When writing your college essay, it is important to think about the story you are telling. Everyone wants to be entertained, even admission officers.
Continue readingHow To Make Changes to a College Application
What happens if you find a mistake in an already submitted application? Read on to find out what to do!
Continue readingQuestions to Ask Professors on a College Tour
As students and their families organize themselves to visit college campuses, they usually focus on itineraries, on reserving hotel rooms, and on scheduling those campus tours. Only a few, however, consider direct contact with professors during the visit. Why would a visit with a professor be important?
Continue readingWhen Should You Appeal a College Admissions Decision?
While many students celebrate April 1 and the release of college decisions, students who were not admitted into their school of choice may have a different feeling. For some students (and parents) the disappointment that comes with a refusal may lead to the desire to take action and appeal the denial decision.
Does this sound like you? If so, you should ask yourself if it is actually worth your time to appeal a decision. First, make sure to check on the college’s website. To see if the college even accepts appeal requests – some do, some don’t. Second, understand that very few appeal requests are actually granted. Lastly, think about if it is actually worth your time to appeal. And if you have good reason to justify the appeal.
What is your reason?
– Are you upset with the decision and think it is unfair?
– Did one of your friends or classmates get in and you don’t understand how they got in instead of you?
– Did you get in to another great school and feel that the school that rejected you was incorrect in their decision?
– Were your parents alums or donors and you feel that the school must not have considered that?
These reasons alone are not reasons to appeal an admissions decision
If you try, the appeal will likely get turned down.
However, if you still feel that an appeal is warranted make sure you meet the following criteria.
Do you have new information to share with the college?
When colleges review appeal decisions they are looking for new information. They have already reviewed your application. And taken into account all of the information that you shared with them (including your grades, essays, letters of recommendation, interview, etc.). Unless you are presenting something new, you should probably not plan to appeal a decision
Has something drastically changed with your application since it was sent in?
If you discovered something substantial was missing from your original application (not by fault of your own). Or there was an error in the reporting of grades or test scores chances you may have grounds for appeal. But again there are no guarantees.
Admissions decisions are emotional, particularly the deny decision. Know that it is okay to be disappointed, frustrated, and want to know why you weren’t offered admission. But make sure to be realistic and understand that the decision will likely stand. And the chances remain slim of it being changed with an appeal.
The Common Application Apologizes to Counselors for Glitches in Releasing New Version
Today the Common Application sent an email to all counselors apologizing for causing havoc for both students and member colleges–which has caused panic in the offices of college counselors everywhere. It’s a good letter, so I’m posting it here in its entirety.
Continue readingHow To Write A Perfect College Essay for the Common Application–Your Background Story
Essay Writing! This first in a series of posts on the Common Application essay prompts focuses on how to answer the prompt about how your background or story has shaped your identity.
Continue readingAdmission Decisions: The Rejection Letter
So you were not admitted to your first choice college. What do you do now?
Continue readingCommon Application Updates on The Horizon
While this year’s rising seniors may only face small changes to the Common Application, big changes are on their way for the Common Application in 2013-14!
Continue readingPreview the Common Application Now So You Are Ready For August
Check out a pdf version of the 2012-13 Common Application to start familiarizing yourself with the application so you can be ready to start filling it out in August!
Continue readingLetters of Recommendation: Asking the Right Teachers
Which teachers should you ask to right your letters of recommendation? Read on to find out what insights are important to colleges.
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