Demonstrated interest is a term that gets thrown around a lot during the college process. People say that it so important, or crucial, sometimes they say it not important at all.
Let start with a plain definition, shall we?
Should I do the Optional College Application Writing Supplement?
The college application process is long. It complicated at times, and it can be confusing. We totally get it. Weve gone through it many times. By choice. It can be easy to breathe a sigh of relief when youre applying to (your third application this week) but then see that twinkling This essay is optional written at the top of the page. Omg, you think. Dare I? I have SO many other essays to write that are all required and what difference is one little 250-word count essay going to make? Ill just skip this one. I have to finish tonight to stay on track so Ill go do that instead. Right? Time management and prioritization? Nope. Wrong. Sirens. Here why:
Why You Shouldn't Send Your Kid on a Community Service Trip for College
There are a lot of problems with short-term service trips, or voluntourism as it often called. There are social problems, there are economic problems, there are cultural problems, and there are problem problems, but none of those are the problems were going to talk about here. Analyzing the socio-political side effects of importing unskilled teens into impoverished countries with the (mis)intention of saving the day isn our specialty...or it isn here, at least. Our specialty is getting great kids into stellar colleges, and so were going to focus on why sending your kid on a service trip isn going to help make that happen.
The 10 Best Colleges for Extroverts
There are thousands of schools in the United States, and theyre pretty easy to sift through if youre looking at binary determinators. Do they have an engineering program? Do they offer a study abroad program doing fieldwork in Madagascar? Do they have a themed living community for young men and women who wanted to be wizards but, after not receiving that invite to Hogwarts, have resigned themselves to a life in chemistry? All of those are important questions (theyre important for someone, ok, don judge), but they are also simple questions. They have yes or no answers.
How to Start a College Admissions Essay
How to Write the Swarthmore Supplement
While wed never suggest not applying to a school solely based on their acceptance rate, we have to address the . Swarthmore had a 10% acceptance rate, meaning you will get rejected 9 times out of 10. Swarthmore does a great job of outlining their admissions process and we offer a more detailed explanation of the overall admissions process . It important that you understand the statistics--not to scare you, but so that you understand why your Swarthmore supplement is so important.
How to Write an Interesting, Funny, and Unique College Essay
Were not going to lie to you. College essays are scary. For most of our clients, writing their college essay is the most intimidating part of the application process. We get it, and weve been there, but were here to tell you that, while they might be scary, theyre also an amazing opportunity. So much of the college process is about covering everything in gold leaf and making yourself look as perfect as possible. Contrary to what so many (incorrectly) say, the college essay isn about pitching yourself as a perfect person; it about being yourself.
How do you Write the Conclusion for a College Essay?
The conclusion to your college essay should not be grand, nor should it wow the audience. It the end of your story, and it should make sense in the context of the story. The goal is not to leave them hanging or in suspense, nor is it to tie it all back to your thesis in a neat, lovely bow. Your conclusion ends your story and speaks to the reason why you decided to tell this specific story. It brings it all together in such a way that leaves the reader feeling like they know an unexpected anecdote about you. In turn, your story speaks to a part of you that wasn obvious after at first glance of your application. The conclusion is the last part of this specific story.
What Books Should I Read for my College Supplements?
Over the last few years, more and more schools have been adding one question to their supplement. Wake Forest, Columbia, Stanford, and MIT, among others, all ask their applicants to detail books that they are reading, have read, or just a list of a student favorite books. Were noticing this as a growing trend, so we thought it best to connect with you on it. So how do you for these colleges supplements? The key is to keep it focused, as per usual, and keep it relevant. The more specific that you are in your choices, the better, and it an opportunity to highlight a specific or unique interest.
Advice for Parents Starting the College Process
If youre a parent of a rising senior you might feel like the walls are closing in on you and your child. There is no right way to feel at this time, but feelings of helplessness and stress are pretty common as you enter college application season. That why many parents decide to get help in addition to what some schools may offer, in the form of a college advisor. We understand that not everyone has access to this kind of help, so we are making some of our wisdom and knowledge available to you here. We may not be parents ourselves, but since all of us at The Ƶ have gone through the college admissions process ourselves within the last ten years, we are closer to the process, which gives us added perspective. We have also been helping kids get into college for years now, so we have a better sense of what parents are going through as well. We remember what our junior year in high school was like, with all the stress and pressure, not just from our parents, but from our peers as well. It was awful, and this is why we can empathize so well with our student clients, and help them avoid the pitfalls that we experienced.
How Do I Arrange a Tour of a College?
College visits are a big part of the college application process. It necessary to go to a college campus and experience it for yourself. Of course, it important to remember that college visits are an orchestrated marketing of the college, put on by the college, but it important to experience the school firsthand nonetheless.
What Tests Do I Need to Take for Undergraduate Admission to a Top School?
Testing is a big part of your high school academic experience the college application process. From figuring out which standardized tests to take to determining AP testing, regional state required exams, as well as your midterms and finals, there a lot to balance. It not just you; it can be overwhelming for everyone. Let us break it down for you:
What is ZeeMee?
When you apply to college, you have to deal with a number of programs and websites. You sign up for the Common App, you might have to create a Slideroom account, all the while youre handling updating your Instagram and not getting behind on your Snapchat streak. Then, all of a sudden you hear about ZeeMee. So... What exactly is it?
How To Write the Vassar Supplement
The Vassar College supplement, on first glance, seems relatively easy to tackle and somewhat straight-forward. What weve learned from years of advising students on this supplement is that a) it a bit more complex than it seems but also b) it more work than you think. There are three optional components. We implore you to explore at least two of those three, and not just because many students will overlook them (though that fact will help you). The first two responses are limited to 350 words. We assure you, 350 words is longer than you think. Keep that in mind when brainstorming. Additionally, we encourage students to keep Vassar culture and community in mind while they write this. Vassar is a free-spirited, very liberal place with a diverse community. This should be in the back of your mind while youre writing. Let get going.
Are Specific Courses Required to get Into an Ivy League School?
So much of high school is about the time that you spend in the classroom. After all, one of the most important parts of your college application is your GPA (or ). Were discussing one of the questions that we get the most frequently from our students on class choice and chances of being accepted to your top choice school:
How Does Taking College Courses (or extra classes) Affect Admissions?
A large number of college courses are available for high school students to take both online and in-person. Some students take them just to challenge themselves further or learn about one topic that isn offered at their high school.
College courses alone won get you into college. Taking 20 college courses won reverse your mediocre GPA or average ACT scores. That just not how it works. It can, however, add depth to a specific part of your application.
How To Write the Dickinson College Supplement
Dickinson College is a liberal arts school of about 2,400 students in Carlisle, PA. The campus itself encourages students to take a seat and observe the world around themthere are literally red Adirondack chairs scattered all around campus for students to take advantage of and do work in, sit with friends, or meditate. Students live on campus all four years and swear by their mascots: a red and a green devil. The green devil is regarded as the red devil environmentally conscious cousin. We break down this college supplement below:
How To Write a Thank You Note After Your Alumni Interview
Once you submit your application, many colleges will pair you with an alumnus or alumna for an Alumni Interview. These interviews occur in coffee shops in person, sometimes they happen in college and university clubhouses in your town, or they might even happen over Skype. For help preparing for your Alumni Interview, . This post is all about the follow-up--namely, the thank you note that you will send to your alum interviewer explaining how appreciative you are and how great it was to speak with them. Weve outlined a general thank you note below, but it will be crucial to insert some specifics.
Expert Advice for your Common App Personal Statement Essay
Now that essay season is upon us (yes, indeed it is), it thinking about your . Junior year is coming to a close, your summer is beginning, and now it time to brainstorm and ideate. You might have some idea of a topic, experience, or incident that you want to write about. Or, you might not. That okay, too.
How To Write the Bowdoin College Supplement
Bowdoin College is a small liberal arts school in Brunswick, ME of about 1,800 undergraduate students. In addition to its location (truly in the middle of nowhere of gorgeous [albeit cold] Maine), Bowdoin has a number of unique offerings including the main pillars of the college, which are addressed in question 2. Their supplement contains three parts, all of which we break down for you below.