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Top Tips for a Stand-Out College Application

A post by Top Tier Admissions’ Maria Laskaris, former Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Dartmouth College

A stand-out college application consists of more than just high test scores and a killer GPA. Year after year, admissions officers are faced with a crushing volume of applications and a short amount of time in which to read them. As former Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Dartmouth, with over 25 years of experience in selective college admissions, I can tell you, they are looking for reasons to accept, not deny, you. To do so, they’ll look well beyond just your stellar high school record, strong test scores, and extracurricular resume to figure out if you’re just the type of student they seek for their community.

CALLING ALL SENIORS

Seniors, as you’re well aware, deadlines for early and regular admission are on the horizon and as you write your essays and complete your Common App, you’re probably wondering “am I good enough” or “will they like me.” Read on for my tips and learn how to make your application absolutely rise above the rest and put these questions to rest.

MARIA’S TOP TIPS FOR A STAND-OUT COLLEGE APPLICATION

“Your business here is learning” said a former college president to the assembled first-year students at the college’s annual convocation. Remember that colleges are, first and foremost, places of higher learning. Admissions officers are looking for students who love learning, not just those who get good grades. How do you convey your love of learning through your application? Use your essay(s) to show how your mind works – the questions you ponder, the ideas you want to explore, the problems you want to solve.

Your voice matters. They may only be 650 words, but your essays will tell the admissions office something about you that your grades and test scores won’t. Don’t be shy! Once you’ve brainstormed a focus for your essay, be specific. Show – don’t tell – the reader what makes you unique and distinctive. Find a creative angle or hook for your essay and let the rest flow from there. Be honest and authentic about what matters to you and why.

Quality, not quantity, matters most. Whether your extracurricular passions include volunteer work, hobbies, clubs, arts, athletics or a part time job, it’s not about how much you do but rather the quality of your contribution. Rather than simply filling up the Common App’s extracurricular grid with a laundry list of all you’ve done, be choosy. Highlight those that are most meaningful – and show your greatest impact – by putting them at the top of the list.

New definitions of leadership. Colleges define leadership in ways that go well beyond being captain of the swim team, president of senior class, or editor of the yearbook. How do you make your school and community better through your ideas and initiative? Use any opportunities – supplemental essays, the “Additional Information” section on the Common App, interviews – to show how you’ve made a positive and lasting impact through your leadership.

Choose wisely. Build a college list that includes schools at which you have a realistic shot at admission and which line up with your academic and personal interests. If your grades and scores put you well in range of students typically admitted to the school, then you’re most likely a realistic applicant.

Do your research and be able to articulate in an essay (as well as an alumni or campus interview) why the school is a perfect fit for you. What are the academic programs that match your interests? How do you see yourself taking advantage of on- and off-campus learning opportunities? What appeals to you about the college community? Is it the artsy vibe, outdoors bent, or socially engaged student body? Be sure you can answer the question you’ll inevitably be asked about.

Best of luck to each of you on your college admissions journey!

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college admissions College Application Secrets Top Tips

Georgetown Application Supplement Essays for 2017-2018

Many students tell us that Georgetown is their “dream university”. Current applicants hoping to pursue this dream will have to submit Georgetown’s own, school-specific application, since Georgetown, like several other universities, does not use the Common App. Along with personal data and a list of activities, applicants to Georgetown University must submit essays that address the following prompts:

  1. Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (approximately one-half page single-spaced)
  2. As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (approximately one page single-spaced)
Georgetown Application Supplement Essays

In addition, students must submit one final essay (approximately one page single-spaced) tailored to the school of their choice within Georgetown University.

Applicants to Georgetown College:

  • Please relate your interest in studying at Georgetown University to your goals. How do these thoughts relate to your chosen course of study? (If you are applying to major in the Faculty of Language and Linguistics or in a Science, please specifically address those interests.)

Applicants to the School of Nursing and Health Studies:

  • Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University. Please specifically address your intended major (Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, Global Health, or Nursing).

Applicants to the Walsh School of Foreign Service:

  • Briefly discuss a current global issue, indicating why you consider it important and what you suggest should be done to deal with it.

Applicants to the McDonough School of Business:

  • The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

Need help tackling these essays? Check out our Essay Guidance Program, which will help you read between the lines of these questions and develop compelling, effective answers.

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college admissions College Application Secrets Insider Tips Ivy Admissions Subject Tests

Leverage SAT Subject Tests This August

Subject Tests in the summer? NO way. Actually, YES way –in a BIG way.

Serious college applicants understand that summer isn’t all fun and games. While we’re advocates of relaxation, meditation, living an active lifestyle and of course, fun and games, we also like to play SMART. Definitely find some time to unwind this summer and get outdoors but don’t forget to craft a scholarly summer. With the College Board’s recent release of the new August test date for the SAT and Subject Tests you can do just that. Take advantage of this opportunity to stay a step ahead on the all-important Subject Tests.

The new test date, August 26th, gives high-schoolers, and especially rising seniors applying early, an opportunity to study over the summer and push up May or June prior scores or prep for and take a test that corresponds to last year’s curriculum. This date also gives students an opportunity to begin studying over the summer if they didn’t take subject tests in May or June because they weren’t prepared. An additional test date can alleviate the load of taking up to three subject tests in one sitting, which may lower scores across the board due to testing fatigue. Keep in mind, even if a school has done away with requiring subject tests, top applicants STILL submit them.

AUGUST SUBJECT TESTS

We hope we’ve relayed the importance of subject tests and maybe you’re already registered (Kudos!). Keep in mind the registration deadline of July 28, 2017 (for the August date) and note that not all Subject Tests are offered on this test date. The following tests will be offered August 26th and scores should be back by September 15th in time for the early November applications.

  • Literature
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Mathematics I* and II
  • Biology E/M
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • French
  • Spanish

*Most top colleges put little weight on the Math I Subject Test as this represents generally the same math found on the SAT and ACT. Math II is always the better option if you have taken PreCalculus and your practice scores are high enough.

So if you are looking to re-take Modern Hebrew, Italian, or Latin after the June test date, you’re out of luck. You also can’t take any language with the listening component until November, which is the only test date in which listening is offered. For rising seniors, November test scores aren’t guaranteed to be back in time for the early round but they WILL demonstrate further rigor if you need them for the regular round.

SUBJECT TESTS FOR THE IVY LEAGUE

SAT Subject Tests Ivy Banner

 

 

Maybe you’re still not convinced you need more SAT Subject Tests. After all, most Ivy League schools either recommend** or require two subject tests and last August, Columbia dropped its SAT Subject Test requirement altogether (with a few caveats).

 

 

 

Below are individual Ivy school’s policies on Subject Tests:

  • Brown University: 2 required if SAT is submitted; if ACT with Writing submitted, no subject tests required
  • Columbia University: does not require
  • Cornell University: each undergrad school has their own specific requirements
  • Dartmouth College: 2 required
  • Harvard University: 2 required
  • [Stanford University: 2 recommended**]
  • Princeton University: 2 recommended but not required**
  • University of Pennsylvania: 2 recommended but not required**
  • Yale University: 2 required

**Read this to mean top applicants will submit a minimum of 2!

SAT Subject Tests Scholar

BE A SCHOLAR

The truth is, most competitive applicants provide four or more high subject test scores. Not taking a subject test after the corresponding honors or AP class, especially if you take the AP makes you appear complacent and certainly doesn’t highlight a ‘love for learning’ that schools are seeking or back up your grades. Private school students in particular, with high level education, should sit for appropriate subject tests.

 

SAT Subject Test comparisons

APPLES TO APPLES

Subject tests (and APs) help equalize things across applicants by providing a way for colleges to compare an A at one school to an A at another school. If you’re looking to separate yourself from the sea of 4.0 GPAs and stand out among other high achieving kids from across the country, the SAT Subject Tests can help you.

SAT SUBJECT TEST(S) AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

Keep in mind, not all subject tests are created equal. Every subject test has its own average score, so you should choose wisely which ones you take in order to stand out. And remember, if you’re an unhooked applicant, (meaning not a recruit, development case, underrepresented minority, or legacy…) you need to ensure you’re scores are well above the ‘average’ for any top tier school. Below is a list of all the subject test scores offered in August and their average scores:

SAT Subject Tests Mean
Literature 618
US History 645
World History 618
Math I 619
Math II 690
Biology E/M E: 625; M: 652
Chemistry 666
Physics 667
French 636
Spanish 651


SAT Subject Tests Knowledge

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Finally, remember you should never take an SAT Subject Test cold! Practice, practice, practice. Ensure consistent practice test scores are in the appropriate range before the real deal. SAT Subject Tests are not like your class final. So at the very least, before the August test date, do yourself a favor and take a practice test (or four). If you take a practice test and need a subject test tutor for 3 hours of deep diving into a particular test, let us know. Happy studying.

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college admissions College Application Secrets College Essays Early Decision

Early Round Wins Again for the Class of 2021

Early round versus regular round? With our 20+ years of experience in college admissions we can guarantee you this shouldn’t be a question in your mind at all, ever, because the answer is ALWAYS without a shadow of a doubt … BOTH! Here’s why and it’s simple. Applying in the early round significantly increases your odds of admissions –across the board.

Early Round college admissions knockout

EARLY ROUND FOR THE KNOCK OUT

We want to make SURE you understand the benefits of applying in the early round so we made it nice and easy. Our chart below only highlights Ivies and Stanford/MIT, but know that this trend flows across the board at all top-tier schools. For instance, Claremont McKenna’s early round acceptance rate was around 31 percent whereas the regular round acceptance rate was 10.35 percent. For the sake of clarity, these stats can’t get any more crystal.

EARLY ROUND VS REGULAR ACCEPTANCE RATES

Your admission odds are much higher when applying in the early round versus regular. That said, there is no guarantee and you must have grades and scores in range. Always remember that grades and scores are #1!

Ivy League early round & regular acceptance rates

 

THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM

The old adage ‘The early bird catches the worm’ is never more true than in college admissions and data speaks –actually it SHOUTS in this case. These stats clearly show that developing an early round application strategy is absolutely KEY (not to mention worth it!) in the admissions process… no matter the tier of college you’re targeting.

Competitive Early Round college admissions

Read more on the advantages of applying to college in the early round and, for all rising seniors…what are you waiting for? Get your application and essays done before going back to school in the fall.  We are here to help.

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college admissions College Application Secrets Insider Tips Ivy Admissions Statistics

THE BIG QUESTION LOOMS: Which College is Right for Me?

For many rising seniors the overwhelming prospect of writing college essays is muddled up with the larger concern: “WHERE DO I APPLY?”

Students ask themselves:

  • What do I need to do to get into college?
  • Am I good enough to get accepted?
  • Where should I visit?
  • Will I be looked at by an Ivy-level college with my current grades and scores?
  • Should I apply Early Decision?

DECIDING ON A COLLEGE APPLICATION STRATEGY

Deciding on an application strategy is critical for many reasons. First, you want to apply to the right range of schools; understanding that range is determined by scores and grades first. And, you want to apply where your odds go up the most and of course you want to apply to a school that offers you the academic home you are seeking, matched with your interests.

Be wary of the cheesy online quizzes that claim to match you with just the right college. Instead, pick up a copy of Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges . Then, head to your college counseling office to thumb through good old-fashioned college catalogs. Read about schools online and sign up for information on their websites. Talk to cousins, older friends, and even your parents’ friends to get their opinions on schools. Ask specifics: “What was the best thing about studying at Vanderbilt and what do you wish you had done there that you didn’t?” — “I hear that Brown will let you design your own concentration. Did you take advantage of that option?”

WHAT IT TAKES TO GET IN

When creating a college list, and we encourage younger students to begin college visits early so they can get a feel for what they like: urban campus, rural campus, single sex school, large university — students need to be attentive to the following data:

Admissions Statistics: Turn to a number of resources to determine this information both generally and how it relates to you. Begin with Best Colleges 2017: Find the Best Colleges for You!

Standardized Test Specifics: Start with your high school profile as it’s always interesting to see the average ACT or SAT for your school. Then, review information in your state; see information from the College Board. And, most importantly, review the US News and World Report 25-75% test averages from accepted students. You want to aim for the 75%, especially if you don’t have a special hook such as being an athletic recruit or a minority student. And, review the AP Scholar Awards so you can determine if your scores qualify you.

CALCULATING YOUR CHANCES

Start by going to our College Calculator to enter in your information into the Academic Index rubric. We’ve made it easy for you to calculate your chances: HERE.

CREATE A PLAN

Once you’ve identified colleges of interest, do your research and figure out what their application options are? You definitely want to use a strategy to leverage the early round where odds go up by 3-6x at some schools.

Check out our early stats for the Class of 2021 and see for yourself the boost applying in early November will give you. Now, you aren’t going to cross a huge chasm just because you apply binding Early Decision to a school. So if your scores are in the low 600s and you are in the bottom half of your class, you won’t get into Columbia JUST because you are applying Early Decision. But you would already know that because you reviewed the admissions stats as we suggested above. If you are in range of a school then applying early can bump you in.

Create your own organizational grid and plot your schools according to which options you would use.

SAMPLE APPLICATION STRATEGY FOR YOU TO FILL IN:

Rolling:

Single-Choice Early Action:

Early Action (non-binding):

Early Decision (binding so only one):

Early Decision II (binding so only one):

Regular:

WHAT ABOUT AN IVY/TOP TIER COLLEGE?

A picture says a thousand words. See our infographic to help you take action if you are starting high school and for those rising seniors, ask yourself if your grades, scores, high level initiative, awards, scores and academic focus make you an Ivy-level candidate.

Ivy League college application strategy

 

MORE WAYS TO DISCERN THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOU

  • Visit the school and in particular visit the specific academic department of interest – some schools track level of interest which means when on campus if you post a photo of the main quad on Instagram they know it. Always sign in at the admissions office so they have record of your visit.
  • Explore the campus’ libraries in person or online. What offerings do they have that make them unique? Can you envision studying there?
  • Research is becoming increasingly important for undergraduates as they seek faculty connections, lab experience, conference presentation options, co-authorship and publishing opportunities. Explore the college’s undergraduate research conference –most colleges have these now. Can you attend in person? Or just read about it online? Watch a podcast of a few presentations from the 2017 conference? EX: UCLA had an Undergraduate Research Conference in Chem and Bio as detailed here. Boston College has an annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference.
  • Read more about the school from students themselves, check out Niche.com.
  • Read the campus newspaper (most are online). EX: The Tufts Daily
  • Research WHY the school is the right fit for you and use that specific information if the supplemental essay asks why you are applying. Do they have a beautiful new theater complex where you can showcase your acting talents? Can you contribute to the sustainability efforts on campus? You get the idea.

Top Tier Futures: Early college prep, educational guidance & resources for grades 4-8

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