Info on Admission Applications

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>EDUCATION CLUB</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EDUCATION CLUB"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories of Activities Last Year "><U>Stories of Activities Last Year </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Info on Teacher Certification"><U>Info on Teacher Certification</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Info on Winning Scholarship Info"><U>Info on Winning Scholarship Info</U></A>   |   <B>Info on Admission Applications</B>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Events"><U>News & Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Upcoming events from SGA"><U>Upcoming events from SGA</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Officers Contact Us"><U>Officers & Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.png"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>By: Goethe</B><B> </B></div> <div> <B>German Poet, Novelist</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Info on Admission Applications</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="072c8660.gif" border=0 width="200" height="102" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Take a strong course schedule</B>. Your class record is a big part of your college application. Don't take courses that simply pad your GPA. Challenge yourself. Take AP, IB or honors courses. If your school doesn't offer them, see if your local community college or university does.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Do volunteer work</B>. Make a difference and volunteer for activities that reflect your personality and matter to you. Volunteering looks great on an application and may make you feel good, too.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Ace the entrance exams</B>. Familiarize yourself with the test by taking sample versions beforehand. Get plenty of sleep the night before and eat a well-balanced breakfast. Read the directions and test questions carefully. Pace yourself so you have time to review your work.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Fill out the application accurately and well</B>. Approach each application as if it were the <I>only</I> one that you're filling out. Read the directions carefully and follow them precisely. Tell the truth. Complete a draft copy first, then revise and proofread. Avoid the common errors of college apps.</div> <div> <B>Follow Directions</B> </div> <bR> <div> A lot of common mistakes can be easily avoided by following directions. All college apps may <I>look</I> the same, but read the directions carefully-they can be quite different. And keep a sharp lookout for these stumbling blocks: </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Submit the correct number of essays. If it says "choose one," select only one of the suggested essay topics. If it says to "complete all," write an essay for every topic requested. </div> <div> If an essay question has more than one section, provide an answer for every part. And make sure that your responses answer the questions-and that it's clear which response goes with which answer. </div> <div> Compute the grade point average according to the instructions. Different schools use different methods for computing GPAs. </div> <div> Be careful not to confuse "country" with "county." </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sins of Omission</B> </div> <div> If you have a tendency to be forgetful, double-check and triple-check to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Before you seal the envelope, do a final check to see that you've enclosed all the required parts: </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> If you've written your essays on separate sheets of paper, don't forget to include them in the application packet. </div> <div> Don't forget to sign your application or recommendation letter waiver. </div> <div> Be sure to list your intended major. If you're not sure, write "undecided." </div> <div> When a college asks for senior year classes, be sure to submit your classes for the entire year, not just first semester. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Give Them What They're Asking For</B> </div> <div> Read all the directions carefully; sometimes it's easy to misunderstand what you're being asked to provide. If you're not sure what they mean or you're confused by a certain question, ask. A quick call to the admissions office will save you from making an embarrassing error. And be sure to double-check these common problem spots: </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Include a permanent address. The address you use should be one that the college can contact you at during the entire admissions process. </div> <div> If you're asked what grade level you are entering, write down your year in school for the <I>next</I> academic year. </div> <div> When you are asked to list your activities, don't limit yourself to activities in high school (unless that's specified). Include work with community organizations, volunteer efforts or part-time/full-time work. </div> <div> For "nickname," include your preferred name, if you have one (e.g. Jim, instead of James). Don't write in the names your friends use when they joke around with you (e.g. "Squid," "Buster," etc.). </div> <div> If the application asks for "zip code + 4," enter your entire nine digit zip code. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Bloopers and Blunders</B> </div> <div> It helps to have other people-your guidance counselors, teachers or family members-look over your application to see if you've missed anything. Sometimes it's the little things that can hurt your chances for admission. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Use the spell-checker on both the applications and the essays. And double-check the spelling the name of the school you're applying to. </div> <div> Don't count on the spell-checker alone. Just because something is spelled correctly doesn't mean it makes sense (e.g. "I no a lot about applying two college."). </div> <div> Watch how you enter dates. A frequent error: Students often list the current year for their birthday (e.g. 1/1/01 instead of 1/1/81). </div> <div> If you're going to use some of your responses for more than one school, be sure to replace the name of the school with the correct one (e.g. In an application for Wesleyan, "...and this is why I want to go to Brown."). </div> <bR> <div> To avoid some of these mistakes, it's a good idea to complete a draft copy of the application before you start working on the final draft. But your best bet for submitting a great application is to allow a lot of time to complete it. That will keep you from making these errors on your application, as well as the worst mistake you can make: sending it after the deadline. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Craft an excellent essay. Start by brainstorming for an original topic and take some time to hone your unique point of view. When writing, be clear, concise and well organized. And don't forget to check grammar and spelling.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Submit applications as early as possible</B>. Many colleges require applications to be in by early January. Online applications are a great alternative for getting your forms in more quickly.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Get great letters of recommendation</B>. Choose adults who know you well such as teachers, employers, coaches, clergy and community leaders. Provide them with all the necessary materials and information well in advance. Find out if the due date is a postmark date or a receive date. For receive dates, send letters at least 10 days in advance.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Follow up on your applications</B>. If a college hasn't sent you something that they should have, don't be afraid to check on your application. With thousands of applications being processed, mistakes do occasionally happen.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Dazzle them at your college interview</B>. Stay calm. Prepare by practicing with friends and formulate a few questions to ask. Dress for the occasion. Follow up with a thank-you note.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>The College Admissions Interview</B></I><I><IMG SRC="07401010.png" border=0 width="1" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <bR> <div> Does the prospect of talking face-to-face with admissions officers give you fits? Before your nerves get the better of you, learn what to expect - and how to ace your college interview. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Understanding the Process</B> </div> <div> There's no doubt that the college admissions interview causes a lot of angst. And yet, it's rarely the deciding factor in admissions. Many schools don't even schedule interviews or, instead, treat them as "informational meetings." </div> <div> So why interview? Sometimes, admissions officers are looking for qualities that can't be reflected in an application. "Loyola looks for something beyond the paper: interest in our programs or how well the student has researched our school," says Debbie Stieffel, Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Loyola University of New Orleans. </div> <div> The interview also allows them to check whether the student is a good "fit" for the institution - and vice versa. "Just because a student meets academic criteria to study at our college, it doesn't necessarily mean that he or she is a good match for the institution," Stieffel says. </div> <div> The bottom line is that the college admissions interview is not meant to be an interrogation. "A great interview should proceed like a good conversation," says Dave Hamilton, college counselor for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. In fact, your interview may even be fun. According to Dodge Johnson of College Planning in Malvern, PA, "Admissions folks want to like you, have you like them and like their school." </div> <bR> <div> <B>Preparation</B> </div> <div> To make sure you're ready to give your best impression: </div> <div> <I>Know the basics.</I> Scour the school's brochures and Web site. Learn as much about the institution as possible before you go in. You don't want to ask the dean of admissions about their MBA program only to find out that they don't have an MBA program. </div> <div> <I>Review your application materials.</I> The interviewers may use your application materials to strike up a conversation with you. Review your application essay so it's fresh in your mind when you interview. </div> <div> <I>Practice some generic questions.</I> There are a few basic questions you can probably count on hearing: <I>Why do you want to go to this college? What do you expect to gain from college? What do you plan to major in and why?</I> You don't need to memorize your answers, but think through the issues ahead of time so you'll have some ideas to discuss. </div> <div> <I>Practice some specific questions.</I> You'll also want to prepare for questions that ask you to identify key topics or experiences that are important to you. Think in advance about some of your favorite experiences, activities or plans. If you've identified your own "hit list," you'll find them easier to recall when asked. </div> <div> <I>Prepare some questions to ask.</I> Show your interest in the school by asking specific questions, such as <I>How would you describe the student body? What are the most popular majors (and why)? What are the school's strengths? Where does the school need to improve?</I> Don't ask questions that can be answered by reading the school's brochure. "You wouldn't want to ask if the college has fraternities and sororities, since their literature will tell you that," Johnson says. "But you might want to ask whether it's important to belong."<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Trebuchet MS" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Interview Day</B> </div> <div> When the big day comes, it's important to set yourself up for success. Dress appropriately by choosing a more conservative outfit, with a minimum of accessories, make-up, jewelry and cologne. </div> <div> Make sure you know exactly where your interview is being held. Call in advance and ask for directions if you're unsure, and schedule enough time get there. You should also plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. The extra time may come in handy if you encounter delays, and arriving early will let you take a few moments to relax and prepare yourself mentally. </div> <div> Once you get in the interview room, introduce yourself and greet the interviewers with a handshake and smile. </div> <div> Remember that this is a conversation, and that the interview wants to know about you. Be yourself and be honest in your answers. And to score points: </div> <div> <I>Provide more than a "yes" or "no" answer.</I> Keep your answers as conversational as possible. Try to find specifics that back up your answers so you'll be able to enter the conversation. </div> <div> <I>Be spontaneous.</I> Though you should practice answering some basic questions, answer honestly, naturally and spontaneously in the interview. Don't memorize your answers, or you'll end up sounding like you're reading from a script. </div> <div> <I>Be positive.</I> Highlight the good things from your academic past and put a positive "spin" your background. Remember that problems can be viewed as challenges. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Afterward</B> </div> <div> Send a thank-you note shortly after the interview. "The more interest you show in them and their institution, the more interest they may show in you," Hamilton says. </div> <div> Relax, prepare and get ready to enter into a great conversation with your interviewer. Take advantage of the chance to get to know your prospective college a little better. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="07564640.gif" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>