Information
provided by kaptest.com
Do yourself
a favor: Before you send in your application, proofread! Nothing
will make admissions officers dump your application in the
reject pile faster than a sloppy, illegible or error-ridden
application.
A
Persistent Myth
Admissions committees seek to recruit well-rounded students.
This is
NOT necessarily true. What they're usually looking for is
a well-rounded student body comprised of students with various
interests and skills. This is good news. It means you don't
need a ten-page list of activities stuffed with entries like
the Trampoline Club and the Polka Band (unless, of course,
you truly enjoy participating in the Polka Band).
But don't
cut down on your activities for fear of appearing unfocused.
Believe it or not, admissions committees can differentiate
between those who are trying to load up their activities sheet
and those who have a sincere interest in their extracurriculars.
Don't worry about joining clubs you think colleges want to
see on your resume. Do what you're really interested in.
Show
the Real You
Feel like your GPA and SAT or ACT score don't tell the whole
story? That's what your essays are for. Be yourself (but "yourself"
with good grammar and perfect spelling). The cliche "Write
about what you know" has never been more true. For more advice
on essays, consult your teachers or your guidance counselors.
Here are some essay questions that have been asked in the
past:
| Describe
what you would consider to be the perfect adventure. (Hollins
College) |
| What
do you value most in a relationship? Describe the person
you feel closest to and why your relationship is so strong.
(Austin College) |
| If
you could declare a new holiday, what would you celebrate/commemorate?
Why? How would it be observed? (University of Puget Sound) |
| You
have just completed your three-hundred-page autobiography.
Please submit page 217. (University of Pennsylvania) |
Sell Yourself
The interview, though often not required, is another chance
to show the real you. Try to schedule your interview for a Monday
or a Friday, and spend the weekend on campus. If you don't know
anyone at that school, call the admissions office. Most schools
sponsor an overnight program for prospective students.
As for
the interview itself, the most important thing you can do
is RELAX. Remember, you're there to find out more about the
school just as much as to make an impression. Dress appropriately,
go in armed with some questions that you genuinely want to
ask, practice your firm handshake, and you'll do fine. If
you're extraordinarily nervous about the interviewing process,
rehearse with your guidance counselor or a friend.
Keeping
up with Yesterday
If you're not a procrastinator, consider applying for EARLY
ADMISSIONS. There are usually two alternatives—Early Action
(an admission decision that binds the school to the applicant,
but not vice versa) and Early Decision (an admission decision
that binds both the school and the applicant to one another).
Be aware of which schools offer which options and their corresponding
early deadlines.
Plan to
get your regular applications in early while there are more
spots available. Some schools have rolling admissions; in
these cases, spots are taken as applications arrive and are
accepted, so it's especially important to get your application
in as early as possible.
Copyright
2001 by Kaplan, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Kaplan is a registered
trademark of Kaplan, Inc. SAT, AP, and Advanced Placement
are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination
Board, which is not affiliated with this site. ACT is a registered
trademark of ACT, Inc., which is not affiliated with this
site.
|
