Tell me a story - through your college application

I love stories. I always have.  From Make Way for Ducklings to Blueberries for Sal to The Trolley Car Family, I have always been enthralled with books. I dreamt about life in colonial Boston with Johnny Tremain, and I’ve walked the moors with Jane Eyre. I almost majored in political science because of Advise and Consent, the first of Allen Drury’s political thrillers, and I loved the real-life drama found in biographies of Kit Carson and Catherine Graham. Stories, both real and fictional, make people come to life and help me see them in ways that often exceed my imagination (both good and bad).

A college application is itself a story, only it is the story of you.  Though some applications don’t require much more than name, address, and school name, many of them offer students a chance to connect with a reader on a different level.  At their best, college applications provide insight into who you are, what you value, what you might imagine your future to look like. It lets you color in the blank spaces that your transcript and test scores cannot communicate.  Yet telling your story, especially to total strangers (like an admissions rep), is difficult, because a good story also asks you to open up, to be vulnerable. 

Now, I’m not suggesting you tell colleges your deepest, darkest secrets, but there are several ways you can convey your story in an application.

Many colleges ask “why do you want to attend this college?” or something similar. A well-crafted answer can illustrate how much you know about the school, but it also allows you the opportunity to show the wide variety of your academic interests, or it lets you connect your quirkier side to a student group on campus.  You can describe how excited you were to sit in on a Politics of Global Immigration class during your visit junior year, or you can discuss how you would take advantage of their entrepreneurship program.  You can mention your immediate connection to your tour guide, or you can talk about people watching at the popular coffee shop just off campus. Perhaps you have already heard about the music professor that you must have before you graduate, or you can describe how overwhelmed you were the first time you attended Lessons and Carols in the college chapel. Tell a story about your visit, make it personal, make it authentic. One word of caution: if you can substitute any college name in your answer, then you’re not trying very hard, and this is not the place to tell them how good you look in their school colors.

“Describe one of your activities” is another common application question, and again, it is a chance to reveal something about yourself.  Yes, you take AP art, but do colleges know that about your passion for Tromp Loy, a style of pottery that means to fool the eye in French, and that this art form is what helped you learn to do everything with purpose?  Do they know how your afternoons at the local recreation center have taught you more about the value of community and shared space than any classroom lesson ever could?

Of course, your college essay is perhaps the ultimate opportunity to tell your story - the exact moment when you understood why you have been called to be a nurse, the conversation that showed you why your stubbornness wasn’t the positive attribute you thought it was, the relationship that taught you what it really meant to be lonely or afraid.  The college essay requires you to dig deep, to look past the obvious, to take risks, to examine what happened and why. Too many students lament that nothing has ever happened to them, but I’ve read moving essays on what it’s like to be the last one picked for a softball team or how it felt to realize for the first time that you did not share your parent’s political convictions.  I’ve read beautiful essays on the mystical connection between a student and a violin, the joys of backbreaking work in a garden, and a girl’s obsession with pajamas.  These were not life-altering events, but they were moments in time that had meaning.

We all have a story to tell, and more often than not, it is the little things, the everyday moments, that yield the best results. That’s the part of life we all recognize, and those are the stories that can make our hearts laugh or cry. And at the end of a good story, we’ve learned something about the writer and even perhaps ourselves.

So, what is your story? Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to tell it.  If it’s real, it will be good enough.

What's the rush?

Recently I tweeted an article about the disadvantages of being the first one to submit a college application.  Since then it has occurred to me that some further explanation might be needed.

First, if one of my students is applying to a state university like Auburn, the U. of Tennessee, Ole Miss, or any college with a rolling admissions deadline, there's nothing wrong with getting the application completed as soon as possible.  As I often tell students, there's nothing quite like that first acceptance letter to help you breathe again.  But even with those schools, students are sometimes in such a rush to "just get it done," that they make careless mistakes or perhaps even more important, don't take advantage of every opportunity to illustrate who they are.

Sure, some applications only want biographical information and the name of your high school, but many of them offer some opportunities to say something about yourself. It may be in the form of an optional personal statement, or it may be the chance to upload a resume.  Why wouldn't you take advantage of these opportunities?

We've barely finished two weeks of school, so rather than racing through your college applications, take a deep breath (and that includes mom and dad) and slow down.  Submit a thoughtful application, one that showcases your best self.  Regardless of the outcome, you will know that you did everything you can to gain admission.

The Optional Statement

We've written about the optional statement before, but for this questions, a refresher is always in order.    First thing you need to know is, if it says "optional," you probably should do it.  Let me rephrase that: you should do it.  This is a golden opportunity to make a connection between you and the university, and you should not pass up a chance to explain why you and the college are a good match.

So, one of the most common optional statements is this: Why are you applying to "this" school?

Our good friend Jeff Schiffman, the Director of International Admission at Tulane University, writes an awesome blog that addresses many questions that you might have about the admissions process, and his post on the optional statement is spot on.  Since he's on the college side of the desk, he's read plenty of optional statements and knows what he's talking about.  Like I said, we've probably told you this before, but his advice is so good, it is definitely worth repeating.

Like Jeff says, it's a good idea to "holler at your hookups," and that is exactly what we have done by directing you to his blog.  So be sure to check it out: http://bit.ly/1eW5QaP

How many colleges should I apply to?

This is an often asked question, and after reading a recent article about a high school where most students apply to 45 schools or more, I thought it was time for an answer.  And the answer is...NOT 45!

Applying to college is supposed to be a thoughtful process, one in which a student takes the time to research her schools based on well-thought out criteria. It is about finding schools that truly fit.  For some that might mean the campus culture or academic programs.  Diversity might be an important issue, just as the climate for women or one's religious beliefs might be critical components of the college search.  I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to investigate 45 schools, much less spend quality time on each campus.

Just as the counselor in the article is proud of their school's 5,000 college applications, I am equally proud of the fact that our students average around six college applications a year.  That tells me that they have done a good job of finding schools where they will be academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically happy.  It tells me that they are not trying to rack up acceptances, and they have given deep consideration to what will work for them. (I would love to see how someone answers the "What do you want to go to this school?" question 45 different times.)

Of course, we always have students who apply to more than six schools, and often financial considerations play a role in that (perfectly understandable).  But when April comes, and it is time to make a final decision, their list is manageable, and they can make an informed decision.

So what really is the answer to the question?  Most college counselors will tell you that five to eight colleges is a good target, and we would agree.  Instead of spending all of your senior year filling out college applications, try spending it on studying, participating in co-curricular activities, and simply having a life.

Random Friday Thoughts

I thought seniors might appreciate this Pennsylvania student's post on the things she wants to remember about her senior year.  There are a few I like more than others - like sign out of facebook, twitter, etc. - but I wonder if there are other things my students would like to remember about this year?  Let me know if you think of something.

And since seniors are in the midst of college applications right now, you might be interested in this advice from college students who have been where you are right now.

Finally, maybe it's the former English teacher in me, but I particularly enjoyed this list "Ten Books Every College Freshman Should Read."  I'm going to have to think about it, but I might want to add some books to this list.

How to answer the "why this college" question

"Why do you want to attend this college?"  That's an often asked question on many college applications or Common Application supplements.  Sometimes it's an optional essay question, but either way, you should answer it.  But what are you supposed to say?

Our friend at Tulane University, Jeff Schiffman, recently wrote a wonderful post on how to answer the "why this college" essay, and we think every senior should read it. 

The College Essay

College applications tend to be fairly cut and dry.  They ask for your name, address, parents name, school information, and activities, and some of them will ask you a few additional short answer questions like "Why do you want to go to school here?"  That one is actually important, but the real opportunity to say something about yourself is the long essay (or if you're doing the Common Application, the 650 word essay).  The essay is, as this article states, your chance to say something about who you are - something that doesn't otherwise appear on your application.  So, when you sit down to write you that essay, you might do well to consider these five simple rules.

Speaking of applications, here is some additional advice on what not to do on your college application.

Welcome Back, Common App!

We're back and just in time for the launch of the new Common Application (or CA4) tomorrow, August 1. However, that doesn't mean you have to submit your applications at 12:01am!  Don't be in such a rush to get everything done.  There is no grand prize for being first to submit an app!

Seniors,  the first thing you need to do is schedule a meeting with your counselor to review your list of schools and go over procedures (like how to request transcripts).  If you're getting anxious, then schedule that meeting sooner than later (even before school starts!). Although you may have started a rough draft of your essay, you will be writing college essays in English class, and your teacher will provide you with appropriate feedback.  Mrs. Goldbach and I also want to proofread your applications (including essays) before they are submitted.

If you're coming to Application Boot Camp next week, we will go over all of this (and more), but if you can't come, don't panic.  In one way or another, we'll provide you with everything you need to know.

So take a deep breath!  The year will be a busy one, but we'll get you through it.

Explaining Away Bad Grades

You're pretty proud of your transcript. Your grades have been mostly good ones, perhaps all A's and B's, but there's that one C- you made in Algebra 2.  So, should you explain that grade to colleges?  That is an excellent question, and the answer can be yes and no.
It really comes down to the reason for the C-.  If it is truly because of circumstances beyond your control, like a serious illness or a death in the family, then yes, a brief explanation might be in order. However, if your explanation includes something like "well, he's the hardest teacher in the school," then the answer is no.  There's no way you can say that without sounding whiny.

Let's go  in a slightly different direction. Let's say in the middle of your senior year, you suddenly decide you don't want to take that semester AP Comparative Government course, but we've already sent your transcript.  You need to let them know your schedule has changed, but what reason are you going to give them? Are you dropping it because you just don't want to work that hard your last semester in high school?  Are you changing your schedule because you really have developed a love for forensics (or fill in the blank)? Do you see how tricky this can be?

To be honest, students usually want to change their schedule because they really don't want to work that hard anymore. They're tired, and we get that.  But it's still going to be almost impossible to explain. Maybe the college won't care; maybe they will.  It's ultimately your decision, but you need to think about it very carefully. 

It's kind of the same thing with the infamous senior slide.  Seniors are well-known for, let's say, not working quite so hard second semester.  Read that acceptance letter carefully.  Here's an excerpt from one:  "We expect you to maintain a continued high level of academic performance for the remainder of your high school career. If there are any significant changes, you should notify us immediately."  What are you going to say? "I just stopped working?"

These are but a few of the choices you will have to make.  What direction will you choose?

What Seniors Should Be Doing This Summer

This is good advice for seniors, but I don't quite agree with all of it.  I understand that some girls want to get their applications done as quickly as possible, but sometimes it pays to slow down and be a little more thoughtful.  So while I agree that summer is a good time to visits colleges, practice for the SAT or ACT (if you are really going to do that), and talk to your parents about finances, there are drawbacks to finishing the paperwork so fast.  It all goes back to allowing for the unexpected or allowing for that eureka moment I talked about in yesterday's post. 

GPS seniors will be writing college essays in English class this fall, and although you can brainstorm ideas over the summer - and even start a rough draft - your most compelling topic might come from an experience you're having right now.  I think ruminating on your idea for a while - perhaps jotting down some ideas or stories - can be helpful, regardless of whether you are writing about a past event or a current one.  But take your time with your essay. This is an important piece of your application, and you don't want to rush through it simply for the sake of getting it out of the way.

Likewise, if you begin your application now (remember, the Common Application doesn't open until August 1), you still might want to think about it for a while. Did you explain your involvement in activities in the best way possible? Have you demonstrated your leadership abilities? Have you allowed someone (preferably your college counselor) to proofread it?  The application may seem cut and dry, but there are nuances that you might not be aware of and changes you might want to make.

Your college application is not simply a box you can check off.  It should be thoughtfully completed and proofread carefully by multiple sources.  Perhaps this quote by Albert Einstein says it all: "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."  Your college counselor will help guide you through it all.

*Seniors, don't forget we will discuss a lot of this during Application Boot Camp on August 7.