Advice on the College Process for Juniors

created by Dr. Kimberly Borin

Some Advice for the College Process
+ Relax, Take a deep breath, Be Yourself!
+ There is no single, magic formula for getting into school. There are no guarantees either.
+ What colleges want to know is.... "Who is the REAL student, the REAL human being behind all of the #'s"
+ Start the process by looking internally to see what you need, what is important to you about going to school. View your internal landscape to decide what is the best learning environment for you.
+ Find a passion - think deeply about what you care about and how this translates into something special you bring to the campus community. Also, how will you communicate this passion, talent or strength to the admissions committee?
+ Think about how you have grown over the last four years. Who have you become? How are you different now than you were as a freshmen? How do you hope to grow during your years of college?
+ Admissions committees will ask "What is the hook? What is the extracurricular energy that this student will bring to our campus? What will this person bring to our campus to make it a better place?

Essays
+ If it is listed as optional for the application - assume that they want you to do it. The essay carries more importance and gives the committee a more idea of who you are. Committees are taking part in "WHOLE PERSON ADMISSION." Here, they are focusing on who the person is - all of them - not just the numbers that represent the student on paper. + The essay will make the difference between "qualified" and selected. Take the opportunity to write an essay that will really show them who you are as a person.

Recommendations
Recommendations must be very positive, not lukewarm. Do not include too many recommendations - only the recommended amount. You can submit a third recommendation if it contributes something different about you. Be sure to establish a relationship with people that you would like to have a recommendation from.

Strength of Schedule
+ One of the best predictors of success in college is "Strength of Schedule" - They will look to see how difficult and challenging your schedule is and what grades you have received.
+ Lack of "strength" in your schedule can knock you out of the admissions pool.
+ Challenge yourself with classes but not so much so that you won't do well.
+ Colleges are looking for 5 "Academic Solids" - EVERY YEAR Academic Solids include: English, Science, Math, History, and Foreign Language.

Your Interest in a Particular College
+ Let the school know that you care about going to their school.
+ Be sure to show up for a personal visit and be sure that you check in with the admissions office when you do - to let them know you were there.