Tags: College Applications // View Comments

Does Volunteering Help with College Admissions?

You’re taking challenging classes, studying for the SAT, and your lacrosse season is going well. You’re looking at different colleges and beginning to collect a list of admission requirements. You are in Model U.N. and keep busy with a few extracurricular projects throughout the year – but something seems to be missing.

This nagging – or pull – is the first step in choosing a volunteer activity. If you don’t have that nagging feeling or a pull – it’s ok. You can have an amazing resume and application package without a volunteer activity (really). For those of you with the pull, here is a little advice on how to pick a volunteer activity.

1. Sincerity – You Want to Volunteer!

It is true! The first reason to volunteer is because you want to. If something doesn’t fit you and you have no personal desire to participate, a volunteer activity will come off as insincere and false to admission counselors. Insincerity is not only dishonest to yourself, it is also detrimental to an application. The first step in choosing a volunteer activity is to have the proclivity and interest to do such work.

2. Connect Schoolwork to Real Issues

What issues surround your proposed volunteering venture? If you are doing Meals-on-Wheels, societal issues of the elderly, retirement, living alone, and class will probably emerge. If you are working with a cancer organization, current research and funding issues might surface. One wonderful thing about starting any new activity is that it will lead you to a new place. But try to project, first, what issues a volunteering gig might lead to. Those issues will connect to your academic life and show admission counselors you are not only a stellar student, but someone who can connect studying to action.

3. Network and Make Connections

Not only will volunteering connect your interests to larger societal issues, you will also be connecting to a new group of people. Networking within these new groups is absolutely essential. If you volunteer with a state representative’s office, you will be working inside the political system of your state – and keeping those connections throughout high school and college might later lead to a job. If you decide to volunteer at a hospice, you might health workers who can advise you later. Keep an open mind – and keep your connections.

 

If these three reasons ring true for you in volunteering – go for it! But notice that a top reason was not "to make your application stand out." Volunteer work will, of course, stand out. And you could, of course, put yourself through a year of volunteer work somewhere even if you are disinterested in the actual activity. You might even pull it off. But volunteering – as in any activity – will make your application unique only if you are committed and follow through. Admission counselors will notice, and appreciate the gumption and honesty.

________________________________________________________________________

This post is titled "Top 3 Reasons To Volunteer." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team. To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications // View Comments

I just read an article titled "Rethinking Advanced Placement" in the New York Times by Christopher Drew.  As I read the article, I immediately thought of two significant ideas that will spring forth from the new AP Exams  - unmentioned as they were.

First, the new AP Exams will have a significant impact on college admissions.  Admissions offices can expect more students that will take the Biology and US history AP Examinations.  As an applicant to top schools, students often try to fill their college apps with as many AP exams as possible.  With more students taking these two exams with the new standards, we're likely to see fewer students who can distinguish themselves by scoring highly on these exams.  I expect further that the AP Exam score average will climb higher from the current "mean score of 2.63" back above the 3.0+ mark.  This is an unbelievably high (and statistically significant) number.

Second, the new AP exam standards will change how introductory courses are taught in many universities.  With more conceptually-based AP exams in Bio/History, college courses are likely to tailor their own curricula in the same way.   What this means for future Bio and History majors, remains unclear – though it is likely that future medical school and law school applicants (to which these majors most often apply) will re-think how they study and prepare for these exams as well.  I would venture that major changes in curricula for these subjects will take many years as most changes do in University level curricula.  

Overall, I applaud the re-thinking of the AP Exam standards, and remain curious as to what the impact of the standards will have on both college admissions and future course curricula.  I do recommend the article which you can find here…

New York Times "AP Exam" Article 

This article was written by Chairman of Top Test Prep, and education expert, Ross Blankenship. 

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs call (800) 501-7737 or go to Top Test Prep.

Tags: College Applications, College Board, Colleges // View Comments

You pass a class – your grades are sent in. You take the ACT/SAT – your scores are sent in. You ask a few teachers – and recommendations are submitted. You write your college essay… and you are the only one who can determine if it is done. Is your essay complete at 400 words? 500? Are 2,000 words too long? Colleges generally do not specify word limits for college essays, but is there a perfect number? How can you tell if you’ve written enough? What is the perfect college essay length?

Many college prep books recommend a 500-word essay – but other college preparatory programs often recommend 600-900 words.

Guess what? They are both wrong.

You cannot put an exact number on the perfect college essay. (Sorry.) The best essay length is determined not by word count, but by these three criteria.

1. Did you fully answer the question or complete your argument?

If you are answering a specific prompt, make sure you answer all parts of the prompt! If you set up your own situation or argument to explain, write completely. A well-written 500-word essay is useless if you do not finish defending your thesis or reasoning. Admission counselors might groan if they see a long essay on the top of their pile, but if everything you have written is essential – and if everything goes together well – it shouldn’t be a problem. (That said, if your essay is long, check for redundancy and trim it down!)

2. Does the amount you’ve written achieved flow and cohesiveness?

A good rule to follow when writing college essays is “ABC” – Always Be Concise. That said, you need to write enough so that the readers (admission counselors) can see your skill as a writer and thinker. If you think you have written too much, check for repetition and eliminate it. If you’re your essay sounds stilted, maybe you have cut too many words out. Try reading the essay aloud and hear if it sounds natural and whole.

3. Do you demonstrate unique qualities that will contribute to the college’s community?

Admission counselors want to see how you present yourself in your essay. They are looking at how you might be a part of their institution in some way – as a future student, and as a future alumnus/a. Don’t cut yourself short by creating a lengthy manifesto that wanders and causes readers to lose interest. But give yourself the time to set yourself apart from other applicants.  

 

Students have written 400-word essays and gotten into good colleges – and some have written 2,000 words. Generally students write between 500-700 words. But the point of finding your perfect length is that word count is not the benchmark used. When it's time to write your college essay, instead of hitting "word count," read it aloud and remember the above three criteria.

 

This post is titled "The Perfect College Essay Length." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

For more information about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications // View Comments

Whatever your stage of school, spring break is usually a greatly anticipated hiatus. Using spring break as a time to complete a project or readjust and prepare for the next season can both reenergize you and add distinction to your resume and future applications. Alternative spring break ideas have been gaining more and more value in both academic and professional worlds. Doing something just a little differently can make applications stand out – and spring break projects don’t have to cost a lot of money – in some cases, you might make money! Here are a few spring break projects to think about:

1. Volunteering – locally, nationally, internationally.

Depending on your interests and budget, there are a myriad of volunteering projects that are possible during the spring. Volunteering is a great way to be part of a group and network. You will also likely learn of other opportunities that relate to your future goals.  

Where can you find opportunities? Check churches, youth groups, and community bulletins for local options. If you are interested in traveling within the USA, also check national organizations like the United Way and Habitat for Humanity. If you hope to practice a language while traveling and volunteering, do a quick internet search of international opportunities. Consider your interests and budget in choosing an appropriate program.

2. Work, catch up, and earn a little extra income!

If you have a job or need to balance the budget after applications and have a job, why not work a few extra hours? Or perhaps you have your own side business and vacation can be a good time to get some extra work in. Working and fixing finances beats sitting around and waiting for school again. And you’ll still have time to go out with friends and enjoy family during your break. Working will show perseverance and independence on a school application, too.

Work during a vacation can also mean tidying up academic loose ends. If you are in the middle of a tough semester, taking a week to work at your own pace might be a good idea to let yourself feel more relaxed for the rest of the semester.

3. Road trip! – writing, photography, marching, visiting campuses.

Road trips are always a great way to avoid burnout and see a new part of the country. If you have a few like-minded friends or family counterparts, a quick trip can be rejuvenating, and it can turn into a mini-mission. If you have a destination like Gettysburg in mind, your trip might turn into an article or history project. Or perhaps you’d like the Spam Museum or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There might even be a march or protest that coincides with your beliefs that you could go to and write about later. If you like photography in an artistic or journalistic sense, your trip might add to a portfolio. Spring break is also a great time to visit colleges if you haven’t had the chance yet.

This post is titled “Resume and Application Booster: Spring Break Ideas” and was written by Marta Casey, who is a writer for Top Test Prep's team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications // View Comments

Many students want to know how their scores would compare between the SAT and ACT exams.

The SAT and ACT test prep team at Top Test Prep have prepared this helpful image for you to download in better understanding your SAT and ACT scores.

 

 

Tags: ACT exam, ACT Prep, College Applications, SAT exam, SAT Prep // View Comments

At the top of the New York Times website's "Most Popular" list last week was not a story about protests in Cairo, tiger mothers, or the President's State of the Union, but an article about the benefits of taking practice exams when studying for a standardized test. The article "To Really Learn, Quit Studying and Take a Test," reported on a study where participants were graded on knowledge retrieval using three different methods:

-Studying the relevant information many times over.
-Diagraming the information they needed to know.
-Reviewing the relevant informant, and then taking a practice test.  

A week later, the last group reported 50% greater retrieval of the information.

So should taking practice tests be the focus of your study regimen? Anecdotally, the study rings true to me. Whenever I approached a college exam or standardized test, my first goal was accumulating as many problem sets or practice tests as I could. Then I would go through, do them, and then review the answers I got wrong. There were two key benefits of this approach. One, I spent less time reviewing what I did know, while also staying sharp in the areas I was strongest. Two, it allowed me to develop a sense for the idiosyncrasies of each test. Every test has their particular methods and ways of going about posing different types of questions. Being able to identify and be comfortable with these idiosyncracies is a huge leg up on test dates.

However, I believe this method has its own set of problems. Referring to the other two study methods, the authors reported:

"These other methods not only are popular, the researchers reported; they also seem to give students the illusion that they know material better than they do."

In my experience, basing your study on practice tests can have a similar effect. I remember going into a standardized test where I had primarily studied using practice tests and expected it to be a breeze. Then the first six questions were nothing like what I had seen. My practice tests had given me a false sense of confidence!

My advice: practice tests are a great and underused method of studying. Start off your studying with a few of them to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Then spend time away from the test to develop your weaker areas. As you progress return to these tests to be able to objectively track your improvement. And most importantly, as test date approaches take practice tests in conditions as similar to the real environment as possible!

Tags: ACT Prep, College Applications, ISEE Prep, MCAT prep, SAT Prep // View Comments

Here’s some information on how to get into top colleges and universities. Top Test Prep‘s admissions experts can help you if you’re applying to college and need college admissions counseling.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

Here’s some information on how to get into top colleges. This video explains how one student got into his top college after applying with Top Test Prep’s help.

Top Test Prep’s team helps students with their SAT prep, ACT prep and admissions counseling programs. Call (800) 501-Prep for more information on our college admissions programs.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, College Applications // View Comments

When you’re applying to colleges, it’s important to know the most common application mistakes, and how you can prevent these simple errors. In fact, these common admissions application mistakes can make your test scores and hard work in school, less relevant. So, know these mistakes so that you can make your application perfect and so that you won’t get rejected from your top college.

Most Common College Application Mistakes:

(1) Forgetting Spell-check. This is by far the most common mistake students make. You should have someone you know read your essays and applications, and at the very least (which takes two seconds) select “spell check” on Microsoft Word when completing your application. This could literally save your application as admissions officers don’t like to see typos and simple errors. Remember, the application is a reflection on your entire high school career.

(2) Entering the wrong college “CEEB” information. When you’re applying to colleges, you should know the correct “College Entrance Examination Board” or “CEEB” code number. This number is assigned by the College Board to any college you’re applying to. Don’t mess this number up! If you assume that a college’s CEEB code is correct, double-check. Many SAT scores are not received each year because student’s incorrectly put the wrong CEEB code.

(3) GPA (weighted v. unweighted). The difference between your weighted and unweighted GPA can be significant. The weighted GPA is what carries more significance, particularly because it means you have taken harder courses in high school. Know the difference between a weighted and unweighted GPA. The weighted GPA means that AP and honors courses are assigned higher values compared with the unweighted GPA, which means a GPA that is based on “normal” course work. If you mess up this calculation, the college admissions offices could reject your application. So be careful not to confuse the two concepts. Your high school should clearly note these on your transcript they provide.

(4) Extracurricular activities. On the new common application, you are given an option to enter 12 extracurricular activities. Be careful not to put too many here! Fewer extracurricular activities is sometimes better. Also, if you enter too many extracurricular activities on the common application, there’s a good chance a “red flag” might be raised by the admissions officers. What this means is that an admissions committee could either doubt that you actually completed that many extracurriculars or believe you’re exaggerating. Remember, there’s a fixed number of hours in any week – whether academic or not – and if you suggest in your common application that you’re doing close to 25 to 40 hours in extracurriculars, that work will come into question. Less is sometimes better. Think quality over quantity.

(5) SAT and ACT score self-reporting. On the common application, you’re asked to self-report your SAT/ACT scores. Be careful you get the dates, scores and subjects correct. Any mishap here can cause a serious red-flag, and your application will be tagged by the admissions committees. Now that the SAT is based on score-choice, you can select which scores you want to report. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include the proper scores. Your SAT and ACT scores need to be accurate, along with your entire college application.

I hope this information helps you as you begin to apply to colleges and universities. If you need help with college admissions counseling or with admissions experts, give us a call today at (800) 501-Prep or fill out our contact form.

Best regards,

Ross Blankenship
Founder, Top Test Prep
Admissions Expert

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Experts, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

Have you seen any questionable practices put in place just so a college can increase its ranking?

There was an event in the summer that came to light, even though I think it was debunked: that the president of Clemson  – they were not voting honestly on the peer assessment survey … but we have safeguards to prevent strategic voting.

Some schools have put in ways to boost their application count. They may have a one or two or three part application, and reject a student on the second part. They may not have had any intent to seriously consider the student.

When they report their data, some schools leave out minorities or certain types of students … they’ll have left out special cases who are beneath their SAT or ACT profile, so they may look like their scores are higher than they are. It’s unclear why they actually do that, because they may be inhibiting people from applying. I haven’t seen any specific names.

How does a college break into the top rankings?

It’s very difficult. It’s relatively easy, if you‚ are right beneath the top half, to break into the top half, or to move up somewhat if you’re in the middle of the pack. If you’re in the middle of the pack, it’s easy to move up somewhat, and college presidents have a reputation doing that, like Clemson or Northeastern. There are many schools like Arizona State, University of Arkansas, to name some who haven’t been that highly ranked, but because their profile isn’t that high, they’ve moved up into the bottom of the top half.

It’s very crowded at the top. It’s really hard to change your academic profile-  become another Harvard, Yale, or Princeton – for a number of reasons. It’s not impossible, but it’s difficult. It’s probably easier now in some ways than it used to be, because schools are becoming more international. There is a much bigger population in the US or the world, so the top 1 or 2% of SAT scores is bigger. Places like Stanford don’t have enough spaces for the top 1 or 2% of students. You can tell by their rejection rates. They’re rejecting people with a 1600, they’re rejecting valedictorians, they’re rejecting – the saddest part of the whole process is high school students who have played by all the rules – they’ve created the perfect application packet, and they can get rejected, whereas 20 years ago the odds of you getting into those top schools was greater. There’s a pool of these students who have to go somewhere. That’s why Duke and MIT and Washington University in St. Louis and USC – their academic profile is much higher than it used to be-  their admission profile. In some cases they’ve used scholarships, but in other cases there are just more people out there.

What are some of the major trends you’ve noticed in the rankings?

When we first started doing the rankings, they were ignored in some ways by college presidents. Now it’s become an acceptable thing among some college presidents to have as a goal: improving in the college rankings. This is at places such as Northeastern and Arizona State and Clemson, so the acceptance of the rankings as an academic benchmark, that’s certainly been one trend.

Another trend along the same lines is that many schools brand themselves by how well they do in our rankings or other rankings. When the rankings first came out, they wouldn’t consider doing that. It’s not that we were asking them to do it, but that speaks to the school’s needs of having an external force telling the public they’re good.

Another trend: the schools have gotten way more sophisticated in understanding the rankings and how they work. I think the public has benefited because there didn’t used to be a lot of higher education data out there. [With] the amount of higher ed data that exists, schools have gotten much better at producing information on themselves, so they’ve responded to the consumer’s need for comparative higher educational data.

Have some schools rebelled against the rankings?

Reed, Oregon, St. John’s in Annapolis and its cousin schools-  those are some of the … biggest rebels (against the college rankings). They refuse to turn over their statistical data, or they refuse to fill out certain parts of the survey, so they’re taking this supposedly principled stance. They think that being against the establishment is going to be appealing to their particular applicant pool. I think that’s the main reason they do it.

It’s fine if they don’t want to do that, but what the schools have to realize is that there’s so much public, available data. They have to turn in essentially the same data to the government, so we’re able to get the same information from other sources. There’s been a movement among certain liberal arts colleges to not participate in the peer surveys. Amherst, Swarthmore, Reed, Oberlin. Lloyd Thacker has a movement called “college unranked.”

How should students use the rankings?

Nobody, a student or a parent, should ever use the rankings as the sole basis for deciding to go to one school. It should not be the most important factor.

The UCLA freshman survey asks freshmen to choose what factors have been very important in choosing to go to [their] school. The rankings themselves are not a top factor, but certainly they’re more important among minority groups or international students. For people who are going to more selective schools, the rankings are more important. I understand why: if you’re coming from overseas, you want to go to a brand name, because that’s going to be important when you come back to the country. To some parents, when you’re paying, as the price of college has gone up, people want to know if they’re getting their money’s worth, trying to analyze the best value, so that’s another factor in why the rankings have become a more powerful source.

I think it’s a minority who uses the rankings as a primary factor, but some do. Admissions counselors or high school counselors have told stories about parents who come in and are effectively saying – I only want my Johnny or Jane to go to a school above this above this college ranking…

More to come …

Ross Blankenship is an education and admissions expert who specializes in prep school, college and graduate admissions.  Ross Blankenship is an expert on the US News and World Report College Rankings. To read more about Ross Blankenship, go to: Admissions Experts or call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications, College Rankings, Colleges // View Comments

Early Decision (Admissions) Results  -  Great news!  Several admissions offices have made their early decision application “decisions” this past week and will be mailing the application results this coming week.

If you haven’t heard back yet from your top college, no worries.  Let us know what you hear, twitter @toptestprep.

Our college admissions counseling and college counseling can help you get into these schools, no matter what the result this week. Call Top Test Prep at 800-501-PREP.

Below you will see when some colleges traditionally release their early decision application results and decisions.

Boston University – December 15th;
Bowdoin College – Mid-December;
Brown University – December 14th, 5pm EST online;
Caltech – Emailed on 12th of December by noon PST
Carnegie Mellon – Mailed as early as December 12th
Columbia ED – Online December 10, 5PM EST
Cornell University – Dec. 10, 5pm
Dartmouth College – December 8th 4PM EST
Dickinson College – ED – December 15th
Duke University – December 10th 6pm
Fordham University EA – December 25th
Georgetown University – December 15th
George Washington University – December 9 @ 6:00 pm online
Haverford College – December 15th
Johns Hopkins University – December 15th, 6 PM EST email, letters sent out same day.
Lehigh University – Letters out by 15th.
MIT – Dec 16th, 9pm
Northwestern ED – December 15th (2008)
Purdue University EA – begin December 11th, decisions posted daily.
Stanford University – December 15 3 pm PST
University of Chicago – December 13 (2008)
University of Michigan-by December 24
University of Notre Dame– Dec 15th by mail
University of Pennsylvania – December 11, 3:00 PM
Washington University in St. Louis- December 11th and 12th. Posted online.
Wellesley College ED – December 11th, 5 PM online
Williams College ED – mailed by December 15th (2008)
Yale University – December 15th @5 PM online

____________________

Best of luck to everyone!

-Ross Blankenship

Education Expert

Tags: College Applications, College Counseling, Early Decision Applications // View Comments

Some tips on getting scholarship money to fund your education…

1. Start researching now.

Don’t assume you’re ineligible for a scholarship without thoroughly researching what’s out there. Use the internet, see where your friends are applying, buy a scholarship guide at a bookstore, and ask your college counselor for suggestions. There are scholarships for everything, from tall brunette women to musical prodigies. Through diligent searching, you’ll discover you’re a candidate for more than a few.

2. Increase your chances.

If you start researching scholarships early, you may still have time in your educational career to become a good candidate. A scholarship might require that you’ve completed a certain project or spent time on an extracurricular interest by the application deadline. If you know in advance which scholarships interest you, you can work these things into your free time or your classes.

Another way to increase your odds of receiving scholarship money is to apply for scholarships with specific candidate criteria, scholarships for which fewer people will be applying.

3. Consider schools that offer academic scholarships to attract students like you.

Review the schools’ websites to see what kinds of recruitment scholarships they offer. Schools will invest in high-caliber students in order to boost their rankings. Additionally, schools may use scholarship money to attract students from different geographical areas, students who can contribute to the school’s ethnic and cultural diversity, and students who are involved in less popular areas of study. Check to see whether these schools require supplemental materials or separate applications from students interested in scholarship money.

4. Take applications seriously.

Be sure to do everything a scholarship application asks of you. Approach your potential patrons with humility: they’re considering giving you money, after all. The application itself – and how well you’ve managed to follow the directions – will influence your eligibility.

5. Write a killer scholarship essay.

Approach scholarship essays with the same seriousness of purpose (and attendant anxiety) you reserve for admissions essays. Remember that the people bestowing scholarship money are interested in you as an individual. They want to sponsor candidates that they can easily picture profiting in specific ways from the education they’ll be helping to fund.

Top Test Prep offers admissions counseling that can help you manage your search for scholarships and financial aid.

This article is on getting scholarship money for colleges. To get help from college admissions experts, go to TopTestPrep.com.

Ross Blankenship, Chairman of Top Test Prep and education expert on scholarships, college admissions and test prep, wrote this article.  Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, College Applications, Scholarships // View Comments

Applying early to a college isn’t a simple decision. Whether your first-choice school offers early action or early decision, you may not want to hear the verdict on your application as early as December. Being denied admission to any school that early in your senior year can be demoralizing.

It’s true that applying early can give you a slight edge on the competition. Schools want to ensure that a certain number of admitted students will be filling their freshman class (and meeting or exceeding their admissions standards). If your first-choice school is well within your reach, it may impress the admissions committee that you are devoted enough to attend when higher-ranking institutions might accept you.

Consider applying early decision if:

1. You have a top-choice school.

2. You have thoroughly researched – and visited! – your top choice to determine whether it is right for you.

3. Financial aid isn’t a factor in whether you would attend.

4. Having any kind of answer early in your senior year would relieve some of the strain on your application process.

5. You would not benefit from having the college see your senior fall grades. (If you were rapidly improving in school, it might help you to wait.)

6. Your SAT scores are within the college’s acceptance range, and you do not plan on retaking the SAT.

If you can honestly answer “yes” to all of these, then applying early decision may be right for you.

Top Test Prep offers admissions counseling to help you manage your application process.

Contact Top Test Prep for help with your college admissions applications, (800) 501-PREP or go to our contact form.

This article is on tips for applying early decision.

Tags: admissions consulting, College Applications, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

There are two ways to approach writing a college admissions essay: finding a unique subject, or finding a unique angle on a familiar subject. In addition to displaying your writing abilities, a college admissions essay helps round out your character to an admissions committee. It reveals – or is intended to reveal – who you are. Try not to be intimidated when a college gives you the freedom to choose any topic. Once you have a list of possible topics, trust that a unique angle – in other words, your honest perspective – can make almost any subject interesting, even if it’s something the college has heard about many times before.

First, ask yourself if you’ve had any outstanding experiences – a moment in time, a vacation spent volunteering, sports camp, or a semester abroad. “Outstanding” doesn’t have to mean exotic. It can be an experience that meant something to you – whether it made you sad, made you grateful, or challenged you in a particular area. Maybe it was the three months you spent on crutches sporting a giant plastic boot. Or maybe it was the week you helped your parents make all the traditional Thanksgiving foods from scratch.

If your outstanding experience took place over a significant span of time, consider narrowing in on a particular moment that is especially representative. A single moment or anecdote can jump-start your essay, leading into a broader admissions essay theme.

Stories are fascinating. I will always recommend working a narrative element into your college admissions essay, whether it’s starting out with a story, working some background and some analysis into the middle, and finishing the essay with how the story ended.

Ensure that your admissions essay appears polished by 1) giving it a title and 2) making absolutely sure that there are no grammatical errors or misspellings. Enlist an editor you trust to read it over before you submit it.

Top Test Prep offers college admissions counseling, including help with your college admissions essays.

Contact Top Test Prep to get help with your college admissions essays and college admissions counseling by calling (800) 501-7737 or fill out our contact form.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, admissions essays, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

On what basis do most people choose a college? I’ve heard more than a few students admit to being strongly influenced by the person who gave them a tour of the campus. I can still remember what the cute tour guide at Columbia was wearing the day I visited, and that he was a vegetarian Рlike me. What do I remember about Stanford, my first choice, and what visions danced in my head when I slaved away at my application? Well, the walkways of course Рso wide! Рwith bicyclists in flip-flops cruising by, and the mild weather, and the arches lining the pavilion next to the English building. As with my search for the right prep school, I was trying to get a “sense” of the place, awaiting a feeling that would guide my decision. Just how I arrived at that “sense” did not, at the time, seem as superficial to me as it does now. I wasn’t alone in my evaluative practices. A friend who graduated from Harvard admits to having had a deterministic crush on his tour guide. Perhaps we arrive with a crush on an entire school, ready to use anything as evidence in its favor. Do students really explore the areas of the college experience that will directly affect them Рthe social groups and extracurricular settings into which they are most likely to settle?

The Washington Post features an online group discussion on the topic. Apparently, I’m not the only student who’s proved susceptible to the touring experience.

But who’s to say that deciding this way is wrong? If a college clearly has a lot to offer any student who manages to meet its admissions criteria and be accepted, then what’s wrong with picking a place that just “feels” right? Most of us don’t choose a city in which to live according to the amenities or institutes based there. If the city wants us Рif we’ve been offered a job there Рand if it offers the advantages and excitement of any metropolis, then we’ll probably choose it based on “feel,” which may include the weather, the pace of life, and the people we bump into during a visit. If a studly urbanite happens to step into our subway car, well, we can’t help but be charmed and mark it down as a plus for the experience. Maybe intuition is something to be trusted when choosing a college.

Tags: College Applications, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

Choosing a topic for college admissions essays…

The Problem with Being Un-Special

When I was faced with describing my greatest accomplishment in a college admissions essay, I was at a total loss. In inviting such a description, the committee had managed to pinpoint my greatest shortcoming. I was exposed as the bland, provincial, un-special person that any college would thumb its nose at: I hadn’t accomplished anything. I lived in the suburbs, in Connecticut. I hadn’t overcome discrimination based on my gender, sexual orientation, or race. The most exotic locale I’d traveled to had been Nova Scotia, a cold, mosquito-ridden province on the coast of Canada.

The problem was that when I pictured a great accomplishment, I literally pictured a mountain – the mountain from the logo for Paramount Pictures, snow-capped and triangular – and imagined that a person with real accomplishments would have already climbed it. This accomplished individual would see the mountain as something conquered, a standing tribute to his or her talent and determination, not to mention the unique and fascinating circumstances into which he or she had been born. I couldn’t come up with a single thing I’d done that could possibly compare to that. We didn’t have snow-capped peaks in Connecticut. And if we did, I certainly hadn’t gotten around to scaling any. I did well enough in school – was that an accomplishment anyone wanted to hear about? Sometimes, when a friend came to me with a problem, I was able to offer comfort and advice. Over time, those moments had grown in number – but could I count them together as one big triumph? Whatever they had accomplished, it wasn’t something you could measure.

After reading the question, I immediately felt jealous of people who’d suffered terrible hardships. What had I done to deserve so much happiness, so much stability right up through age 17? Troubled by this response, I reverted to feeling annoyed with the admissions committee. What did they expect from me, really? I was 17 years old. Of course I hadn’t accomplished anything! And they wanted to hear about my greatest accomplishment, as if I had more than one!

The funny thing is, I can’t even remember what I wrote. Maybe that means my answer was as bland as I’d feared. Or maybe it goes to show that no one’s mind is swimming with remembered accomplishments. Most of us don’t have the image of a looming mountain to refer to when pressed, to pull out and present as evidence of our worth, our unique status. The admissions committee wasn’t expecting a story about a mountain. I needed to dig. Accomplishments are subjective: what they really wanted to know was what I valued, and how I applied my time and energy to it. Whether I’d achieved my goal wasn’t as important as how I’d gone about it. A good essay wouldn’t depend on the accomplishment I chose to write about; it would depend on how well I communicated what it meant to me. My task was to make a genuine mountain out of a molehill, and to help the committee see it that way.

Top Test Prep offers college admissions counseling andprivate tutoring to help students get into top private schools, colleges and graduate schools.

This article is an example of ways to choose a college admissions essay.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions essays, College Applications // View Comments

In a recent article on the way standardized tests are graded, NY Times writer Todd Farley reveals that the people grading students’ essays don’t boast the credentials we might expect. The scores they assign are often influenced by emotions and circumstances.

No matter who ends up grading your admissions essay, there are certain qualities of good writing that every reader can appreciate, and it never hurts to include these in every essay you write. The reality is that all people, including editors who evaluate writing for a living, will find boring writing to be just that – boring. Writing that engages the reader, either because it’s humorous, insightful, dramatic, or lyrical, is far more likely to produce a favorable response, which may lead to a higher score.

Here are some guidelines for writing admissions essays that even people off the street will appreciate:

1) Give your admissions essay a title. A good one.

Imagine, as Mr. Farley points out, that your reader has a whole stack of essays to pore over, and it’s getting to be that time of day when his or her energy plummets. Choose a title that will rescue your reader from his or her afternoon slump. Don’t choose a title until you’ve finished writing the essay – how else will you know what it’s really about? Here’s a hint for coming up with your title: pick a word or phrase in the essay that expresses something essential about your topic. Or just pick a good word or phrase. Make that the title. Fiction writers do this all the time, and it can end up sounding mysterious and professional. It’s pleasurable for the reader to come across that phrase in the text. Suddenly, your title makes sense!

2) Grab the reader with an interesting first line.

This is your hook: your chance to capture the reader’s interest and compel him or her to continue. If your essay begins with an anecdote, deliver us right into the action: …. was poised at the starting line, waiting for the gun to go off…or Andy handed me the news article that would change my eating habits forever. Aside from starting a story with a bang, a good first line can include a confident statement. Consider using strong language, and avoid watering it down with a phrase such as “I believe.”

3) Section your admissions essay into multiple paragraphs, and begin each paragraph with a strong transitional sentence.

This sentence marks a slight change of focus – hence the new paragraph – while linking what is about to be said to what has been said already. Transitions give your essay a sense of continuity and wholeness.

4) Know your strengths, and play to them.

If you’re funny, be funny. Obviously, the topic itself is something you should take seriously, but the occasional humorous line can lighten your tone and greatly improve the experience for your reader. If you aren’t funny, then be insightful or observant. Bring out the drama in a situation that is inherently dramatic. Most importantly, be you – at your best – so that your writing shines through any reader’s fatigue. Maybe you’ll get lucky and land someone alert. In that case, he or she will appreciate what you’ve done even more.

5) Practice, practice, practice. The best way to improve as a writer is to write, and other people’s input can take your admissions essay to the next level. Top Test Prep offers admissions essay critiques and editing.

*********
You can call Top Test Prep for college admissions counseling help at (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: admissions essays, College Applications // View Comments

I’ve decided to help parents see why hiring an independent college counselor – one not affiliated with a specific school- can and will help you:

(1) 98% of American high schools lack the resources necessary to dedicate to individual students who are applying to schools.

(2) Your acceptance rate WILL go up when you do; hiring a focused counselor will help you get an outside perspective on your applications.

(3) International students sometimes need help writing in a new language; applications can be complicated, tedious and long. We help you navigate the process.

(4) We can help you get the financial aid necessary to pay for school.

(5) Parents can use the extra help motivating their students to optimize their academic potential.

These are just a few reasons how and why we can help YOU succeed in the complicated admissions game.

Contact TopTest Prep.com today for help or call (800) 501-7737.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

I’ve had a few people ask me whether they should write about the Presidential election and how it is has shaped their lives. The answer is: if you can do it effectively without it being too clich√©d, then yes – it can be an acceptable topic. All too often, however, students let the election season take over their college applications- writing fervently for either Obama or McCain without any substance; they forget to come up with a solid theme about themselves. Don’t fall victim to such poor writing.

Writing an essay, whether it be for prep school, college or graduate admissions, requires students take an inimitable approach. You must write with clarity, consistency and care.

For example, the following essay is a sample of bad writing on the election:

“I’m supporting ______ candidate because we need change. Change is a good thing for America. Just look at the last 8 years; when I was in middle school students and teachers thought we were heading in the right direction.”

Why does this essay start off bad? Well, for one, it is about a concept, i.e. “Change,” which can be difficult to bring down to a tangible level where the audience can see how it has shaped your life. Instead, start broadly and narrow the concept into a form where the reader/audience knows where you’re heading with the topic. Further, supplement any political writing with solid examples of your participation in the election process.

Here’s an example of a better essay with more substance:

“Having volunteered in a local phone drive for __________ candidate, I have heard the voices of people desiring change; I want to be part of this change. I took part in the electoral process because I feel our government is too large and our individual voices are all too often drowned out by special interests and lobbyists.”

These two parallel examples – one bad, one good- hopefully clarify the essay topic of the Presidential election or any election for that matter. If you have volunteered before or been an active part of any local, state or federal campaign, tell the admissions office, be specific and bring any abstract topic such as change down to a manageable level. You don’t want to sound clich√©d like many political ads airing across the nation. Bring substance, candor and care to your essay and you’re bound to connect more with your audience.

Hope that helps…
For more information on college essays and private college counseling, check out one of our programs, or call (800) 501-7737.

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Office, College Applications // View Comments

So, you want an Ivy League education? Well, this could be a difficult undertaking. In general, less than 1 out of 10 Ivy League applicants are accepted. To give you an idea of how tough it really is, for the 2007 school year, Harvard received 22,955 applications. They accepted only 2,058. Not very good odds are they? The question is – how do you stand out from the crowd? What will make you the 1 in 10 that they choose?

The answer: a well-refined and organized application.

Think of your college application as a full-page advertisement. An Ivy League application will include your transcripts, letters of recommendation, an essay, and test scores. These items are what the college admissions office sees as your profile or overall impression. Opinions are formed by what is contained in that admissions package. How do you make a lasting impression? Just like as in marketing – it’s all about the packaging. Here is how to make your admissions package stand out from the crowd.

First, don’t just apply to an Ivy League School for the sake of applying. A better tactic is to decide on why you want or need to go to an Ivy League School. Once you have the answer to that question, start researching what the Ivy League schools are looking for in a successful candidate. A great way to do this is to visit the schools you are interested in. Talk to everyone you can on campus about college life and whether they enjoy their experience. Ask for college brochures and admissions materials. Be sure to know what they expect as far as grades, extracurricular activities, and community work. It takes a lot more these days than a perfect SAT score and straight A’s. Know that you need at least one letter of recommendation, so start building meaningful relationships your sophomore year with school instructors and administrators.

Second, let’s talk about getting you to stand out from the crowd and making you the 1 in 10 who gets accepted. You may have heard the phrase “organization is the key to success.” This holds true for your college application process. Start by making a chart of the schools you desire to attend. You will be tracking their admissions requirements.

Be sure to note the following:

A. Application deadline

B. Applications requirements

standard forms
scores
transcripts
recommendations
essays, etc.

C. Letters of Recommendations

deadlines

who you want to write the recommendation

exact number which you’ll need

As you complete each part of the application process, check it off your chart. Remember that many colleges have a January deadline for applications. Start asking for recommendations no later than the previous November. You want to give the person writing the recommendations plenty of time to get it done correctly. If they feel rushed, your review may not be a dazzling as you had hoped. In order for your recommender to write a really good review make sure:

That your recommender knows you well. Be sure to give them enough information about why you want to attend this particular college.

Inform your recommender of the deadline.

Make sure he has your full name, address, email, home and cell numbers, and any IM or instant messaging info you may have.

Provide him with at least two copies of the forms, just in case of a mistake.

Give the complete name, mailing address of the college or university you are applying to, and include a stamped addressed envelope.

A copy of your completed application form and essays.

Information about the school you are attending. This could be a brochure or other pamphlet.

A list of all activities, awards, achievements

Your resume if you are employed.

Do not forget to send your recommender a thank you note once you are admitted.

So, you’ve organized yourself and lined up a few people to write letters of recommendation. What’s next? You need to write a killer essay. Why do you want to go to college and why should this college select you? What do you have to offer the college admissions offices? The essay is your voice to the admissions committee. Make it believable and sincere. Don’t beg or plead – illustrate your voice and vision.

Also important are interesting extracurricular activities, great grades and test scores, and a well organized application that is complete and well written will lead you to admission. If you can offer these things to the admissions counselors, you stand a good chance of getting in – you might even receive a scholarship or higher grant-based financial aid. And these rules apply to all colleges and universities, not just those Ivy League schools.

Aim high, but be fully prepared, organized and committed to enriching your application completely. Applying to the Ivy League is a challenge, but taking the process step-by-step will enable you to achieve admissions success.

Ross Blankenship is a researcher, admissions analyst and alumni of the Ivy League. He is also an author and current director of http://www.toptestprep.com. He graduated from Cornell University and obtained a law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Article appeared on education.com.

Call Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

Next Step Magazine just released one of my articles which I’d like to share with my readers:

The Common App

Hope you enjoy. Remember, applying to college is a process. We’re here to help, contact us today.

Call (800) 501-Prep for more information.

Tags: College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

We came across a unique article about the most interesting, dare we say “strangest” scholarships and wanted to share with our readers. Some pretty amusing ones and all credit goes to Jenny Sweeney, who we cite below. Top Test Prep writers thank her for posting this.

Oink, Oink

Has your room been compared to a sty? Are you comfortable living in a messy habitat? These aren’t requirements for a scholarship, but they are attributes of the creatures you care about – pigs! If you’re interested in creatures of the bovine persuasion, this is the scholarship for you; the International Boar Semen (IBS) Scholarship is available for those interested in swine management. For more information, visit piggene.com/IBS/ibs_home.htm.

The Next Generation of . . . Klingons

Trekkies, leave your capes, figurines, posters and other memorabilia behind. Just bring, well, yourself! Klingon Language Institute, in an effort to promote language study, awards one lucky winner a $500 Kor Memorial Scholarship-but don’t worry, fluency in Klingon is not a requirement. Check out the requirements for this scholarship at: kli.org/scholarship/.

Think Tall Thoughts

You’ve got Michael Jordan’s stature but you’re about as agile as a water buffalo. That’s okay with Tall Clubs International! Males over 6’2″ and females above 5’8″ are encouraged to apply. The reward is no small (pun intended) amount either; Tall.org awards a whopping $1,000 scholarship to the winner. Find more info at: www.tall.org.

Yo, Shorty!

For the vertically challenged, the Billy Barty Foundation offers scholarships to students of “short stature”. Similarly, the Little People of America awards students – and their families – scholarships. To join, members must be 4’10″ and shorter. Scholarship amounts range from $250 to $1000. Read all the requirements at: lpaonline.org.

Bit of the Bubbly, Please

Finally, your weakness for wine might serve another purpose-besides the pounding morning-after headache. The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (AASEV) awards multiple students for enrolling in science fields relating to the grape and wine industry. The scholarship amount is not predetermined; it varies year to year. To read other requirements for this scholarship, go to: asev.org/scholarship-program.

Bowling for Dollars

Though those middle-school years of loitering around bowling alleys have ended, your talent for earning turkeys may finally be cashing in. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers a range of scholarships, including the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow that offers a $1,500 renewable scholarship for distinguished male high school bowlers and the Alberta E. Crow Star of Tomorrow that also offers $1,500 in renewable scholarship funds for great female high school bowlers. Read more at: bowl.com/smart/locateState.aspx.

Got Milk?

The Scholar-Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year award is given to twenty-five graduating high school seniors who have what it takes to sport the famous milk mustache; winners receive $7,500 in scholarship funds. If that’s not enough, winners receive a special ad that runs in USA Today. If that’s not enough, winners receive an all-expense trip to an awards ceremony at Disney Wide World of Sports’ Milk House in Orlando, FL and an induction into the Milk House Hall of Fame.

Offer an Organ

You signed up to be an organ donor when you received your license. Put that heart on your ID to use! The Students for Organ Donation Youth Leadership award one or two $500 to $1,000 scholarships to full-time high school or undergraduate college students. Successful candidates actively promote organ donation and transplantation. More criteria to apply for this scholarship can be found at: studentdonor.org.

Tee It Up

You’ve seen them trudging up and down the greens, toting thirty pounds of iron on their backs, and offering tips to improve swings, distance and posture. Finally, they’re due their recognition; Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, founded in 1949, offers anywhere from $1,500 to $7,500 per year to caddies. Eligible applicants must have served at least two years as caddies, helpers in the pro shop or course superintendent operations at a club in Massachusetts. Read more information: ouimet.org/scholarships/

Hot, Hot, Hot

You’ve heard it, those three little words…in case of a fire: stop, drop and roll to safety. Earning a scholarship from the American Fire Sprinkler Association is almost just as easy; AFSA offers ten $2,000 scholarships per year to graduating high school seniors. Requirements include reading an essay and taking an online (and open-book) test. Read more about this sizzling offer on: afsascholarship.org.

Sweeney, J. (2008, February 22). Top 15 Strangest Scholarships. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-15-Strangest-Scholarships&id=1002481

Tags: College Applications, Scholarships // View Comments

One of our students asked, “What should I do to prepare my college applications during the summer?” Another reader pondered, “I’m not sure what my student should be doing this summer, could you help?”

Well, we’ve developed a top 10 list for test prep, college admissions counseling and college applications during the summer before your senior year. The list also should help students before they apply to colleges:

(1)

Obtain college applications:

Print off all of the college applications from every school you’re interested in. Even if you’re using the common application, it’s good to know which documents each school requires.

(2)

Arrange your college visits:

The summer is a great time to travel to colleges and narrow down your college choices based on what the schools look and feel like. College visits will solve this dilemma.

(3)

Contact the admissions offices:

If you have questions about applying to an individual school, use the summer to call the admissions offices and make sure you know their requirements.

(4)

Work on your college essays:

Whether for the common app or for the school’s individual application, college essays can be tough. This is particularly true because they’re usually very broad and require you to get as much information as possible into 500 words or less.

(5)

Organize your documents:

If you don’t already have a resume or “brag sheet”, use the summer to develop them. In addition, get all of your test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT) and transcripts from your school. These will be very helpful when you develop your college list.

(6)

Volunteer:

If you’re not already involved in some community groups or non-profit organizations, the summer is a perfect time to start. Volunteer with the local YMCA or Big Brother / Big Sister’s Club. Also, because this is the prime presidential season, you can volunteer for one of the major Presidential campaigns. Whatever you do, work hard and make good contacts.

(7)

Read!

This summer you should do all assigned summer reading. But go one step further: read magazines like The Economist and publications like the Wall Street Journal. Reading these periodicals will keep your mind fresh and prepared not just for high school, but for college.

(8)

Stay active:

If you’re involved in sports, keep it up. The exercise and activity will no doubt help you concentrate in the fall. And if you’re an athlete hoping to get recruited, maintaining your fitness is crucial.

(9)

Take summer classes:

Whether you’re in a big or small city, there’s a good chance the local colleges offer summer enrichment courses- you could even take some college courses for credit- like Creative Writing, Chemistry or Math. These courses will keep your mind fresh. And we offer SAT and ACT courses.

to help you get higher scores.

(10)

Prepare for the SAT / ACT:

If you haven’t already taken the SAT, it’s important to spend the summer preparing for these standardized tests. Spend at least one hour a night on a new chapter on the SAT or ACT.

We hope this list of top 10 summer activities helps you get ready for the all-important transition from high school to college. If you need college admissions counseling, contact us today to get started.

Ross Blankenship, Education expert and Founder, Top Test Prep

Tags: College Applications, College Board, College Counseling, SAT Prep, Test Prep // View Comments

There are several college admissions myths which should be exposed before you apply. These myths often scare certain students from applying to the best schools. Never limit yourself from applying to top colleges because you believe these things:

(10)

Applicants are pre-screened.

Whether using the common application or a school-specific application, college admission offices have enough staff members to read your entire application. After all, you pay an application fee for a reason and colleges want to make sure you get your fair chance. However, if your application is incomplete or missing crucial components (essays, transcripts, or supplements) this might explain why it is rejected, or pre-screened out, before it reaches the full committee.

(9)

You must choose your major and stick to it.

When you apply to college, admissions officers know your major is bound to change. In fact, many admissions offices have reported that the majority of their students change their major by the end of their freshman year. Don’t worry about choosing your major. Pick a department or major where you have a genuine interest, and be open-minded to changing it once you’re enrolled.

(8)

You must apply early decision or early action.

Yes, applying early decision or early action shows a student is committed to a particular college. But you do not have to apply early to be accepted, even to top colleges. In fact, if you’re deferred in the early decision or early application round, your application goes right back into the regular pool and will be re-evaluated again.

(7)

Colleges have a certain profile of the perfect student.

While colleges strive to admit students who will fit into their college, there’s simply no way for a college to predict whether a student will be happy or whether they will actually succeed at their college. This is why colleges don’t set a particular admissions profile for the “perfect” student.

(6)

Ivy League schools don’t give scholarships.

Although Ivy League schools say they only allocate need-based scholarships, there’s no doubt that certain schools issue other grants and fellowships based on other criteria. If you’re a top athlete, recruit or a national merit scholar, an Ivy League school will go out of its way to make sure you can afford their school.

(5)

International students don’t receive scholarships or loans.

More colleges are looking to diversify their student body with international students; major banks and financial institutions offer the same financial opportunities for international students as they do American applicants. Scholarships and fellowships are available for international students.

(4)

You should pad your resume with extracurricular activities.

Every admissions officer is a human being. Imagine that. Applications aren’t accepted or rejected by a computer. So when filling out this section of the common app, know that admissions offices can (and do) spot superfluous extracurricular activities. Further, they can certainly tell whether you added an extracurricular because you have a genuine interest or because it looks good on your resume.

(3)

Recommendations don’t matter.

Great recommendations are vital. You cannot expect to be admitted simply with high scores and great grades. If an admissions officer sees a perfunctory or suspicious recommendation, it will set off a red flag. Bottom line: choose the person writing the recommendation who knows you best and make sure they know where you’re applying and what your qualifications are.

(2)

There’s a GPA Cut-Off.

Colleges generally don’t have a GPA cut-off. The reason admissions offices don’t have a GPA “cut-off” is because students come from all sorts of different high schools with varying curriculums and grade structures. Some students attend public schools, others private schools where the GPA ranges could be wider or narrower. Further, there has been much discussion about grade inflation, and colleges do know what particular high schools tend to have higher GPAs than others. Whether this is so-called grade inflation or not, the schools have an idea of what schools have a more competitive curriculum, including more AP, IB and honors courses. Be aware of your GPA and explain discrepancies in your transcript.

(1)

There’s always an SAT/ACT Cut-Off.

Some state colleges do have a cut-off for SAT/ACT scores. But the majority of American Universities do not. So keep working on your test scores but don’t fear the mythical cut-off.

If your SAT or ACT Prep isn’t as strong as you’d like it to be, TopTestPrep.com will help you improve your SAT and ACT scores.

Hope these admissions myths were answered. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Top Test Prep team.

-Ross Blankenship, Education Expert and Founder, Top Test Prep

Test Prep and Admissions

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Data, Admissions Office, College Applications, College Counseling, Tutors // View Comments