Question: I know that there was already a question concerning supplemental writing samples, but I feel my question is slightly different. I would really like to submit a smaller version of the writing portfolio I have put together on the advice of several teachers, with one piece of writing from each category. Is this a good idea? I feel that my writing talent is very strong, but I don’t want to seem like I’m trying too hard by submitting it. Help!
You won’t seem like you’re “trying too hard.” Don’t worry about that. If your portfolio torpedoes your admission chances, it will probably be for other reasons. How many pieces will there be altogether? Unless you’re applying specifically to a writing major or program, it’s unlikely that admission committees will do more than skim several of your submissions. Of course, if your writing is really engaging, it’s certainly possible that the admission folks might get “hooked” and read everything.
The biggest danger I’ve seen when students send a lot of writing samples is that, typically, a couple of them may be strong but the rest are weaker. This detracts from the overall collection. So if you plan to send more than one, two, or–at the very most–three unsolicited samples, ask those teachers who are encouraging you to tell you if they feel there are some “weak links” in the portfolio. If yes, I suggest that you not submit those, even if it means that some “categories” won’t be represented.
Also, make sure that your writing is on standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper with no elaborate bindings, covers, etc. Admission officials will probably want to put your portfolio right into your application folder, and if it’s too big or bulky, they’ll not only be annoyed, but also they may stick it elsewhere–like on some out-of-the-way shelf in the bathroom where it may not get read at all.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your applications.
Question: My daughter has fallen in love with College XYZ and will have an evaluative interview later this summer. She is a bright girl and she does well meeting someone for the first time, but honestly she feels she lacks “Wow” power. She is quiet but not shy. It’s a shame that you almost feel you need to make a lasting impression for these evaluative meetings. Should she role play and rehearse for this interview or just be herself? Any other tips for preparing for the interview would be appreciated.
Below you’ll find some generic interview tips that I give to my college counseling advisees. Your daughter may feel more confident about her interview if she reviews them beforehand. Above all, assure her that it’s pretty hard to screw up a college interview. Of course, some students get flummoxed and may not show off their best side, but only rarely is an interview a real deal breaker. In fact, the more selective the college, the less important the interview usually is. That’s not gospel truth across the board, but overall it’s a pretty reliable rule of thumb. So if your daughter’s dream college is one of those hyper-selective places like an Ivy, then it’s almost impossible for her to torpedo her chances with a so-so interview.
When she reads through the advice, below, she’ll see that the most important thing she needs to think about ahead of time is “Why College XYZ?” She may not be asked this, but she should certainly expect to be. When responding, she should make sure that her answers truly reflect what she likes about the school. It’s a good time for her to let her academic passions shine through (e.g., by citing specific courses, professors, or facilities that genuinely appeal to her). The more specific she can be, the better. Also, if she already knows a student who goes to this college and likes it, it’s good to say so and to even name names.
If your daughter is nervous when the interview begins, it’s perfectly acceptable for her to say so. Confessing nervousness may actually make her less nervous, and it will make the interviewer more comfortable, too.
To help your daughter find that “Wow” factor, do a little bit of what my College Confidential partner Dave Berry calls “Achievement Dentistry.” In other words, dig deep and determine what your daughter does that’s really different or which truly excites her. Don’t think along the usual application-fodder lines (e.g., Spanish club, debate society, etc.) And she doesn’t need to have written a prize-winning novel or cured cancer either. Students often have quirky interests or atypical hobbies that they don’t think are admissions interview material but often are, and interviewers like to hear about them.
Among the tips below you’ll find some common interview questions. It wouldn’t hurt to do a brief mock interview with your daughter and let her practice responding to them. She’ll still “be herself,” but this will give her a chance to try out her ideas in a comfortable environment. Ideally, in fact, you’d ask another adult she knows (neighbor, family friend, etc.) to play the part of the interviewer, which gives the dry run a more realistic feeling than if it’s just her talking with Dad. She might also want to schedule an interview at another college that interests her prior to her session at College XYZ to help to get the kinks out.
If your daughter does well when at first meetings, she should be fine at her interviews … and she might even have fun. She doesn’t have to worry about making a “lasting impression” either. She simply should sound interested in the college she’s visiting and, hopefully, about the world beyond it, too.
Good luck to all of you as you enter the admissions maze. Scroll down to see the interview tips.
INTERVIEW TIPS:
While most colleges no longer require interviews, many “strongly recommend them.” Certainly, having an interview is a good way to show admission committees that you are indeed interested. For those who can’t get to campus, there are often interviews offered near your home. Check college Web sites or call the office of admission for details.
However, if you are compulsively shy and feel that an interview could actually hurt you, there are other ways to highlight your interest in your target schools, and an interview may not be the best bet.
In general, the more competitive a college is, the less the interview “counts.” However, even at the pickiest places, a really super session (or a totally awful one) can sway admission decisions.
At the end of an interview, the interviewer will write a report. At some colleges, this will include a letter or numerical grade; at others, only comments. Keep in mind that most candidates receive some sort of a “B.” In other words, the interviewer indicates that the session was fine, but probably nothing about it will impact the admission outcome for better or for worse.
Sometimes, when an interview is especially good, it’s just the luck of the draw. That is, the applicant and interviewer really click. They share common background, interests, or personality traits. However, reading (and following) the advice below can help improve the odds of making an interview work for you.
Interviews can be held on campus or in your own community. Campus interviews may be conducted by anyone from the top dog on the admission staff to a faculty member to a student. Off-campus interviews are typically conducted by alumni but sometimes by traveling staff members.
Alum interviews tend to be a bit more informal than those conducted by admission staff members, and alums tend to like it when students ask them about their own college experiences and even their current work, so—if your interview is with an alum—try to relax and have fun, just as you might enjoy meeting any new, interesting person.
You don’t have to get dressed up for an interview, but don’t look too casual either. Avoid t-shirts, flip-flops, cut-offs, or any other attire that makes it appear as if you’re not taking the occasion seriously. Use common sense when preparing your wardrobe, and leave the “Dartmouth” sweatshirt at home when you’re heading to your Duke interview, along with the Coed Naked Ping-Pong tee.
The majority of interviews are conducted almost like casual conversations. Picture yourself sitting beside a stranger on a long airplane trip. He or she might ask you where you go to school, what you’re studying, whether you like your school, etc. Typically subsequent questions are drawn from your answers. For instance, if you mention that you’re an officer in the Community Service Club, then the next question might be “What does the club do?” or “Did you get elected to your job?”
However, interview formats can vary. Some are quite open-ended. The interviewer may begin by saying, “Tell me about yourself,” and then expect you to take it from there. Others might have a more specific list of queries, some quite straightforward (“What is your favorite senior class?”); others more provocative (“What character from a book would you most like to be?”) You may get some curve-ball questions, like the latter, but they aren’t too common. (A friend of mine’s daughter was asked, “What is your favorite sound?” That was one question she certainly didn’t expect, but those kinds are surprises are pretty rare.)
The best way to prepare for an interview is to look over the list of frequently-asked questions below and think about how you would answer each one.
The most important question to prepare in your mind is “Why do you want to go to [Name of College]?” (or a variation on that, such as “What are you looking for in a college?” ) You may NOT ever be asked this, but it’s likely that you will. Be sure you have some very SPECIFIC reasons. Don’t just say “You have a good science program” because lots of colleges do. Don’t say, “It’s not too far from home,” or “I like the [Boston, NY, East Coast, etc.] area,” because, again, a hundred or more colleges would qualify there, too. Try to read about some courses or special programs or opportunities that are either unique to this particular institution or not found at the typical school.
Here are some other common questions:
• Can you give me a brief autobiographical sketch?
• What classes have you enjoyed most?
• What do you do outside of class?
• What do you do in the summer?
• What is your favorite book (or author)?
• Whom do you admire?
• What are your post-college plans?
•What will you contribute to this college?
• What aspect of college life are you most excited about?
• What aspect of college life are you most apprehensive about?
• In what ways do you want your college to be like your high school?
• In what ways do you want it to be most different?
• Is there any aspect of your transcript or overall application that may require some clarification that you would like to explain now?
• What else do you want us to know about you that we haven’t covered?
Lately, “ethics” questions seem to be in vogue, especially at on-campus interviews. So don’t be surprised if you’re asked what you would do if you knew a classmate had cheated on a test or purchased a term paper on the Internet.
In general, your academic interests should come first when talking about what’s important to you, but passion for non-academic areas can be important to because these things are all part of who you are and help make you stand out in the crowd.
Note, in fact, that I used the word “passion.” One thing that really bugs interviewers is when an applicant seems pretty lukewarm about everything. If you end up on the edge of your seat enthusiastically describing something you love, chances are the interviewer will be excited about you.
Before your interview, jot down the key points you want to get across and then try to end the interview by adding, “There’s something else I’d like you to know about me…” if you don’t get to talk about what you most want to cover. It’s fine to brag a little bit. You can probably tell the difference between speaking proudly of something you’ve accomplished and coming off as being a bit too full of yourself.
You can also use the interview to explain special situations, whether academic (e.g., skipping from Spanish I to Spanish III) or personal (a death in the family that affected junior grades). It’s fine to mention struggles you had in a particular class, but avoid a whiny tone and frequent complaints about inadequate teachers who weren’t wise enough to appreciate your brilliant potential.
Your interviewer will definitely ask you if you have any questions. and you should have some. Think of genuine questions you may have, make sure they’re not easily answered in the catalog, viewbook, or Web site, and write them in a notebook that you can take into the session with you. (If you’re nervous, it’s easier to read questions than to remember them. Bringing a notebook with questions into the session will make you look well-prepared, not forgetful!)
Even if you’ve done a lot of research ahead of time, many interviewers will perceive a lack of questions as a lack of interest—or of intellectual curiosity. The type of questions you ask will say something about you as well. “Can I major in physics and still take engineering classes?” will make a better impression than, “Do the dorm TVs get premium cable channels?” (Don’t expect your interviewer to be able to answer all your questions, especially if it’s an alum interviewer who may not be up to speed on current courses, campus policies, etc.)
Here are some things you should NOT do in an interview:
Don’t make a lot of excuses (I was sick the day of the SATs …, I wanted to get a job but my mother wouldn’t let me … my history teacher didn’t like me … etc.) Sometimes, a poor grade, a bad semester, etc. really will require an explanation (e.g., the death in the family mentioned above). But a candidate with a whole litany of excuses does not sound impressive. Likewise, don’t come off as a complainer. It’s fine to respond honestly, when asked, that you don’t like something, but too many complaints won’t reflect well on you.
Don’t act as if you’ve passed up opportunities because they were too hard. You can say something didn’t fit in your schedule, or you wanted to concentrate on a different activity, but never say, “I didn’t do it because I thought it would be too much work.”
Don’t talk too much about things you haven’t done yet. (“I’m about to start volunteering in a soup kitchen.” “I’m hoping to do an independent study on snails.”) Sure, it may certainly be appropriate to mention these upcoming activities in passing, but you shouldn’t come off sounding like all of your best achievements haven’t actually been achieved.
Don’t focus your questions on superficial areas. Try to resist the urge to ask whether you can bring a Cuisinart or microwave to campus, etc.
Above all, remember that even though you may feel you’re trying to “sell yourself” to college admission folks, they want you to like them as well. So try to relax and enjoy the experience. Remember, too, that sometimes the interviewers are duds, and so don’t beat yourself up if you feel that you didn’t “connect” with your interviewer.
Some of this information has been adapted from Panicked Parents Guide to College Admissions by Sally Rubenstone and Sidonia Dalby. This material is the property of CollegeConfidential.com. Please do not copy or distribute without express written permission.
Question: How do I find verification that I attend the college that I do?
Verification of Enrollment is most commonly required in order to get a student loan. In a perfect world, a picture on your Facebook page showing you and your friends sunbathing outside your dorm or cheering at a football game with your face painted in your college colors should be enough to prove that you are indeed a student at the school you claim to attend. In the real world, however, things are rarely this simple … or this amusing .However, if you do a search for “Verification of Enrollment” on your college’s Web site, you may find information about how to go about procuring such a form from your school.
If you’ve already tried that approach but you struck out, then you should contact the Office of the Registrar at your college to request the form. They should be able to give you one… possibly for a very small fee or most likely for free.
The registrar will probably want this request in writing (or in person). Expect to provide the registrar with:
-Your printed name and signature
-Your Social Security Number
-Dates of attendance, date of anticipated graduation, etc.
-The names and addresses of recipients
-The number of copies required
-Your daytime phone number and email address
If your school’s name is on this list, you can probably obtain verification right from the Web site.
Some lenders or other individuals and organizations may accept a less formal verification … e.g., a copy of your most recent grades or course schedule, a copy of your student I.D., or any other important-looking document, like a receipt of tuition bill, that has your name on it.
However, obtaining an official form is typically a very straightforward process, so your best bet is to check the school Web site for instructions, and then contact the Office of the Registrar if you don’t find anything on the Web to guide you.
Question: I’m Chinese but my name doesn’t make it totally obvious. (My last name is Lee. I don’t want to write my real first name here, but it’s a common American name and similar to “Frank.” ) So my full name, sort of like “Frank Lee,” could really be many ethnicities. I’ve heard that there is prejudice against Asians in the admissions process so I am planning to leave the optional ethnicity question blank. But I do feel a little weird about trying to hide my background, which I’m actually proud of. (My parents came to this country newly married and with nearly nothing and now will pay for my college education themselves.) I’m applying to Ivies and other highly selective schools. Do you think that skipping this question is a smart idea?
This could be a slightly slippery slope. Even if your name doesn’t proclaim your Chinese background, there may be other aspects of your application that will. For instance, if your parents attended a Chinese university or your résumé mentions Chinese language or cultural activities, then you may “out” yourself as Asian anyway. It’s possible, too, that an interview write-up or teacher reference might note in passing that you are Chinese.
If this does happen, and you’ve omitted the ethnicity question, it’s certainly not a big deal. However, it may send a subliminal message to admission officials that you are trying to game the system or to simply deny who you are. Again, it’s not a deal-breaker but it’s not to your advantage either.
I do agree with you, however, that Asians can be the victims of prejudice in admissions offices, especially at some of the sought-after schools. Most admission folks will not openly agree, but I stand by my opinion nonetheless. Sometimes this “prejudice” isn’t based on anti-Asian feelings per se but is the result of so many Asian applications seeming very similar on paper … top grades and top test scores, along with participation in a predictable roster of extracurriculars (orchestra, math club, chess club, Science Olympiad, tennis team, etc.). So admission committees may be most likely to say yes to those Asian applicants who are pursuing more atypical paths and who thus are more apt to stand out in a crowd. The upshot is that super students with stellar “numbers” and flawless résumés are turned away in droves and appear to be the victims of anti-Asian bias.
So I do understand your reservations about answering the ethnicity question on your applications. Certainly, no candidate who is uncomfortable responding to this question (for any reason) should feel compelled to do so. However, in your case, I would suggest that you reconsider. Not only is there an outside chance that, by ignoring it, you might actually be hurting–not helping–your admission odds, but also I suspect that, in the long run, you’ll be happier with yourself if you proudly proclaim your Chinese heritage.
Question: I’m a high school junior. Last week I visited a college, which is about an hour from home and which may be my first choice. I stayed in the dorm with a family acquaintance. She is a junior majoring in economics, which is a possible major for me, too. She took me on a tour, introduced me to a couple econ profs, let me sit in on her classes, and basically gave me a close look at her school that I wouldn’t get from a more typical campus visit. But yesterday when I was telling a friend about this great experience, he said that, if the admission office doesn’t know that I was on campus, it would work against me because there would be no record of my visit in my application folder so it would look as if I wasn’t all that interested. Is this true? Do I need to tell the admission office that I really was there?
Your friend is right. Colleges–particularly the ones that favor the “holistic” admission process (i.e., using factors besides grades, test scores, and other stats)–do tend to track prospective-student contact, and so admission folks may wonder about your commitment to their school if they see no record of your trip to campus or your presence at other prospective-student events (e.g., info sessions at your school or in your community).
Several years ago, in fact, when the term “demonstrating interest” starting popping up regularly in articles about boosting admission odds, in college-admission how-to books, and on CC and other Web sites, suddenly admission officials were inundated with letters, emails, and phone calls from high school students hoping to get extra “points” for touting their enthusiasm. (Many of the admission folks starting rolling their eyes.)
But, even so, there are plenty of students out there–like you–whose enthusiasm is genuine but who haven’t shown it in any on-the-record way. So, indeed, your flying-under-the-radar approach might work against you, as your friend suggested. I remember reading a article recently about admissions rejections. One dean at a liberal arts college claimed that a borderline candidate (who was ultimately turned away) lived not far from this college and yet hadn’t visited. The dean questioned her interest in the school. As I read the article, I had to wonder if this young woman might have actually visited but left no paper trail. Since she lived nearby, she very possibly had friends enrolled there who may have hosted her but didn’t include a stop in the admission office on the visit agenda.
Thus, I do urge you to tell the admission staff at this college about your time on their campus. If there is a “Why This College?” question on the application, then that will be a perfect place to describe the particulars of your visit and how it helped to influence your choice. (Recounting of a personal experience on campus is often a good subject for the insidious “Why This College?” question, even for those who have had additional admission-office contact.) If such a question is not on the application, then you can include a supplementary letter about your trip or use the “Additional Information” section (which you’ll find on the Common Application and many others) to describe the positive impact of your overnight stay.
In addition, if this college offers interviews, it would be wise of you to schedule one–ideally, back on campus; otherwise with an alumnus in your home town, if available. An interview is not only a good way to “demonstrate interest,” but also would give you a chance to show off your excitement about this particular school and to ask any questions which may remain even after spending time there.
While it may seem annoying that the college process requires you to “demonstrate interest” by pointing out that you actually did visit campus, rest assured that this is not the last admissions-process annoyance that you will encounter.
Question: I am a high school junior. I play on my school’s girls’ varsity tennis team (a fall sport at my school) and also hold a part-time job as a cashier in a supermarket. I had problems last fall trying to schedule work hours around tennis practices and matches. I told my parents that I want to keep my job instead of playing on the tennis team next year. But they said that it will look bad not to have sports on my college application. (I will be applying to a lot of really selective schools including Ivies.) However, I am not a great tennis player (second doubles on a lousy team) although I will probably be co-captain next year if I do play. Even so, I would rather keep the job and maybe join another (non-sport) activity that won’t conflict with my job. Are my parents right about it hurting my college chances if I don’t play tennis?
No! How’s that for a nice, short, direct answer? Although as a parent myself, I tend to bend over backwards to take Mom or Dad’s side whenever possible, in this case. your cashier’s job will look as good–or better–on your applications than your tennis will. There’s nothing wrong with the tennis, of course, and being co-captain will give you some “brownie points” for “leadership.” But, even so, most admission folks view athletics as a constructive use of time but nothing more unless the applicant is going to help lead the college team to glory. If a coach is interested in you, it’s a whole different story, but–from what you’ve told me about your tennis prowess–I don’t expect that.
On the other hand, working at a real-world job can carry more weight with admission committees. At the Ivies and other so-called “elite” institutions, admission folks are often left-leaning, bleeding-heart types. So, whether you’re a poor kid who needs to work to help out with family expenses or a more well-heeled one who simply wants to pay her own way, it will probably work in your favor at decision time. So do tell your parents that your true “advantage” won’t be on the tennis court, and it could “serve” you well to stick with your supermarket job … not just at admissions time but perhaps at tuition time, too.
Question: I have been admitted to my state university but am on the waitlist for their honors program. If I do not get into this program, I will enroll at a liberal arts college that also accepted me. Should I send a deposit to BOTH the state university and the LAC? May 1 is too soon for me to know where I will enroll.
I agree that May 1 is too soon for many students to make a realistic decision. This year in particular, many are still waiting for financial aid appeals to be resolved. However, double-depositing is considered unethical, and I have known of students who got “caught” by the colleges in question and had their acceptances rescinded by both.
Your best bet is thus to make one deposit for sure, and then ask the other school where you are undecided if you can have an extension so that they don’t give your spot away. For instance, since you say that you will only go to the public university if you get into the honors program, you can ask for an extension there. Tell them that you will definitely enroll if you get the green light on the honors program (if, in fact, you will).
Although you can do this by telephone for expediency sake, if you get an okay on the extension, be sure to ask for the name, title, and email address of the person who granted the extension. Then tell him or her that you will send a follow up email and would like a reply to it so that you can have written confirmation.
If you want, you can try getting an extension at both of the colleges that you’re deciding between, so that you don’t have to send any deposit by May 1. However, do note that most colleges will not grant extensions unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. a death in the family) and not because you are waiting to hear from another school.
If you do manage to wangle an extension from one or more of the colleges on your list, make sure that you not only get it in writing (as suggested above), but also be clear on whether or not there’s a specific date by which you must commit. Don’t assume that the extension is open-ended. Ask the college when the new deadline will be.
When making a deposit at one college while waiting to hear from a another school, you must expect to lose that deposit if the waitlist college eventually says yes, and you decide to matriculate there. It is not unscrupulous to withdraw your enrollment when you get admitted elsewhere from a waitlist, but don’t expect to get your deposit dough back either.
Note also that, at some schools, late depositors may lose out on housing options. So even if an extension can save you a spot in the class, it may also leave you with a just spot for a sleeping bag on the student-lounge floor.
Yes, of course, there are plenty of applicants who do double-deposit and will get away with it, but it’s a very slippery slope and one that we do not recommend for both ethical and pragmatic reasons.
Question: I am a 10th-grade home-schooled student, and I was wondering are SAT II Subject Tests better than AP tests for me or vice versa?
Often students who take AP tests take the SAT II’s in the same subjects. The advantage of the AP’s is that you can usually get college credit for high scores (most often that means a score of 4 or 5 on the 1-5 scale; sometimes a 3). SAT II’s rarely earn you credit, although in some cases you can place out of required courses or be allowed to skip introductory ones on the basis of good SAT’s.
Not surprisingly, the AP tests are generally more rigorous than the SAT II’s. For instance, the SAT II in biology is designed for any student who has taken a one-year class in that subject. The AP test, on the other hand, is only for those who have completed either a very challenging Advanced Placement course that is geared to the test at the end or who have covered similar material in an equally demanding bio class, even if it’s not specifically labeled “AP.”
Likewise, you should obtain prep materials for the SAT II tests that interest you. Your local bookstore is one place to look; you can also find a barrage of information online. Start with the official material at the College Board Web site: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html
On the College Board site, you’ll also find sales pitches for other books that you can purchase that provide more depth. And, of course, if you do a search for “SAT Subject Tests” (or “AP Tests”) on the College Confidential discussion forum, you’ll find enough advice from other CC members to keep you busy reading until you’ve actually graduated from college, assuming that you can pry yourself away from the CC pages long enough to finish your school assignments in the first place.
Once you have compared the content of the SAT II and AP tests, you’ll have a better sense of which ones are appropriate for you–or if taking both is the best plan, as it may be in some academic areas. As for the choice that will best affect your admission decisions, that’s a close call. Certainly 5’s on a series of AP exams will make admission officers perk up, but so will scores in the mid- or high 700’s on the SAT II’s. You may find that a “mix and match” approach suits your needs, rather than sticking to one test exclusively. Also, many of the more competitive colleges specifically require SAT II tests. They may waive that requirement if you’ve taken the equivalent AP exam already or even if you’ve had the ACT instead of the SAT I. However, that’s something you’ll have to ask at each of your target schools where the SAT II is necessary. In addition, with Subject tests, you’ll have the flexibility to choose one of many test dates throughout the year, and AP exams are limited to May. This means that admission officials will not see AP results if you take the test at the end of your “senior” year. While, with Subject Tests, you may be able to take a test as late as January of 12th grade (or the home-school equivalent of 12th grade) and still have it “count.”
Finally, keep in mind that, even when standardized tests are NOT required, they can be a helpful way for home-schooled students to show admission officers that they’ve had a rigorous education–perhaps even more so than those others who attend a traditional high school–and that they’ve not been sitting on the couch all day playing Super Mario Kart and watching Everybody Loves Raymond reruns (well, not always, anyway).
I have been fortunate enough to be accepted to several colleges. Is it customary for students to thank their teachers who wrote them their recommendations? If so, how should I return their favors of writing my rec letters? Is it normally a card, letter, a small gift? What would be sufficient to let them know that I really appreciated their help? Or is all of this not necessary, and thanking them in person is enough?
It’s not “customary” for students to formally thank the teachers who wrote their recommendations, but it should be. This is a time-consuming task that is rarely an official part of a faculty duty-roster. Occasionally students do write notes or even give gifts to their recommenders, but an astounding majority barely offer more than a mumbled, “Thanks”–if that.
A brief note is a perfect form of thanks, but avoid cards and comments that are merely “generic.” In other words, instead of letting Hallmark do the talking for you or simply saying something like, “I really appreciate the time you took from your busy schedule to write my college references,” add a couple sentences that are more personal: e.g., “From the moment you said you were a Seinfeld fan, the very first day of AP Chem, I knew that I was going to love being in your class and that you would be a special teacher …”
You don’t have to get a gift unless something springs immediately to mind. For instance, if the teacher is always expressing love for a particular sports team, then a t-shirt, cap, key chain, refrigerator magnet, etc. might be in order. If the teacher is a self-proclaimed chocoholic, a small box of great candy would be perfect. But, as a former teacher myself, I assure you that a present is not required. I used to haul home box loads of Avon perfume and scented soaps, but the only gifts I really remember were those that were truly tailored to me. For instance, the students in my classroom used to laugh about how the posters on the wall were always falling down, so one girl gave me some heavy-duty gummy gunk that far surpassed the loops of masking tape I ordinarily used. A coffee mug or other small memento from the college you’ll be attending would be a cute gift, too, and an apt reminder to your teacher that he or she helped to get you there.
In addition to thanking your teachers, it’s a nice touch to officially thank anyone else who also went the extra mile during your college process. This could include your guidance counselor and perhaps a guidance office secretary. If someone in any office of admission also went out of the way for you, a note would be a nice gesture as well. Then, of course, there are your parents. I suspect that they would be very moved by a formal thank-you from you … perhaps shocked as well, but definitely touched.
Although you may be one of only few students who sends formal thank-yous to those who aided your college process, it’s definitely the right thing to do. Teachers, especially, will notice and appreciate your thoughtfulness, and not only is this good karma for you, but also you never know when you may need their recommendations yet again.
Good luck to you as you make your final college choice and the big transition that follows.
Question: I will soon finish my freshman year in one of the top high schools in New York City with a 97 average. The only AP class my school offers to sophomores is European History, which I am not very interested in. Instead I will be taking electives such as human disease, computer science, and technology, along with the main academic classes (science, math, etc.) during my sophomore year. I plan to take at least 2 AP’s my junior year and 3 during my senior year (does this seem like too much?). Will colleges (especially Ivy League) recognize my academic motivation even if I don’t start taking AP’s/honors until my junior year?
The most selective colleges (and, this, of course, includes the Ivy League) are looking for students who have “challenged themselves academically.” Trust me, you’ll see that phrase 100 times or more before your last application is finished, even if you’re never completely sure what it means.
In short, this is how “challenge” translates in admission-committee meetings: Your applications will include a section for your guidance counselor to indicate whether your academic program is “Most Demanding,” “Very Demanding,” “Demanding,” “Average” or “Below Average” when compared to what is offered at your high school. Not surprisingly, unless you can kick a 50-yard field goal, run a sub-four-minute mile, or can boast of other unique talents (or of a very atypical background), then your best bet, with your lofty admission goals, is to elect a course load that will fall under the “Most Demanding” heading.
Many sophomores–even those applying to the uber-selective schools–do not take any AP classes in grade 10, though most of them do elect a “Most Demanding” sophomore schedule. (AP’s are not widely offered to 10th graders.) Two AP’s in grade 11 and three in Grade 12 would be considered “normal” (or, in some high schools, even “below normal”) for Ivy aspirants.
While you make clear that you are passing up your high school’s single AP–and why–I’m not sure if you have also decided to pass up honors classes in other subjects as well. If you are taking the “regular” college prep classes and no honors, will that put you on a “track” that could make it hard for you to jump off and into honors next year? While, as noted above, lots of sophomores don’t take AP’s, most Ivy-bound 10th graders do take a full slate of honors classes, when available.
So, before your schedule is set in stone, check with your guidance counselor to see if the academic program you’re mapping out will earn the “Most Demanding” designation at your school. Even if your sophomore classes will be considered only “Very Demanding” because you haven’t chosen the one available AP, that doesn’t matter to admission folks, as long as your junior and senior class choices will put you on “Most Demanding” turf.
But, above all, keep mind that your health and sanity are more important than your prospective college plans. If your final course roster seems to cry out “Way too stressful!” and not just “Very challenging!” then you should reconsider your options, regardless of the college verdicts that loom.
Remember, too, that there are other ways to show off your academic passions. For instance, independent summer research projects or summer courses in areas of interest will allow you to pursue favorite fields, demonstrate your commitment to them, and keep your brain active at a time when the sun is hot but the heat is off.
How many pieces will there be altogether? Unless you’re applying specifically to a writing major or program, it’s unlikely that admission committees will do more than skim several of your submissions. Of course, if your writing is really engaging, it’s certainly possible that the admission folks might get “hooked” and read everything.
In the real world, however, things are rarely this simple … or this amusing .However, if you do a search for “Verification of Enrollment” on your college’s Web site, you may find information about how to go about procuring such a form from your school.
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