Helpful Tips for the College Bound
~ From Your BMCHS Counselors ~
Ahhh!! It's Time To Apply For College! Now What?
------------------------------------------
- College Search & Planning Tools -
guides families — step by step — in preparing for, finding and enrolling
in college. At bigfuture.org, you can:
------------------------------------------
- Applications -
The Common App
Parchment
Tips from The Department of Education
Here are some tips for completing college or career school applications:
- Keep it real. Don’t exaggerate accomplishments or claim things that aren’t true.
- Give letter-writers time. If you are asking teachers, coaches, or counselors for letters of recommendation, ask several weeks before the letters are due.
- Beat the deadline. Reduce the chance your application will get lost in the shuffle: Submit it well before the deadline.
- Apply online. It’s easier and faster.
- Emphasize your uniqueness. Colleges like to have students with different viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences. If you can add to that mix, let them know.
- Keep it clean online. Don’t have anything on your social media pages that you wouldn’t want a college admissions officer to see.
- Submit one application for many schools. Some colleges and universities share common online applications. Once you complete the application for one school, you can submit copies of it to other schools. It saves a lot of time. Learn more about The Common Application.
- Protect your hard work by keeping complete copies of everything you send to each school.
(source: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/applying)
------------------------------------------
- Financial Aid - FAFSA - CSS Profile -
College Financial Aid Packages: The Appeals Process
If you are a college student receiving federal financial aid to attend school, you can submit an appeal or a request to your school to adjust your financial aid package. A financial aid appeal or request is available to qualifying students at all types of institutions (Graduate, 4-year, 2-year, and trade) offering federal financial aid. Federal law allows your financial aid office to make changes to your financial aid package under certain circumstances. Each school has its own processes and requirements.
If your financial aid office accepts an appeal or a request, your financial aid package may change in one of the following ways:
- Your cost of attendance (COA) may go up
- Your expected family contribution (EFC) may go down.
- You may receive an emergency cash grant
Want to learn more? Visit SwiftStudent for more information and support.
------------------------------------------
- Resumes -
ZeeMee - Bring Your Application To Life!
------------------------------------------
- Essays -
College Essay Guy
College Essay Guy is an AMAZING resource for writing a standout college admissions essay. Tons of free resources, along with 3 free hour-long workshops for brainstorming and compiling your thoughts for a stellar essay. He has compiled his "greatest hits" all on one page, the link is below:
45 Ways To Avoid Using The Word "Very"
The College Xpress Guide to College Essays
350 Character Traits
Escape Essay Hell - Guide to Writing College Essays
Learn about my in-person and online tutoring, editing, workshops, books, and online courses.
------------------------------------------
- Recommendation Letters -
Requesting Letters: Dos & Don'ts
Do
- Request an appointment with your potential recommender ahead of time.
- Provide a specific due date.
- Allow 2-3 weeks for your recommender to submit their letter.
- Request a letter from someone you currently interact with on an academic and/or professional level.
- Express your appreciation for their time and willingness to write a letter for you.
- Remind your potential recommender of significant, positive interactions that you have had in the past.
- Provide the following: Résumé - Summary of strengths/weaknesses/goals - Summary of interests/abilities that you would like highlighted in your letter.
- Allow two weeks before you provide a kind, friendly reminder to your recommender.
- Provide an addressed and stamped envelope if you need them to mail your letter.
- Write a thank you card to your recommender once they have completed your letter.
Don't
- Wait until the last minute to request a letter.
- Demand a letter from your potential recommender.
- Become angry or rude if a potential recommender declines to write a letter for you.
- Demand or dictate what the recommender should include in their letter.
- Do not pester or rush your recommender.
Reminders
- Procrastination on your part is not an emergency on their part.
- If someone declines your request for a letter, ask them if they would be willing to provide constructive criticism regarding their decision. Reflect on their feedback and ask for ways in which you can improve.
- Let your recommender know if you plan to use their letter for multiple colleges, scholarships, leadership programs, and/or employment. This will help them tailor their letter accordingly.
- Let your recommender know once you have been admitted to a university, they will want to hear about your success!
------------------------------------------
- Rep Visits & Tours -
Ms. Hearne's Guide to College Visits
What Questions Should I Ask My College Rep?
- How do students spend their free time?
What opportunities are available for freshmen to get involved on campus? How would I go about doing that once I arrive?
What kind of resources are available to freshmen to help them acclimate to the university's expectations, the campus & local community?
I would like to build a positive working rapport and deep connections with my professors, what is the most effective way of doing that on your campus?
Is it possible for freshmen to get involved in university research projects? If so, how would I go about getting involved?
Do students get involved in the local community and how could I do that as a freshman?
What is the culture of the school community and the city's community as a whole?
How would you describe the academic culture of your university? Collaborative? Competitive?
First Impressions
- You need to be the one sending emails, making phone calls, and setting up interviews/meetings. This is your first big leap into adult/college life, so it's time to take the reins and do the leg work on your own.
- Share what you are passionate about academically -- This shows your personal interests but also relates to your professional side.
- Make connections between your personal hobbies/interests and what the school has to offer, i.e. your love for Harry Potter and interest in starting/joining a Quidditch team. It really exists!
- Are you interested in a science related field? Ask how you can get connected with professors that offer research opportunities for freshmen.
- Use proper email etiquette. Make sure you double check spelling, grammar, and that you are communicating with the correct person for each school in which you are contacting.