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College Application Binder Final

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jts02002

The document provides information and advice to students on completing college applications. It discusses the goals of admissions committees in selecting a diverse student body. It then outlines the typical components of a college application, including filling out personal and academic information, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters. The document advises students to provide as much relevant information as possible to give admissions officers a full picture of who they are in order to be a strong candidate.

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Purpose of the Application College’s Goal: Create best / balanced incoming class Gender balance Geographical diversity Extracurricular activities Academic Interests Ethnicity Income diversity Admit or deny students Read through each of up to 20,000 applications completely Information on application therefore needs to be limited and organized. Your Goal: Introduce yourself to the college. Prove that you can succeed academically. Show that you can add to the community. Address everything you would like the college to know about you, despite the limited scope of the application.
Components of Application Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application This is the information requested on a typical application.
Filling Out the Application Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith works with me before school. You This shows how an applicant would fill in the application. You have already done this on the CPS application.
Breakdown of an Applicant Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith works with me before school. You Joe Schmoe GPA: 4.0 | SAT: 2200 Varsity Football My touchdown pass… My summer in Europe… Mrs. Smith likes me… Typical Competitor An admissions officer comparing two applications would be trying to make a decision based on the information you provide on your application.
Filling Out the Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 4.0 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith works with me before school. You You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA The length of the ‘Admissibility Arrow’ represents the overall quality of an applicant. APPLICATION
The Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA Difficult to make a decision. Applicants appear similar.
Breakdown of an Applicant You Joe Schmoe GPA: 4.0 | SAT: 2200 Varsity Football My touchdown pass… My summer in Europe… Mrs. Smith likes me… Grandfather is an alum Summer camp Typical Competitor Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith likes me. Dad’s disabled Scholarship at High School Babysit siblings Speak three languages Write video games in free time Neither parent went to college Can’t afford text books Wake up at 5 to get dropped off at school before mom’s shift starts Etc.
The Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA Etc. ETC. The full story – Which applicant does the admissions officer admit now?
The Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA ETC. Etc. Still hard to tell because none of the extra information is on the application.
The Application Etc. Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA ETC. You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA Now it’s easy to make the decision to admit you. Fit all of the additional information on the application.
… there’s more. You Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith likes me. Dad’s disabled Scholarship at High School Babysit siblings Speak three languages Write video games in free time Neither parent went to college Can’t afford text books Wake up at 5 to get dropped off at school before mom’s shift starts Getting additional information on the application.
… there’s more. You Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith likes me. Dad’s disabled Scholarship at High School Babysit siblings while parents work Speak three languages Write video games in free time Neither parent went to college Can’t afford text books Wake up at 5 to get dropped off at school before mom’s shift starts Getting additional information on the application.
Finished? Not yet! Make sure you proofread your whole application again making sure you: come across as professional, have no typos or grammatical errors, and have included all of the information you want to convey.
Application Tips 1. Be professional in all your contact with colleges 2. Make sure your academic information is as detailed and easy to understand as possible __Ivy____________________ [email_address] Be professional at all times, including emails, phone calls, campus visits!
More Application Tips 3. Fill out as much information as possible about your family 4. Be specific about extracurricular activities. Explain acronyms. ___2________________ ___N/A_________________ ___High school________ ___N/A___________ _Acc. Learning Prog.__ __Student Leader__ _Habitat for Humanity_ _Painting Volunteer_ ___Unemployed_______________________
More Application Tips Carefully review spelling, punctuation, capitalization, word choice, and verb consistency. Don’t use the wrong college’s name!
Recommendations Put together a packet: Provide resume, transcript, accomplishments, essay, & information about colleges and scholarships you’re applying to. Pick someone who knows you well. Ask if they feel they can write a good recommendation. Give them plenty of time. Provide specific examples to help them. Don’t feel obligated to use your assigned counselor if another one will write a better recommendation.
Good Photo Be careful to represent yourself well! Avoid representing yourself in a negative way. A photo should leave a positive impression!
Ways to Apply Rolling Admissions Regular Decision Early January Early Action / Decision / Notification Early November Indicate preference for specific college QuestBridge September 30 Indicate low-income status Guaranteed full financial-aid package School Specific Application or CommonApp QuestBridge Application National College Match
National College Match Developed especially for low-income students applying to our partner colleges Application allows you more space and flexibility to explain special circumstances and paint a better picture of who you are Explain all those things that you can’t on other applications. Take advantage of this. Don’t be afraid. This is not the time to fit in; this is the time to be unique and stand out from the crowd. Twice as long: twice the work but also twice the opportunity to showcase yourself and make the admissions officer understand who you are and why you will make an excellent addition to their campus.
Typical Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 4.0 GPA You 2050 SAT | 3.9 GPA ETC. Etc. Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 4.0 GPA You 2050 SAT | 3.9 GPA Etc. ETC. QuestBridge Application
SAT and ACT - Take by the end of the Junior year. www.number2.com | www.collegeboard.com www.kaptest.com | www.majortests.com/sat SAT IIs - Highly selective schools usually require two. ( http://www.questbridge.org/review/review2.html ) CSS PROFILE For additional financial aid Supplements Sports, music, art, academic, etc. Other Components
Fee Waivers ACT – Request a fee waiver form for registration fee from school counselor. Applicants must register by mail to use a fee waiver. Students can only use a fee waiver once. More information: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/feewaiver.html SAT and SAT II – Request a fee waiver form from school counselor. You can receive up to four fee waivers (two for SAT, two for SAT Subject Tests). More information: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees/feewaivers.html CSS PROFILE – There is no need to apply for a CSS PROFILE fee waiver. They are awarded automatically online based on family financial information provided at the time the student completes the PROFILE. College Application – Applicants usually submit a fee waiver request along with their college application, but policies vary by college. Some colleges only grant them to students with ACT/SAT waivers.
Thanks! Remember to thank your teachers, counselors, and anyone with whom you speak at the college / scholarship office. Courtesy is expected, appreciated, and remembered!

More Related Content

College Application Binder Final

  • 1. Purpose of the Application College’s Goal: Create best / balanced incoming class Gender balance Geographical diversity Extracurricular activities Academic Interests Ethnicity Income diversity Admit or deny students Read through each of up to 20,000 applications completely Information on application therefore needs to be limited and organized. Your Goal: Introduce yourself to the college. Prove that you can succeed academically. Show that you can add to the community. Address everything you would like the college to know about you, despite the limited scope of the application.
  • 2. Components of Application Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application This is the information requested on a typical application.
  • 3. Filling Out the Application Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith works with me before school. You This shows how an applicant would fill in the application. You have already done this on the CPS application.
  • 4. Breakdown of an Applicant Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith works with me before school. You Joe Schmoe GPA: 4.0 | SAT: 2200 Varsity Football My touchdown pass… My summer in Europe… Mrs. Smith likes me… Typical Competitor An admissions officer comparing two applications would be trying to make a decision based on the information you provide on your application.
  • 5. Filling Out the Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 4.0 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith works with me before school. You You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA The length of the ‘Admissibility Arrow’ represents the overall quality of an applicant. APPLICATION
  • 6. The Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA Difficult to make a decision. Applicants appear similar.
  • 7. Breakdown of an Applicant You Joe Schmoe GPA: 4.0 | SAT: 2200 Varsity Football My touchdown pass… My summer in Europe… Mrs. Smith likes me… Grandfather is an alum Summer camp Typical Competitor Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith likes me. Dad’s disabled Scholarship at High School Babysit siblings Speak three languages Write video games in free time Neither parent went to college Can’t afford text books Wake up at 5 to get dropped off at school before mom’s shift starts Etc.
  • 8. The Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA Etc. ETC. The full story – Which applicant does the admissions officer admit now?
  • 9. The Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA ETC. Etc. Still hard to tell because none of the extra information is on the application.
  • 10. The Application Etc. Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 3.9 GPA ETC. You 2050 SAT | 4.0 GPA Now it’s easy to make the decision to admit you. Fit all of the additional information on the application.
  • 11. … there’s more. You Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith likes me. Dad’s disabled Scholarship at High School Babysit siblings Speak three languages Write video games in free time Neither parent went to college Can’t afford text books Wake up at 5 to get dropped off at school before mom’s shift starts Getting additional information on the application.
  • 12. … there’s more. You Personal information Academic information Extracurriculars Short essays Personal statement Recommendations Application Ivanna Learnalot GPA: 3.9 | SAT: 2050 Debate Team Captain If I could be a hero… I was born in a bath tub. Mrs. Smith likes me. Dad’s disabled Scholarship at High School Babysit siblings while parents work Speak three languages Write video games in free time Neither parent went to college Can’t afford text books Wake up at 5 to get dropped off at school before mom’s shift starts Getting additional information on the application.
  • 13. Finished? Not yet! Make sure you proofread your whole application again making sure you: come across as professional, have no typos or grammatical errors, and have included all of the information you want to convey.
  • 14. Application Tips 1. Be professional in all your contact with colleges 2. Make sure your academic information is as detailed and easy to understand as possible __Ivy____________________ [email_address] Be professional at all times, including emails, phone calls, campus visits!
  • 15. More Application Tips 3. Fill out as much information as possible about your family 4. Be specific about extracurricular activities. Explain acronyms. ___2________________ ___N/A_________________ ___High school________ ___N/A___________ _Acc. Learning Prog.__ __Student Leader__ _Habitat for Humanity_ _Painting Volunteer_ ___Unemployed_______________________
  • 16. More Application Tips Carefully review spelling, punctuation, capitalization, word choice, and verb consistency. Don’t use the wrong college’s name!
  • 17. Recommendations Put together a packet: Provide resume, transcript, accomplishments, essay, & information about colleges and scholarships you’re applying to. Pick someone who knows you well. Ask if they feel they can write a good recommendation. Give them plenty of time. Provide specific examples to help them. Don’t feel obligated to use your assigned counselor if another one will write a better recommendation.
  • 18. Good Photo Be careful to represent yourself well! Avoid representing yourself in a negative way. A photo should leave a positive impression!
  • 19. Ways to Apply Rolling Admissions Regular Decision Early January Early Action / Decision / Notification Early November Indicate preference for specific college QuestBridge September 30 Indicate low-income status Guaranteed full financial-aid package School Specific Application or CommonApp QuestBridge Application National College Match
  • 20. National College Match Developed especially for low-income students applying to our partner colleges Application allows you more space and flexibility to explain special circumstances and paint a better picture of who you are Explain all those things that you can’t on other applications. Take advantage of this. Don’t be afraid. This is not the time to fit in; this is the time to be unique and stand out from the crowd. Twice as long: twice the work but also twice the opportunity to showcase yourself and make the admissions officer understand who you are and why you will make an excellent addition to their campus.
  • 21. Typical Application Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 4.0 GPA You 2050 SAT | 3.9 GPA ETC. Etc. Joe Schmoe 2200 SAT | 4.0 GPA You 2050 SAT | 3.9 GPA Etc. ETC. QuestBridge Application
  • 22. SAT and ACT - Take by the end of the Junior year. www.number2.com | www.collegeboard.com www.kaptest.com | www.majortests.com/sat SAT IIs - Highly selective schools usually require two. ( http://www.questbridge.org/review/review2.html ) CSS PROFILE For additional financial aid Supplements Sports, music, art, academic, etc. Other Components
  • 23. Fee Waivers ACT – Request a fee waiver form for registration fee from school counselor. Applicants must register by mail to use a fee waiver. Students can only use a fee waiver once. More information: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/feewaiver.html SAT and SAT II – Request a fee waiver form from school counselor. You can receive up to four fee waivers (two for SAT, two for SAT Subject Tests). More information: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees/feewaivers.html CSS PROFILE – There is no need to apply for a CSS PROFILE fee waiver. They are awarded automatically online based on family financial information provided at the time the student completes the PROFILE. College Application – Applicants usually submit a fee waiver request along with their college application, but policies vary by college. Some colleges only grant them to students with ACT/SAT waivers.
  • 24. Thanks! Remember to thank your teachers, counselors, and anyone with whom you speak at the college / scholarship office. Courtesy is expected, appreciated, and remembered!

Editor's Notes

  1. 1. The typical office can read over 20,000 applications. The application is set up to get them just enough information to make a decision on a typical applicant. They want to be able to go through them as fast as possible and still be able to make a fair judgment. 2. Most applicants can succeed academically – they want unique and diverse students who can help create an interesting community environment. The job of the admissions office at the college is to read all of the applications and decide who to admit and deny. They aren’t just looking at people individually, however, they are making the decisions in order to create a balanced, interesting class. College is more than a bunch of classes, it is the experience of living and learning with a bunch of other people for four years – that experience will be more enriching if they can bring people from all sorts of backgrounds together. 50/50 male to female ratio, people from all over the world and all over the country. People to fill all the positions on the sports teams and various musical and choral ensembles. Students to study in each department – professors wouldn’t be happy if there were no students interested in their classes or helping them perform research. Finally, they want students from each walk of life financially – currently the number of student from low-income backgrounds are very underrepresented – only around 10% come from the poorer half of the country. Remember, however, that colleges are not making exceptions (academically or otherwise) for students to make sure that the class is balanced. Think about how selective these schools are: 10% are admitted. What they are doing is looking through the applications for academically qualified students who also possess some of these qualities to make the best class that they can.