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As the name states, personal statements are inherently personal and meant to communicate your qualifications and show what kind of person you are. For this reason, each statement an admissions team member reads is uniquely different from any other, as it should be. That said, there are still some general do’s and don’ts to consider when writing your personal statement.
Read MoreAt this point, most US colleges have implemented a holistic approach to their college admissions process. Instead of focusing on a number, admissions committees aim to understand who applicants are as individuals, specifically what they’re going to bring to the classroom and the campus community.
Read MoreIn the latest video from our YouTube channel - I break down the 5 trends I keep seeing on applications this year.
Out of all the parts of the application process that usually cause a little bit of stress, communicating with admissions counselors doesn’t have to be one of them. Whether you’ve already established communication with an admissions counselor or you’re about to visit the college for the first time
Read MoreRolling Admissions offers flexibility for students who need it.
Read MoreIn the past, you’ve probably leaned on procrastination to write your English essay at the 19th hour. Nothing beats writing under pressure, right?
Read MoreAround 450 colleges have Early Decision. For When you’re certain about where you want to go and wanting to avoid the added stress of waiting for an admissions decision, applying ED might be the way to go. Find out more about ED below.
Read MoreDecisions, decisions. Throughout the college application process, it starts to feel like everywhere you turn there’s another decision waiting for you. Of all the decisions, choosing between application types doesn’t have to be stressful. Most of the time, the decision might be made for you, especially if the college you’re interested in only offers one type! Here’s everything you need to know about the Universal Common Application.
Like the name implies, extracurriculars are the things you do outside of your normal curriculum. In other words, an extracurricular is any organized group activity or hobby that is an extra to what you do in your studies.
Read MoreVisiting a college is the best way to find out if it’s the right fit for you. If you’ve always imagined yourself going to a large school in an urban setting, or a small school in a rural setting, taking the time to visit will solidify your decision. Here’s what you need to know about college visits.
Like many pieces of the admissions puzzle, legacy admissions and the weight that they carry in an application will vary by school. Ivy leagues in particular are known for including college legacy as a part of the admissions process. Curious about legacy admissions? Read on for more information.
Read MoreStudents transfer for a number of reasons. Perhaps you’re going from a two year college to a four year. Or your current college doesn’t offer the major you’ve decided to pursue. Maybe something in your gut is telling you this school isn’t the right fit, and you have to make a decision. No matter what your motivation might be, it is essential you do your research beforehand.
For many folks, the college admissions interview is the first big interview you go through on your way to adulthood and the idea of selling yourself to the interviewer can be nervewracking. Still, for some top colleges, the admissions interview is an important part of the application process and you can’t avoid it if you’re hoping to land a spot in the incoming class.
Read MoreWell, you’ve submitted your college applications and now you’re sitting around wondering what to do while waiting for decisions to come out. Truth to be told, there’s a lot you can do after submitting your applications ranging from starting a financial aid application to sending thank you notes to your letters of recommendation writers.
Read MoreThe style you choose to use for your personal statement offers important clues about you and your character. Much like your high school English class essays, the style of your personal statement can reveal your ability to write, your attention to detail, and how you choose to communicate.
Read MoreThe statement of purpose, or what I like to call the cover letter essay because of its similar structure, is generally used for graduate school applications and focuses much more on describing the skills, experiences and education that has prepared you for the program you’re applying to than a personal statement would. Its main purpose concentrates less on telling your story and more on communicating the qualities that make you a perfect candidate. Ideally, the statement of purpose should convey your genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the program of study you’re pursuing, and what you have done in the past to nurture that passion.
Here are 4 steps for writing a statement of purpose:
Read MoreThere are a number of ways you can show colleges you’re interested in attending their school ranging from email admissions reps to taking an overnight trip to visit campus. Here are five practical ways you can demonstrate interest in the college you’re applying to:
Read MoreGetting starting on your graduate school statement of purpose can be stressful and perplexing as the statement of purpose is unlike any other writing assignments you regularly complete. I would even venture to say it’s worlds apart from the personal statement you wrote for undergrad. While a personal statement should intentionally focus on the writer’s personal narrative (i.e. on who you are and how you got there), a graduate school statement of purpose, on the other hand, should emphasize the writer’s academic interests, skills, and career goals. But of course, your grad school statement shouldn’t be devoid of personality either.
Here are four questions to consider before you start writing your graduate school statement of purpose.
Read MoreIt’s important to consider grammar, style, and organization when writing your application essays because bad writing is the absolute first thing any admissions committee member notices when reading admissions essays. Most college applicants, however, don’t have issues with the grammar and so it rarely has a major impact on a candidate’s score.
With this in mind, I tell writers to instead focus on the content, clarity, and composition of their college application essays by examining the following questions
Read MoreIn honor of the start of college admissions season, I’m offering some tips I learned during my time as an admissions application reader and writing consultant tailored to help veterans write college application essays that actually stand out.
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