Advice

So many colleges, so hard to find the best fit. Most students find that creating an expansive list of schools they’d like to go to is easier than winnowing down the list. Here are some tips to help narrow your focus.

1. Make sure the list is balanced. Have a conversation with your high school college counselor to see which category each college on your list fits into: reach (less than 30% chance of admission), target (30-60% chance of admission), or safety (greater than 60% chance of admission). You need one DEFINITE safety school at the very least. Ideally, you should apply to 3-4 reach schools, 3-5 target schools, and 1-2 safety schools. If your have 8 reach schools on your list, then start cutting!

2. Verbalize or write down the pros and cons of each college. What would you pursue at the college both inside and outside the classrooms? You should have done your research on each of the schools and know professors, courses, extracurricular activities, resources, community service, study abroad and internship opportunities at each college. This will help you decide which communities are good matches for you.

3. Get beyond the colleges' names and get into their experiences. Try this. Cover up the names of the schools and just discuss academic course of study, professors, activities, organizations, student population, resources, surrounding community, etc. Take the names out of the discussion. When you focus on the experiences, often the truth comes out and some colleges will be cut even though its name was a very attractive one.

4. Consider the location of the college and the cost of traveling to and from home. Some students get excited about going far away, across the country, to college. But the reality of being so far away may be daunting once you are actually living there. Think about location and community. What kind of community would make you most comfortable? Urban? Suburban? Rural? What does the surrounding community/town/city offer?

5. Visiting colleges will often rule some out! In a guidebook a college may look as if it fits the bill perfectly. It’s not until you get up close and visit that you see a more complete picture. If you can afford the time and expense of doing some college visits it can help you edit your list! Often you get a gut feeling (kind of like dating) about the college as soon as you are on campus. You’ll instantly know if the community is a good match or not. Seeing what it is really like to be at the college (especially if school is in session) helps make the decision to keep the college or cut it from the list and is often the tie-breaker.

Although Halloween usually marks the start of the holiday season for America’s retailers, if you are a Senior applying to college, the day signals the unofficial start of the college application season.

Regardless of your grades or test scores, you will likely struggle writing your personal statement, commonly known as “the college essay.” Here are six tips that will help you through this stressful, but essential part of the college application.

1. Follow directions.
Make sure that you address the recommended topics and answer the questions asked. Also, heed word or page limits. Good writing does not necessarily mean lengthy writing. Rarely do four single-spaced pages impress very busy admissions officers who must make quick judgments of your candidacy. If you are using the Common Application, I recommend that your personal statement not exceed one and a half pages.

2. Use the appropriate format.
When applying online, your essay will automatically be formatted to fit standard guidelines. However, if you decide not to send the application electronically, follow these guidelines:
• Use single space.
• Use Times New Roman in a 12-point font.
• Make sure that each page has your name, high school and date of birth.
• Print on only one side of the page.

3. Start with a catchy first sentence.
It is always a good idea to have a catchy first sentence. If it grabs the reader’s attention, he or she will be encouraged to read on. If you are experiencing writer’s block, skip this first sentence, and work on the rest of your essay. Explore your theme and brainstorm examples. Then, go back to the beginning and nail it.

4. Avoid clichés.
Do you see commonly used phrases in your essay that you’ve heard frequently in casual conversation? If so, these are probably clichés. Clichés usually sneak in when you are trying to be descriptive. Sadly, clichés dilute your distinctive voice. For example, you may write: “it was raining cats and dogs.” Instead, you could share the same idea with the sentence: “heavy raindrops fell, blinding my view.” Rewrite overly-used statements in an original way so you can stand out.

5. Use the active voice.
This is a challenge for all writers. As a matter of style, writing in an active voice energizes an essay. Avoid the passive voice. Word processing programs often provide assistance with converting passive sentences to the active tense.

6. Use your conclusion to recapture the main points of your essay.
Your conclusion should leave a lasting statement that reminds the reader of your essay’s key points. Reiterate the main themes of your essay, but say it in a different way than you did before. Make sure that you do not bring up new ideas in your conclusion.

I hope these tips help you write a great college essay. As solid writing only comes with practice, I recommend that you invest time in your personal statement. To start, complete a first draft of your essay at least one month before the deadline. Then, take a break between revisions. A few days between each draft will allow you to think clearly and not be overwhelmed. Share copies with your friends, teachers and parents to get their feedback. With continual proofreading and editing, you’ll be able to see a fresh perspective.

When I first started working in the Brown Admissions Office, I assumed my primary responsibility was to select the strongest students. Instead, I soon discovered that my job was a combination of both gatekeeper and counselor. Even with a highly talented pool of students, my admissions colleagues and I spent many hours discussing how a student would make an impact in and out of class. Letters of recommendation were crucial during this assessment.

As you work on your applications, know that there are a few steps that you can take to ensure a great recommendation letter.

Step 1: Pick the Right Teachers
I cannot tell you the number of times I have read letters from coaches or violin teachers or shop teachers. Your primary recommenders should be in your core academic subjects in your Junior or Senior year. Also, a common misconception is that you have to pick someone in whose class you got an A. It is often better to select someone who got to know you well and saw you grow and improve. Your references need to comment on your personality, impact in the school community, and your academic skills. Finally, do not duplicate. Every aspect of your application should share new and different information about you. Try not to pick teachers from the same academic subject. If you do, they should share diverse sides of the your academic and social contributions.

Step 2: Meet with Your References before you ask for a letter
Meet with your teacher at least one month in advance to ask for a recommendation. Then, spend some time to discuss your college search process. During the meeting, give them a copy of your resume and examples of your assignments. The more information they have about you and your colleges, there greater the likelihood that they can customize your letter to show why you are a great match. With all of this information in hand, then you can ask if they would not mind writing a letter. If you put this effort beforehand, it is very likely that they will say yes!

Step 3: Help your teacher as much as you can
Once your teachers agree to write a letter on your behalf, give them the appropriate forms with a self-addressed envelope and a self-addressed return postcard. This post card will let you know when your letter has been received by the admissions office. Also, make sure that you ask your teachers to keep a copy. Finally, badgering your teacher every day about your letter will not help. Instead, politely ask if your letter has been submitted once a week.

Step 4: Waive your right to see the letter
Why? This tells colleges that a) you are confident about your teacher’s assessment of you and b) the letter they are reading is an honest reflection of you as a student. If you do not waive your right colleges might think a) you have something to hide and b) they shouldn’t take the letter as seriously as it may not be entirely forthcoming.

Step 5: Show your appreciation
Remember, your teachers are helping you with your application and they are generously giving their time to write this letter on your behalf. A great letter of recommendation will not guarantee you admission to your school, but it does not hurt. When your application is due, express your appreciation with a small token—such as a box of chocolates!

With these five easy steps, you can ensure that you’ve done what you can to help your teachers write the best recommendation that they possibly can. Remember, admissions officers are looking for letters that are honest and give a glimpse of your personality and contributions to your school and community that your grades and test scores cannot.

Best of Luck!

It’s September and the start of another busy fall semester. If you are a Junior or a Senior, you know that this is the time of year when college representatives are in your hometown. They are either visiting your school, having evening receptions, or attending local college fairs. This is an excellent way to get information without visiting the campus. It is also an opportunity to make a great impression on the admissions officer who may be evaluating your application in a few short months.

As a former admission officer at Brown, I can tell you how eye opening it is to meet students in their school or hometown. While the sheer volume of students can be overwhelming, it was refreshing when I met someone who was enthusiastic, sincere and knowledgeable about Brown. Even after weeks away from home, I came back to Providence remembering the handful of students who made a positive impression on me. So, here are my top five tips that will make you a memorable candidate to a visiting admissions officer.

1. Be Five Minutes Early to Introduce Yourself
After you’ve decided which colleges you’d like to get to know better, plan ahead and try to get there early. If you are there first, you might have the opportunity to spend one on one time with the admissions officer. If it is a presentation, get a good seat close to the officer and take that time to introduce yourself. If it is a college fair, try to be one of the first individuals to speak with the admissions officer.

2. Dress and Behave to Impress
I remember walking into a classroom of 150 students and giving my presentation. Most were very casually dressed. At the back of the room was a soft-spoken young man wearing a suit. He followed every word I said. I assumed he was a teacher, but at the end of the session he, thanked me for my talk and asked for my e-mail address. How he presented himself made him stand out from his classmates. Remember, it’s your job to make a positive impression. So, dress well if you can. You’ll not only make an impression on the admissions officer, but on your classmates and teachers as well. They will see how serious you are taking the college search process

3. Be thoughtful about your questions
Do your research on each college before they visit. Ask qualitative questions NOT quantitative ones. For example, a quantitative question asks about Brown’s average SAT score. You can find that answer on the Brown website and in many college guidebooks. Here’s an example of a qualitative question that impressed me: “How has President Simmons’ push for globalization changed the international relations department or expanded study abroad options?” Try to ask a question that digs deeper in the academic and social experience of being a student at that school.

4. End the conversation on a good note
Harassing the admissions officer by dominating the conversation or monopolizing his or her time can leave a bad impression. Instead, after asking your three thoughtful, qualitative questions, end the conversation by saying, “I do have more questions, but let me give you time to meet with other students. Can I have your email/business card so I can keep in touch?” Take his or her business card and give a firm handshake when you say goodbye.

5. Follow up within 48 hours
When you get home, review your notes from the conversation you had with the admissions officer. Then, write the admissions officer a short, thank you e-mail, noting a few details of your conversation. Make sure you include your first and last name, high school and date of your conversation. This will help your admission officer remember your face out of the hundreds, maybe thousands of students that he or she may see during his or her fall recruitment travels. Use this e-mail to ask another question and make sure you convey how genuinely enthusiastic you are about the possibility of applying to their school. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get a response. Remember, you are demonstrating sincere interest and that leaves a lasting impression.

Armed with these tips, you will make a wonderful first and lasting impression on the admissions officers of your top schools. Work hard this semester and remember to have fun when you’re researching schools. Good luck!

1. Register for standardized tests NOW
Most students wait until the summer after their Junior year to study and cram for the SAT/ACT. As a result, once you get your scores in October, you only have one or two more opportunities to re-take the exams to improve scores. Give yourself more time to improve by taking the tests early in the spring semester. This way, you’ll have time to study over the summer. Get the ball rolling: the deadline is January 29 for the March 1 test.

2. Visit a college during your winter or spring break
Visiting a college campus will help you and your parents get a sense of your preferences and needs. Some students may plan a trip to visit Ivy League schools in the Northeast, while others may drive to a local campus. You do not need to wait for an open house to visit a campus. Visiting and talking to students while college is in session will help you get a true sense of what college life is like.

3. Plan to take SAT subject tests in May or June
Many schools require SAT subject tests for admission and some colleges require you to submit scores from two SAT Subject tests. You should plan to take an SAT Subject Test in a course that you are currently doing well in. This way, the material is fresh and you’ll perform better on the exam. Avoid the stress of taking subject tests in the fall of your senior year. So, register now for the May 3 and June 7 SAT Subject Test date.

4. Identify teachers who can write your college recommendations
Asking a teacher for a recommendation two weeks before the application is due is not a good idea. Also, by identifying who you might want a recommendation from, you can focus on not just getting the A, but how you get the A. Once you’ve identified teachers that you are interested in asking for a recommendation, start cultivating a strong relationship. Spend time talking with them about the work you are doing in and out of class. You can even talk to them about your college search. You might be surprised at how happy they are to hear about your future plans.

5. Set up an appointment with your guidance counselor
Your school will probably have a college day or financial aid night that you and your family should attend. You should also make an effort to speak to your guidance counselor sooner rather than later. The more your guidance counselor knows about your needs and wants, the better the advice he or she can give you in the next few months.

So let’s get started! Follow these tips to make your junior year successful! Make an appointment today.

Getting deferred from your top choice school is disappointing. But, don’t despair!

The competition in the early action/early decision applicant pool becomes increasingly intense year after year. In fact, many schools deny students in their early application cycle if the admissions committee feels that a candidate is not competitive enough. So, focus on the bright side. Being deferred gives you the opportunity to send additional information to your top choice school to strengthen your application in the regular round. The checklist below gives you some tips on you what can do when you are deferred:

1. As soon as possible, find out who your contact is in the admissions office at your top choice school.
Take the opportunity to get in touch with that individual, asking for advice on what you can do to improve your application in the regular decision round. Heed their advice. Your job is to listen closely and not to argue the admission’s committee decision. This is a great opportunity for you to make a personal connection with your admissions officer so make sure that you leave a positive impression.

2. By February 1st, write a one-page letter addressed to the Dean of Admissions. You should also send copies to your admissions representative and anyone else in the school that you have corresponded with. Your letter should implement the following:
a. Genuinely show your commitment to your top choice school and indicate that if you are admitted, you intend to enroll.
b. Re-state your reasons why that school best fits your academic and personal needs. Make references to specific professors, courses, extra-curricular activities and research opportunities that show your knowledge of the school.
c. Update your school on all the achievements you have made, both inside and outside of the classroom, since you submitted your Early Action/Decision application.
d. Be upbeat and do not show signs of disappointment or frustration.

3. If you have not visited your top choice school, take the opportunity to visit the campus before March 1st. A campus visit can help you decide if the college is truly for you. During your campus visit, see if you can schedule the following:
a. A face-to-face meeting with your admissions representative.
b. Sit in on classes and have the opportunity to meet with a professor before or after class.
c. Have lunch in the campus dining center to meet with current students.

4. By March 1st, make sure your first choice school receives:
a. A mid-year report with fall semester grades.
b. An official score report from the SAT/ACT that shows any new test scores that you might have taken since you submitted your original application.
c. An e-mail to your admissions representative reminding him or her about your application and interest in the college.

5. Continue to pursue your second or third choice schools.
Even though showing sincere interest may help your application at your first choice school, it is still possible that the admissions committee may not admit you in April. It is hard to predict the nuances of the application pool that affects how the admission’s committee reviews your application.

So don’t give up hope—there’s still plenty that you can do after being deferred. Good luck!

What are the 5 most common mistakes students make when narrowing down their list of colleges?

1. Applying only to reach or dream schools
2. Applying to schools because of a great visit
3. Only applying to schools based on their names
4. Focusing solely on the location of the college
5. Only using one source to research a school