When applying to university, the admissions require consider more than just grades. It’s common knowledge that colleges take into account a student’s academic rigor, their written recommendations, and their standardized test scores. But did you know that factors like community service, extended travel experience and specialized skills can also be attractive qualities in a college candidate? This rings true tenfold if the student participates in these areas during all their years of secondary education because it demonstrates the ability to manage long-term commitments. Community Service Often adolescence represents a period of personal growth and exploration. So when a high school student dedicates a consistent portion of their time to bettering their community, colleges take notice. Now this does not mean that your child should be collecting litter from the roadside for hours on end. Rather, a regular and consistent investment in community organizing and activities speaks volumes. Think about volunteering with children or the elderly, acting as a member of the community board, or helping to bring local events and initiatives into fruition. What is even better is tailoring your child’s service to their aptitudes and interests. If your child loves music, perhaps volunteering to stage manage music programs at the elementary and middle schools or the local theater is suitable. Just take care to be consistent, sincere and committed to the work. Extended Travel Experience Navigating the world is no small feat. Students who pursue their academic or professional passions abroad can be positioned as worldly candidates for admission. This is because international travel often imparts unparalleled insight and massive personal growth. When constructing an incoming freshman class, admissions officers value students who can contribute authentic, global perspectives and who may bring that drive and boldness to campus. Specialized Skills Now most parents have heard of the stereotype that all children should play piano, chess and be class president in order to get into the college of their dreams. While these skills are undoubtedly valuable, a multitude of fascinating and unique possibilities exist that will impress colleges. Let’s take our previous example of music. Hypothetically speaking, admissions officers want to fill their freshman class with talented and driven students. They also have an imperative to replenish the needs of their university. For example, if the college boasts a full orchestra, then there are a finite number of pianists that they can utilize. This is because they must also have bassoonists and cellists and french horn players. So as you begin to introduce your child to various skills, feel free to allow for quirky choices. With four dedicated years in high school honing their craft, you may find that playing the bassoon proves equally impressive as the piano in the eyes of admissions officers.
Nowadays, the college your child attends can exercise significant influence on their careers. Some universities boast top-tier programs, luxurious amenities or celebrity alumni. But no collection of universities in the United States has amassed quite the level of prestige that the Ivy League commands today. Consisting of eight universities, the Ivy League is synonymous with elite education and professional success. The coalition of Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, UPenn and Cornell uses a highly selective application and admission process in order to procure the top talent from each year’s crop of prospective freshman. A common sentiment regarding an Ivy League education suggests that the “hardest part is getting in.” While there’s no measure of how accurate this statement may be, it is clear that presenting the strongest possible application is essential for admission. Here are a fews tips for how to make your student’s Ivy League application unforgettable. Specialize or Diversify When it comes to Ivy Leaguers, there is no shortage of excellence. A strategic approach may be to have your child specialize in a particular area of academics, extracurriculars, athletics or volunteering and seek to become the best. National awards, global social change headlines and state championships are just a few measures of success in a given specialty, all of which look marvelous on an application. Conversely, if your student tends to be more of a jack-of-all-trades, encourage them to diversify their interests. Instead of striving to be the world-reigning spelling bee champion and nothing else, urge your young one to excel in many areas. Take care not to press them for national mastery across the board, or you can cause undue stress. Remember that an applicant who operates a weekly volunteer group, earns top scores in class and enjoys playing a rare varsity sport, for example, is just as interesting as a savant in one distinct area. Consistency Once you decide whether to specialize or diversify your child’s time and skill set, stay consistent. Ivy League universities prize regular, long-term effort in order to achieve a goal. Why, do you ask? Because college requires regular, long-term effort in order to achieve a degree. Ivy League universities prize themselves on sky-high retention rates, and they want students who intend to complete the program. By demonstrating that your child can commit to playing lacrosse all four years while maintaining a strong GPA, for example, application readers appreciate the ability to manage time effectively. Originality The college application gamble is exactly that, a gamble. There is no tried-and-true method for acceptance, and no lather-rinse-repeat process to gain entry. But in an increasingly competitive application pool full of more aspiring Ivy Leaguers than ever before, the name of the game is not only excellence, but originality. Think critically about how your child can contribute a unique perspective, energy or presence to a college campus. Are they well-versed in a niche area of literature? Or perhaps they take initiative by establishing innovative organizations or clubs? Maybe they’ve experienced living in a wide variety of cultural contexts and can speak multiple languages? Regardless of what sets your student apart, definitely underscore that throughout the application. After all, the world is globalizing, and in order for the Ivy League to continue to remain top-tier, they must find young people who can bolster their global prestige and influence. All in all, the key to a strong Ivy League application is leveraging specialized or diversified skill sets with a display of consistency and originality. Wishing each and every one of your students good luck!
Standardized tests are a cornerstone of the college application process. Parents devote ample time and energy to preparing the prospective college freshmen in their homes for success with Kaplan courses and Princeton Review guidebooks. But in the last two years, both the American College Test (ACT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) have been redesigned. So how do they compare to their older versions? Also, which test best suits your child’s needs and abilities? Let’s first break down how the test have evolved in recent years. In September of 2015, the ACT was redesigned to incorporate new sub-scoring categories for each of the four core sections: English, Math, Reading and Science. The rationale behind the change meant to provide greater insight into a student’s personal strengths and weaknesses. Thus in addition to the composite score graded on a 1-36 scale, students also receive scores in four new subcategories: S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), English Language, Career Readiness and Text Complexity. Each of these areas theoretically contribute to a more detailed snapshot of the student’s aptitudes. Along with new scoring mechanisms, the ACT made alterations to the optional writing section by extending the time from thirty minutes to forty minutes. The essay requires analysis of multiple perspectives as opposed to general prompt response of older formats. While these changes do not impact the difficulty of the questions themselves, being aware of how best to prepare could be the difference between earning a 28 and a 30 on the exam. Collegeboard first administered the new SAT in March 2016, which decreased total exam time from three hours and forty-five minutes to just three hours (excluding an optional fifty minute essay section). The old Critical Reading and Writing sections, once famous for their vocabulary sections, have been combined into a single Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section that poses questions related to textual excerpts. The new format also eliminated the point penalty for incorrect responses, and extended the time allotted for writing from twenty-five minutes to fifty. Most importantly, perhaps, the score range shifted from 600-2400 to a scale of 400-1600. So a 1600 back in 2012 meant a very mediocre score, whereas now a 1600 denotes perfection. But how to choose between the two exams? First and foremost, not all colleges accept scores from both exams, Not to worry though, because most do. If you want to verify, search through the comprehensive Collegeboard.org database of application requirements. If you can choose either or both, then let the content inform your decision. Note that the main content difference between the ACT and SAT centers around the ACT having a Science section, while the SAT does not. In terms of test formatting, the SAT requires a No-Calculator Math section, while the ACT permits calculators for the entire Math section. With respect to aids, the SAT provides common algebra and geometry formulas, while the ACT does not. Our suggestion? Review these content and formatting differences with your child in order to gauge their preferences. Still stuck? Have them complete sample SAT and ACT questions and then compare the scores. At the end of the day, rest assured that many colleges permit students to submit the highest scores per section for either test, without reviewing all scores from each exam attempt. When choosing between the ACT and SAT, be sure to prioritize your child’s preferences along with the application requirements of the colleges they hope to attend. In any case, happy testing and good luck!
Congratulations on your decision to go to college! It is an exciting time in your life, that may also a stressful one. There are many important areas to consider when you begin to think of the best way to be ready for college, as a student. Preparing For College Means Two Things: Be Prepare To Work Hard Be Prepares To Take Time Inside & Outside of School To Explore Your Career Interests A strong academic foundation in high school improves your odds of getting into a good college. During high school, focus on completing the following: 1 year of High School Physics 1 year of High School Chemistry 1 year of High School Biology Math (up to Calculus) 2-4 years of a Foreign Language 4 years of English 2 years of History and/or Social Sciences To create this foundation, take at least five solid academic classes every semester. Start with the basics, and then move on to challenging yourself in advanced courses. Most colleges require students to meet certain college prep curriculum standards, so just meeting the minimum is not necessarily the best way to prepare for college. Make sure you check to see what your college of choice requires. Strong preparation means going beyond the minimum. Colleges also expect students to have interests outside of academics. Sports and other extracurricular activities show admission officers that students are well-rounded and can contribute to life on campus. Volunteering or working part-time also indicates a sense of duty and commitment, further proof that students are ready for the responsibilities college entails. It takes a lot of work to prepare for college admission. With a little effort and time, you will do great. Remember to choose extra curricular activities that you enjoy to show how unique you are.
