Admissions

GPA is one of the major things that schools look at when reviewing applications for admission. According to a National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) 2011 Survey, grades in college prep courses were the most important factor weighing in to the admissions decision. Grades in all courses ranked as the fourth most important factor, behind strength of curriculum and ACT/SAT scores. What this means is that colleges want to see students taking classes in high school that will adequately prepare them to succeed in college, and they want to see good grades in those classes, above all. What constitutes college prep classes? Advanced Placement and Honors classes will be viewed most favorably on a student's high school transcript. "Core" subjects like history, math, English, science and foreign language will carry more weight than things art or music, unless the student is applying to art schools/programs or music schools/programs. Grades in classes like consumer education and physical education will carry less weight because they aren't part of the list of "core" subjects. Curriculum and GPA need to balance out on the student's transcript. Having slightly lower grades in a very challenging curriculum will go farther than having higher grades without challenging classes.

Colleges also look for an upward trend in GPA over the high school career. A student who starts freshman year with an A average whose grades start sliding over the next four years as the student takes on more activities and responsibilities is not going to look good compared to a student who struggled a little in the first year or two of high school and managed to increase his or her GPA in the last two years. Colleges want to see that the student was able to balance coursework, activities and maybe even a job without a large impact to his or her GPA.

The more selective the school, the more the GPA will matter. The general consensus for highly selective schools seems to be that a GPA of 3.5 or above is considered acceptable. A student with a GPA below 3.5 will have a harder time convincing a very selective school that he or she should be admitted. A very high ACT or SAT score would help in this scenario. ACT composite scores above 30 and SAT individual scores above 700 may counteract a GPA in the 3.0 - 3.4 range provided that the student has taken a challenging course load. For students who don't have ACT or SAT scores in these ranges, and have lower GPAs, looking at colleges on the lower end of the selectivity range will make more sense.

In order to match up a student's GPA and ACT/SAT scores to the colleges where he or she is most likely to get accepted, a good college search website is a helpful resource. These sites use the student's GPA and test scores in the search criteria fields in order to produce a list of potential colleges. There are also tools to estimate a student's chance of getting accepted a particular school based on his or her GPA and test scores.

Wendy Nelson is a first-time college mom who has approached her daughter's college search process using her professional background in Project Management. She hopes to help others through the college choice process by sharing what she has learned. For more helpful information to guide you in your college choice process visit http://www.mykidscollegechoice.com.

Most teenagers must eventually buckle down and study for their college board exams. The SAT, as it is widely known in the field, is designed to measure the verbal and math skills of all young men and women who would like to go to college and secure a formal degree. Though studying will surely be needed, most youngsters can do well with the proper preparations.

Students who are verbally challenged will likely need to develop a sophisticated vocabulary base as quickly as possible. Making flashcards will probably help them remember things better. They should also practice general reading comprehension skills so that they can fit their new vocabulary words into the appropriate grammatical contexts.

While some people might have trouble with the verbal section, others may be struggling with math. In fact, the mathematical principles that are tested on the SAT are rather basic, and most men and women should be able to master them with a little study time. Algebra and geometry will both be emphasized, so students should ensure that they understand both how to solve equations and how to manipulate triangles to come up with the proper angle measurements.

Of course, taking formal courses will be incredibly useful. Teachers who are skilled in the area will be able to provide a range of tips and guidelines that should help individuals succeed further down the road. Students may even meet some friends who they can study with on a regular basis.

Practice tests can also help. When individuals understand the format that they will likely see on the day of the exam, they will be less nervous and more likely to zip confidently through the questions. Practice tests also allow them to check their answers to see which concepts need a bit more work.

On the evening before examination day, people should get a good night's rest if at all possible. This will allow them to be fully alert and ready to attack the test when the morning arrives. Establishing a sense of confidence will also help. Those test takers who know they are ready for anything will generally perform better.

Ultimately, when looking for an SAT prep course Bayside students should look around until they find a class that caters to their whims. With an experienced teacher leading the discussion, the young adults in the course should make significant progress that will translate into high scores later on.

When there is a need to know more on SAT prep course Bayside students can view the related website for more info. Check out this homepage about prep courses by clicking on http://www.satprepcourseny.com now.

By Liza Moye

Going to college is an exciting and life-changing experience. It is considered a turning point in one's life because you will need to choose the major to take and the college or university to apply to. The college application process is what many high school graduates worry and even fear about. Some are afraid of receiving the dreaded rejection letter with the big "NO" in it.

Of course, it can be really disappointing and some of you might even get totally dismayed to the point that you lose hope and would want to give up on you college plan. Well, that is not the right way to handle rejection! We should accept the fact that at different points in our lives, we get rejected and not everything we want will be given to us.

You just need to deal with the rejection in a light way and consider it as a challenge for you to preserve. Below are some helpful ideas to help you deal with college application rejection.

1.) Rejection is the start of a brand new journey. Being rejected from the college you applied is normal. Most if not all college applicants get rejected and this rejection can be a blessing in disguise or an eye-opener for you to apply in another college.

Read carefully the rejection letter and understand every detail on it. They might have indicated the reasons for the rejection or other requirements/options for them to consider your applications. Make sure you don't miss anything important in the letter.

2.) You can always re-apply and transfer. Just because you got rejected from your chosen college doesn't mean you don't have a chance to get in there. You can always re-apply and transfer the following semester or next year. Of course, there are lots of other colleges that you can submit an application. Don't focus on just one or few colleges, open your mind to the thought of getting better education in another school.

3.) Deal with it the same way you handle a breakup. It is normal to cry and feel sad when you get rejected but don't prolong the agony by doing nothing or being miserable. Cry for a few hours or days then move on and submit more applications to colleges you deem suits your skills, intellect and qualifications.

4.) Make a list of colleges you plan to apply. Apply in several colleges and not just one or two. It is best to list first the different colleges you are interested in submitting an application. Write also the pros and cons you can find and learn upon research about these universities so you can analyze well if the college is worth the effort or not.

5.) Getting listed on the "waiting list" is a wonderful chance. Some college and universities got a waiting list which gives student applicants a chance to get accepted. Inquire and know if there is a possibility for you to get included in the waiting list even after you received a refusal letter.

6.) Reassess on what you are really looking for a college - list them. Changing our minds is common especially among young people. It is most likely that what you like today may not be what you want a month from now. Reassess yourself and determine what qualifications you have and then list the colleges that you feel suits you.

Consider your dreams, goals and likes when planning for the course to take and school to enroll to. If at some point during college, you realized you want to change majors then go ahead think thoroughly and apply.

7.) To get into college is already a BIG achievement. Consider yourself to be one lucky guy to be able to enter college. Even if you don't get accepted in the top 3 schools you applied, don't lose hope and instead consider attending a community college or if not you can re-apply next year. But of course, it is best not to let a year pass by so consider applying to a community college.

8.) Don't underestimate or neglect scholarships. Never hesitate to grab a college scholarship that comes your way. College can be costly and having a scholarship to help you with the expenses can be a big help to you and your parents. Inquire ahead on what scholarships are being offered by schools, the government or other organizations. Education is important and worth investing your time, money and effort.

9.) Don't take it personally. Do not badmouth the school that rejected your college application. Understand that they are not rejecting you but your application. They might be something missing in your application which made them decide not to accept you. If the application process involves an interview, then make sure to do your best so they can get to know you more.

10.) Confide to someone close to you. Like other down moments in your life, you need someone to be around to comfort you and encourage you to rise up and move on. Talk to someone close, maybe your best friend, your mom, sister, dad or classmate. They can give suggestions that can help you decide on what course of action to take after the rejection.

Above all, never give up on your dream of finishing college. There are many ways to handle a rejection and push through college as long as you show patience, determination and optimism.

If you need help entering college, visit here to get help and advice.

By James P Fraser

Remember that your reputation in high school did not follow you to college. College will demand different skills and an adjustment period for you to feel comfortable. Try new things and push yourself to succeed.

Along with your required course load, make sure you add some extracurricular activities. By participating in a variety of activities, you will have a better resume for future employment applications. Keep a balanced approach.

You need to socialize during orientation and at certain events. A lot of college students do not know anyone on their first day and feel lonely. By participating in social activities right away, you will be able to meet others who are in the same boat and looking to make friends.

Pay your credit card balance in full every month. If you carry a balance, the interest and late fees add up quickly. Keep in mind that the main reason to have a credit card in college is for emergency use. Monitor your spending and keep in mind that your main goal is to get an education. Don't let yourself become distracted by financial woes.

Bring all the toiletries you need with you when you go off to college. When you don't have enough, you'll run out in a hurry. Shop around for good deals by buying in bulk from outlet stores when possible.

Study as much as possible each day. If you devote yourself to college, you can get the most out of it. Consider college as important as you would any job, but don't overlook the social aspects. The more effort you can put into your schoolwork, the better chance you have at having a better career after graduation.

If you excel in a specific academic area, why wouldn't you use it to earn money? You can use your knowledge to tutor students and earn extra money. Advertise your tutoring services in the dorms as well as the student centers. You could also put an ad in the school newspaper or in the student cafeteria.

Oftentimes, joining a sports team can help you meet new and exciting people. Playing sports in college, however, is not cheap and will require additional spending for things such as uniforms, equipment and trips.

Educate yourself about the career of your choice before you choose a college. This will ensure that the college you choose will offer the courses you need to take in order to get the degree you are interested in obtaining. Speak to admissions to find out if they can help you get the education you require.

You can go overseas with your kids. Unfortunately, many students with children will immediately write-off the opportunity to study any courses overseas. Speak to the school to find out what options you have. Certain programs just cannot be done with children involved, but many others can certainly accommodate your whole family.

Hopefully you are now less afraid of college, armed with the advice above. As you have learned, it is possible for anyone to graduate when armed with the proper tools and right planning. Use this advice and you could even come out with honors! College can be everything that you want it to be, and more.

By Beth S Panelly -- Beth has been an enrollment counselor for over 5 years. For more info on this article content, please view her other articles. Go here sports fundraising ideas for ways to help you financially should you decide to play extracurricular sports in college.

Juliet questioned "What's in a name?" And when it comes to communicating with the colleges, you may think that as well. But, what if you're wrong?

Let's say you decide you like Costalotta University and decide to send them an email asking about their biochemistry program, for example. This is a great idea. So, you send that email and the person who receives your email at Costalotta U sees in their email inbox your email from Lax4Lyfe Or what if it's party4eva?

What if your email name makes you sound more like a slacker or a partier (which you're not) than a potential candidate (which you are) they want to have on their campus?
Maybe your email address is a childhood nickname or based on an inside joke, like 9andahalftoes? When it comes time to look over your file, do you really want the admissions folks to think of you as "cuddlybear"?

And what if your screen name could be considered offensive or just plain weird?
The solution? Create a "just for college" email address using your name or your first initial and last name - you get the idea. You can always forward the emails to your more personal email address that you can continue to use with friends or use a mail management program like Microsoft's Outlook or Apple's Mail to automatically check all of your email accounts.

Your "name only" email account might be boring, but it won't give colleges (or future employers) a bad first impression.

Another place to stay on top of when it comes to where you might make an impression is Facebook. They say a picture is worth a thousand words - but you might not ever get to say 10 words to even begin explaining some wacky photo that you or one of your friends posted to your wall. Colleges (and future employers) could check out your page (because you "liked" the college's page) to learn a little more about you than what is in your application.

If you said in your application that you love community service but on your Facebook page you posted a status saying you skipped out (again) on your scheduled time volunteering at the library, what do you think that might do to your application?

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Part of your Smart Plan For College should include some strategies to make sure that the impression you make with the colleges is a good one.
Your Smart Plan For College Assignment:

Take stock of all the places a college might get a "first impression" - your email address, your Facebook page, your Twitter account, Pinterest, Google + - wherever.

Give your online presence the "Grandma" test - if you wouldn't want your grandmother to see it, then you need to make some changes!

Then, change your email address, delete questionable photos or statements, block so-called friends who think it's hilarious to post dumb things on your wall - do whatever it takes to make sure your first impression is a good one. It is your name, after all.

Jeanmarie Keller has helped thousands of students get into colleges they love while making sure their parents save a fortune on the bill. Jeanmarie is the creator of the Smart Plan For College System which teaches her client-families how to get noticed in the admissions office, get in at the colleges right for them and how to get the money they need to help pay the bill. To receive Jean's weekly email newsletter and Jean's free CD: How To Find Cash For College, subscribe today at http://www.JeanKeller.com

Careful preparation and studying will help you achieve a significantly higher score on both the SAT and the ACT, thereby increasing your chances of getting into your college of choice. But preparing for the SAT or ACT exam can be stressful. With the many options available for practice tests, preparation courses and tutoring, it may be difficult to decide which preparation pathway would be best for you. Here are some tips to help you navigate your preparation pathway:

Plan a schedule for studying.

If you organize when you’ll be studying for your upcoming exam, your time will be more productive. This approach is particularly important if you are involved in multiple activities inside and outside school. NextStepU recommends that you create a schedule for the next four to eight weeks and study a minimum of five days a week. Schedule study sessions during times that you will be alert (e.g. during the day rather than late at night), and schedule blocks of at least an hour. Plan what area of the test you will study during your sessions (focus on one area at a time), and choose an environment that will not be distracting. Eliminating background noises and setting a timer may also help you focus.

 

Take a prep course.

If you feel that you will not be focused enough on your own, many organizations offer prep courses both in person or online. Kaplan and Sylvan Learning are two well-known organizations that offer preparation classes with certified teachers, but it may be worth first asking your teachers and guidance counselors if your school offers classes for free.

 

Hire a private tutor.

If this is something you can afford, it is a great option for any kind of learner. Be careful with your selection of a tutor; aim for one who is well qualified. Kaplan also offers tutoring services, given by certified instructors. You may also want to opt for a tutor recommended by your school or through a reputable agency.

 

Get a prep book and practice.

This is a must for anyone preparing for an exam. The Princeton Review offers high quality preparation manuals, with test-taking tips and practice exams. Make sure that you take multiple mock exams to get a good feel for the test. Remember, practice makes perfect, so take a mock exam about once a week. College Board and the ACT also offer practice tests.

 

There is power in numbers.

Chances are, many of your friends are also preparing for the big test. Start a test-prep study group that meets once or twice a week. You can organize a schedule, review flashcards together and help keep each other focused. But remember: Avoid studying with friends you know will goof off!

 

Strategize.

Once you have decided on an action plan, have a little fun. Play Zero Hour Threat, an SAT and ACT prep video game. SparkNotes has ACT and SAT study guides, with free assessments of your skills. The site also has flashcards to help build your vocabulary in preparation for the exam. Get friends and family to help you study. You may be the one taking the test, but remember that everyone is rooting for you!

 

Melissa Woodson is the community manager for @WashULaw, a premier Masters of Law program offered through Washington University in St. Louis as well as a contributor to the LLM guide. In her spare time, she enjoys running, cooking, and making half-baked attempts at training her dog.

 

Aside from the mundane elements of a college application such as GPA and SAT scores, the one component that must accompany any college application is a personal statement or essay. Students frequently ask me how important that essay is and how it impacts one's chances of admission.

My answer to these questions is always the same: the essay is undoubtedly one of the most integral parts of an application and is oftentimes the deciding factor of whether or not one gains admission. This opinion particularly applies to the premier schools in the nation where students can barely be differentiated on the basis of test scores or class rank. In general, students applying to universities such as Yale or Harvard have exceptional test scores and generally perform well in school.

Test scores and the other various required elements on an application do not have a personal component. Everyone must provide those same numbers, which simply indicates one's performance on a given task. It is true that a number is representative of one's ability to take a test and is generally thought to demonstrate one's aptitude. What makes the essay particularly different from other components of one's application is its personal touch. No two essays will ever look the same and that is what makes the essay special.

Fortunately, one has complete control over the message the essay conveys to its readers. The essay is one's opportunity to "speak" to the individual who is reviewing one's application. It is often the component that makes or breaks one's overall application. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to guarantee that one's essay sheds some light on one's character that would otherwise have not been known to the reader. As a result, it is important to not merely repeat something that was stated elsewhere in one's application. This is unfortunately a common mistake and one that is often detrimental to one's overall chances of admission.

The essay, unless specified otherwise, does not have any requirements of a topic. One can write freely about whatever comes to one's mind. Some individuals opt to write about abstract ideas that come into their minds and how they relate. Others discuss personal dilemmas and the obstacles they have overcome. These examples serve to demonstrate the vast flexibility one has with the essay topic. Another positive aspect of the essay is that there is not one right topic to select that optimizes one's chances of admission. The right topic depends on the given individual.

However, the unlimited options present a challenge to many students who have numerous life experiences and are unsure how to decide which one to select. To that end, a counselor is an invaluable person. Friends and family may be helpful for a preliminarily discussions, but these individuals often lack the experience it requires to help make the best choice. A counselor is one who has both experience and a proven record for success.

Visit http://www.consultific.com to learn more about the college admission essay. Preetam Dutta, an undergraduate at Yale University, is the lead advisor and CEO of Consultific LLC. His team promotes a "scientific approach" to college admissions and has a proven track record of success.

High school guidance counselors help students with a variety of issues. One of the most important aspects for juniors and seniors is their quest to go to college. There are many different ways that guidance counselors can help students to find the right fit for a future career. Kids and their parents will need assistance in finding colleges that meet their academic and social needs. For those who have not yet chosen a potential major, these professionals can provide guidance and tips on how to discover a possible career path or how to proceed with higher education.

College Fairs
Counselors can help students learn about various colleges and universities through college fairs. The traditional college fair involves reps from many different schools visiting at once, each sitting at a booth with brochures and school hats while asking students to fill out contact information cards. One of the newest trends for counselors is to help students interact with university representatives through virtual college fairs. Virtual college fairs give students the opportunity to chat live with admissions reps from schools that pique their interest.

Surveys
Not everyone knows what they want to be when they grow up, even when college is lurking around the corner. Some students simply don't know what they want to do. Others, however, have had an eye on a certain career path for years to the point of having tunnel vision. High school guidance counselors can offer students the opportunity to take a career interest survey as a guide toward choosing a college major. Filled with questions about personal interests, hobbies, preferences and aspirations, these surveys are designed to help students narrow down their potential career interests. From here, the student can look at schools that offer higher education and specialized training in these fields.

Academic Guidance
Helping teens find ways to improve their grades and to focus on designing a class schedule are two ways that guidance counselors can help student with college planning. Kids that have a good academic base are more likely to be accepted to the college of their choice. Those with a strong academic foundation geared toward their career interests will have a head start when planning their college class schedules.
A visit to the high school guidance counselor's office can help kids who are both decided and undecided about their future educations and careers. These professional can assist with college planning and setting goals, as well as finding and choosing schools that will best fit the student's future.

By Christine M Harrell -- If you are interested in a college fair, be sure to visit http://www.collegeweeklive.com/.

Roughly 70 percent of students go on to college after completing high school. For simplicity, let us assume that 3 million young men and women graduate high school each year. That would mean that 2.1 million individuals would continue on to college. That's encouraging. Despite the occasional story about an individual who is successful without attending college, statistics have shown that those who attend college are more likely to earn more and live a more economically stable life.

However, does that mean that everyone attends an "excellent" school? The hard truth is that the answer is no. If we consider the top 20 schools according to U.S. World and News Report, approximately 2000 students are admitted to each of these schools with a relatively large standard deviation. This means that there are only 40,000 spots available and oftentimes the same student is admitted to many of these premier schools.

In recent months (and years), the advancement of American science programs has become a priority. Even President Obama has stepped in and recommended that we build these same programs. Colleges have taken note. As mentioned in my biography, I am an undergraduate at Yale University. Each successive year, I have been able to note visible changes the school has made to advance its science programs and attract the best students in the field.

What does all this mean? It seems as though there is a missing link in this article. College admissions have turned into a game. Like any game, one must have a strategy to increase the chances of victory. Similarly, one approach for a student would be to focus on the sciences as one goes through high school to increase one's chances of being accepted to one of the premier schools in the nation.

There are a myriad of ways to accomplish this feat: science competitions, research, etc. However, through the entire process, a mentor is needed who has insight and can direct students in the right direction. This individual can be a teacher or an outsider who has had success in this field. Be warned though that this is simply a strategy. It is not guaranteed to get one into the school of their dreams, but will guarantee that one has a good chance of getting admitted. The purpose of using any strategy is to increase one's probability of admission, but nothing can ever fully guarantee admission to a school. Science just looks awfully lucrative right now.

Visit http://www.consultific.com for more information about how to accomplish this method and get into the school of your dreams.

By Preetam K Dutta

The Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges look for in High School Students is a survey of independent college consultants that changes every time it's compiled, an event that occurs every few years. The rigor of your high school curriculum (#1), your grades (#2), and your SAT and ACT test scores (#3) still top the list. But there are also some changes from prior years.

Guess what? The importance of the application essay has moved up in the list to #6! Part of the reason for this is that many colleges have begun to make the SAT and ACT optional with "test optional" policies. The admissions essay continues to be more important to private liberal arts colleges than it is at large state universities, so if you are targeting Ivy League and other top private schools, put some focused attention on the essay part of your application.

It's hard to write a good essay without good material. Not surprisingly, half of the listed factors are all essay-related as well. "Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative" (#4) gives you great essay material. "Special talents or experiences" (#7) is also fodder for an outstanding essay, as is "demonstrated leadership in activities" (#8).

It is crystal clear from this list that schools are not looking for well-rounded students - they are looking for leaders. It is much more important to get deeply involved in a few activities than to do a little of everything. And you'll have a lot more to write about in your college application essay if you take on leadership positions that require you to manage people, organize big projects and events, and grow as a person.

Note that succeeding in these areas requires some planning ahead. If you are not a harp player already by the time you are entering your senior year of high school, it is unlikely that you will become one. If you haven't been deeply involved in a student organization, it might be difficult to take on leadership suddenly. It's more important than ever to find your passion early and follow it. That way you can naturally demonstrate "intellectual curiosity through reading, school, leisure pursuits, and more" (#9).

Take the factor "demonstrated enthusiasm to attend" (#10) under advisement as you write your college essay. You would do well to write something about why you want to attend a particular school, especially if it's your first or second choice. Just make sure to send the correct essay to each school, mentioning the school you're applying to and not another school! Mixing this one up is a great way to get yourself into the "no" pile (and it happens all the time).

Thankfully, you have a lot of guidance about how to get into the "yes" pile. Determine where you will most stand out as an interesting candidate with leadership abilities, and write a great essay about it.
You may have noticed that #5 has not yet been revealed: It is Letters of Recommendation "that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character traits, and an interest in learning." You simply can't make this one up at the last minute. Be a serious, involved, committed and ethical student from the get-go and you will demonstrate characteristics to your teachers that they will be proud to share with an admissions committee.

Although the order of this list may change slightly from year to year, the items listed hold fairly steady. Use this list as a roadmap to get into the best school for you!

http://www.TheEssayExpert.com

For writing that gets results.
Brenda Bernstein, Founder and Senior Editor, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Brenda Bernstein is a Senior Law School Admissions Consultant at Kaplan, where she has been coaching law school applicants on their essays and resumes since 2000. She received her J.D. from NYU and her B.A. in English from Yale, practiced public interest law for ten years, and worked for one year as a J.D. Career Advisor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Brenda owns The Essay Expert LLC, a successful writing and editing business.