“ College 101 ”

1. “College 101” Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD Professor, Stanford University

2. Overview • The different types of colleges • How to get accepted to college • Extracurriculars • Letters of Recommendation • Personal Statements

3. Types of Colleges/Universities • Junior or community college • State schools • Private schools

4. Admission Requirements Comparison

5. Being eligible means you meet the minimum admission requirements for a school Meeting minimumeligibilityDOES NOT mean that a studentwill be acceptedtotheirfirstchoicecollege When students apply to highly selective colleges or highly competitive majors, the college can hold them to a higher standards for admission Eligibility vs. Selectivity ELIGIBILITY SELECTIVITY

6. College Admission Plans • Should I apply early? • You should apply under an early decision or early action plan only if you are very sure of the college you want to attend. • Do not apply under an early decision or early action plan if you plan to weigh offers and financial aid packages from several colleges later in the spring. • Also, you shouldn't apply early if it is advantageous to have more of your senior year work to show a college.

7. College Admission Plans • Should I apply early? • BUT…Personal caveat

8. College Admission Plans (cont) • Early decision • ED = Binding • You can apply to only one college ED, however you may apply to other colleges through the regular admissions process. • If you're accepted under ED, you must withdraw all other applications. • Early action • EA = Not Binding • If you’ve been accepted under EA, you have till May 1st to let the college know your decision. • You may also apply EA to other colleges. • Single-choice early action • This is a newer option offered by a few colleges. • Candidates may not apply early (either early action or early decision) to any other school. • You can still apply to other schools through the regular admission process • You are not required to give your final answer of acceptance until May 1st.

9. Extracurricular Activities • Quality over quantity • No activity is deemed as better than another, do what you do and do it well • How to word your activities • Do not “pad” your resume with activities that are insignificant • Honestly estimate your hours of involvement • Students who add unrealistic numbers to their activities may be showing the college that they don’t leave enough time for school 

10. Letters of Recommendation • Who needs them? • Some colleges do NOT accept any (like the UC’s and the CSU’s).  • Most private colleges require 1-2. • Keep in mind… • Certain teachers do a LOT of rec’s and they have to do them on their own time, outside of their daily teaching obligations.  • Be organized • Make it easy on your teachers and supply them with all the letters of rec at the same time. • If possible also supply them with stamped, pre-addressed envelopes already made out to each college.  • Write a thank you note • It’s nice and serves as a reminder to send the letters of rec out on time.

11. Letters of Rec (Cont) • Helpful hints: • Choose teachers from junior year who know you well. • Don’t send more than you need. Teachers don’t have time to write them and colleges don’t have time to read them. • If you have struggled in a particular subject over the years, but have worked hard to improve, then this could be a good teacher to ask for a letter.  • Request letters at least 3 weeks in advance of the application deadline and don’t wait until Christmas break.

12. Essays and Short Answers • Who needs it? • The essay is an important part of the application for many colleges.  • For others, it is not even a part of the application. • Cal States and several out-of-state public universities do NOT require an essay • Is it really that important? • Although a fine essay would never override a weak academic profile, it can be a tipping point for students on the cusp of admission.  • Short-answers questions aren’t as important, right? • Short-answer questions, even if they only ask for a few sentences, should be approached with the same care and attention you give to the full length essay.

13. Essay Tips • Show, don't tell • Write in a manner that allows the reader to experience your story through action, words, thoughts, senses, and feelings. • Do more than just tell the reader something about yourself; use details to paint the picture. • Example of telling: Original statement: I went to the store. Chronological detail: I opened the door, walked down the stairs, crossed the street, and went to the store. • Example of showing: Sensory detail: Even though it was summer, the pouring rain matched my mood as I slumped to the corner store in my already soaked blue tennis shoes.

14. Essay Tips (Cont) • Use the first person • Be the narrator of your own story • Refer to yourself using “I” and “we” • Second person = you • Third person = he, she, it, and they • Start off strong • The most important sentence in any essay is the first one. • Good writers often try to hook the reader with a first sentence that surprises.

15. Essay Tips (Cont) • Don’t think of something you think they want to hear…write about what you want to write about. • Be original! Write about a truly unique experience that is something that has meaning to you! • Role of parents… • Don’t be afraid of writing many drafts! • Just get writing! Don’t worry about spelling, word count, etc.

16. Common App Essays • 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. [No change] • 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? [Revised] • 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised]

17. Common App Essays • 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change] • 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised] • 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? [New] • 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [New]

18. E-mail Communication Colleges & Universities will communicate with you by E-MAIL • Apply for a free e-mail account at: • www.yahoo.com • www.hotmail.com • www.gmail.com • CHECK EMAIL / FOLDERS REGULARLY • DO NOT SWITCH ACCOUNTS • TIPS • Use a PROFESSIONAL SOUNDING EMAIL ADDRESS • Set up an account just for college purposes

19. Advancement Via Individual Determination Early Academic Outreach Program TRIO Cal-SOAP Upward Bound California State Summer School for Math and Science Mathematics, Engineering and Science Program Programs to Consider

20. Sites to Get Familiar With www.californiaolleges.edu www.universityofcalifornia.edu www.csumentor.edu www.fastweb.com www.act.org www.cccapply.org www.collegeboard.com www.aiccumentor.org www.fafsa.ed.gov www.pin.ed.gov www.uccp.org