hs

◦Follow me on twitter @getmetocollege

◦I will post this powerpoint on Slide Share: Get Me To College