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Information provided by
KAPTEST.com
Do yourself a favor: Before you send in your
application, proofread! Nothing will make admissions officers
dump your application in the reject pile faster than a sloppy,
illegible or error-ridden application.
A
Persistent Myth
Admissions committees seek to recruit well-rounded students.
This is NOT necessarily true. What they're
usually looking for is a well-rounded student body comprised
of students with various interests and skills. This is good
news. It means you don't need a ten-page list of activities
stuffed with entries like the Trampoline Club and the Polka
Band (unless, of course, you truly enjoy participating in the
Polka Band).
But don't cut down on your activities for fear
of appearing unfocused. Believe it or not, admissions
committees can differentiate between those who are trying to
load up their activities sheet and those who have a sincere
interest in their extracurriculars. Don't worry about joining
clubs you think colleges want to see on your resume. Do what
you're really interested in.
Show
the Real You
Feel like your GPA and SAT or ACT score don't tell the whole
story? That's what your essays are for. Be yourself (but
"yourself" with good grammar and perfect spelling).
The cliche "Write about what you know" has never
been more true. For more advice on essays, consult your
teachers or your guidance counselors. Here are some essay
questions that have been asked in the past:
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Describe what you would
consider to be the perfect adventure. (Hollins
College) |
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What do you value most in
a relationship? Describe the person you feel closest
to and why your relationship is so strong. (Austin
College) |
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If you could declare a new
holiday, what would you celebrate/commemorate? Why?
How would it be observed? (University of Puget Sound) |
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You have just completed
your three-hundred-page autobiography. Please submit
page 217. (University of Pennsylvania)
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Sell
Yourself
The interview, though often not required, is another chance to
show the real you. Try to schedule your interview for a Monday
or a Friday, and spend the weekend on campus. If you don't
know anyone at that school, call the admissions office. Most
schools sponsor an overnight program for prospective students.
As for the interview itself, the most
important thing you can do is RELAX. Remember, you're there to
find out more about the school just as much as to make an
impression. Dress appropriately, go in armed with some
questions that you genuinely want to ask, practice your firm
handshake, and you'll do fine. If you're extraordinarily
nervous about the interviewing process, rehearse with your
guidance counselor or a friend.
Keeping
up with Yesterday
If you're not a procrastinator, consider applying for EARLY
ADMISSIONS. There are usually two alternatives—Early Action
(an admission decision that binds the school to the applicant,
but not vice versa) and Early Decision (an admission decision
that binds both the school and the applicant to one another).
Be aware of which schools offer which options and their
corresponding early deadlines.
Plan to get your regular applications in early
while there are more spots available. Some schools have
rolling admissions; in these cases, spots are taken as
applications arrive and are accepted, so it's especially
important to get your application in as early as possible.
More
Information
Learn more about college admissions www.kaptest.com/college .
Learn about Kaplan's SAT programs at www.kaptest.com/sat .
Learn about Kaplan's ACT programs at www.kaptest.com/act .
Enroll in a Kaplan course at www.kaptest.com/enroll .
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