Collge applications

[beelzelboss]

I'm starting to sit down and write mine out. Is anyone on here really knowledgeable about what I should write, and wouldn't mine critiquing mine?

[Big B.]

My first suggestion would be to not mispell college in the heading of your application. Sorry, I couldn't contain myself. Good luck.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I hop you get intto collge. Good luk!

[jmattbassplaya]

When I applied for college they seemed more interested in knowing what my parents' work lives and income levels were like than what I had actually accomplished.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

I hop you get intto collge. Good luk!

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

When I applied for college they seemed more interested in knowing what my parents' work lives and income levels were like than what I had actually accomplished.

+1.

But sure, I'd be down to critique it.

FWIW, a good friend of mine got into Harvard with an essay about her grandfather's (or grandmother, I forget) alcoholism and its effect on their family.

Obviously there were other factors (financial and academic) as well, but that's some food for thought.

[seismic]

What university are you applying to? What is your intended major?

Harvard, Columbia, and BYU have different demographics than Texas Tech, University of Florida, or USC. You have to align your application to their preferences and to the majors that they offer.

Look at your intended major and what college/university may specialize in it.

Are you looking at a public school or private? Secular or religious?

Have you visited the school and have you examined the admissions package to see what they are looking for?

Let us know the school, the major, and we can offer some insights.

[beelzelboss]

Sorry about the misspelling, I didn't realize it.

I am looking at Biochemistry.
Looking at a few UC schools, UW, BU, ASU, and a backup school.
Public (as it is usually cheaper than private), non-religious.
I have visited a couple of them, and I have examined the admissions package, as far as grades go, I'm right in the middle/high end for most of the colleges, and the lower end for the UC schools. (I have a 3.5 non weighted, and a 4.2 weighted). As far as classes go I have all the requirements.

[iamlowsound]

You have to write an essay to get into university in the states? In Canada they base everything off your marks, the top academic students get in, the cut offs are different every year. It seems so much easier and less stressful here.

lowsound

[beelzelboss]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

You have to write an essay to get into university in the states? In Canada they base everything off your marks, the top academic students get in, the cut offs are different every year. It seems so much easier and less stressful here.

lowsound

I'm so jealous, but yes. We have to write an essay telling them about ourselves.

[jrthebassguy]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

You have to write an essay to get into university in the states? In Canada they base everything off your marks, the top academic students get in, the cut offs are different every year. It seems so much easier and less stressful here.

lowsound

Depends on the University, not all of them require it. The idea of essays is to help address things that grades do not always take into account - generally university essays are based on personal experiences/achievements/etc.

For example, one essay I wrote asked me to explain any poor high school grades. My 11th grade year I missed a month of classes due to kidney surgery and thus fell way behind my peers, and my essay allowed me to explain that. I guess it worked, because I was accepted.

[John Bigboote]

My daughter's neck deep in the process right now. Every school she's considering stresses that the essay is a chance to get to know the person behind the grades/scores/recommendations. Think about it: if a school is receiving 20,000 applications for 1,700 slots, and a frightening percentage of applicants have GPAs in the 4.0 range and SATs above 2200 (a scenario that describes most elite schools), how does someone stick out from the crowd?

Ch-ching!

If your story is remarkable somehow, show them how, and why. If it's not, dial up the creativity. Ultimately, every school wants to know what makes you special, and what you'll be bringing to the party. This is your chance to show them.

Remember to share your essay with your counselor/advisor, and at least one trusted adult, and ask them to be brutally frank about your subject and your execution. And make damn sure there aren't any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

-jb

[karrot-x]

College sucks.

[seismic]

You are good to go at Arizona State. No essay needed.

[sloasdaylight]

Go to a state school for your undergrad, do well, then go to a more prestigious school for your grad work. You'll save a bunch of money and no one will care in the end.

[seismic]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

You have to write an essay to get into university in the states? In Canada they base everything off your marks, the top academic students get in, the cut offs are different every year. It seems so much easier and less stressful here.

lowsound

The Canadian model of University is significantly different than in the States. Academic standing is stressed more in the Dominion and it is more egalitarian here.

Aside from the "elite" schools, college is more accessible to those not of means, those considered sociologically disadvantaged at some point, adult learners, and non traditional students.

[Implosion]

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

My daughter's neck deep in the process right now. Every school she's considering stresses that the essay is a chance to get to know the person behind the grades/scores/recommendations. Think about it: if a school is receiving 20,000 applications for 1,700 slots, and a frightening percentage of applicants have GPAs in the 4.0 range and SATs above 2200 (a scenario that describes most elite schools), how does someone stick out from the crowd?

Entrance examinations? I don't know if it is any better, but that's how it works here in Finland. High school grades + entrance examination combined and the people who have the highest scores are accepted. The entrance exam needs to be hard enough to separate the applicants. Usually there is also a "bonus group" for those who do well in the entrance examination (close to full score or something similar).

It's also different here in a way because we apply directly for a major program. So the entrance examinations are usually specific for the program. Math, physics and chem for the engineers, several different books on various subjects for those applying for history program and so on.

[John Bigboote]

Originally Posted by Implosion

Entrance examinations? I don't know if it is any better, but that's how it works here in Finland. High school grades + entrance examination combined and the people who have the highest scores are accepted. The entrance exam needs to be hard enough to separate the applicants. Usually there is also a "bonus group" for those who do well in the entrance examination (close to full score or something similar).

It's also different here in a way because we apply directly for a major program. So the entrance examinations are usually specific for the program. Math, physics and chem for the engineers, several different books on various subjects for those applying for history program and so on.

The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) exams I referred to are a standard, nationwide test that is only administered on certain days around the country (there is another, the ACT, which is taken by fewer students but is also accepted at most universities). There are three sections, each with a maximum score of 800, for a total of 2400. Anything above 2100 is considered good enough for most upper-echelon schools, though elite schools get a large number of applicants who score above 2300.

There is wide criticism for the weight that universities give to those tests, and most universities will admit that the system is unfair (obvious example: some families can afford programs to prepare the student to score highly on the exams, many can not), but they'll also quietly admit they can't get away from them. Some schools are test-optional, but not many.

-jb

[MJ5150]

Your mom goes to college.

-Mike

[need4mospd]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

When I applied for college they seemed more interested in knowing what my parents' work lives and income levels were like than what I had actually accomplished.

Ha, ain't that the truth. Big name colleges will do more to put you into debt than anything else.

[username n/a]

Your mom's a collage.