College Admission Forum: Notes

Last Wednesday night, the college counseling office hosted a panel of senior admission officers from colleges around the country.  Sophomore and junior families enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation on the college admission landscape and learned more about each institution represented.  Our colleagues from Dartmouth College, American University, Rhodes College, and the University of Georgia reminded students to take ownership of their college application journey and reminded our families to seek the best individual fit for each prospective college student.  Managing and taming anxiety was a key theme, alongside numerous tips and suggestions for creating winning applications.  We are grateful to all who came out for this annual program to hear from our visiting experts.  For those interested, notes are available below.

What does your application review look like? 

• UGA – Formulaic process for EA, then holistic review for RD and those deferred from EA.  Classes and grade trends are critical.  Readers are looking for the narrative of the transcript, the context within school and at home.  What did you do with what was available to you?  Socially and academically what might you do on campus at UGA?  Careful with your application – proofread, be deliberate, be specific about UGA.  Rigor is most important in years closest to college start (junior and senior), and it’s good to see growth over time.  
• Rhodes – Academics are the most important thing.  “Activities can heal the sick; they can’t raise the dead.”  Being president of each club doesn’t overcome a terrible academic record.  Get to know your college counseling staff – counselor letters matter; conversations and relationships carry weight.  Explaining context can mean a lot to the admission side.  
• Dartmouth – Beyond what’s been mentioned, don’t underestimate the importance of junior-year teacher relationships – these teachers will write your recommendations.  It’s ok to ask the teacher who gave you strongest grade, but that’s not necessarily the only person you should ask.  Better to ask someone who knows you well, can speak to your work ethic, efforts.  OK to ask someone who saw you struggle – even if they didn’t give you the strongest grade.  
• American – What are the things that make you unique? What are the things that make you stand out?  Additional things that can help include: demonstrated interest – meet the college admission rep who visits your campus, go to visit the college, make a connection; take opportunity to interview when you can – a good way to stand out, make a personal connection.  

What is a rigorous curriculum?  What is best when picking classes?  

• The choices you make as a 9th and 10th grader matter.  These things set the tone for the options you’ll have later.  Challenge yourself within the institution where you are and to the level where you can be successful – not the most AP possible, not every honors class.  There’s no magic number.   Don’t build your high school transcript to get into a specific college. Gradual increase over time is advisable.  
• We’d prefer you take classes you love, that you’re passionate about. 

What about standardized tests?  Test optional?

• At American, no SAT or ACT is required at all.  Some students would rather only be evaluated based on four years of classroom work and grades. Take advantage of free prep – mock SAT/ACT at HIES, Khan Academy (SAT), Kaplan (ACT).  Don’t over-test – a couple sittings, but not 5-6+
• Be aware of schools that ask for SAT subject tests (Dartmouth is one, but not required).  These are an opportunity to showcase your knowledge in specific subject area.  Choose tests where you’ll do best – showcase your strengths.  And don’t bomb your AP tests – these are additional places to show strength, especially in subjects you might want to study in college.  

Should you know your major before you apply?

• At many colleges, a major is not declared until spring of sophomore year.  Be careful letting major guide your college choice unless you’re truly driven toward that thing.  Explore, take advantage of college opportunities.  It’s OK to change your mind; undecided students aren’t at a disadvantage.    

How important are extracurriculars?  Are some more valuable than others?

• Spend your time doing what you enjoy.  When you enjoy something, you’ll do well and stick with it.  Don’t try and find a specific niche to fill; follow the things that bring you joy and then tell the college about why you like them, why you do them.  Seek quality over quantity.  

What makes for good essay writing in a college app?

• Good idea to brainstorm early.  Stay away from: bodily functions, gross encounters, inappropriate language, stories about people that aren’t you (family, heroes, etc).  Be vivid with your language, specific in your experiences. 
• Careful with words, tone, authenticity.  Too many essays are fake, inauthentic, boring.  Don’t psych yourself out because of the name of the college.  It should sound authentic.  If you shared this with a friend and didn’t have your name attached – would your friends recognize it – the story, the personality, the writing?  Too many essays get over-edited; become plain; sterile.  
• When writing supplements, don’t neglect shorter essays.  You should give as much attention to short essays as the long one.  “Why College X” shouldn’t read like the Wikipedia page. 
• Don’t wait until the very last minute.  Many colleges post essay topics long before application is due, sometimes before the app goes live.  Prepare and write multiple drafts.  Don’t try and capture your entire life; use moments, memories, stories, small things.  

What’s difference between Early Action and Early Decision? 

• ED is a binding commitment – if you get in, you’re going.  Student, parent, college counselor sign contract – student will enroll if admitted and withdraw other apps.  Admit rate can be higher in ED.  BUT – you’re applying and committing without knowing if you’ll get scholarship.  Use the Net Price Calculator on each college’s website to understand how much need-based aid you might qualify for.  Apply with eyes open about financial piece.  
• Early action means an early deadline and notification date, but you don’t have to enroll if admitted – have until May 1 to decide.  

What’s your favorite tradition on your campus? 

• UGA – Before football games, a trumpet plays first few bars of Battle Hymn of the Republic.  It’s an honor to be chosen to play the silver trumpet in the top corner of the stadium before the game.  
• Rhodes – Non-school sanctioned tradition includes riding the Lynx statue ($25 fine from campus security)
• Dartmouth – Homecoming night bonfire on the green: freshmen build the bonfire, are given college credit for it – grad year goes on top, a rep from every class they can find leads in (this year back to 1940’s), alums lead freshman class to the green to light the bonfire – 6 stories of flames; run around the bonfire the number of times as your grad year at the top.
• American – During start of school year, giant statue of American eagle greets students, all rub his claw as they exit

What parting advice can you offer?

• Parents: stay in your lane.  Take time to reflect, value having formed positive memories, don’t make dinnertime miserable by dominating with college talk.  Students: take ownership.  This is your process – communicate with parents and counselors.  
• Do your homework; visit campuses.  Tack onto a family vacation, and it doesn’t matter if you know the school or not.  Think about archetypes, what sorts of things connect with you, what don’t.  Walk around on your own, stop by campus the night before. 
• Trust your college counseling team; they can help you, want to get to know you, and can be a great resource
• Just breathe and get focused on fit.  You will get in somewhere.  It’s not about name of school, location of school; it’s about the things you take away from it; the ways you get involved.  Make the most of your opportunity.