Info on how COVID-19 might affect your high school experience as it relates to college applications:

For seniors receiving decisions letters back from colleges:

• Pay close attention to communication from the colleges to which you’ve been admitted.
• College admission officers are still working (many from home), so don’t hesitate to still reach out to them and email them with questions.
• The cancellation of admitted student events and campus visits is difficult; most colleges are replacing those activities with online events like live chats, web panel discussions, and virtual live tours. 
• Many universities have already extended their reply deadline from May 1st to now June 1st, in order to give students more time to make their college decision. Watch for emails from the colleges or contact each school for updates. The National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has also created a for colleges to report any changes to deposit deadlines and visit opportunities, as well as how to connect with each admissions office: here.  This list is likely to grow as time passes.
• Please carefully read letters and notifications from colleges on how to communicate with them; there are deadlines (many extended) and specific ways in which college wants to be communicated with (e.g. for wait list letters etc)
• As you are notified of college acceptance and financial aid, it's common for questions to arise. If you have questions about a financial aid package, don't hesitate to contact the college; though I’m not an expert in this particular realm, I have heard of negotiations on financial aid packages in the past or clarifications on how schools calculate their need. Here are some other resources which may help: Accepting Financial Aid, How to Break Down Financial Aid Award Letters, and Award Comparison Worksheet.

AP and SAT/ACT Exams:

• AP exams will be truncated to cover less material and offering an in-home exam.  Please continue to study for exams!
• College board has put together additional resources to supplement any online instruction students may still be receiving from high school: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates#free-ap-classes
• Khan Academy also has a bunch of resources: https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/163503591115/khan-academy-is-the-official-practice-partner-for
• Updates on AP exams/program from college board will be here: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/news-changes/coronavirus-update
• SATs: cancellation for May subject tests are official; it is possible and likely that June exams will also be cancelled; we are awaiting news on if additional exams will be offered in the summer time https://www.collegeboard.org/releases/2020/college-board-cancels-may-sat-response-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR1-gLDmv9bVgL94tgkyAM9XU3c_nIcdw82v641vq_7qvg05iOVhqwHGTQA
• ACT: exams have been postponed from April to June for now http://leadershipblog.act.org/?_ga=2.159268410.1898909573.1584994722-1635057728.1584994722

College visits:

• Most admissions offices are closed to gatherings (tours, admit days, open houses, etc) and most schools are closed for in-person classes as well.
• There are a few other resources to get a feel for specific college campuses especially as you're deciding where to apply (or choosing where to attend): https://www.youvisit.com/ is one option.
• Don't hesitate to reach out to colleges if you have specific questions; many colleges also have photos and videos of their campuses on their websites; and you can always do a google image search (insight into dorms is easily found here!)

Please double check with schools as decisions notifications can change!

There's not much of a difference between Early Decision 1 and Early Decision 2 - except for the timing.  Students that know that they have a first choice school, and will go regardless of being accepted elsewhere, have the opportunity to apply a bit earlier.  The timing for these 2 rounds are different with Early Decision 2 deadlines closer to the deadlines of Regular Decisions, but that the notification of Early Decision candidates is typically in February instead of late March/April.  

Here's a list of schools with the option to submit and Early Decision 2 (ED2) application:
​

Here's a list - Stanford (our alma mater) comes out today!

Barnard College: Mid-December
Boston College: December 5th, 5:30pm EST (Early Decision I)
Boston University: December 15
Brandeis University: December 15
Brown University: Mid-December
Cal Tech: Mid-December
Carnegie Mellon University: December 15
Columbia University: December 12th, 7pm ET
Cornell University: December 12th, 7pm ET
Dartmouth College: Mid-December
Duke University: December 15th
Emory University: By December 15
Georgetown University: December 15th
Harvard University: Mid-December
Harvey Mudd: December 15th (decisions mailed)
Johns Hopkins University: December 13th
Middlebury College: Mid-December
MIT: December 14th, 12:14pm ET
New York University: December 15th (Early Decision I), February 15th (Early Decision II)
Northwestern University: Mid-December
Notre Dame University: Mid-December
Pomona College: By December 15
Princeton University: December 12th
Stanford University: December 6th, 4pm PST
Swarthmore College: By December 15
Tufts University: Mid-December
Tulane University: November 20th, 4pm CST (Early Decision), December 19th, 3:30pm CST (Early Action)
University of Chicago: Mid-December (Early Action and Early Decision)
University of Michigan, By December 24
University of Pennsylvania, December 16th, 7pm
University of Virginia, December 6th, evening (Early Decision), January 31st (Early Action)
Vanderbilt University: Mid-December (Early Decision I), Mid-February (Early Decision II)
Washington University in St. Louis: Mid-December
Wellesley College: Mid-December, ED Round I
William & Mary: December 6th, evening (Early Decision I)
Williams College: By December 15
Yale University: December 16th

You've been soul searching about transferring schools.  One factor that's likely going to contribute to your decision making process is what  challenges may lie ahead if you do decide to go for it. 

Here's a list of possible challenges to think about:

• ​Application process - well, you've done it before if you're in school now.  It's arduous, hard work that usually incites nervousness and anxiety at different points of the process. But, it's also a time of self reflection, especially as it relates to why you'd like to transfer. You'll be carrying on with a college level course load while also working on personal statements and essays. 
• Course credits - depending on which school you're transferring to and from, your credits may not all (or at all) transfer in the process. It's like changing majors, but more so as you're changing schools entirely. Many schools have different foundational/general studies requirements, too. This might set you behind especially if you're considering studying abroad or a double major.

• Leaving behind people - you've likely made a few good friends in your first year or two at college or have met some professors/TAs that you really connected with. It can be hard to say goodbye.
• Fresh start - this is obviously also a positive, but a fresh start means making new friends and new connections.  This also means relearning the physical campus, culture, and social life of the school.
• Financial aid - the paperwork! And the financial aid package might be different at the new school; navigating this is administratively challenging and time consuming. This could also have positives if the new school is giving you a more substantial financial commitment!
• Academic changes - class style, educational philosophy, requirements of the school, and individual professors, will all change when you transfer schools. This might be adjusting to large lectures or needing to take more literature classes because of a core requirement at a liberal arts college.
• Logistics: the basics of registering for classes, orientation, checking your grades, communicating with the bursar, on campus housing, etc., are all new again. Things that you just got the swing of, you'll need to learn to navigate once more.

​However, there are lots of positives that come along with transferring, especially if it's the right decision for you:

• Personal growth - change usually means you get to learn something new, and there will be lots of changes ahead if you apply and get in (and especially if you choose to go)
• Best fit - most likely there is something significant about your current school that is unchangeable, hence consideration of transferring to another. Transferring will mean that this significant challenge will be very different and hopefully a much better fit for your learning needs.  Whether it's rigor of coursework, right social environment, or a school that has a strong department in your chosen career path, you'll feel a bit more at home in this regard.
• Friends - you'll gain new ones, while hopefully keeping the ones from your "first" school. 

While there are lots of challenges to consider, with the right self reflection and research, you may come to the conclusion that it is the best possible decision for you.  In which case, you'll be glad you did it! ​

There is a lot of narrative out there on thoughts for and against transferring schools - so you're not alone if you're reading this (about 25% of students actually transfer!).  We've compiled it here into several topics to consider as you go through the process of deciding if putting in applications is right for you:

Think twice:

• ​Is there a major problem with the current school? Homesick, long distance relationship challenges? Definitely think twice about transferring if these are the case; and see if there are workarounds that will solve these difficulties while staying.
• Trying to upgrade schools? Well, if you're at Cornell, aiming for MIT, and were denied admissions the first time around, keep in mind that the odds are lower as a transfer applicant. Consider if there have been major shifts or changes in your academic and career resume that would make a big difference in your admissions chances (major awards, publications, etc.). Also, consider that the time and effort to apply/adjust to a new school may not be justified depending on where you're coming from and going to (transferring courses, financial aid, the application process).
• Lousy roommate? This is something that can may have solutions if working with school administration or with time (rooming with others the next year or semester, or finding a single the next year).
• Classes are too hard or too easy?  Consider changing classes first, not schools.  Do some research: talk to professors and upperclassmen to better gauge if rigor might be a good reason to leave.
• Not making friends right away? This is more common than people think. Already tried to join a bunch of clubs? How about actively going to more events or finding an on campus job? Putting together a study group for a challenging class or sports/gym may also put you in places that will expose you to more possible future friends.

Reasons to transfer:

• You're in a 2 year program and looking to continue your education.
• Your current school is in a location that is no longer a fit for your academic learning or social interests.  For example, you decided that you wanted to study urban challenges, but your rural school is over an hour to the closest major city where you can get hands on experiences.
• Your current school's academic breadth and depth don't meet your career goals.  Perhaps you've decided to become an engineer, but your liberal arts school doesn't have a mechanical engineering program.  Or you're hoping to become a doctor, but there is a weak (or no) program for pre-med students.
• Your school's social life and culture is holistically not in alignment with yours. For example, most students leave campus to connect with the external community more often than stay on campus to build depth to student-student relationships. Or, Greek life rules campus and you hoped to have meaningful connections through clubs and have found that unsuccessful due to the dominance of Greek culture at the school.
• Your current school's method and philosophy of education/learning do not align well with your own.  Perhaps you're at a huge university with lecture classes, but you have a strong need and desire to have deep discussion in learning new material. Or you're a visual learner but all the seminar style classes are not conducive to your learning style.

• Some popular activities that I've seen students experiment with: tutoring younger students, learning to program, volunteering at a hospital, getting involved in other community based non-profits (food bank, senior centers, etc.), new sports, new instrument, school clubs (or starting one!).
• Really let interest and enjoyment lead the way in exploring the different activities.  While you don't want to quit after the first meeting, you also don't want to stay beyond your true interest's expiration so that you can dedicate more time to activities that you truly enjoy into the next few years.

10th grade:

• Start sifting out the activities that are not worth the time that's put into it; for example, many times sports fall into this category where the love or skill level of the sport won't outweigh the 12+ hour commitment per week a school sport requires
• Consider moving into entry level leadership for the activities that you're in.  This might look like taking on a treasurer or secretary role at a school club or taking on larger projects at a non-profit or coaching younger athletes of the same sport.  Leadership doesn't have to be traditional, there are lots of ways to have big impact without a title (just as there are individual contributors and many industries that are very important such as within the engineering world).  This might look like starting or vastly increasing success in a fundraising for a club at school or taking on full responsibility for a sensor project for a new robot in your robotics team.

11th grade:

• This is when you might narrow down even further and deepen interests and increase leadership in the activities in which you're involved.  This will look different for each person and each activity.  For a cellist that might mean taking on first chair, coaching younger students, teaching private lessons to younger musicians, and competing more frequently.  For a school club member, that might mean taking on VP or Presidency 11th or 12th grade, starting new projects/ideas for the club (new fundraiser, new ways for the group to be more productive in its goals), or train new members to take on a leadership role you might be leaving in order to take on a bigger role.

Summers:

• Don't waste them!  Do something with them.
• Consider deepening interests in one of the activity areas you most enjoy.  For example, if you love to volunteer at the hospital, consider looking into summer programs that help children that are hospital bound or look into shadowing a doctor.  Or, if you are a swimmer, consider taking a life guard course or exploring other water sports.
• If applicable, summers can be a time to explore possible future careers.  If you're interested in becoming a dentist (as I was growing up!), you can ask a local dentist how you can volunteer in their office and learn more about what their day looks like.
• Of course, there are incredible summer programs put together for various activities (science research, robotics, math, writing, music).  The general rule of thumb for these programs is, the less it costs, the more its worth on a resume (typically because the more competitive it is to be part of).  Typically, these programs will have applications open during the winter of the school year prior and are great practice for future college application essay writing.

So you've made it through a few years of high school and you're feeling pretty solid about your classes, grades, and extracurricular activities.  There are a few more things to now focus on if you're college bound.  The most obvious - which schools should I be applying to?  Fit is incredibly important and it's something that we stress when working with high school/transfer students.  It's about a great match so that you get a lot out of the school, but the school and its community also get a lot out of you as a person.  Outside of the usual check on your numbers (SAT/ACT, GPA, etc.), here are a few pointers to consider in the process:

• GET ORGANIZED: this is important as you start to track standardized testing, deadlines, recommendations, and essays; 11th grade is a great time to get ultra organized for your test prep scheduling and starting to put together information for schools (e.g. spreadsheet with data of schools that match your background and interests, file folders via email and/or in real life to separate information that comes in from schools)
• ASK AROUND: stay open minded at the start of the process, we get a lot of students that really want to stay in state, but realize major opportunities may lie beyond the borders!  Start conversations with adults inside and outside the school setting that know you well: family friends, extended family, parents, teachers, school coach, religious mentors, etc.
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK: you're already doing that if you're reading this blog!  Great start.  Check out a few more blogs, contact college admissions offices for their materials, reach out to your school counselor, visit campuses
• HOW MANY: this is a common question and generally the rule of thumb is between 8 and 20; if you're incredibly organized, can take the additional work load that will be coming at you in your senior year, then 15-20 is doable
  • Definitely take into consideration the quality of the applications when considering a higher number of applications
  • Be sure to include a range of schools between safety schools, target schools, and reach schools
• FIT IS KING: ranking and reputation are hard to ignore, but don't forget about fit - this means taking into consideration whether you will thrive in a particular setting: 
  • Do you see yourself in a close knit, small class sized learning environment? 
  • Do you love division 1 sports?
  • How important is diversity? 
  • Does the campus look and feel like a place in which you'd enjoy life for the next 4 years?  
  • What about any majors that especially appeal to you?
  • Would you thrive as a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond?
  • How would it feel to be further than a road trip away from home?
  • How is the housing and food on campus?  Or does that not matter to you?
  • How is the social life on campus?  What about off campus?  What might be your preferences?
  • What types of students would you want to be around - does the campus have a political, religious, liberal, conservative slant that you do or don't want in high doses over the next 4 years?

​Best of luck in exploring the different schools out there!  

You're at the tail end of the undergraduate application process - the testing, the interviews, the essays are all behind you now.  Whew - congrats on completing an intense process.  And, if you're reading this article, my guess is that you also have choices ahead of you.  Wonderful.  

So, which college/university? 

I've compiled a few tactics to thoughtfully review the choices at hand.

• First and foremost - don't procrastinate; it's a big decision and requires thought space/time to make
• Definitely go back for a visit, if possible; this gives you the best idea of what life might be like over the next several years; most schools have admit days or opportunities to take classes and shadow a current student; this gives you a better idea of whether this is somewhere you'd thrive and enjoy over the undergraduate years
• Compare and contrast both financial aid and the departments in which you'd likely complete your major/concentrations
• Attend local events where you get to meet admissions officers and alumni - this is a great way to get to know the school better and understand the culture of the campus, especially if you're unable to go for a(nother) visit
• Go back and revisit your initial desires and why you decided to apply to a particular set of schools, these tend to include the following topics: size, location (east coast, near a big city, by the ocean, etc.), diversity, ranking; another way to think about this is why were your top 3 schools in your top 3 originally?
• Reach out to friends and friend of friends that are currently at the schools in question; schedule a conversation with them to understand what they love about it and any concerns they see as a student
• Continually keep the conversation open with your parents and family; if you're relying on their generosity of both time and money (as many students do), also  take their thoughts and considerations seriously
• Be wary of emphasizing the following in your decision equation: partying, attractiveness of the student body, relying on rankings/reputation only, over focusing on specializing in one major/subject (many students do change their minds!), rebellion (wanting something that perhaps the parents would not want for you), following (friends, significant other)

Best of luck on your decisions!

What does it mean?
Well, congratulations!  It might feel like another rejection, but what the wait list means is that you're one of the applicants that the university finds qualified to be part of the community - just that there wasn't enough space for everyone.  Due to the competitiveness of many colleges and universities, it means that there were several students just as qualified as you, and perhaps there was something else that someone else had that the admissions officers found would contribute to the mix of this particular class.  Typically the difference between accepted students and those that are wait listed are arbitrary and minor.  Pat yourself on the back for this accomplishment.

What to do next?
If you'd like to be on the wait list, you must actively notify the university.  Follow the instructions included in the notice/letter and be sure to respond.  There are several things to do and not do to better your chances of getting off the wait list.  However, many competitive universities only accept small percentages of students off their wait lists, so be sure to put down a deposit at a school in which you'd be happy to go to otherwise.  Most schools accept students off the wait list after the May 1 decisions requirements of those that were accepted before pulling from the wait list.

Things to keep in mind:

• Do follow instructions in submitting additional information to the application if the school allows.  This might be a letter of continued interest, sometimes an extra letter of recommendation, and updated resume/activities; but be sure it's within the school's allowed submission of information.  If you do have the intention to enroll if admitted, feel free to state that in your wait list letter.
  
• Do not flood the school with recommendations, lengthy letters, and samples of your school work; this could backfire!  However, most schools do allow for the submission of a letter to explain your interest and fit in the school.
  
• Do keep the grades up and activities going.
  
• Do some research on what your chances might be in getting off the wait list; it is ok to contact the admissions office to get a sense of how many students are typically pulled each year (and there are often stats on many schools on the internet somewhere!).
  
• Do get excited about the schools you were accepted into!  While in this holding pattern with your wait listed schools, you still need to, in parallel, make decisions and move forward with one of the schools that you were accepted into.  

​
Best of luck on school decisions!

 My younger sister, there's a large age gap, just graduated from Oberlin.  It was her absolute first choice school - turning down other exceptional institutions to be there.  She was considering pursuing music - and Oberlin Conservatory is one of the top in the nation, if not the world.  During graduation weekend, this stood out.  The spirit of the school is very performance oriented - from the O!Circus to steel drums to taiko - there was a performance every afternoon during graduation/alumni weekend, somewhere on campus.  I really enjoyed hearing the senior recitals at Finney Chapel - the musicians are quite talented!  

Oberlin's known for being quite liberal - and that showed.  From man buns to an all-sex system for bathroom usage in dormitories, the school definitely inspires a tree hugger type feeling that you get when walking across the better known UC Berkeley (Cal). But, there's a more casual feel to the culture as compared to schools like BU, Tufts, Middlebury, Amherst.  It's similar to how ballet dancers, perfect and tidy during performances, wearing gritty, ripped clothing during practice.  Perhaps in the perfection of performance, Obies (as they call themselves) turn to a grittier, more laid back version of themselves as they walk through campus.  

The school is composed of 2 schools - liberal arts & conservatory.  I do believe that the conservatory's culture spills over into the rest of the school's culture.  The tour guide even said that although she was a violinist, her goals weren't to pursue music in college, but wanted to be around performance (and she will be minoring in dance).  However, from conversations with students and actions of the students at graduation - there is a clear differentiation of the two programs.  As there were only about 700 graduates total, each name was announced.  The conservatory was first - and not too long after the completion of the dual degree students, the conservatory students began to leave their seats.  Ok - 3 hour long graduation, I'd be tempted, too! But, if one of my best friends was in the liberal arts college - I'd stay put and get ready to cheer for him/her.  This was telling for me.  Not in a negative way, but to share with prospective students that the two are separate entities and with as much muddling there is between them, there is still a clear divide between conservatory and liberal arts students.  It all makes sense - you'd be spending a lot more time in classes with those in the same school.

Overall, Oberlin has an excellent academic reputation.  Some of the newer buildings are LEED certified, the spaces are beautiful, the campus inviting.  For the right student, what an awesome undergraduate experience!  I would heavily consider the liberal arts school if you fit into the following categories:

• Progressive & social justice minded - most students are quite liberal
• Interest in environmental studies or ridiculously talented in music (they have excellent programs in both)
• Enjoy performing or can really appreciate performances
• Love a culture that is more relaxed in dress and appearance
• Looking for a smaller school and fit most of the above points

Fun tidbits:

• The campus houses the most Steinway pianos outside of the Steinway factory
• Finney Chapel has an amazing organ
• Instead of eating clubs or Greek life, they have co-ops for living/food - a good chunk of which slant toward vegetarian and vegan diets
• Historically part of the underground railrod

I chose Purdue over University of Southern California. It wasn’t because Purdue is renowned for its engineering, but because California doesn’t snow. Coming from a tropical country, I yearned for a complete winter experience. But do I regret going to Purdue? Despite my lack of real research and snow or no snow decision making process – the answer is a clear cut no.   Purdue has shaped me to the person I am today, one that I am proud to be.

Purdue is a great school to study engineering, which is a common thought about Purdue. But it wasn’t until I went through Purdue’s engineering program that I came to realization what that actually meant. The first year was a “filtering” process where I was able to witness many students who were unable to cope with the rigorous curriculum, switch majors. But it was through this selection system that I got the most out of Purdue’s engineering program. Because of this “filtering,” all the students that go on to be your closest peers are smart and hardworking, making academic life competitive, rigorous, and rewarding.

At Purdue, opportunities to grow, succeed and learn are plenty. Purdue hosts the largest college career fair on campus in the United States, with many dream companies such as Microsoft, Google and Apple coming to recruit talented students every year. But it was the excellent service provided by Purdue’s career center that made all the difference – they helped me land a job in the States despite being an international student.

The people that I’ve met while being at Purdue constantly inspire and challenge me to grow personally and professionally. Through my involvement with the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) at Purdue, I was given the opportunity to personally talk to and learn from many top company executives, including the Vice President of P&G and Chief Counselor of BAE Systems, a chance that many wouldn’t have during their undergraduate experience. Their unceasing aid to student organizations allows us to have those great minds as our speakers during events.

Luck was on my side as it turns out that Purdue is a great fit for me – despite my snow or no snow decisions process.
​
-Gary Khoo, Lucent Education

I applied to colleges thinking I knew what I wanted to do – become a pediatric dentist while completing a major related to science or engineering.  That didn’t happen. But, I was given the freedom (without judgement – actually, with lots of encouragement) to find my real passions.  I transferred from the Engineering school to the College of Arts and Sciences.  Switched majors, then added a 2nd major.  Coming from a family of engineers and doctors, no one could see it coming: I double majored in Child Development and Psychology.

I felt comfortable and open to new things at Tufts, making changes (and keeping my family and friends on their toes) because of Tufts’ philosophy and supportive action around academic exploration.  For me, this is what I think really shines about Tufts – the belief that your years of college are a time to explore, learn what you hate, what you’re indifferent to, and what you love.

Other insider tidbits about the university that I think everyone should consider are:

• Supportive academic team that really gets to know students (I met with Deans multiple times during my four years); Professors are accessible, seriously
• Amazing food
• Small enough campus to not feel like a sardine in the ocean, large enough to move through 4 years and not have met even close to everyone on campus
• 10-15 minute walk to the Boston T station on what I consider the best, fastest T line (Red – takes you through MIT, Harvard before hitting Boston)
• International – students from all across the country and world; and students that hope to be in lots of places (and a high % that study abroad)
• Seasons!  (for those of you from California)
• Sledding down the hill on a tray in the winter
• Rigorous academic expectations with a supportive group of peers (and professors, peer tutors, teaching assistants) to help you to meet those expectations; great foundation for graduate school work

http://www.tufts.edu/
​
-Agnes

There are several logistical factors that go into choosing a school before you start even talking about fit.  Included in those are: cost and location.  These are the first two topics that I suggest parents to focus on when discussing options for college prior to diving into the nitty gritty.  These can really be deal breakers when it comes to making the decision as a family in which colleges/universities to apply to.  This is also the time to consider application to some schools that might be out of geographical or financial reach because they are such great opportunities that you’d like to test out the waters (see what financial aid package comes through or make a visit or two to Colorado?) prior to making a final decision to rule it out.

Ok, the next section is the nitty gritty I mentioned above – it’s about fit.  What type of college, surrounding, environment will help you thrive and accomplish your future goals – that’s fit.  There are a ton of components to fit and what will be the “best” college to help you thrive.  First consider the items below and what your preferences might be.

• Size of the entering class/size of the campus
• Student Faculty Ratios
• Geography (how far from home?  City or rural? Seasons, Cloudy, or Sunny?)
• Cultural diversity
• Internship/job opportunities
• Study abroad/traveling opportunities
• Engaging curriculum, topics to study (experimental colleges, engineering with legos, Japanese Art History)
• Activities that match your interests (think: intramural sports, arts, orchestra, cultural clubs)
• Academic support services
• Career services (read: help with job interviews, recruiting, resume building)
• Campus safety
• Campus life (commuter students, residential, Greek life, etc)
• Health and wellness (read: food and exercise options)
• Alumni networks – what can the school do for you after you’re out

You now have a good idea of what types of schools you should be looking at.  Coupled with your test scores and school grades/ranking, you have a good idea of where you will fit on the spectrum.  For students looking to be at a more competitive or rigorous school, you might consider taking this information to the ranking reports and see which schools might be a good fit.  Others might use a resource like... 

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/choosingacollege/u/choose_a_school.htm 

...t​o narrow down on small class sizes, large campuses, or programs with a lot of academic support services.

Okay, I know that feels a bit backward because I haven’t yet talked about a good academic match.  Well that’s because for the majority of students don’t have a really specific niche yet and that’s because many students haven’t experienced enough to know what they don’t know about the opportunities in careers in the world.  For the majority of students, I’d recommend having a general idea of the industry or job function you’d like to go into after college and narrow down the application list to those that have that type of program available (think broad: marketing = marketing, psychology, sociology; business = applied math, economics, business; teaching = child development, psychology, education).

If in the rare case you are one of those high school juniors/seniors that knows what they want to be – the above list is still something to think about, but you may want to apply the thought topics to list of schools that already exists for your specialized interest (music conservatories/colleges, programs with strong pre-med or combined degree programs, business schools, etc).
​
The next step after creating a solid list (the usual is between 7-12 schools) is visiting them (if you haven’t already) and making sure the schools are diversified in terms of possibilities for acceptance (reach schools vs match schools).
​
Good luck in finding a few great choices for your best fit!

The title to this article is pretty intimidating.  If you’re a college senior (or rising senior) and starting to get serious about going to more selective schools, a good start to writing your essays is to outline and highlight important pieces of your life.  You can also polish this outline to use along with your resume when you ask your teachers, coaches, and mentors for recommendations.

Ok, you’re ready to get started?  The easiest way is to start from the present and start listing your biggest highlights from high school, some of which will already be on your resume.  Then think back further to highlight various aspects of your life.  Have you encountered birth or death?  Have you led a group of your peers in a petition?  Have you started your own business selling lollipops you made at home?  Are you your grandma’s favorite?  Were you overshadowed by siblings or cousins?  Did you argue with your parents about getting serious about swimming instead of tennis?

Next, think back on the little things that have happened in your life that might have impacted you in a big way.  What are the inside jokes your friends have about you?  Are there stories that your parents tell about you to their friends?  Check in with your friends and family and ask them about what they felt were big moments in your life or the highlights of your personality.

Now that you have a good list of highlights, start to think back on each of these moments in your life and write a few phrases about how they made you feel, what you learned, or how it affected your future goals.  For some of the moments, you’ll have a hard time articulating, others you’ll realize that they were defining moments in your life.  After completing this portion of the exercise, start to prioritize the moments that you’d like to share with the college admissions officers.  Mainly, prioritize the moments that truly represent who you are and help to share your unique story with application readers.
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Here’s an example of how your outline might look:

-Brother is born (I was age 3)
-I used to watch him in the back of our van as our parents shopped; we always rough housed by I once flipped him so hard that I could tell this was unlike any other time.  This is when I realized my responsibility for him.
-Big family dinners each week
-We traveled over an hour each week to visit the family on my dad’s side; with over 15 cousins and still counting
-The inside joke of the family was that my cousin J was super talented, cousin F was a genius, and I was the cutest of them all; took this to heart and found a passion I could work hard at and excel at in my own terms

Now that you’ve put together some important moments and lessons from your personal history, you have a rough outline to work with.  As suggested earlier, you can now pick out the pieces that you feel will convey who you are and make you shine to include in your college application essays.  However, your application doesn’t include just your essays.  With the outline that highlights your life, you have a lot of good information that you can still  share with the admissions committee. 

Before putting the essays together, it’s time to think about how to strategically piece together an entire application package.  As an exercise, make columns for the different components of your application: essays, resume, and interview.  With your “highlighting your life” outline, think about how you’d categorize the top 10-15 topics.  Is the topic one of the easiest to describe in two sentences or less?  Then it’s probably best in your resume.  Is it a deep personal philosophy?  That might be better suited for one of the essays.  Is it about one of your favorite teachers, but doesn’t really fall into something you can write a whole paragraph about?  Perhaps save that for the interview since many interviewers ask about your favorite class or teacher.
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Many applicants sit down and tackle each component of the application separately, however, the admissions officers will be looking at the whole package – so you should be completing it as a whole package.  Take the time to be intentionally strategic about what you want your entire application to convey about you.