Waiting for the Train Wreck
I have never been fond of eavesdroppers....particularly when my own conversations are concerned. So recently, when I got my ear caught in someone else's conversation, I had a decision to make. Should I launch my two cents into the conversation, or should I mind my own business?
Two moms were chatting about the college application process...of course, what else could get me going? One of the moms described it as waiting for a train wreck to happen. Although she knew it was coming, it still surprised her when it finally occurred.
One thing parents and prospective applicants can do to prevent the wreck is to read a book called The New Rules of College Admission. Stephen Kramer and Michael London, the authors, bring together nine former admissions officers and one financial aid officer from top schools such as Columbia University, Northwestern University and Yale University. Each officer takes a turn tackling a component of the admissions process.
Tidbits include:
"If your child does prepare for the PSAT, his score will be a better predictor of his (performance on the) SAT I, since he will undoubtedly prepare for that exam."
"It is possible that an admissions person will skim when an applicant has not caught his interest at all."
"If your child receives a scholarship from a source other than the college to which he is applying, he must report the award to each college from which he is seeking financial aid...Students who fail to report these awards to the colleges are committing fraud."
While no book will make your son or daughter listen eagerly as you comment on his/her essays, The New Rules is a good reference for applicants and parents trying to master the process and avoid a crash.
As for eavesdropping, perhaps next time restraint will rain down upon me from the heavens. But...if you must know... this time it didn't. I could not hold back. I threw my two--no-seventy-two cents into the conversation with reckless abandon, proceeding shamelessly to talk and talk and talk.
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| Admissions Q & A: Activities |
Q: My daughter is a junior and a great self-motivated student. She takes mostly AP classes and is consistently on the honor roll. She hasn't done a lot of extracurricular activities though. What can she do to remedy that?
A: One of the worst things an applicant can do is to layer on new extracurricular activities for the sake of the college application process. By the end of junior year, colleges assume your daughter has decided which activities interest her and which do not. If her activities revolve around two or three areas of interest and all of a sudden she adds four more, the admissions committee is likely to view her new-found interests as a ploy. She is better served by deepening her level of involvement in her genuine areas of interest.
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| Spotlight School: Emory University |
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Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Private, 4-Year University, Coed, Suburban
6,719 Undergraduate Students (57% women, 43% men)
SAT Middle 50% (Verbal 640-730, Math 660-740)
Graduation Rate: 90% within 6 years
Undergraduate Students Receiving Financial Aid: 36%
Requires SAT or ACT with writing
Emory has been called the Ivy League of the South. It offers a rigorous curriculum with southern style and a country club atmosphere.
While the liberal arts are well represented, a large number of pre-med students make the science majors particularly competitive. Students rave about the professors who they feel are extremely accessible and who try to know the students on a first name basis. Class work is, however, usually graded by TAs.
Students feel Emory lacks diversity and has a large concentration of students from the Northeast, particularly Long Island. The student body, which has been described as wealthy, attractive and fit, can be cliquish. Other students dispute that claim, calling it a stereotype. Greek life dominates the social scene. Some students lament the lack of spirit at school activities and sporting events . The country club description may be due to the fact that all of the campus buildings have been renovated within the last 10 to 15 years.
In addition to great weather, Emory's Atlanta, GA location allows students to develop ties with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, The American Cancer Society, The Carter Center and Coca Cola. |
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What Do Colleges Want to See in Applicants?
- A high school curriculum that challenges the student.
- Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend.
- A well-written essay that provides insight into the student's unique personality, values and goals.
- Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative.
- Solid scores on standardized tests (the SAT or ACT).
- Special talents or experiences that contribute to a well-rounded student body.
- Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skills, and positive character traits.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm, often exhibited in an interview, toward attending the college.
- Out-of-school experiences, including work and community service, that illustrate responsibility, dedication, and development of areas of interest.
- Supplemental recommendations by adults who have had significant direct contact with the student.
Source: The Independent Educational Consultants Association
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| About Winning Applications | |
Welcome to Winning Applications! We offer expert guidance in the college and graduate school application process. Our franchisees help students get into preferred schools in the United States and abroad. Through thoughtful and individualized effort, we enable students to develop successful applications that showcase each student's special talents and best attributes.
The Winning Applications team provides counseling and advice through all stages of the application process. From discussing your child's high school courses and activities to college selection, essay preparation and interview training. We help students (and their parents) navigate the admissions process with confidence and ease.
** Please note: individual printer settings may impact your ability to print this newsletter. |
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Winning Highlights:
Waiting for the Train Wreck p.1
Admissions Q&A p.2
Spotlight School p.2
What Colleges Want p.3
About Winning Applications p.4 |
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| "It is possible that an admissions person will skim when an applicant has not caught his interest at all."
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