Resources for LGBTQ Students

Posted on Thu, 11/15/2012 - 11:10

As of November 1, the Point Foundation scholarship application for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students is available online and can be accessed here. Point Foundation is the nation’s largest merit-based scholarship organization for LGBTQ students, empowering them to achieve their full academic and leadership potential -- despite the obstacles often put before them -- and to make a significant impact on society, by providing financial support, leadership training and mentoring. Point is currently supporting 77 scholars in undergraduate and graduate school, assisting with tuition and living expenses. Since its inception in 2001, Point has invested more than $14 million in the education and support of 222 scholars.  For more information, visit the Point Foundation website here.

Additional resources for LGBTQQI students can be found at "Resources" under the Book tab here on collegeadmissionbook.com. Please navigate to the bottom of the page to find additional scholarships and general information.

Seniors: College Interview Advice

Posted on Wed, 11/14/2012 - 10:27

Seniors, here's our best advice for interviewing -- whether you're doing an admission office interview or an alumni interview in the coming weeks.

Take the time to reflect on who you truly are before you show up for the interview. For example, think about  what's important to you, what you're reading, which of your activities means the most to you, what event going on in the world right now has caught your attention and why?

Dress appropriately. Admission officers say by far the most frequent interview faux pas are wardrobe malfunctions.  Here's a guideline: dress like you're lunching with your grandparents.

Be on time. In fact, be a little early.

Be polite— to everyone: the receptionist, the other students and parents in the waiting room, the interviewer and your parents.

Be yourself— unless you’re chronically late or usually impolite. Colleges want to see who you really are… within limits.

Be genuine and forthcoming. Your openness and receptivity to connecting with another person is as important as the subject matter discussed.

Remember: An interview is not a test. It's a conversation. 

 

Juniors: Researching Colleges for Students with Learning Differences

Posted on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 12:05

For students with a learning difference or physical or emotional challenge, making the right match with a college is particularly important. You must ensure that the colleges on your list provide the support and accommodations you require.

But a learning difference or emotional or physical challenge should not be the primary criterion for determining the best fit.  First, look for fit in general— for example, curriculum, campus culture, or geography— and then make sure the colleges on your list have the programs that will offer the support you need.

One sign of a school’s resources and commitment to students with learning differences or physical or emotional challenges is how easily information can be found on their website. Such information can usually be found under “student services,” “academic services” or “accessible education.” Look for lists of services and special technologies, such as Kurzweil readers. At each college to which you are considering applying, you should visit the office that oversees assistance, often called the Office for Accessible Education or Office of Disability Services, and any dedicated facilities such as learning centers or handicap-equipped dormitories.

Also check out the books and websites on our Resources page here.

 

University of Puget Sound Joins the Gourmet Guide

Posted on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 14:52

Roasted curried eggplant potpie, wood-fired pizza, wild salmon tacos -- we've got the best bets for where to dine when  visiting the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. From Pacific Northwest seafood and artisanal roast coffee to Thai curry and Argentinian steak, there's something for everyone in this urban port city in western Washington.  Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner or beyond, you can start here while planning your visit to this liberal arts college just 35 miles south of Seattle. Smoked bacon and cheddar macaroni, anyone?  That's where we'd start --at the Rosewood Café.  Check it out here.

Thank you, thank you...

Posted on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 13:37

Thank you, thank you… to the students, parents, and administration of Sterling High School in Sterling, Illinois. College Admission spoke to more than 600 students last week at this high school in western Illinois. It was a pleasure to hear about their hopes, dreams and concerns -- and answer their questions about everything from grades and testing to performing arts as a major and support for learning differences.

Juniors: Students with Talent in the Arts

Posted on Thu, 11/08/2012 - 09:29

For students with talent and accomplishments in the arts, strength in music, fine arts, design, film, dance, or other disciplines may play a role in your application process. For some, the arts may be the focus of your studies and you may pursue either an arts degree as part of a liberal arts program or admission to a specialized program such as a conservatory of music or film school. For others, the arts may be a distinguishing interest and you may simply want colleges to consider your arts experience as part of the overall admission decision.

For both groups of students, as you research schools, keep in mind that the process of applying could begin earlier and be more extensive in two important ways:

1. Submission of supplementary materials may be required to demonstrate your talent, such as submission of an art portfolio, a film, DVD, or CD, will require thought and planning.

2. Additional requirements for auditions, portfolio review, and interviews can necessitate significant additional preparation and attention to scheduling and deadlines.

You will need to check the websites of each school on your list to understand their process and requirements.

 

Great essay advice from the deans at Vanderbilt, Chicago, University of Illinois and more

Posted on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 09:39

OWL, the Purdue Online Writing Lab, is featuring excellent advice on the college essay from some of our good friends. Check out the post here -- for commentary on the essay and how colleges view this step in the application from Vanderbilt's Doug Christiansen, Caltech's Jarrid Whitney, and University of Chicago's Jim Nondorf, as well as undergraduate admission deans from University of Arizona, Rutgers, and University of Illinois.

Seniors: The "Why us?" Essay

Posted on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 09:02

For all the schools on your list, be sure to do a good job not just on your essays but also on the prompts and short answers in the supplements. Of special note: if there is a "Why us?" question and what you write will work for any other college, chances are it will not pass muster. Colleges want to know you are a good fit for their school and have a real understanding of it.   To begin with, you will need to know enough about each school to be genuinely interested in attending.  And then show those well-researched reasons in the essay in a way that demonstrates that each school is a good fit for you in terms of your intellectual, academic and personal interests. The "Why us?" essay is a unique opportunity. Make sure you put in the necessary time and effort.

 

For more information and advice on college essays, including selecting and developing a topic and insight from the deans of admission at MIT, Georgetown, Northern Illinois University and Williams College, see Chapter 13, "Essays," in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step.

 

November Financial Aid Checklist for Seniors

Posted on Tue, 11/06/2012 - 09:54

This is the third installment from college advisor Alice Kleeman in our monthly series for seniors on what you should be doing with regard to financial aid. Remember, while in most families it is up to the parents to provide the bulk of the money for college costs to the extent of their ability to pay, it is the student who applies for student aid. Read, save and use these monthly reminders!

 

*             All students applying for financial aid -- whether you are considering attending two-year or four-year colleges—will complete a FAFSA. Familiarize yourself with the form. BUT DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA BEFORE JANUARY 1—it will not be processed for the correct school year!
 

*             Work with your parents to collect the documents you will need to complete the FAFSA—including tax returns for the most recent year, Social Security numbers, driver's license information, student and parent W-2 forms and other records of money earned, current bank statements, etc. The FAFSA web site lists the documents you will need here.
 

Juniors: Applying as a Student Athlete

Posted on Fri, 11/02/2012 - 19:07

For students with talent and interest in athletics, applying to college requires extra preparation and an earlier timetable. Here are some areas to pay attention to as you research schools:

*             The differences among the NCAA divisions, including eligibility requirements, availability of scholarships, and the influence of your athletic ability on an admission decision.

*             The nature of the different athletic conferences -- NESCAC, Ivy League, Pac-12, Western Athletic, Northeast Ten, etc.  The conference to which a school belongs has an impact on your time commitment, the level of competition and the availability of scholarships and financial aid.

*             The particulars of applying as a student athlete. At each school, deadlines, additional materials required, scholarships and the rules governing recruiting and academic eligibility can differ.

 

For more information on applying as an athlete, including questions to ask as you make unofficial visits and input from deans of admission such as Stanford's Rick Shaw and Associate Athletic Directors such as University of Iowa's Fred Mims, see  Chapter 18, "Students with Special Talents", in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step.