The Applicant Statement

1. The Applicant Statement Writing Workshop presented by: Ms. Doucette Mrs. Fassbender

2. What is the Applicant Statement? • This is a required portion of most college applications • Some statements are in response to specific questions • This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Admissions Office beyond your test scores and GPA

3. How Long Should my Statement Be? • Write as much as it takes to say what needs to be said, and then be done.

4. What should I write about? • First and foremost, follow the directions given in the application instructions. An application may ask you to write about which activity is most important to you and why. There is a reason for this type of question – when you answer it honestly, it tells the Admissions Office what you value, and what is important to you. This is a window into you, and is very valuable information for the schools; it gives them information that your GPA and test scores cannot.

5. What should I write about? • You should be able to articulate WHY the school you are applying to is a good fit for you. Tell them about your reasons: Is it the size? The location? The major? Certain extracurricular opportunities? Did you fall in love with the campus during a visit? Why is this the BEST possible school for you and why are YOU the best possible student for the school?

6. Editing Guidelines • Make sure your statement is well-written, spell checked, and proofread. Do not make any text abbreviations and be very careful with your punctuation. Capitalize appropriately. Conclusions will be drawn about your academic ability by your statement –consider this a writing sample.

7. Words of Caution. . . • Finally, if you compose your statement in Word, when you cut/paste your statement into the application, it is CRITICAL that you be sure that the name of school in your letter matches the school application! Admissions counselors are very offended by this type of blunder. To avoid this, generalize your statement.

8. For Example… • This year, the UW-Madison application asks: Statement One:Consider something in your life you think goes unnoticed and write about why it's important to you. Statement Two:Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. If applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement.

9. This year, the UW systems application asks: • Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments and/or interests you will bring to our campus that will enrich our community.

10. “Resume” App • Be cautious • Be inventive • What do you offer to them? • Good example in packet

11. I know University of Wisconsin- Madison is right for me. At a school like University of Wisconsin I can not only succeed and flourish as a student, but even help contribute. Wisconsin can also offer me everything that a serious yet excited student could ask for: academics and a social life. • When choosing a college, the first things that came to my mind were excellence in academic programs and reputation. Wisconsin offers a wide range of classes and majors, a distinctive reputation, and it is a place where I know I can succeed.

12. Resume app, cont. • Academics aside, Wisconsin also offers it students an amazing social life. I am a huge sports fan, and the Big Ten conference offers some of the best college sports in the country. I can think of nothing better then rooting for the Badgers on the field or on the court; I want to be part of the sea of red. • Wisconsin is the total package. It has academics that serious students crave, but is also a place to enjoy the greatest years of your life. I know Wisconsin can serve as a vehicle to help provide the most desirable future available, but without sacrificing the present.

13. Personal Experience • Reflective Essay • Impactful event from your life? • Show who you are without telling • Don’t dwell on the negative

14. Example of Personal Experience App

18. Illustration of a Trait • What trait best defines you? • What exemplifies this trait?

19. Social Cause • A cause you believe strongly in • How have you supported the cause? • What does this say about you?

21. According to the rest of the world, my family was not normal. My family could not go out to dinner or to a movie theatre, and if we ventured to a water park we accepted the disapproving glances from other families. Daily trips to the hospital or shouting in the house was the norm. My acceptance of this life gave me a greater understanding of the world, and without my brother I would not know such diversity. • Several minutes later, my mom emerged from the hospital room. I could see the tears streaming down her face. She silently took my hand, and we left the ward. It wasn’t until the long elevator ride that I finally spoke, “Mom?” • “Yes, Lily.” • “A sister shouldn’t have to see a brother like that.” • But I did. My brother taught me what it meant to accept diversity. My brother taught me patience and tolerance. And he is still teaching me, teaching me how to love.

22. Creative Approach

24. Medieval sieges, samurai battles, and caveman clashes - all have something in common; they are all moments of impact, where the course of history is altered and change has taken place. They are also all scenes where Waldo can be found in Martin Handford’s illustrated Where’s Waldo? books. Waldo, as an entity, can be found in numerous locations spanning the globe and time. However, he has an inclination to show up where chaos is ensuing, where uprising and change are occurring. Waldo is found at the center of it all.

25. Laughter matters to me. I love the way it sounds, I love the way it feels, I love the way it overcomes awkwardness or creates its own. I love how everyone is entitled to his or hers own laugh. Some double over, silently shaking. Others cackle, some shout, while others giggle. A few snort, and there is always a knee-slapper in the room. I personally am a knee-slapper, silent shaker, and unfortunately I can be a snorter if you catch me at a moment of deep breathing. Laughter brings people together. It can ease sorrowful times and grief-consumed souls. It fosters and promotes joy, which is at the essence of happiness. Laughter does not keep the earth moving or cure diseases. It does not slow down time or prevent divorce. But it does keep people moving; it helps comfort the suffering. It makes more out of limited time and aids in recovery. While laughter matters to all human beings, it has an even more special place in my heart. Every time life does not go my way, I have a decision to make. I can either go with the mood and express my anger, or I can choose joy. While laughter is not always appropriate in these situations, a smile instead of a frown can make a difference not only in my attitude but in those around me. I choose to laugh because I choose joy, no joke.

26. Purdue essay prompt • Pulling It All Together • As a child, I immersed myself in everything I could. I played a wide variety of sports, I picked up the trombone, I became involved in the community, and I worked hard in school. In 8th grade, one of my favorite classes was technology education, or tech ed, class. Our major project that year was designing a wooden car that would roll down a ramp and smash into a wall without breaking the egg inside. Even though the teacher didn’t intend it, we spent well over half of the school year working on that project alone. I used a 3-D modeling software, Autodesk Inventor, to draw my design, then used the shop to actually build it. I had a lot of fun, but mine didn’t work after my cobbled together bumper did absolutely nothing for the impact of my car. Despite all this, my teacher saw my enthusiasm and skills using Inventor and approached me one day after class along with a few others. “Hey guys, I saw all your potential and I’m going to offer to put you in the Introduction to Engineering Design class as freshmen next year.”

27. The Why You Essay I was in sixth grade, and completely enthralled with a new book I had discovered, Freakonomics. I raved about it so much, my family bought the audio version so we could all listen to it on our long car rides. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I sat with my brother in the back of our family Prius, returning from a long day of soccer. We began listening to Freakonomics. I remember it hitting me, that if two things as distant as legalized abortion and crime were connected, anything was possible. Entranced by Steven D. Levitt’s and Steven J. Dubner’s words from the car speaker system, my brother and I began to think of the world as we had never before. Subsequently, we also began talking in ways we’d never talked before

28. Upon reading more about Levitt, who gave impetus to our new found curiosity, I also learned about UChicago. It is needless to say what I discovered about the University of Chicago captivated me. The classes I have taken, the grades I have received, and the test scores I have achieved have been in pursuit of the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago alone. Emerging from my love for Freakonomics and the new outlook it granted me, I knew early on that UChicago is where I wanted to be. Aside from the academic rigor, the cultural opportunities offered by the Core, the amazing people on campus, and the city of Chicago, I have always had a special connection to the University of Chicago.

29. The Introduction • Short Introduction • Few sentences • Thesis statement • Good place to show voice

30. = Mom= Dad The left-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches me is equal to Mom. The right-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches me is equal to Dad. Although both the limits have a strong affection for one another, they possess extremely diverse personality traits. My mom loves everyone.

32. Body paragraph(s) • No designated amount • Show, don’t tell

34. Conclusion • Brief • 1-3 sentences at most • Final line is important

35. My dad taught me to not believe everything I hear. I am passionate because of my mother but practical because of my father. And on the topic of political ideology, my mom won out on this one. = Mom = Dad As x approaches me from the left-hand side, f(x) is equal to Mom. As x approaches me from the right-hand side, f(x) is equal to Dad. The left-hand limit is not equal to the right-hand limit. Therefore, the limit of f(x) as x approaches me does not exist. Me, that is I, have no limit.

37. Less can be more • Many schools limit word count • If not, be concise anyways!

38. Brainstorm • Brainstorm guideline • Traits • Experiences • Values

39. Draft • Don’t think, just write

40. Revise, Revise, Revise!

41. Some Final Advice • Consider this as a simple template to begin writing your personal statement: Tell the college/university who you are and how you got to be who you are. Everyone has a story to tell. • Mrs. Doucette and I are here to help you review your drafts and to make suggestions. Please be sure to give us enough time to work with you!

42. College Essay Workshop • We will be available to look at your draft copies as needed. • Doucette– 1A- Mezz, 2A 1413, 1B 1413 • Fassbender- by appointment

43. Action Plan for Workshop • Review Process • Work on Drafts while consulting with Mrs. Fassbender and Mrs. Doucette • Help each other with proofreading while waiting.