Transcript APPLYING FOR COLLEGE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
AND
WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW
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DePauw University: Of 5,000 applicants, 686
were accepted.
University of Illinois, College of Business : of
4,000 applicants, 575 are accepted.
This shows the need for precise and timely
applications. However, we need to talk about
the variables involved between those odds and
your personal application wherein you tell
your ability so that the college/university will
see what they want you.
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Where do I go?
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What am I going to study?
What does the college have in this area?
Are there things I need that are unique to one college?
How big is the college and how big am I used to?
How far am I from home?
How far from home do I want to be?
Is there financial aid and how much, relative to what I need?
Are any of my friends going there and is that important?
What is the ratio of students to teachers (class size vs. average class
size)
What is the placement rate of the graduates into jobs?
Do I know anyone who has been to this college and what do they
think?
How are these former students different from me?
What do I feel about my visit to the college?
BUT, WHO ARE YOU?
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NAME
HAIR COLOR
GENDER/RACE, ETC.
SIBLINGS
ACADEMIC RECORD
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
JOB (S)
INTERESTS
FAMILY
PETS
SPECIAL TALENTS
ACHIEVEMENTS
WHAT IS RELEVANT TO THE APPLICATION
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES NEED TO
KNOW WHO YOU ARE RELATIVE
TO THEIR GOALS AND WHETHER
OR NOT YOU WILL SUCCEED
THERE—THEY ARE MAKING A BET
ON YOU!
Most colleges and universities have a multiple
process:
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First, you go through a screening on grades and test
scores to see if you meet the standards or to those
standards are.
Second, your application questions and answers are
examined by either an admissions team who know
what the individual colleges or departments want or
the department /college representatives.
Third, if you are a marginal student, you are
reviewed further, generally by a college dean or
department chair.
What they say and ask
1. In an essay of 300 words or less, please
discuss your academic interests and/or
professional goals. (UIUC)
In an essay of 300 words or less, please discuss your academic
interests and/or professional goals, including experiences and
personal connections or familial connections that led you
there.
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Precision is essential—you cannot ramble (“300
words or less”)
English grammar and usage must be correct,
including spelling.
Examples are available if you go online
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http://www.college-admission-essay.com/essays.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7768506_format-collegeapplication-essay.html
2. Describe a character in fiction
that has had an influence on you
and explain that influence.
(Cornell)
Why did you choose this
character, from this piece of
literature, and why has it had an
influence on your personality,
cultural values, behaviors, and
relate that to experiences you
have had.
7. Please list your extracurricular activities, honors,
organizations, or employment while in high
school. Include summer activities etc. (EIU)
What they mean and want
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Are you somewhat well rounded or narrowed in
your experiences?
Do you have experiences that will help you
achieve in college or are you in for a big surprise
when you get here?
Can you adjust to different situations
What is the most exciting subject to you? YOU!
What bores the reader most?
I am, I did, I was, I went, I earned, I love, etc.
Bad Example:
I earned the best student award in my school
when I was in my senior year.
Better Example:
St. Anthony’s High School presents the “Best
Student” award every year; the senior year
recipient was me.
3. In an essay of 300 words or less,
choose one extracurricular activity,
work experience or community
service project from the list you
provided on the application and
explain why you initially chose it,
why you continued with it, and
how you benefited from it. (UIUC)
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR
MOUTH IS:
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You have listed things that you did throughout
your life, now THINK and tell us why you did
what you did and how does that effect your
decision to come to this college or university—
once again, they want to know WHO YOU
ARE.
4. How does this university, as you
know it now, satisfy your desire
for a particular kind of learning,
community, and future? Please
address with some specificity
your own wishes and how they
relate to this community. (Univ.
of Chicago)
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You have told us you want to come to our
university, so tell us why—how does this fit into
your future, your goals, your values, your family
situation, etc.
For example, if you have been pushed toward this
school by your parents for some reason, that is ok,
but the school wants to know that.
If you have your best friend there or a
brother/sister, that is motivation and the school
wants to know it, but
I might add, they usually do not want to know that
you are going there to be with a girlfriend or
boyfriend.
6. How will you achieve academic and personal
success at this college? (EIU-Common App)
What they mean and want
Show us how you have achieved in the
past—what obstacles have you
overcome—do you have special needs
that you have overcome—what are some
of your better subjects and how will
you pursue those here, etc?
5. What does this college look for in its
applicants? The College Admissions
Committee reads each application in its
entirety and considers each student’s particular
strengths, preparation, aspirations, and
motivations for a challenging college
education. That said, what should the
Admissions Committee look for in you, beyond
your transcripts and scores, and why is this
college among your choices? (Common
Application)
This is a trick question. It means exactly
what it says. Here is your chance to
unload about your trips abroad,
community services, work experience,
parental influences, and any other factors
that make you different from the grades
and scores on paper. You can even list
references (1 or 2) in this question.
Just in case you are beginning to get apprehensive,
let’s talk about the actual college experience
MYTHS ABOUT COLLEGE:
REMINDERS ABOUT COLLEGE
You have to be really smart to be in college!
College is ¼ smarts, ¾ guts and perseverance.
Do your parents proud.
Do yourself proud, your parents love you and deep down are
proud of you no matter what.
Asking for help is a sign of weakness.
Asking for help is part of perseverance and is smart!
It’s a big lecture, I’ll never be missed—I can get notes from
someone else.
Do not miss any classes unless unavoidable—prof’s notice and
find out.
Thursday is too late to study—might as well party!
It is NEVER too late to study!
Greek life is the only way to go!
Greek life is one way to go, what is best for you is what is most
comfortable for you.
Being safe is being smart
This college environment is different—be aware of your
surroundings and don’t get caught in an unsafe situation
on campus at any time Never assume safety.
I can always study later.
You CAN study later, but the more you study, the better!
My folks do not understand the way things are.
Your folks understand FARRRRRR more than you even begin to
fathom so listen to them—you will have plenty of time
to go a different route if you choose.
Everybody expects too much of me.
You vacillate between excitement and fear.
You will meet new people.
No one should expect more of you than you do yourself—you
know yourself about as well as anyone else, but not
necessarily better than those who love you (Make your
own decisions but only after listening and weighing the
best advice).
Enjoy your excitement, but never lose all the fear—if you do, you
are in a false security and will coast to downward.
Not all the people you meet will have the same values as you;
they will be different and will give you a new
perspective. Just don’t let them take advantage of you
or annoy you.
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Ask your
question. It
may help
someone else!
If you want to
ask later, or
more in private
my email is:
[email protected]
Feel free to contact me,
but inform your
parents you are doing
so.