“Get Me In”: Keynote Speech

Arcadia High School College Night, April 2010

“Get Me In”: Keynote Speech

Arcadia High School College Night, April 2010

What Else Colleges Look For: Essays, Applications,

Recommendations, and more.Dr. Rebecca Joseph

getmetocollege@gmail.comrjoseph@calstatela.edu

TO LEARN MORE

Email rjoseph@calstatela.edu getmetocollege@gmail.com

Phone 323-646-5759

Facebook Getmetocollege Freeadvice

Twitter @getmetocollege

Website getmetocollege.org (focus on first

generation and under-represented students)

Colleges are more expensive than ever…

There is still the big bubble of high school students…

More affordable public universities are receiving more and more applications raising tuition, using waitlists for the first time, and cutting back on freshman admissions.…

The economy is hurting families and colleges… Family savings and incomes are decreasing Colleges are struggling as their endowments

and budgets have fallen and reducing services and raising costs.

A Perfect Storm …A Perfect Storm …

Most competitive year ever for UCs

Email rjoseph@calstatela.edu getmetocollege@gmail.com

Phone 323-646-5759

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Total applicants-82,056, 71.6% admitted to at least one campus. Down from 72.5% in 2009, and 75.4% in 2008.

More out of state and international students admitted, especially at UC Berkeley.

Grades Academic Rigor Standardized Test Scores Strong applications Great essays Counselor Reports Extracurricular Activities Teacher Letters of

Recommendation Other Unique Features

MOST COMPETITIVE YEAR FOR PRIVATE COLLEGES

College is still worth the investment and the effort

But families may have to make some difficult decisions

Key is making sure your student can be competitive on campuses that value more than just academics.

Essential is finding the right match between the strengths of your child and colleges that Provide unique learning communities Value what your child has to offer Want to accept your child Offer enough financial support

Yet…

Grades Academic Rigor Standardized Test Scores Strong applications Great essays Counselor Reports Extracurricular Activities Teacher Letters of

Recommendation Other Unique Features

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN MATCH STUDENTS

HOW DO WE BEGIN TO PREPARE?: Non Academic Factor That Affect Admissions

Grades and Test Scores Are Not Enough Even For

Those Not in Top 4%

There is increasing pressure on campuses to diversity campuses.

That means they want to focus on areas that are not just academic.

They want students who will add their leadership, social skills, experiences in activities, talents, and initiative.

They want students who have played an active role in their highs schools and communities because these students will do the same at colleges.

The application itself really matters. Most are now online. Public colleges have their own

applications. Fortunately, most private colleges use

the Common Application. Sigh, not USC or most state universities. Fortunately, all have overlapping

features. Develop a plan for organizing application

requirements. Make sure you fill in every component

and leave nothing to the imagination. Many students neglect to fill out the

activities section to reveal their consistency, development, and leadership

TO DO: Develop a detailed resume!!!

The actual COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

OTHER KEY FACTORS: APPLICATION ESSAYS

Application essays are often the top non-academic component colleges use in admissions.

Essays must have a sizzle, a message, a unique story.

Essays can tip student in or break ties. Essays must have details and reveal unique

features that your child has to offer the college.

I created a course that helps students write powerful essays that UCLA Summer Extension offers….this summer August 9-12.

"Writing my personal statement with Dr. Joseph not only helped me get into college, but also helped me discover my true potential and inner self. She really taught me how to add that special personal touch to my essays."

COUNSELORS-Key Allies

• Counselors letters are a required component of most private college and some public college applications.

• The more your counselor knows your child the better a letter the counselor can write. Counselors often call schools on your behalf.

• Yet counselors have large caseloads. Students/ Families need to be proactive (not pushy).

• ATTEND every workshop/meeting your school counselors offer!

• Listen to the bulletin. • Read all the literature sent home (mailings, flyers,

and CollegeBLASTER)• Check NAVIANCE – often!

• Fill out the brag sheet (AHS Student Data Sheet) with as many details as possible.

• Use NAVIANCE Family Connection and all of its wonderful resources.

TO DO: Spend significant time on student and parent brag sheets.

College Lists: A Mid Lecture Note

• Listen to your counselor. They know the context of your school and its relationship to colleges the best. They help you develop a list with “MATCH COLLEGES” on it.

• Develop a college list which includes colleges that are a good match:

• Reach• Challenge• 50-50, and • Likely

• Remember, an unbalanced list is dangerous. Find colleges that you are a good match and that you could realistically be admitted to

• TO DO: Research colleges that respect your children and remember, Ivy League Colleges are wish upon a star colleges—not reach.

DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Colleges want varied student populations. They want students who enhance their campuses and take advantage of resources.

They look for students who participate actively in school and community activities.

They want students who show in their activity choices and participation Consistency Development Leadership Initiative.

CONSISTENCY

Consistency1.Start with at least two to three activities during the school year and use your summers. 2.Try to think outside the traditional activities of music and research. Top colleges need to distinguish students .3.They can be in or out of school.4.Follow passions if possible.5.Consider taking ROP classes at Arcadia as they have links to work and can lead to internships and major community service.6.Top colleges want at least two to four major ongoing activities. 7.If you plan to declare a major right away, you must have some kind of experience in that field…over time.

 

Kinds of Activities

Community ServiceVolunteer WorkClubsAthleticsThe ArtsStudent GovernmentInternshipsJobsChurchSummer academic programsFamily businessCamp  ROP

DEVELOPMENT

•Each year do more and more within those activities. Try new things. Explore. •If you drop, pick up something new.•Colleges do not want students to stop activities and do things for just a short time. Never stop an activity 11th grade.•While academics are important, development within activities is key.•Use your summers to explore new areas and fields and to gain experience in your areas of interest.

Try to….

•Do more and more within your activities. •Plan an event. •Recruit new members.•Find different summer programs that meet your academic, extracurricular, and community service interests. •Volunteer each summer for an organization.•Go from camper to CIT to Camp Counselor

LEADERSHIP

•Take on leadership roles•Plan events within a big organization•Lead events or organizations into new areas and possibilities. •Go from secretary to vice-president to president.•Take on new roles.•Start a new chapter.•Do not do anything just once.

INITIATIVE

1. Start something new within a club or within your community.2. Show your creative and ingenuity.3. Start showing initiative in 9th and 10th grade. 4. Think outside the box. Break beyond stereotypes.

So try to..Start a new clubCreate a partnership with a non—profitTake a group of musicians or singers to a senior center several timesUse the internet to market an ideaSpeak at an eventRaise money for a charity or causeTranslate for underprivileged peopleWork for your parents oversees and develop new products or ideas.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY TIMELINE

Freshman-Sophomore Year; Participate in activities in and out of school that interest and motivate student.

Junior Year- Continue with current activities. Do not stop. Students can start an activity, but must plan to continue it through senior year.

Junior and Senior Year: Take on leadership responsibilities in current activities. Use your initiative.

Summer-Use each summer well--- Get a job Get an internship Volunteer Take enrichment courses Juniors-take college courses Continue with camp, sports, and other

activities

TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Most private colleges and many public colleges want one to two letters of recommendations from teachers.

They want core academic letters—English, SS, Math, Science, and Foreign Language.

They prefer junior and senior year teachers or teachers that students have had more than once

They want teachers who know student well.

Extra letters are fine, especially for scholarships and if you get deferred or waitlisted.

TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS: JUNIOR-SENIOR YEAR GRADE

TIMELINE

Sophomore Year-Start saving core graded assignments.

Junior Year-If core teachers are planning to leave school…get contact info.

Senior Year Fall-Ask one to two teachers. Ask EARLY.

Senior Year Fall-Give teachers copy of AHS Student Data Packets with appropriate forms and envelopes. Remind them of all the wonderful things you did in class-written, oral, and more.

OTHER SPECIALTY AREAS

Sports NCAA regulations NCAA Clearinghouse Varsity, clubs, summer

programs Arts

Auditions Art Supplements NACAC Visual and Performing

Arts Fairs http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/

pva/Pages/default.aspx

Particular areas of expertise Develop a strong, strong

resume and/or portfolio

This is true and false!!!

TO LEARN MORE

Email rjoseph@calstatela.edu getmetocollege@gmail.com

Phone 323-646-5759

Facebook Getmetocollege Freeadvice

Twitter @getmetocollege

Website getmetocollege.org/hs