Ever had a crush on someone only to find out the other person liked you back the whole time? Well then make sure they know it next time! Maybe its not the perfect analogy, but colleges also need to know you are interested before you submit the application. This is called “demonstrated interest.” Demonstrated interest is currently ranked above interviews and class rank by… Read More
A super, super simple way to stand out from other college applicants is to just read books. Now, I’m not taking about reading hundreds and hundreds of books, but at least read enough books to find a few that you really love. There are countless college application essays and interview questions that will ask you to discuss a favorite book of yours. For most… Read More
Whether you are a rising senior or an incoming freshman, summer is an ideal time to amp up your college preparation. I know, I know, summer break is your favorite time to be UNproductive. And I am fully supportive of some rest and relaxation. But why not enjoy your break while also getting a few steps ahead in the college game? Take a look… Read More
Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell your story. Academics and test scores will always be the initial criteria considered by most colleges, but more and more emphasis is being placed on the personal statement. The personal statement should paint a picture of the person you are outside of the classroom. It should give admissions a more specific, personal perspective. It should answer… Read More
Alan Keith of Genentech states that, “Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen.” One of the top criteria colleges across the country are looking for in future students is leadership experience. An easy way to stand out in your college application is through examples of leadership. Not only will your leadership experiences enhance your activities,… Read More
Volunteering and community service have a bunch of benefits for high school students. When it comes to college applications, volunteering is the #1 activity most students are missing. Colleges want well-rounded students with a variety of experiences and interests. When applying to selective schools, GPA and test scores are not enough to make you stand out. Colleges are looking for subtle differences like signs… Read More
An outstanding letter of recommendation (or two) can do wonders for your chances of getting into your dream school. Here’s 4 simple steps to ensure that you get the best recs possible: Step 1: Write a Mini-Profile on Yourself Start off by writing up a short profile (max 1 page) about yourself, which you’ll give to whoever you’re asking to write the letter. In… Read More
The biggest thing you can do to ensure you get accepted at your target school is to make sure you get the big things right. As you go through high school, every year is busier than the last. If you want to know what will really amp up your chances of getting accepted, focus on these key items (in order of importance): Choose challenging… Read More
Guest post from Simon Orozco, Harvard University class of 2009 It is often easy to become discouraged when working toward a big goal like college admissions, especially when things seem to go wrong, but that doesn’t need to be the end of the story. Some of the greatest achievements in history have come only after many, many repeated attempts. Even Michael Jordan, arguably the… Read More
Deciding on the topic for your application essays can be a bit scary…so follow these quick guidelines and you’ll be on your way to selecting essay topics that help you stand out. Understand the Essay Question(s) For the Common App, you get to answer to fairly open ended Personal Essay, but for other schools the essay question may be a bit more focused. Be… Read More
