Application options

 The college application process is a lot of work and can easily be confusing and stressful.

 It does not help that for many students they will need to complete  three or more applications.

 Almost everyone will need to complete the common application. This is used by  700  universities including many ivy league schools.

 The   other application that is widely used is the Coalition application. The complete name is the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success. nearly 200-member programs support this application. The universal application is newer and is also used by several programs.

 Finally some universities have their own applications.

 Most notable the University of California application used by all 10 of the  UC campuses.  Texas apply is the application for the University of Texas system.

  MIT is the only  private university to have its own  application.

  Even The University of Chicago has given up on its uncommon application and uses the common application  with an "uncommon supplement"

Happy Teachers Day

 Today is teachers day. I would like to acknowledge all the great teachers I have been forunate to have studied with.

This serves as a timely reminder for college applicants that you need to get teacher recommendations. Please pick teachers who know you well and can write something meaningful about you. Ideally the teacher should teach a subject related to your intended major.

 A good recommendation will focus on your abilities and interests and not grades. It helps if the teacher can write something involving a relevant anecdote to talk about your problem-solving skills. Do suggest this to your teacher

 Your personal rapport with the teacher should be a key factor.  A good recommendation will talk about your problem-solving ability and how you are able to work in groups.

 Even though I majored in computer science, my recommendation was written by my French teacher as it was a small class  and  I  we had a sense of mutual respect between us.

factors to consider

 There are hundreds of factors that can and should influence your college choice.

Let me look at a few of the  important ones

1. Location:   This is not about just distance from home and the weather but issues like are you in a rural or urban environment.  for international students especially an urban location  is usually an easier transition.

2. Academics: After all this is what you are in college for.  do not look at rankings but rather consider how many courses are taught by TAs instead of faculty.  consider student -faculty ratios and the level of faculty involvement. Are you better off in a smaller liberal arts college with seminar type courses or a major research university with large anonymous lecture rooms

3.  Finances: I keep this third, but it is arguably the most important.  Sit with your family and a financial advisor to set your budget up front. Use this to determine which colleges can provide the financial support you may require. It is best to be direct and let colleges know what you can afford. This is probably the best way to create a shortlist from a long list.

Selecting colleges and universities

  One of the first steps to a  productive and successful application is to select the right colleges and universities to apply to.
 This is where a   good college counselor can  help.
 After all  if the colleges you apply to are really appealing and both excite and interest you, that will show in your  essays and make your applicatiuon even  more compeling.

 The biggest mistake to make is to only use college rankings to select universities.   Keep in mind that  there is more to a college than classes and academics. It will be "home" for the next four years and you need to feel that you belong.  Every college has a personality  and you need to  identify those that match your own.

 Start by talking to people and getting advice. Your teachers and fellow students will be good resources. Do attend college fairs in your  area.   Many universitiees and colleges  even go on international tours. Your high school will probably have several college visits ovr the year. Do attend them all. If a school really grabs your attention   keep it in mind for an Early Decision or Early Action application. If possible visit the colleges that interest you


 Start building a longlist of about 35 schools that interest you, then cut it down to a shortlist of 8 to apply to.

The class of 2023 admissions cycle starts now

 If you are a student  intending to apply for the class of 2023  the admissions  cycle has 

begun in earnest at this stage. By now you should have   finioshed studying for the standardized tests and ideally taken the SAT or ACT  once.If not please register for the October SAT.

Also  you need to start building your college list. I find it helps to caterrgorize them in 3 categories

1.  Aspirational 
2. Realistic
3. Safe

 Try to identify  five  to seven schools in each category that interest and excite you   Eventrually  use this to gendersate a list of eight to ten university to apply to.

Start paying attention to which schools offer Early Decision anmd Early Action  options.

 Its also a good idea ro take a look at the common application and the essay prompts.

Select the teachers  you will use as references and  let your school counselor know og your plans.

 I will be bloggong more on wach of the steps in the coming days.

days until the Jan 01 deadline:138

waitlisted

 One  of the most frustrating  occurances with college admissions is gettinhg  waitlisted.
 Aty many universities a fith to a quarter of students who are wailisted get accepted so do not lose hope.

 How to respond to being waitlisted

•  If the college is high on your list and you want to get in-  please respond back affirmatively. say something  like" thank you for taking the time to evaluate my application. While disappointed I  was not accepted , I  want to remain in consideration for a place at University XYZ.

 Also do let the  admissions office know of any changes in your profile   that have happened since you submitted your application .

•  If  you are not interested in the college - pleaes write back and say no. While you may not be interested in getting on , there asre bound to be other students who  truly want to get in and removing your self from the waitlist is the fair and honest thing to do.

Rolling admissions

 The goal of rolling admissions is to space out the application window giving both students and the admissions staff motre time.


 Here is a list of Universities that offer rolling admissions:

• Arizona State University
• Indiana University
• Michigan State
• Pace University
• 
  
  • Arizona State University
  • Indiana University
  • Michigan State
  • Pace University
  • Penn State
  • Quinnipiac
  • Texas A&M
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Maine
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Tulsa
• Purdue
• Quinnipiac
• Texas A&M
• University of Alabama
• University of Maine
• University of Minnesota
• University of New Haven
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Tulsa

 The schools in bols are the ones I recommend.
 Do note that many schools that offer rolling Admissions will also have a separate priority admissions deadline of  November 1or December 1. This deadline is equivalent to an Early Action plan.
 While rolling admissions deadlines  may extend to  July  opr August on paper chances are  that are are not too many open places for students at this stage.   Try to get all your rolling decision applications in by March 01 at latest.

 You can expect a response within four weeks of  your application.