College Applications & EssaysAP Language and CompositionThursday June 4, 2015

My college experience(s)...❖ AP classes in High School (5 tests)❖ SAT x 2 (spring of 11th, fall of 12th)❖ Graduated 2010❖ UC Berkeley, UW, University of Oregon, Tulane

University, University of Portland, University of San Francisco

❖ 3.5 years at UC Berkeley - English and Gender Studies

❖ Master in Teaching at Evergreen

Things to think about now...❖ What colleges do you want to apply to?

■ Safety, match, reach

❖ What do you want to emphasize in your application?

■ Activity log, recommendations, personal statement/essays

❖ The numbers■ GPA, SAT/ACT/AP scores

Activities ❖ Keep track of your participation in activities

outside of school■ Weekly hours, noteworthy experiences

❖ Both school-affiliated and not❖ Even employment experiences!❖ Have the names and contact information for

coordinators of clubs/work supervisors■ Applications and references

Numbers❖ Keep track of your GPA and the GPA

requirements of schools you’re interested in. Use school resources!

❖ Use collegeconfidential.com & others to get a profile of the average scores accepted at different schools

■ You have control over your SAT/ACT scores, your future AP scores, and your GPA

■ And you can always supplement weaker areas with quality essays, activity descriptions, and recommendations.

The SAT and the ACT❖ Similarities and differences - a matter of

personality❖ Some colleges require one specifically, so be

sure to check far in advance❖ Study! Find a resource that is engaging for you.

Rely on learning strategies, not just information❖ Like with the AP test, use practice tests to

identify areas of strength and areas where you can grow. Then tackle them!

❖ No matter what, take it twice, and send your scores directly

Finding a College❖bigfuture.collegeboard.org❖Consider what long-term programs

you might be interested in❖Factor in cost, location, and

personality of schools (big/small, focus, reputation)

❖My formula: 7 schools - 2 reach, 3 match, 2 safety

Application Process❖ Familiarize yourself with each school’s

requirements early❖ ORGANIZE - Create a folder for each school

including application forms, recommendation templates, essay prompts, drafts of what you will send them

❖ Access applications ASAP so you know how to navigate the website

❖ Activity log, recommendations, essays

Recommendations❖ Strongly rely on academic recommendations - teachers you have

strong relationships with and/or teachers for classes in which you worked hard

❖ Some schools require non-academic recommendations as well. ■ Coaches, work supervisors, club/organization

coordinators

❖ Have 3-4 possible recommendation-writers and let them know EARLY!

■ with specifics where necessary (university, program, areas of emphasis)

Personal Statements and EssaysWhat is the difference?

❖ Look at the prompt - close read!❖ Generally, personal statements are more

open-ended and include reference to why you chose this particular school

❖ While essays have a more focused topic and rely on narratives about your experiences

Personal Statements❖ Clearly understand the prompt(!)❖ Be honest in discussing your aspirations,

intentions, and interests

Berkeley: “Describe the world you come from - for example your family, community, or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations”

Essays❖Clearly understand the prompt (!)❖Try to avoid “cliche” essay topics -

sports, mission trips, summer camp❖But be genuine about an

experience, value, or activity that has been important to you

❖What could you write about?

Essays cont...Think about the writing you’ve done over the past week…

❖Sentence variation❖Sensory imagery, narrative

“showing”❖Get different perspectives

and revise!

Resources❖http://www.hemingwayapp.com/❖College application websites often

have pages about what they’re looking for

❖Have conversations with friends, family, teachers and take notes!

❖Pre-writing, journaling, researching narrative writing strategies

The Application Process❖ College application timeline❖ Organize due dates, your own personal

application timeline, and college info❖ Spend enough time on each application. Find

out what works for you!■ I spent 3-5 weeks focusing on each.

❖ Tailor your application, essay, recommendations to the college’s requirements as much as possible

Financial Aid❖FAFSA: fafsa.ed.gov ❖FAFSA forecaster❖Grants, loans, scholarships❖Send FAFSA info to schools you

apply to❖As much as you can, seek out other

sources of aid such as private scholarships

Scholarships❖ Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation❖ fastweb.com❖ School-specific scholarships❖ Check clubs, organizations, employers and

parents’ employers, scholarships specific to your situation

❖ Treat scholarship applications with the same rigor you go college apps and the return will be big!

What to consider...❖Financial aid offered❖Location, personality - visit!❖ Intended major (or if undecided,

flexibility of major)❖Undergraduate requirements❖Go with your gut!

You have time!❖ You have plenty of time to prepare for college

applications and to find the resources you will need for testing, recommendations, and essays so start early!

❖ If you’re not certain of what you want to do for a career or even for school, that’s okay. There is plenty of time to figure things out and get to know yourself and your goals more. But don’t let that stop you from moving forward!

Questions and one last resourcesalluc26@evergreen.edu

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