INSIDE THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Transcription

1 INSIDE THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS Jen Motzer Lake Forest College Senior Associate Director of Admissions

2 YOUR APPLICATION What matters most in your application for admission?

3 YOUR APPLICATION Transcript Testing Recommendations Extracurricular Activities Essays Interview Demonstrated Interest

4 TRANSCRIPT Strength of curriculum Classroom performance Number of core academic courses takenespecially senior year Reviewed within context of the school a student attends

5 STANDARDIZED TESTING ACT vs. SAT SAT Subject Tests Test Optional Superscore

6 TEACHER AND COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATIONS Ask far in advance to give the teacher and counselor plenty of time to write a thoughtful recommendation Ask a teacher who knows you well and can speak about your strengths and weaknesses Teacher recommendation should be an academic teacher from junior or senior year Spend time talking with your counselor about your accomplishments and plans.

7 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES How important is your involvement outside of the classroom? Looking for quality, not quantity!

8 WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY The essay is a chance to use YOUR voice. This is an opportunity to show something about yourself that doesn t come across elsewhere in your application. Demonstration of your writing ability- Use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Have a strong opening to capture the reader s interest. Clear thesis, analysis and conclusion (your essay develops a point from beginning to end).

9 WRITING THE ESSAY: QUESTIONS TO ASK Is the essay in the student s voice? Does it progress as it unfolds? Does it have a beginning, a middle and an end? Did we learn something new? Has it been proofread? Is it 650 words or less (common application)? Is the student excited about it?

10 COMMON APPLICATION PROMPTS Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

11 UNIQUE SUPPLEMENT QUESTIONS What does #YOLO mean to you? (Tufts) Winston Churchill believed a joke is a very serious thing. Tell us your favorite joke and try to explain the joke without ruining it. (University of Chicago) What matters to you, and why? (Stanford) What makes you happy? (Tufts) Pick one woman in history or fiction to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. What would you talk about? (Barnard) What s your favorite word and why? (University of Virginia) What do you hope to find over the rainbow? (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) You ve just reached your 1 millionth hit on your YouTube video. What is the video about? (Lehigh)

12 INTERVIEW You are more than just a GPA and test score! If offered, take advantage of the opportunity to interview Tips for a great admissions interview Bring questions with you Do your research on the college before your interview Practice interviewing

13 SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Why are you interested in X College and why do you feel you are a good fit? What classes have you enjoyed most in high school? What do you want to major in? Tell me about the extracurricular activities you ve been involved with. What has been your proudest achievement so far? How would you describe yourself? What do you do in the summertime? What about you is unique?

14 DEMONSTRATED INTEREST Campus Visit Admissions Interview College Fair High School Visit

15 CONTACT INFORMATION Jen Motzer Lake Forest College Senior Associate Director of Admissions Regionally Based in Denver