Parents are always asking me what admissions officers look for in a well-rounded college application. This infographic gives you a visual of what’s important to them and where your student should put their focus.
From: OnlineCollegeCourses.com
Tag Archives: college admissions
WeGotIn.net–Editorial Opinion
From a parent’s perspective, when I come across a college application “help” I look at it differently than most. I have several criteria I use to judge it’s effectiveness, but I came across a site the other day that made me question something more–is it ethically appropriate? My mind is always open to new ways to ease the complicated college admissions process, so I spent a few days reading about the site (on the site itself) to form my own opinion. I haven’t viewed any biased coverage from the colleges, or the College Board. I just spent some time thinking about whether or not, I, as a parent, would encourage my student to use the service.
According to the website, WeGotIn.net, their concept is simple:
Welcome to WeGotIn.Net where you will find copies of actual, accepted applications to Harvard, Yale, Penn, Cornell, Columbia and Brown. These applications contain the entire response to each question. They contain the college application essay as well as the answers to the often difficult short questions that are asked. They are NOT edited in any way (other than the removal of names, addresses, birth dates and social security numbers). Each of them was given to us in 2010 or 2011 directly by the student who submitted it, was accepted and is now a student at the college.
At first look it seems like a beneficial service. It provides students with “samples” of other college applications (helping them see what is expected of them when they complete their own applications). It targets highly selective colleges that are often on students “dream” list.
But is this ethical, or even fair? Is this another form of cheating? Do students really have to resort to this to get into these Ivy League colleges?
Here’s another more obvious question–with all the other colleges available to choose from, why would students even need to resort to this tactic? If competition is so fierce that you have to look at other accepted student’s applications to obtain admission why would you want to attend?
There are thousands of colleges in the United States, not to mention Canada and overseas that offer admission to students without having to stack the deck by viewing other accepted applications. And here’s another question: what are you teaching your student if you encourage them to use this service? It is so much more than a tool; it’s like cheating on a test. It’s like paying to see other tests in a class instead of studying for yourself.
What are we teaching our students if they use this service?
- Take shortcuts and you’ll be successful.
- If your own work isn’t good enough, use someone else’s work instead.
- Achieving success sometimes means that you have to use any method possible to get it.
- It’s not cheating if it gives you added insight into something you can’t do for yourself.
In an effort to defer the criticism they have received, WeGotIn.net is giving all their profits to the scholarship funds of the Ivy League colleges. Good for them. They also say their method is more effective than admissions coaching:
…instead of listening to someone else’s opinion, however well informed they may be, of what they think the committee is looking for. There are a lot of opinions as to what makes a good application – the only thing that really matters is what actually results in an acceptance letter.
I especially love that last line: the only thing that really matters is what actually results in an acceptance letter. I disagree. The only thing that really matters is that your student finds the school that “wants” them and that they completed the admissions process with integrity and honesty. Getting accepted to an Ivy League college isn’t the be all and end all of success.
As always, I welcome any comments, discussion or debate about this topic. I would love to hear from other parents and students.
Your parent arsenal-strength for the journey
It’s Friday and Twitter’s Follow Friday event reminded me that there are so many parents out there in cyberspace looking for help along the college admissions journey. Here’s a short list of helpful “parents” (along with myself, of course) that you should bookmark, follow and tap into on Facebook for the best encouragement and parent support along your journey.
Jane Kulow (@CvlKulow)
Jane is a parent of college-bound teens and the owner/author of a blog that has chronicled her admissions journey with her kids (Dr. Strange College-or how I learned to stop worrying and love the journey). Her blog is jam-packed with great information, parenting encouragement and tips to help you sift through all the information you are bombarded with during the college admissions process.
Nancy Berk (@NancyBerk)
Nancy is also a parent who has survived the journey and written about it in her “hit” book, College Bound and Gagged. Nancy gives parents a comedic break by helping you laugh at yourself and your kids during this stressful time. There’s nothing better than a little laughter to ease the stress and help you see the bigger picture.
Z. Kelly Queijo (@collegevisit)
Kelly is the mastermind behind Smart College Visit, a website providing you with information and resources to help make the college visit a success. Her tools to help you plan your college visits provide parents with all the resources they need in one place. Her cool “mobile app” for Virginia Tech is the first of it’s kind!
Monica Matthews (@AidScholarship)
Monica is a parent herself and she is the scholarship guru, finding scholarships for her sons and teaching parents to do the same. Her simple ebook, How to Win College Scholarships, walks you through the process step by step. She also blogs, giving parents tips and scholarship updates on a regular basis.
Paul Hemphill (@vcollegeadvisor)
Paul learned the hard way that colleges aren’t necessarily a parent’s friend. His frustration with the admissions process during his sons’ journey, prompted him to help other parents and students learn the secrets to take charge during the journey and “win” in this highly competitive process. His video series is second to none and every parent needs to arm themselves with his arsenal of sage advice.
This is just a short list of parents out there offering you help along your journey. Be an informed parent and tap into their advice and wise counsel. Parents helping parents–what better way to survive the journey?
Inside the mind of an admissions officer
When your student is applying to college, we tend to want to be mind readers and wonder what are those admissions officers using to weigh your student’s college application. Parliament Tutors has been interviewing admissions officers at various colleges across the country and is happy to share one of these interviews with my readers.
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A special thanks to Robert Barkley for participating our Admissions Spotlight Series. Mr. Barkley is the director of undergraduate admissions at Clemson University. Joseph Fernandez from ParliamentTutors conducted this interview.
What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?
The most important part of a student’s application file is the high school record/transcript. The preparation there begins at the beginning of the high school career. As to the application form itself, it is important that all information be as accurate and complete as possible. Especially in these days of online applications, the student is doing the initial data entry efforts for what could be their collegiate academic record. Something as simple as one single digit in a zip code can affect the receipt of an admissions decision.
What advice can you offer students in regards to their personal statements? Perhaps you can offer some shining examples that you have seen in the past.
I read a lot of appeal statements from students who’ve been denied admission. Many of them focus on grades and the circumstances that affected the grades. Rarely do they focus on what they learned (despite the grades), which is what you’re really trying to determine when evaluating an application.
Is there anything you frequently see on an application that you hope to never see again?
On the section for international students…where we ask for visa information…I hope I never see a student provide us with credit card numbers and other personal information.
What common pitfalls should applicants be careful to avoid?
Applicants need to remember that the application is the beginning of a dialogue with the college/university. The information provided is going to be read by adults. Students need to be careful not to be over-casual in their approach, presenting information as might be shared with their friends.
Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?
College Admissions is NOT “The Great SAT Contest”, nor is it “Rush Week” where we sit around and select our friends and people that we like.
What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant extracurricular experience?
Let’s hope that the information on the transcript shows exceptional performance in the classroom. Otherwise, the test scores would appear to verify the grades, and show an over-emphasis on out-of-class activities.
Do you frequently have to turn away applicants whom you wish you could admit? If so, what could those applicants do to be admitted?
They need to realize that many students graduate annually as transfer students. If they are set on GRADUATING from a specific college or university, they need to explore transfer options that can put them on track towards a degree.
How much faith do you have in the ability of the SAT to predict success at in college?
The SAT and ACT are excellent tools for helping to predict college success, but should not be used as the sole indicator. Other factors (most importantly the high school transcript, grades, GPA, strength of curriculum, etc) must be figured into the decision as well.
What do you look for in a recommendation letter?
Honesty and a true sense of perspective.
Joseph Fernandez is an SATTutor with Parliament Tutors, a NewYorktutoring and test preparation service.
“College Bound and Gagged” left me ROFLMAO
I know text speak is not appropriate blogging title content, but there really is no other way to describe the experience I had reading Dr. Nancy Berk’s book, College Bound and Gagged. Nancy takes the everyday aspects of the college admissions process and puts them into terms that parents can easily understand and relate to by using humor. And if that’s not enough, she sprinkles some of the best college admissions advice along the way by tapping into her own personal experiences and her network of college experts that she utilizes throughout the book.
What did I LOVE about Nancy’s book? She allowed the reader to go inside her own college admissions process with her son and experience all the trepidation and angst that goes along with it. She adds humor by describing parent archetypes so you can avoid those types of behaviors during the process. Her “5 Tips” sprinkled throughout the book simplify each step in the process and her “Top Tips” from college experts put you inside the heads of those who are “in the know” about college admissions.
Quite honestly, every page of her book had me laughing and saying, “Man oh man, do I remember that statement coming out of my daughter’s mouth!” Then Nancy helps you put it all into perspective and get you to the other side of the drama giving you insight into the perfect mental and emotional response.
Here’s an excerpt from her book of a conversation between Nancy (denoted as “me”) and her son (denoted as “teen”) related to college selection:
Me: What about Texas?
Teen: I don’t think I can go anywhere where they speak with southern accents.
Me: But you have a Pittsburgh accent. This really isn’t the place to start throwing stones.
Me: (after deep breath) What about Ohio? There are so many great schools in Ohio.
Teen: I’m not going anywhere that borders our state.
Me: (rough calculations look like he’s eliminated five additional states and Ontario; I am determined to figure this out) And why is that?
Teen: It just doesn’t feel right.
Or this conversation related to college visits:
Son: I’ve seen enough, let’s go.
Parent: But we haven’t even parked the car yet.
Son: You don’t think I can tell already? I DON’T like it here.
Parent: But we’re finally here. Let’s get out and look around.
Son: Nope. You go ahead if you want to. I’m just gonna wait here.
Zing! Every parent can relate to these types of conversations from their college-bound teens and Nancy knows how to get you through them with a little humor and a dose of common sense coping tactics.
After reading this review, I know that you MUST have your own copy and here’s your chance to win one. Nancy has donated a copy for me to give away to one parent and here’s what you will need to do to be eligible for the drawing:
- Leave a comment here with your name and email address; then…
- Go to my Facebook Fan page and leave a comment on my wall telling me why you NEED Nancy’s book.
On February 8th, one lucky parent will win a copy of College Bound and Gagged to peruse its content and learn all they need to know about surviving the college admissions process.
Good luck!
Inside the mind of an admissions counselor
Getting inside the mind of an admissions counselor gives parents and students valuable information and insight. Parliament Tutors is conducting interviews with admissions counselors all across the country and they asked me to post one of them on my blog. I was happy to oblige because the answers to their questions give applicants an idea of what they consider to be important in the college application process.
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A special thanks to Jordan Hassell for participating in our Admissions Spotlight Series. Mrs. Hassell is an admissions officer at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Joseph Fernandez from Parliament Tutors conducted this interview.
As an Admissions Counselor, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?An Admissions Counselor works with prospective students from the time they first become interested in Berry College until they begin classes as a new student. We attend college fairs and visit high schools to share information about Berry. We meet with students when they visit campus, we correspond with them throughout the admissions and financial aid processes and we read their applications to make recommendations on admission decisions.
What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?
At Berry, we are mostly concerned with a student’s academic record. Students should pay careful attention to their high school curriculum choices, maintain a strong GPA in core classes and maximize their SAT/ACT scores.
What common pitfalls should applicants be careful to avoid?
Avoid being lazy through the application process. Be sure to complete all required sections of the application, submit a thoughtful essay, use proper grammar and punctuation instead of text lingo and pay attention to deadlines.
Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?
While we do look for active and well-rounded students, extracurricular activities and multiple recommendation letters do not allow us to overlook deficiencies in the academic record.
What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant work experience?
Maximize your test scores by taking more than one exam. Take advantage of free test prep resources through your school or public library. Use your resume and essay to highlight how you are prepared for college coursework.
What do you look for in a letter of recommendation?
We like to see candid details about a student’s preparation for success in college. We also verify a student’s academic and disciplinary records.
How much faith do you have in the ability of the SAT or ACT to predict success in college?
While scores are not the only factor considered, combined with GPA and rigor of curriculum, exam scores do serve as an indicator of potential success in college coursework.
Suppose an applicant has little or no experience relevant to your program, but has significant experience in other fields. What can that applicant do to distinguish himself or herself as a good candidate for your program?
Complete a solid high school curriculum, earn strong grades and maximize SAT/ACT scores by taking more than one exam. Share details in your college essay that may help us understand how your interests and experience will contribute to our college community.
This is interview was conducted by Joseph Fernandez, an SAT Tutor from Parliament Tutors — an Houston Tutoringcompany.
What do you do when a college rejects your student?
Colleges have been responding to the early decision/early action applications and students across the country have received those long awaited acceptance/rejection letters these past few weeks. Hip hip hoorays are easy to handle and a welcome addition to the holidays. 
Feelings of rejection can cloud the family’s holiday spirit and make it difficult to celebrate while facing the disappointment.
What do you do when that ill-fated letter arrives? How do you handle your feelings? How do you handle your student’s feelings? How to turn lemons into lemonade?
When the letter arrives
When the letter arrives and is opened you may want to try and spin it into a positive. Resist that temptation. It’s upsetting to both you and your student. Allow some time to display the emotions related to the disappointment and the feelings of rejection. It’s only natural to feel them and it certainly hasn’t been the first or the last time your student will be disappointed.
Your feelings
Parents take these letters personally. How dare they reject MY child! Our disappointment can often overshadow the feelings our student has. Be careful and don’t project your disappointment on to your student. He/she feels bad enough already; the last thing they need to feel is that they disappointed their parents by not getting accepted.
Your student’s feelings
Every student reacts differently. Some might shrug it off (to your surprise) and others might see this as the end of their world as they know it. The hardest part of this whole college process is dealing with disappointment and rejection. All the truisms in the world won’t help at this moment. Hold them, hug them, and let them know that you feel their pain. Don’t spout off truisms like “it will be ok” or “you don’t want to go there if they don’t want you.” Your student needs the time to deal with their disappointment and move on.
Embrace the life lesson
Once the time has passed and your student is able to be objective, use this as a life lesson. Remind them that there is a place for them and that there is a college where they will feel wanted and accepted. Point out that life is filled with disappointments that often turn into opportunities and you never know what lies ahead on the path you might not have originally chosen.
Every child faces disappointment and rejection throughout their life and a parent’s goal should be to help them face those hurtful times with love and perspective.
College admissions today
StudentAdvisor.com created this GREAT infographic about college admissions using data collected from recent research findings from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, College Board, and the US Department of Education.
Interview with Power Women Magazine
Last week I did a radio interview with Power Women Magazine about the college prep process and my Parents Countdown to College Toolkit. In it, I discussed the steps necessary to prepare for the admissions process, how to stay organized, and the 10 mistakes parents and students often make when applying to college.
Click the link below and you can listen to the interview.
Power Women Magazine Radio Interview
5 Questions to Ask on a College Visit
Few things in life are as difficult, nerve-wracking and simply mind-blowing as helping your son or daughter navigate through the wide sea of college selection. There are so many things to consider! Admissions: Will my son or daughter get into a good school? Cost: Can I afford the tuition? Schools: Which college or university will be right for our family?
Something that many families fail to realize is that not only do the schools need to decide if the student is a right fit for the institution (based on application, test scores, etc.), but the student needs to determine if the school is right for him / her.
Websites, such as CollegeBoard.com offer plenty of good information that will help in the college selection process. You can see which schools are right for your child based on admissions requirements, areas of study and even location. College websites also offer a wealth of knowledge that will generally answer many commonly asked questions, such as cost, academic offering, test requirements for admissions and financial aid options. Many college and university websites also offer virtual tours where you can see the campus, the classrooms and common areas; some may offer a glimpse into what dorm life looks like.
Once you’ve narrowed your search based on the information available online and you have a list of schools that will be a good fit on paper, then it’s time to plan your college visit. Pictures will show what the campus looks like, but only with a visit will you know how it feels.
Most colleges and universities will offer an information session for prospective students and their parents, very often followed by a tour.
During the information session, many of the same details that you read on the school’s website will be discussed, but don’t forget that these sessions are an opportunity to dive deeper. Usually, it will be an admissions director leading the session, discussing things like program offerings, campus life and the admissions process. They may even discuss financial aid or have a representative from the school’s financial office there to answer questions.
The campus tour is where you’ll get a lot of great information not usually available online. Most campus tours are lead by current students who are well versed in everything the school has to offer. They’ll show you the highlights of the school’s campus, as well as give you an idea about academic routines and social life.
During the information session and tour, there are some key questions you should encourage your student to ask, questions like:
- What key factors do you consider when making your acceptance decisions? Some schools cut off applications solely based on test scores; others equally weigh everything, such as test scores, transcripts, essay and interview. Knowing this will help you better prepare for the actual application process and better establish your expectations. You can easily get the data related to this question online, but knowing the key factors that colleges consider will be a plus.
- What are some of the academic offerings outside of the classroom? Your son or daughter may know what field of study he or she wants to pursue, but even if they don’t, it’s good to know what the school can do for him / her beyond the lecture hall. Are there research opportunities or study-abroad programs? These things make for excellent educational opportunities and can help a student build up his / her resume.
- Is financial aid need-based or merit-based? This may not be an important question for everyone, but some schools offer only need-based financial aid, whereas others may offer both need- and merit-based financial aid. Merit-based financial aid may change as your student’s grades fluctuate throughout their college career, and it’s important for both you and your child to know how academics may affect his or her tuition.
- What is campus life really like? Do students stay on campus over the weekends? Is there easy transportation to the nearest town or urban center? Are there clubs and sports available based on your son’s / daughter’s interests? Is there Greek life on campus? Is it necessary or even possible to have a car on campus? The college experience is more than just lectures and studying. The social aspect is just as important and enriching to your child’s education, so it’s wise to find out as much as you can about it.
- Are academic advisers and faculty easily accessible and supportive? Your child won’t have you around to answer all of their questions and help them along the way, and being independent from parents in an important step in the process of maturing. But support is still needed. You’ll want the confidence of knowing that there’s a system in place to aid your child, helping them select courses, guiding them through their program of study and working with them to resolve any issues that may arise during their time at a school. Some colleges have a more hands-on approach, while others are a little less involved. Knowing your child and his / her needs will help you to determine the type of support he / she need to make it through school, and may be a big factor is the school selection process.
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Today’s guest post was written by Sarah Fudin. Sarah currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, which provides aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a Masters degree in Teaching and Masters in TESOL. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.