AVID IV BLOG

Monday, October 13, 2014

BLOG - due October 17

College Admissions Tips
Pick TWO articles from any links below and write - 2 "tips" from each. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/college-application-tips/
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/11/08/top-10-college-admissions-tips.html - many links/articles
http://www.hercampus.com/high-school/applying-college/5-tips-dealing-last-minute-college-app-stress
http://college.usatoday.com/2012/09/20/application-advice-from-college-admissions-officials/
http://applyingtocollege.org/2012/05/14/10-tips-for-students-to-reduce-college-application-stress/
http://student-tutor.com/blog/14-must-know-tips-college-admissions/
http://www.womansday.com/sex-relationships/family/10-tips-from-college-admissions-officers-123359
http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/6-tips-about-college-admissions-results/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

43 comments:

  1. 1: Over a third of high schools have stopped reporting class rank to universities so the universities have started to look at ranking less and less intensively. Therefore, it’s smarter to focus on having strong grades relative to the course load.
    2: The number one mistake on college applications are not following directions, so please be sure to read your applications carefully.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The SAT is not more important than regular grades that you receive in high school classes. The SAT is still important but, it is just another way for colleges to look at you compared to the thousands of others applying.

    Finish the important applications for the colleges that you really want to go to rather than holding them off to the last minute, that way the school you want to go you will already have the acceptance or decline letter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The biggest mistake made on college applications is not reading the questions carefully.

      Make sure that you apply to the colleges before the due date before is acceptable but not afterwards.

      Delete
  3. When listing extracurricular activities it is best to lists the things in order of what is most important to you. Make sure you spell out what the club is titled, what it involves and what your position is within the club.

    If there are schools that you really aren't too fond of, or are just ‘extras’ on your list, save those for last. Every few hours, go out and take a real break. Focusing your mind on something else will help you get your brain back on track.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When listing extracurricular activities it is best to lists the things in order of what is most important to you.
      Make sure you spell out what the club is titled, what it involves and what your position is within the club.

      If there are schools that you really aren't too fond of, or are just ‘extras’ on your list, save those for last.
      Every few hours, go out and take a real break. Focusing your mind on something else will help you get your brain back on track.

      Delete
  4. 1. Remember that tests scores are not an indication of the quality of your character. Choose recommenders who know you well and thank them effusively.

    2. Encourage your teen to clean up her Facebook and Twitter accounts—colleges often check them out to get a better sense of what each applicant is like. Show interest in a school early and often.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 1. The SAT is not more important than your grades.
    2. Don't narrow your college options to fast.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1) Finish Your “Essential” College Apps First Before Starting Others

    2) Remember, whether you are crying tears of joy or sorrow about your admissions decisions, you are not defined by the institution that awards your college degree. Don't Take It Personally!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 3) It is better to finish college applications according to due dates and personal interest.

      4) Just because a persons test scores/ GPA is high does not mean the college will accept them automatically. It is important to have community service/ accomplishments/leadership positions as well. Make yourself personable.

      Delete
  7. 1. If you don't hear back from the colleges you have applied confirming receipt of the application, you probably did something wrong on the application.

    2. Early acceptance pools are usually full of relatives of alumni, athletes, and super-star applicants.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1. When doing early decision make sure that you are positive that you want to attend that college. It can take away other financial aid packages other colleges might give you. It also limits other college choices.
    2. Don't narrow you college choices. Try to have a wide range of colleges that can fit you and don't put everything into one school but, to all that you apply too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 1.) Create application checklists for each school, because even though many colleges have similar application requirements, they are not exactly identical.
    2.) Write everything down such as important dates, deadlines, and letters of recommendation in order to stay organized.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1. The key to surviving the winter break college app craziness is organization.
    2. Finish Your “Essential” College Apps First Before Starting Others
    3.Give those doing the recommending ample time to compose their letters
    4. Make sure that your essays tell your story but don’t neglect spell checking and proofreading.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1. Make sure to proofread the whole application, not just the essay part because one little mistake could lower your chances of getting in.
    2. Choose recommenders who know you well and thank them effusively.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 3. The biggest mistakes continues to be very poor proofreading and editing of essays.

      4. When you write your college essay, use concrete details.

      Delete
  12. 1: The unweighted GPA is the ones colleges look at.
    2: Some colleges have ACT and SAT testing as optional

    ReplyDelete
  13. 1. It is recommended to finish college applications according to due dates and personal interest. For example, if one application is due a month before the others, complete that application first.
    2. Invest time in research about price over prestige. Nobody would enjoy paying arm and leg for a prestige education when they could get the same education without the hassle of devastating loans.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 3. Most schools take into consideration unweighted GPA. Some college admission departments recalculate GPA with consideration of their guidelines.
      4. Colleges love them grades; Instead of trying to be strategic and get higher grades in regular classes, achieve higher grades in both honors/AP/IB and regular classes.

      Delete
  14. 1.) Do not limit your self to one school, have many choices to choose from.
    2.) Always find someone to proofread your college applications, they will find a mistake you made faster then you will.
    3.) Colleges look at your unweighted GPA
    4.) Stay up to date on any important dates that the colleges have, every school is different.

    ReplyDelete
  15. 1. Take your time when completing an application because there is no other application that is given special treatment above the next. Make sure that it is just right.
    2. Don't hesitate when deciding to apply for financial aid because it does not affect the decision on getting in a school. It is there just to help your ride to that certain school.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 3. Show a college that you are interested by going to college fairs or seeking information. Showing interest will not for sure get you into the school, but it will spread your name out there when sending in applications.
      4. Just because you got good test scores, it does not mean the college will accept you. The quality of a person and who they are is a big deal in decision making too.

      Delete
  16. 1. Make sure to list activities in order of importance when putting them on a college application.
    2. Do not get too much help from an adult because the admissions officers can differentiate the quality of work from a 17 year old and an older adult.
    3. Make sure that your social networking sites are clean because some colleges look at those and that can make or break you for admission.
    4. Make sure to check for your confirmation because if you have not received one then your application probably did not go through.

    ReplyDelete
  17. *http://www.hercampus.com/high-school/applying-college/5-tips-dealing-last-minute-college-app-stress

    1a) Before spending a lot of money on applications make sure you submit applications to the schools of your choice (your top schools) first.

    2a) Avoiding those mistakes are impressive to admissions counselors and can improve your chances of being accepted.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Colleges look at unweighted GPA
    DONT limit yourself to only one college
    Focus on your grades in all classes, but especially higher level classes
    SAT scores ARE NOT the most important thing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. http://student-tutor.com/blog/14-must-know-tips-college-admissions/

    1. Tests are apparently less important than GPAs so it's a good thing I've changed my mind on going to a 4 year university because I wouldn't have a chance of getting in with my great test scores and my meh GPA.

    2. I probably should have taken the SAT subject tests to make myself look better. Oh well.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/college-app-mistakes_n_4391233.html

    1. Typos in your application essays are bad. Wow who knew I was planning on making ALL of the grammatical errors.

    2. Applications have hidden parts under SO many tabs and if you don't complete every part your application might not be considered.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 1. The first tip for dealing with last minute college app stress is to stop, drop, and organize.
    2. When writing college application essays, don't start your essay with a quote.
    3. Colleges look at your unweighted GPA
    4. Stay up to date on any important dates that the colleges have, every school is different.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. 1. stop, drop and organize- get a college admissions folder or binder so you wont get to overwhelmed with college papers.
    2. finish you essential college apps before starting others- start applying to the main colleges you want to get into to, narrow your choices down so you wont break your pockets or get overwhelmed.
    3. Dont limit school options- dont target just one school, broaden your perspective and look for other colleges that have your major and you think you would like to try for.
    4. dont hesitate to check the financial aid box- financial aid helps you with costs and is always a good tool in using for college, colleges dont look at your financial need to choose whether you get in or not.

    ReplyDelete
  24. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/college-app-mistakes_n_4391233.html

    1) Make sure to check for grammar errors
    2)Make sure that all parts of the application are complete

    http://www.hercampus.com/high-school/applying-college/7-frustrating-parts-college-application-process-how-deal-them

    1) If you feel stressed about you recommendation letter, take a break from it and have someone else read it for you.
    2) To narrow down your choice of schools, visit the campus to see if it is a good fit for you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Tips from admission officers:
    So-so SAT scores will not hold you back
    - Standardized test scores are just one piece of the puzzle that college admissions officers look at; Four years (or in our case five) of grades is a far better predictor of how someone’s going to perform than a three-hour Saturday test
    Don’t hesitate when it comes to asking for financial aid
    - The focus is on a student’s qualifications and ability to be successful at the school, not on their financial need
    Tips with dealing with application stress:
    Work on your application in different places
    - You could focus on your applications more if you detach yourself from potential distractions such as family, friends, pets, and even electronics
    Take a break and find a support system
    - It can be good for you to go out with friends at least once a week to just catch up with things and decompress; get your mind off all the worries of college admissions

    ReplyDelete
  26. It's better to finish college apps prior to due dates and personal interest.

    Early acceptances pools are usually full of relatives that are alumni, athletes, etc.

    Make sure that essays tell your story but don’t neglect spell check and proofreading.

    When you write your college essay(s), use specific details.

    When it comes to GPS's, unweighted is what colleges look at.

    ReplyDelete
  27. The SAT is important, but it isn't over your grades. It's another way for colleges to see how well you do.

    The major mistake on college applications is not reading the questions carefully.

    Even though you may have to have a certain amount of colleges applied to, make sure you apply to your top choice schools first instead of paying money for ones that are least on your list. Also known as your safe school.

    Make sure applications are submitted before the due date. No later!

    ReplyDelete
  28. You should aim for high scores all year & not depend on the SAT to get you into college

    Complete applications to primary colleges first.

    Create a college checklist

    Complete all important task on time

    ReplyDelete
  29. 1. Typos and grammatical errors & not completing all aspects of the application are the most mistakes made on college.
    2. Double and triple check everything you enter into an application before you push the submit button. Follow the on screen instructions to a T, and if you do not hear back from the colleges to which you have applied confirming receipt of the application, you have probably done something wrong.” Or use Microsoft spell check.

    1. Finish Your “Essential” College Apps First Before Starting Others
    2. Stop, Drop and Organize

    ReplyDelete
  30. 1. Get organized by writing everything down such as:
    Deadlines.
    Dates of tests.
    Application due dates for each school.
    Any other paperwork you’ll need or deadlines you’ll have to meet (financial aid, etc).
    Letters of recommendation you’ll need and who you’ll ask.
    The number of supplemental essays required by each school and each essay prompt (write down these prompts exactly as they’re given to you)

    2. If you're overwhelmed. Ask for help. Never be embarrassed to ask for help. Guidance counselors, teachers and private professionals can answer questions, guide you through the application process, provide feedback on your essays, and work with you on achieving your deadlines. Help is out there – you just have to ask for it.

    3. The key to surviving the winter break college app craziness is organization. If you don’t already have one, create a college admissions binder ASAP! This binder should include a list of all of the schools you’re applying to, a calendar of deadlines (not just official deadlines, but also dates for when you’d like to get your teacher recommendations, tests, actual apps, etc. completed) and a checklist for what you need to get done and when.

    4. A lot of students get caught up in the frenzy of applying to college and find themselves applying to way more schools than they originally intended to. However, before you click your computer mouse excessively and break the bank on application fees, narrow down exactly which schools you want to apply to.

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  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. 1. Don’t Talk to Other Students About Your College Applications. This is a MAJOR stressor. Your friends come up to you and want to know what your essay topic is, or where you’re applying, or why you haven’t heard yet since they've all heard. It’s easy to compare yourself to other students, but DON’T GO THERE. Enjoy the search and be confident that you’re applying to the schools that are right for you. When friends ask if your application’s in or your essays are done just say, “It’s coming along, thanks.” Then change the subject. Eventually they’ll get the idea and stop asking.

    2. In the rush of college application season, don’t forget to apply for scholarships and financial aid.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Derek:
    Make A Plan,so you don't get overwhelmed.
    Double check to make sure you don't have typos
    Don't talk to others about your application as it could stress other's out
    Create a college checklist

    ReplyDelete
  34. 1. If you do not expect to do well on the essay section of a test and the University does not look heavily on that part of the test, there is not much reason to take it.
    2. It is better to ask for a letter of recommendation from a teacher in a class you do very well in even if it is not that difficult of a class.

    1.While standardized tests are important, they are not often a deciding factor.
    2. While timing is important when applying, being one of the first is not necessarily the best if it means rushing through your application.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Article 1: Its best to complete all of the requirements requested in the application, failure to do this can hinder your outcome.

    Article 2: Its better to focus on making good grades than to focus on the class load.

    ReplyDelete
  36. 1. Being organized can eliminate loads of stress. The last thing you want to do is lose important information.
    2. Talk to colleges they talk ba
    1. Being organized can eliminate loads of stress. The last thing you want to do is lose important information.
    2. Talk to colleges they talk ba

    ReplyDelete