Recommendations

The Other Essays that are "All About You": Your Recommendations

Posted on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:24

John Carpenter is back this month to remind students that there are some other essays that are "all about you" -- the recommendations from your counselor and teachers. Read on for his tips on how to get the best writing -- that is, the best results!

In applying to college, writing is enormously important because good writing tells us something we need to know. I spend a lot of time talking to students about writing their essays, and I usually enjoy reading what people have written and hearing the stories.  While there’s a lot of emphasis on creating the perfect essay, there’s another kind of writing where students also have some influence and most high school kids don’t even think about it -- and that’s the recommendations.

Yep, recommendations.  Those other great little essays that are all about you, written by your teachers and counselor.  If you think it’s tough to write a personal statement for an application and a couple of short supplement essays as well, imagine what it’s like for your high school English teacher who is probably writing about 15 or 20 essays--er, I mean, recommendations--for her students.  And then there’s your counselor who, depending on how big your graduating class is, could be writing 15 or 20 -- or even as many as 100 or more.  Seriously! 

Next steps: Deferred under an Early Plan

Posted on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 17:43

Today, we look at next steps for students who have been deferred under an under early decision (ED), early action (EA), or restrictive early action (REA) plan. Deferred under Early Decision, Early Action, or Restrictive Early Action If deferred under ED, EA or REA, students are placed in the regular admission pool for later consideration. You do not have to reapply, but there are some actions you should be taking at the school where you have been deferred if that school remains a top choice for you:

Juniors: What You Should Be Doing Now

Posted on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 12:27

Attention, juniors! Here's your checklist as you head back to the classroom:

  • If you haven't yet made a testing plan (think PSAT, PLAN, ACT, SAT, SAT IIs, AP exams...), do it now.
  • Research colleges by browsing online. Enter the email addresses of any college of interest in your address book so emails get through the spam filter.
  • Make sure you have a challenging, college-prep course load. If you feel your course load needs adjusting, discuss this with your advisor, counselor or principal prior to the start of the school year.
  • Talk with your parents about planning a college road trip.
  • Try out a net price calculator - with your parents, if possible. Set aside 15 – 20 minutes, and visit the financial aid website of one of the colleges on your list, or try one of the net price calculators available at http://netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org/ to begin to understand financial aid.

Seniors: What you should be doing now...

Posted on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 07:17

Attention, seniors! You will need to hit the ground running this fall:

  • Just getting started with your college search? Sign up for the tests you will need to take - the SAT and/or ACT.
  • If you haven't asked two teachers to write recommendations for you, make your request now.
  • Narrow your list of colleges to the eight to ten schools to which you will apply.
  • Decide if you will be applying under an early decision or early action plan at any schools.
  • Try out a net price calculator - with your parents, if possible. Set aside 15 – 20 minutes, and visit the financial aid website of one of the colleges on your list, or try one of the net price calculators available at http://netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org/ so you can begin to understand what your financial aid package might look like.