•Work Experience worksheet: demonstrate your work ethic by noting any paid and unpaid jobs and internships you have had. There are all types of jobs, including caring for your younger siblings.
•Summer Experiences worksheet: note any summer activities including work, travel, academic courses or programs, athletics and community outreach. How you spend your summer breaks shows Admissions what you choose to do with your free time.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations are an important component of your application because they allow colleges and universities to see beyond your grades and test scores. A good recommendation letter is one that offers admissions reps a chance to get to know you. Most colleges require a recommendation from your counselor and a letter from one or two of your teachers.
Letters from your school counselor will help admissions officers understand more about your school, its programs, curriculum, and requirements, and the student body. These letters help to define your standing within your school community and your achievements relative to those of your peers. Teachers’ letters provide insight into your learning style and your academic development, which speaks to your potential for engagement and achievement in a college classroom. You may consider including an additional letter if you’ve made a significant commitment to a program (such as fine arts or athletics) or if there’s someone outside the classroom who can share a valuable perspective. Here are some helpful tips to consider when requesting your recommendations:
•If you attend a large school and don’t know your counselor, set up a meeting to get acquainted. If you have any special circumstances (health, family, finances) that you’d like explained in the letter, let your counselor know at this time. Talk to your counselor about your hopes and dreams for college and provide as much background information as possible for a strong letter in support of your applications.
•Offer your recommenders a copy of your CV to give them a more complete picture of who you are and to help them write an effective letter.
•Make your request for recommendations in person. The ideal time to ask is in the spring prior to your final year of secondary school. Make sure to confirm with your recommenders in the fall of your final year. If you’re currently in the last year of secondary school and have not yet made this request, ask now. Many teachers receive more requests than they can fulfill, so asking in advance allows them to put you on their list.
•Most colleges and universities require that letters be written by instructors you had in your last two years of secondary school. If possible, ask primary subject teachers. Also, remember, a recommendation will be more valuable if written by a teacher who knows you well and likes you.
•Provide your teachers with information that will help them write a letter that speaks to your learning style, aptitude, potential and character. Give them an outline of the highlights of your time spent in their classroom, your favorite assignments, and samples of your work. Let them know what you enjoy(ed) most about their class. Share anything you’ve done outside the classroom that is relevant to their subject matter. Help them write a letter that ties together all your related experiences.
•If your school participates in an online program, your writers will submit their recommendations electronically. If by chance your school still mails in the forms, provide each writer with a recommendation form for each college along with a stamped, addressed envelope. Give each recommender a list of your schools and the application deadlines.
•Use the Letters of Recommendation worksheet to jot down the date you give your teachers the forms. Check on the schools’ online portals or call the admissions offices as the process progresses to confirm receipt of the letters.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Your social media profile is another way to define yourself to Admissions. Much has been said about social media and its impact on college admissions. Your online presence is a very important consideration. Use social media to project an image you are proud of. Make sure you aren’t represented in a way you would be uncomfortable sharing with your admissions reps or interviewers. Before you begin the college process, consider doing the following:
•Use social media to connect with college reps and demonstrate your interest in their school.
•Make sure your photos convey the image you want to project, highlighting activities that are important to you and reflect your interests.
•Make sure to delete any photos that are inappropriate.
•Remove yourself from any groups that you don’t want to be defined by.
•Don’t write anything that you wouldn’t want an admissions rep to read.
•Use social media sites to highlight positive things about yourself.
CHAPTER 3