the college interview, essay and readiness: introductory class #1
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College Readiness, Interviews and College Essay Preparation
Heather M. Butts, J.D., M.P.H., M.A.Class #1
In Class AssignmentsHomework Assignments
OverviewWho am I?Are you committed to applying to college?Have you started to think about applying to
college?Have you visited a college campus?When do you think you should start the
college application process?Do you have a timeline in place for applying
to college?Do you have a checklist in place for applying
to college?
Why does college matter?Is college for me?2 year vs. 4 year vs. vocational school?More education = choices (you can be a
mechanic or own the mechanic shop)More education = access to people you
otherwise would not encounter and exposure to new and exciting possibilities
More education = higher paying job (upwards of 98% more money is earned when you have a college degree)
More education = more education!
Timeline - Junior High SchoolCreate a timeline for the next 4 yearsMake sure your grades are excellentMaintain excellent gradesStart to prepare for transitioning into high
schoolFind a mentorTake challenging courses: Especially the
STEM areas. 26% of students who do not take geometry go on to college whereas 71% of students who do take geometry go on to college: http://www2.ed.gov
Timeline – Junior High continuedTake challenging courses in the arts, computer
science, foreign languagesStart thinking about advanced placement and
college credit courses once you get into high school. Be prepared to discuss this with your counselor
Talk to your family or your mentor (remember them) If your family has not started planning financially, start looking into financial aid, scholarships and grants (some of this will depend on the kind of grades you get in high school so plan accordingly) www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/
Timeline Freshman-Junior YearsDo well in schoolCultivate relationships with mentorsBegin to visit schoolsDo well in school!!Start to research scholarships and grant
programsCreate your resume
Timeline Freshman-Junior Years continuedGet involved in extracurricular activities you
actually enjoyReview your timeline and make sure you’re
on scheduleCreate a checklist of “to do” itemsHaving trouble in a particular area – get help
from teachers, after school programs and mentors
Surround yourself with supportive friends. If your friends aren’t supporting you then they’re not your true friends!
Junior Year/Summer before Senior Year
Review your resumeVisit as many prospective colleges as possible
and make appointments with admissions counselors and other counselors (is community college an option?)
List all the colleges you want to apply toRegister for SATsTake an SAT prep course (I.E.S of course!)
Fall Senior YearSpeak with your guidance counselor and
make sure you’re on track with grades and classes
Complete your college list and make sure you have a few safety schools and a few reach schools (your counselor and family will be able to assist with this)
Are you applying ED or EA anywhere? What are you waiting for!
Start preparing for the college interview
Fall Senior YearStart identifying who you will need letters of
recommendation from and give them plenty of notice
Take the SATs and make sure you’re having your scores sent to the appropriate schools
Keep filling out applications. Read read read!
Winter-Spring Senior YearMake sure your counselor has sent in your gradesMake sure you’ve finished your application and
get it in as soon as possible (some schools have rolling admission)
Keep those grades up – some schools want to see grades through senior year
Get into schools! Visit schools one final time and make your decision (wait list issues or no acceptance)
Thank everyone that helped you during the process (preferably with actual letters)
The College EssayDistinguish between short answers, direct
questions and general essay/personal statement
What does the school want from you – make sure you give them what they want!
College Essay TipsThink about what you want to write aboutDo you have a resume? If so take a look at it
to refresh your memory about what you’ve done. What have you accomplished?
What makes you unique or different?Do you have a favorite book or movie that has
had particular importance in your life?
Tips continuedOther topic areas:
A trying time in your life that you’ve overcome?Very substantial extracurricular activities that
you have or are participating in?Someone who has a great deal of meaning for
you and has been a great influence on your lifeDiscuss why you want to go to this particular
school and how the school will help you reach your goals/dreams (and discuss what THOSE are!)
Tips continuedYou’re stuck! You need more help deciding
what to write about:Talk with friends, teachers, family members,
trusted mentors (don’t forget about your mentors!)
Keep thinking! As long as you’ve started early enough you’ll have enough time to come up with a topic
Essay Writing TipsStart early!Write your first draft and the continue to
write drafts. You’ll need several drafts before you can finalize the essay
Have someone else read it to make sure it conveys what you want it to convey
No typos!Read it once more before considering it final
Take-aways (make sure you do this!)Make your essay consistent with the rest of
your application (if you have a 2400 SATs and 4.0 average you’re not struggling in school so don’t write an essay that says that)
You can use your essay to explain certain parts of your application, just don’t repeat what’s already in your application
Diversity is great – discuss this if it applies to you
Take-aways continuedRemember – your essay topic says a lot about
who you are and what you care about so choose wisely
Pitfalls to avoidDon’t try for tricks or something for shock
valueThe essay should tell your reader something
that the rest of the application does not tell them
Don’t go over the word limit (part of this is to test can you follow directions)
Don’t make up stories (honesty is the best policy)
In Class Exercise #1Write 200 words on the following topic:
Tell us about the neighborhood that you grew up in and how it helped shape you into the kind of person you are today.
In Class Exercise #2Pair up with a partner. One of you will take
on the role of the interviewer and one will take on the role of interviewee. Then you will reverse roles. Ask the following questions of each other:
1. Tell me about yourself?2. Who in your life has most influenced you?3. What do you do in your free time?4. What is your favorite book?5. Why do you want to go to college?
Homework Assignment #1List 5 items that you think should be on your
college checklist.1.2.3.4.5.
Homework Assignment #2Write down answers to the following Interview
Questions. Practice your answers with someone in your family. Have them ask you the questions and practice your answers with them.
1. Who do you most admire?2. What is your biggest weakness?3. What makes you special?4. What high school experience was most
important to you?5. What historical figure do you most admire?
Answer to Question #1
Answers to Question #2
Answer to Question #3
Answer to Question #4
Answer to Question #5
Homework Assignment #3Come up with 300 word answers to the
following essay questions:1. Write about a local or national issue that
has personal meaning for you?2. Select two people that have be role models
in your life and why?3. Select a technological innovation of this
century and describe its impact on you and your family?
Essay #1
Essay #2
Essay #3