CREATE A RESUME.
You are responsible for writing your resume. Then, make a copy and give
it to your college counselor. Use forms that are clear, concise and truly
show the breadth and depth of your involvement for activities in and out
of school. Follow your advisor’s guidelines. Longer is not better. Both your
advisor and the admissions committees at various colleges have very little
time to review your resume, so a clear presentation is essential.
5WRITE ON!
Essays give students, counselors, parents and admissions reps nightmares. This is not because
they are that hard to write or even take that much time. Yet, they are the hardest thing to
drag out of students! “On Writing the College Application Essay” by Harry Bauld is a good
guide to the process. This book has some great advice
and samples of what types of essays work. However,
the soundest essay advice of all is simply to be
yourself, find your own voice, and write about what
is important to you. If the essay you write puts you
to sleep, what impact do you think it will have on a
rep who has been reading several hundred a night?
Essays should be conversational. Let the real you
show through all the paperwork.
KNOW
YOUR
ADVISOR
Spend time with your college advisor. Talk to him or her
about your hopes and dreams, what is important to you. This
will help your counselor help you plot a course for college
selection. Don’t think “I want to go to college x.” Think about
what a college needs to have to be a good match for you, and
then go out and find colleges with those attributes.
TAKE THE TESTS
3
Make sure that you have taken all the required tests.
Remember some places are formula schools. They
require a certain GPA and test score for a clear admit.
Some are fine tooth-comb schools. They read all the lines
of your application and everything in between the lines!
So give colleges what they need, or they’ll go on to the
next application. Some schools no longer require these
tests, and some colleges offer test-optional admissions.
See www.fairtest.org for more information.
6
SHOW
INTEREST
College reps may visit your high school;
make sure you are there to meet them.
Demonstrated interest can be a factor
in admissions at some colleges. Evening
programs and college fairs may be
available to you. It is a big mistake not to
take every opportunity to get information
at these events. You may learn about new
colleges or find critical information on
schools you are already considering. The
more information you have, the better
armed you are to make appropriate
decisions for yourself.
1
BE THE
BEST YOU
Get it done in and out of the classroom.
Take care of all application materials,
keeping up with your schoolwork and
extracurriculars. Real work in and out of
class can make a huge difference. The goal
is to have options in April. Impact players,
people who have made their school and
activities better as a result of their presence,
will have the most options, if, and only
if, they’ve done all their research and
homework about the process.
Now, blast off! If you’ve hunted for
the schools that are good matches
for you, you’ll succeed. Have a terrific
and successful year.
KEEP GOOD RECORDS
Ancient college counselor proverb: He who does not keep copies of all materials
runs the risk of huge problems. The great blue mail box, admissions office student
assistants, college computers or online admissions gremlins occasionally “eat”
parts of applications. You may get an urgent call for a back-up copy. Be ready.
EDIT =K