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Posts Tagged ‘college acceptance’

What Happens to My College Application: Video From Butler University

Friday, January 28th, 2011

You’ve worked hard on your college application. You filled in all the blanks, you have amazing letters of recommendation, and your essay absolutely rocks! Did you ever wonder what happens to your college application after you mail it out? This video from Butler University goes behind the scenes to show you the faces of college admissions at work!

Watch What Happens to My Application (for Early Action and Regular Decision) on YouTube or below. Take planning your college education into your own hands: do the research so you can make an informed decision. If you don’t know what early action is, we’ve got the perfect supplemental reading just for you!

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Tags: butler university, college, college acceptance, college acceptance letter, college admission, college admission process, college admission terms, college advice, Colleges and Social media, colleges and youtube, video, youtube
Posted in College Admissions, College Applications | 1 Comment »

What To Do If You Are Waitlisted or Is There Hope after Waitlist?

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

The dreaded waitlist. Is there anything more agonizing? Instead of a simple yes or a no, your school of choice instead puts you on (insert dramatic music here) “the waitlist.” You may be wondering what to do next and might be asking yourself, “Is there hope after waitlist?”

.mushi_king/Marcus Beard

Colleges sometimes use a waitlist because – they just don’t know how many students are going to decide to enroll when offered admission. Sure, they can guess and they usually have some sort of general idea – but, just in case, they set aside a few students that were oh so close to getting in.

That way, if less than the expected number of accepted students choose to attend college somewhere else – they still have a pool of varied and talented candidates (like you) to choose from and fill in the gap.

Think of it like this: if you hold a spot on the college waitlist, you are the equivalent of a basketball player keeping the bench warm, just waiting to be called into the game. Sometimes the coach lets you in, sometimes – s/he doesn’t. In the case of the college waitlist, it depends a lot on the college you applied to as to what your actual chance of gaining college acceptance really is – some accept a very large percentage of waitlist students while others – not so much.

It is also possible that college admissions simply wanted to review your application one last time before making the final decision (another reason why you might want to check out our tips to increase your odds of admission after sending in your college application). At this point, it doesn’t hurt to send in a brief summary of your current achievements, have an updated version of your grades sent in, and be careful regarding your online image.

KTVee/Krissy

You should probably start thinking about sending in your (probably non-refundable) tuition deposit to your next college of choice, where you did receive a college acceptance. If things don’t turn out the way you had hoped, that could be where you end up spending your first year of college but it’s not the end of the world: the first year of classes is usually pretty similar between colleges. That first year at your second choice college doesn’t have to turn into four.

After you have a year of college under your belt, you’ve done well, you’re involved, you can then choose to apply again to your original first choice college and transfer if you are accepted – although you might find that you like the friends you have made and the college so much you don’t want to leave!

Tags: admission terms, admissions, admissions guru, Choosing a College, choosing a university, college acceptance, college acceptance factors, College Life, college waitlist, ollege waitlist, waitlist
Posted in Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Applications, College Campus | 3 Comments »

College Applications Video? Tufts University Tunes In

Friday, February 26th, 2010

ImNotQuiteJack/Jon Collier

You’ve heard about the College Admissions video – well, Tufts University Admissions is giving students the option to post a one minute video supplemental essay about themselves on YouTube! It’s just another way for Tufts University to put a face to a name, and if video is your thing (ahem future filmmakers) — it could be your way in!

What did creative Tufts University applicants dream up? There’s a Tufts hopeful on a unicycle with a ukulele, the rubber duck stop animation video supplement, the what’s currently on my iPod video, Inside the Actor’s Studio spoof, and the pink, blue, or red haired lover of questions…to name a very small, really fun assortment of what’s out there.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube – and a few more still trickling in! It definitely looks as though the College Class of 2014 has played a key role in many new social media trends and innovations in the college applications process – so what’s next?

Marquette University on Twitter had My College Guide wondering when they jokingly tweeted, “What would you say if you had to write a college application essay in 140 characters or less?” At least, we think they were only kidding.

Tags: class of 2014, class of 2014 facebook pages, college acceptance, college acceptance factors, college admissions process, college application, college applications process, college essay, college personal statement, Colleges and Social media, colleges and twitter, colleges and youtube, marquette university, personal essay, personal statement, tufts university, Twitter, twitter list, video
Posted in College Admissions, College Applications | 2 Comments »

Early Decision: Is it the Right Decision for You?

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Twitter, Facebook, really, the whole internet is buzzing with two words: early decision. Who got in, who didn’t get in, and who is still waiting to hear from their school of choice is all anyone can talk about – even our Admissions Guru has been bombarded with questions. Early decision confusion? That’s what we’re here for!

katrinalopez

You can only choose one school in which to apply for early decision because it is a binding contract (not to be confused with early action which is non-binding). Apply by the November early decision deadline (which can vary slightly between schools) to receive “the answer” somewhere between December and January.

Even if you don’t receive early decision acceptance, most colleges and universities will defer your application, giving you a chance to gain regular decision admittance. Simply put, this deferment means that, while you still have a shot at getting into that school, you are no longer bound by the early decision contract. You should definitely apply to multiple colleges, just know that you will have to withdraw the applications to those schools if you’re accepted early decision

When considering whether or not to send in an early decision college app for a particular school, try to imagine paying for that school without any financial help. If that thought makes you uncomfortable (or just downright nervous), you should check to make sure that your application is subject to your receiving the minimum amount of financial aid you’ll need. Otherwise, you might end up getting bound to attend that school regardless of the amount of financial aid offered!

Again, this is a binding contract. Colleges and universities mean business so read that contract carefully! If you do try to walk away, you will most likely be black-listed not only at that school, but at other schools as well, which can severely hamper your future plans. Also, if you then decide to attend a different school, that school might just revoke their acceptance of you if they find out that you broke your early decision contract. Colleges value personal integrity – do you really want to take a chance at severely damaging yours?

But, if you have done the campus visit, taken the college tour, have completely fallen in love with a particular school, and know that it’s your top pick, you might want to consider early decision. Why draw out the agony of waiting if you can receive your acceptance (or not) early?

ambrown

Better yet — Class of 2014 Facebook Pages are popping up daily so new students can get acquainted, network, and form friendships with one another before ever setting foot on campus (keep watch for our Class of 2014 Facebook list, coming soon!). That would go a long way in helping to calm first day jitters!

Early decision = fewer applicants. However, even with a smaller pool of college applications to wade through, the applicants tend to be pretty strong (we’re talking top of their class and super involved) so it doesn’t mean you’ll have a better chance of getting in. Early decision is a huge responsibility. It’s definitely not something to walk into blindly.

So, would you/have you/are you considering applying for early decision? Why or why not? Share you thoughts in the comments section below.

Tags: admission guru, admissions, admissions guru, class of 2014, class of 2014 facebook pages, college acceptance, college admission, college admission terms, college admissions, college guide, colleges and facebook, colleges and twitter, contracts, early action, early decision, facebook, Financial Aid, financial aid packages, financial aid policies, my college guide, social media, Twitter
Posted in College Admissions, College Applications | 5 Comments »

Rejected from Your Dream College? You Can Still Get In.

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Door of Opportunity If you applied early decision to your top school, you’ll have received the news by now. If it’s a yes, then congratulations are certainly in order—but if you’ve been placed on the waiting list or rejected outright, you may be feeling a bit dejected. If you’ve been dreaming about attending this particular school ever since you started kindergarten, you might even be in the midst of an existential crisis. So how can you reverse this tragic admissions decision?

Chances are, you’ll be happy wherever you end up. But if you’re really set on making it to your fantasy college, you can still find a way. Here are some tips to help you get there.

Only appeal the decision if you really have grounds to do so. All students who didn’t get into their top choice schools think that the colleges made a mistake—so if we all appealed, the poor admissions officers would never get a break. If your best friend has similar credentials and got into Dartmouth University while you didn’t, don’t bug the school about it. But if you have a legitimate reason for appealing a decision, such as discovering that the school had incorrect information about your test scores, you might stand a chance. Some schools don’t allow appeals at all; check the school’s policies before doing anything, and think carefully about it—bugging the admissions office with an unwarranted appeal could kill your chances of ever getting in.

Start somewhere else and transfer. For most students who don’t get into their first-choice school, it makes the most sense to simply attend another school, with the goal of transferring at a later date. After you start, you may not even want to switch schools anymore—but if you’re still pining away for your dream school, then research the transfer application process for your school of choice to see when you can reapply and make sure that all of the course credits you plan to take at your first school will transfer. Be sure to ace all your classes at your first school, and get to know your professors so that they can provide great recommendations for you. Though transfer admissions are more competitive than regular admissions, if you have a killer app, you’ll stand a good shot.

Consider doing a postgraduate year. Some private and boarding schools around the country offer a “13^th grade” to give students the chance to improve their academic records and take more challenging courses, become more involved in athletics, and make a smoother transition to the college atmosphere. Maine’s North Bridgton Academy for boys is the only school exclusively dedicated to the postgraduate year, but it is also an option at these boarding schools. By completing this transition year, you’ll have the chance to beef up your application and get another shot at your top school.

Do a “gap year” with a purpose. It’s been a tradition in the U.K. and Australia for many years for students to take a year off before starting college, and it’s catching on here as well. If you aren’t enthusiastic about starting at another school next year, this could be a great option to gain new experiences and another shot at the college application process next year—just make sure you use your gap year well. Simply hanging out at home, working a low-wage job, or traveling abroad isn’t likely to impress colleges. But if you decide to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand, undergo a fascinating research project, or start your own successful business from scratch, the experience could change your life—and might help you win over the admissions officers next time around.

Tags: appeal admissions decision, boarding school, college acceptance, college admissions, college rejection, College Transfer, dartmouth university, early decision, gap year, getting into college, letter of acceptance, north bridgton academy, postgraduate year, private school, rejected from college, transfer
Posted in College Admissions, College Transfer, Gap Year, Preparing for College | No Comments »

Advanced Placement Classes: A Taste of Higher Education

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Sure, fluff courses can potentially boost your GPA and even your class ranking, however, Advanced Placement Courses can really open the doors to your future! With more than thirty courses, everything from Japanese Language and Culture to Macroeconomics to Environmental Science, an Advanced Placement Class may just be the boost that your college application needs to get you into your college of choice.

There are plenty of reasons to give an AP Class a try:

Prove to college admissions that you are ready for college!
Save money on pricey college courses.
Stand out from the crowd.
Go farther, faster!

LucastheExperience

AP Courses naturally carry a heavier workload, much like the college classes you will soon be taking. Don’t rely on your grades to get into the college of your choice. Lots of college wannabes get high marks and are involved, just like you, but not everyone makes the effort to take an AP Class.

It’s hard work and probably a lot different from the kind of classes you have had in the past, which is why, if you succeed, the payoff is even better!

You don’t need us to tell you that college isn’t cheap. Instead of shelling out the big bucks for introductory level college classes, getting enough points on an AP Exam let you skip the intro and get right into the heart of the subject. The smaller price tag of an Advanced Placement Exam (as compared to a college course) is just a nice little bonus.

Speak with an AP Teacher at your school to see what classes your high school offers. Find out what to expect and get a better idea about the workload.

No AP Class access at your high school? No problem. Contact The College Board and get more information about independent study or even, in some areas, online AP courses.

Tags: advanced placement, advanced placement classes, AP Classes, college acceptance, college acceptance factors, college curriculum, higher education coursework
Posted in AP Classes, College Admissions, College Applications, Preparing for College | 1 Comment »

Protect Your Online Image (Colleges are Looking at You!)

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Chances are you have a profile on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or one of hundreds of social media websites out there. Don’t think your friends are the only ones checking out what you wrote: colleges and universities may be using what you post as a deciding factor as to whether or not you receive that all important acceptance letter!

Colleges "get" social media...just like you.

Matt Hamm

We’ve mentioned that colleges are using social media like never before. The cold hard truth? Colleges are all over social media sites and have a lot of students to choose from — so don’t give them a reason to pass you by! Avoid these all too common mistakes — protect yourself and your future.

1. It’s nothing personal. Sure, it’s tempting to vent about your ex-boyfriend or blab about your wild weekend, but stop right there! In this case, your mom was right: if you can’t say anything nice…don’t say anything at all (or, at the very least, consider private messaging instead)!

2. Mind Your Manners. While you may not be posting anything too personal, excessive swearing is a red flag to admissions and a potential turn off. Keep it clean and keep it rated “PG.”

3. Strike a Pose? Guess again! Colleges won’t stop at reading your posts – they’ll scope out your photo albums as well. Underage drinking, smoking, or worse will put a definite damper on your future plans. But don’t think it stops there: photos that your friends post of you could be just as damaging! Consider changing your profile setting to “private” where applicable to prevent prying eyes from seeing something less than flattering.

Do you have any tips to add? We’d love to hear them! Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Tags: college, college acceptance, college acceptance factors, college admission, colleges and facebook, colleges and myspace, Colleges and Social media, colleges and twitter, facebook, myspace, social media and higher education, Twitter
Posted in College Admissions, College Life, Fun Stuff, Preparing for College, Social Media, Technology | 2 Comments »

Winter Break is (Finally) Here: Are You Using Your Time Wisely?

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

It might be awfully tempting to sit on the sofa for the next couple of weeks, doing absolutely nothing…but don’t! You could be getting a head start on improving the way that you look to colleges and it won’t cost you anything but your time!

LiveALittle.org/Karen Chung

Fact: colleges like to see community involvement. Consider using your winter break to test out various volunteer opportunities. Instead of blankly staring at the TV all day, you could potentially discover an interest in a career path you hadn’t previously thought about and saving yourself from spending thousands of dollars on a major that just doesn’t fit!

You can probably come up with a few options on your own, like the local food pantry, humane society, or library. But what if you want to branch out a little more, find something a little closer to your interests and abilities? Don’t worry: you’ve got choices.

It’s easier than ever to find the perfect match with your personality, your interests, and your schedule! Try using websites like Serve.gov or VolunteerMatch to figure out how you would like to serve others in your community.

Once you find something that works for you, set up a schedule that you can handle all year long. Bonus: it could even lead to a future college grant or scholarship (not to mention that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from helping others)!

So, what are you waiting for? Get off the couch and get involved. Make new friends and start moving in the right direction, toward your future!

Tags: college, college acceptance, college acceptance factors, college admission terms, college personal statement, getting into college, getting into first choice college, how to get into college, volunteering
Posted in Extracurricular Activities, Preparing for College | 1 Comment »

3 Ways to Get into Your First Choice College (Besides Getting Good Grades)

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Pesky Library/Pesky Librarians

You can join the ranks of the 70% of high school students that receive an acceptance letter to their first choice college, but it takes more than getting good grades. Many students get so hung up on maintaining a high grade point average that they forget about the other factors college admission officers take into consideration. Building the right student record is similar to building a dream house. Start with the foundation—making good grades—and build up from there.

Score high on the SAT. SAT scores are a consideration along with your grades. This means you need to score as high as you can on your SAT. If necessary, consider obtaining a SAT preparation guide or take a class to help you score high the first time.
Take AP classes. Many high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes to high school students. If your high school offers AP classes, then you need to take them. First, it allows you to earn high school and college credit simultaneously, which cuts down the amount of classes and cost for college. Second, it shows college admission officers that you like a challenge and take your education seriously.
Be a participant. Participating as a member of your school and your community is an important college application enhancer. College admission officers equally weigh grades, SAT scores, AP classes and participation in extracurricular and community activities.

It’s important to build a college application that is complete. Good grades are a must, but you can enhance the quality of your application by scoring high on your SAT, taking AP classes and participating in school and community activities.

Tags: college acceptance, college admissions, getting into first choice college, how to get into college, letter of acceptance
Posted in AP Classes, College Admissions, College Applications, Extracurricular Activities, Preparing for College, SAT/ACT Test | No Comments »

Make Your Personal Statement Shine Part #2

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

sirwiseowl/Keith Davenport

Applying for college is not as simple as completing the application and submitting it to your top choices. Many colleges ask you to include a personal statement with your application.

While an application requests specific information from you, a personal statement is similar to a personal essay. It allows your personality to shine as you provide added details about who you are as a person, the reasons you want to attend the college you’re applying for and the educational and career goals you have set for yourself. College acceptance is very competitive so creating a personal statement that stands out from the rest can really make the difference.

Everyone has a characteristic, trait or experience that makes them unique. Now is the time for you to figure out what makes you special or impressive. College acceptance is a highly competitive arena, so you need to include in your personal statement something that jumps off the page and grabs the attention of the admission officer or board that is pouring over the mound of applications sitting on their desk. Provide a thorough explanation as to why they should choose you over all of the other applicants that are competing for your position in the institution.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of the series later this week.

Tags: college acceptance, college acceptance letter, college admissions, college personal statement, getting into college, how to write a personal statement, letter of acceptance, personal statement, what to include in a personal statement
Posted in College Admissions, Personal Statement | 1 Comment »

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