You’ve worked hard, you’ve done your homework and you know what colleges you want to apply to. Now, how do you complete the college application in such a way as to maximize your chance of admission?
This time of year I receive many questions from seniors asking for help on completing the college application. So, I thought I would give you some background on the type of help I provide for students like you.
College applications appear easy to complete. Provide some basic biographical information and you are almost done. I help with the parts of the application that really count in the admissions process.
First, I help students make sure that there are no mistakes on the application. Seems easy enough but I can’t tell you the number of times I have seen very bright students make mistakes on the most basic information. Your phone number? Your parent’s names? I have seen both listed incorrectly by students applying to the most selective colleges.
Second, I help students provide the best description of their activities. Part of this involves evaluating whether the use of the common application activities list is best or whether to use a separate resume. If the student uses a separate resume, what information should be provided on that resume.
Third, I work with students to understand what makes a good college admissions essay. I help student brainstorm essay topics and help edit those essays after the student has written the essay. This is one of the most critical parts of the college application because most of the students applying to selective colleges have good grades and test scores. The essay allows you to distinguish yourself from the rest of the applicants.
Fourth, it is critical to make sure that there is integration of all parts of the application. What does this mean? It means that you want to have the application showcase who you are to make you the strongest possible candidate. You want the college to understand what your passions are and how they have made you the person you are.
Do you want help with the application to make you the strongest applicant? Give me a call.
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