The Mistakes Students Always Make on “Why This School” Essays...and How to Avoid Them!

When most students think about college essays, they start with the Common App® personal essay – and that makes sense. But that’s just the beginning! Most schools also require supplemental essays, which are designed to assess how well an applicant might fit within the institution’s academic programs and campus culture.

There is a pretty broad range of possible essay topics for these, and we work with our students to prepare what we call “generic supplemental essay” content in advance. We’ve found that most supplemental prompts fall into about five big themes, so we help students write strong responses to those ahead of time. We tackle these before most prompts even come out. That way, students already have solid content they can tweak to fit each school’s version.

But there’s one type of essay that’s tough to reuse – and it also happens to be the trickiest: the “Why This School?” essay. These prompts usually ask why you’re interested in a specific institution (or the undergraduate division of your choice at that institution), what you’d get out of being there, how you’d contribute to campus life … or all of the above!

These prompts are designed not only to test whether you’ve researched the school, but also to help admissions officers understand how you might contribute to campus life in meaningful ways – beyond simply earning good grades (that’s a given!).

At DCCC, our students work one-on-one with coaches to develop personalized, well-researched responses to every school on their list – so they're fully supported throughout this process. But if you're just getting started, or you're trying to help your student tackle these essays on your own, here are some common mistakes to avoid – and a preview of the kind of guidance our families receive along the way.

Mistake #1: Copying the Website

Weak: I am excited to join Clemson’s engineering program for its excellent research opportunities, study abroad offerings, and hands-on work experience.  

Sure, those are good reasons to want to attend Clemson … and they are practically ripped right from the home page of the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences site. There’s nothing really special here, either – after all, most engineering programs offer research, study abroad, and experiential learning opportunities.

We guide our clients through this research process to make sure they’re finding really valuable and specific information. Consider the following: Are there faculty whose work aligns with your interests? Specific research projects that excite you? A study abroad program, club, or competition team you'd love to join?

And just listing features isn’t enough – you need to explain why these matter to you personally.

Better: As a student pursuing a career in aerospace engineering, I’m especially excited about the chance to join Clemson’s Rocket Engineering (CURE) team. The opportunity to help design and machine rocket components as an undergraduate is exactly the kind of hands-on experience I’m seeking! I’m also drawn to the team-based structure of CURE, which reflects the type of collaborative environment I grew to love on my high school robotics team.

Mistake #2: Putting Too Much Emphasis on the Prestige

Weak: I can’t wait to attend Yale University, as graduating from an Ivy League school will afford me incredible opportunities after college.

You’re not wrong – but Yale doesn’t need you to remind them of their prestige. A statement like this suggests you’re more interested in the Ivy League brand than in Yale itself. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve done your research – and that you’re drawn to Yale for reasons beyond its reputation.

What programs or departments are you excited about? Are there specific faculty members you’d like to study with, research opportunities you want to pursue, or campus traditions that genuinely appeal to you? It’s fine to admire a school’s status, but you need to connect that admiration to something personal, thoughtful, and specific.

Better: While Yale’s global reputation first caught my attention, I’m especially drawn to the sociology department’s focus on culture, power, and social change. In high school, I launched a storytelling project in which students shared family migration stories. It showed me how narrative can shift public understanding – something I hope to explore further through courses like “Narratives of Social Protest” and research at the Ethnography Hub. Yale’s emphasis on discussion-based learning and faculty-mentored research will prepare me for a career in public policy, where I can use storytelling to shape more equitable systems. I can already picture myself walking across Old Campus in the fall on my way to a seminar on activism and identity!

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Talk About Yourself

Weak: The U-M Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) is a unique opportunity to work alongside faculty on meaningful projects.

Sure – Michigan is the #1 public research university, and UROP is an incredible opportunity. But the concept of undergraduate research isn’t all that unique, so what’s special about UROP? Plus, how does this actually serve you? What kinds of projects are you excited about and why? Is there a specific lab, professor, or research topic that aligns with your interests? Just describing what the university offers isn’t enough – you have to connect it to your own goals, values, and curiosity.

While it’s important to do your homework when writing these essays, don’t forget to keep the focus personal.

Better: I plan to major in exercise science because I’m interested in exploring how physical activity can help people stay healthy as they age. After seeing my grandfather regain strength through a rehab program after heart surgery, I wrote my IB Extended Essay on how aerobic exercise affects blood vessels in older adults. That’s why I was so excited to learn about Dr. Lane’s research in the Lifestyle, Exercise, and Arteries Lab! Through UROP, I’d love to join his team and get hands-on experience studying how aging affects the cardiovascular system.

Mistake #4: Being Too General

Weak: Brown’s innovative education program is fascinating, and I love the strong sense of community. 

I’m not sure there’s a single college in existence that wouldn’t advertise its education as “innovative” or try to sell you on its strong sense of “community”! In other words, you could swap out “Brown” for almost any other school and this statement would still work – which is exactly the problem!

If your sentence could apply to 50 different colleges, it’s not doing its job. Strong “Why Us?” responses are specific and precise. They highlight particular programs, courses, professors, or traditions that connect to your goals and interests.

The best essays come from students who know what they’re looking for in a college – and have taken the time to find where those things exist. So before you write, reflect on what matters most to you, then research how each school specifically supports the kind of experience you’re hoping to have.

Better: Brown’s Open Curriculum will let me combine Africana Studies and Architecture to explore how design impacts Black communities. Growing up, I noticed how poorly planned buildings and public spaces shaped everyday life – from crowded bus stops to schools that felt more like holding spaces than places to learn. Courses like “Race and Space,” paired with studio work and faculty mentorship, will help me design with equity in mind. I can’t wait to join the tight-knit, collaborative community where students are encouraged to connect big ideas with real-world change.

Mistake #5: Procrastination

I don’t need to give an example here – because any last-minute “Why This School?” essay is almost guaranteed to be weak. It takes time, research, and reflection to craft these well, and there is no one-size-fits-all formula for this type of essay. Each school phrases the question a little differently, and each response needs to show that you’ve thought seriously about your fit with that institution.

Plus, if you haven’t figured out what you’re actually looking for in a college experience, it’s going to be tough to answer these prompts in a meaningful way. That’s why our students work with their essay coaches early and often to build strong, tailored responses.

Not a DCCC student? You can still get ahead by making a spreadsheet or simple list of your colleges and doing some focused research. For each school, jot down a few specific answers to questions like:

• What’s a class, major, or department offering that excites you – and why?

• Is there a student org, tradition, or campus value that resonates with your background experiences or future plans?

• How could you see yourself contributing to that community?

Bottom line: Don’t wait until the last minute. Strong essays aren’t rushed – they’re built.

Final Tips

1. Read the prompt very carefully.
Not all “Why This School?” questions are created equal. Some schools ask why you’re interested in the university as a whole, while others focus only on the specific undergraduate division you’re applying to. Some want academic reasons; others care more about how you’ll contribute to the campus community. Tailor your answer to what’s actually being asked.

2. Write like yourself.
Just like the Common App® personal essay, your supplemental responses should sound like you. These essays are often shorter and a bit more focused, which can give you room to write in a more casual, conversational tone – while still staying polished and purposeful. Enthusiasm, a personal touch, and clear writing all go a long way.

3. Prioritize clarity.
Yes, you want to sound smart. But complicated vocabulary and long, winding sentences can sometimes hide your personality instead of showing it. We know you want to impress the admissions people with your eloquence and erudition, but a labyrinthine syntactic style alongside bombastic if not baroque diction (see what I did there?) can make it hard for them to sense your enthusiasm or get a feeling for your personality. Be thoughtful, but keep your writing clean and clear. Simple is often stronger.

4. Be real.
This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s your chance to tell the truth – about what excites you, what matters to you, and how you see yourself in that campus environment. Be honest, be specific, and show that you’ve thought it through.

Need help? We’re here to support you with brainstorming, editing, and refining every supplemental essay on your list.

Book a Meet & Greet with us to learn how we can support you through the entire college application process – including all of your essays.

If you only need help with essays, you can also Book Pay-As-You-Go Essay Coaching Sessions for as-needed assistance!

Check Out These Other Posts for Supplemental Essay Tips:

Weekly Update: July 10

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY BANS TIKTOK

Clemson University announced today that students will no longer be able to access TikTok through the campus network. Students, faculty, and staff can still access TikTok on personal devices using their cell networks, but the app will not be accessible on campus Wi-Fi. The university says the decision was made in order to maintain campus security.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY PAUSES PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH

On Friday, Florida Atlantic University’s Board of Trustees received a letter from the Florida State University System Board of Governors, alleging that there were anomalies in the university’s presidential search. The university argues that the anomalies were a result of a questionnaire sent out by an independent search firm, AGB Search, and were not authorized by the university. Anomalies in the questionnaire included asking a male candidate if his sexual orientation was “queer” and whether he was a “male or transgendered male.” The university is cooperating with the Board of Governors’ investigation.

LSU MAKES HISTORY IN MLB DRAFT

The MLB draft began Sunday night, and LSU made history when its players went numbers one and two overall, the first time two college teammates have been selected for the top slots back-to-back. LSU also had four draft picks total on Sunday, the most of any team in the first night. The big wins in the draft come on the heels of LSU’s national championship win last month.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We’ve been anticipating the effect of the recent Supreme Court case on legacy admissions since long before the decision was handed down, and we’re starting to see the impact play out. Last week, a legal activist group filed a complaint against Harvard University, arguing that the school’s legacy admissions preference discriminates against Black, Latinx, and Asian students. This interesting opinion piece from a Princeton professor argues that in fact, the presence of legacy students at elite colleges benefits underprivileged students, because they can network with students that have more “cultural capital” and useful connections.

Another group with a clear admissions advantage? Recruited athletes. This opinion piece argues that it is athletic preference, not legacy admissions, that should be the first practice to go in an effort to make admissions more fair. Over 1,000 Harvard students, for example, are recruited athletes, and they receive significantly more preference in the admissions process than even legacy students. The author, who was a recruited athlete at Princeton, argues that the number of athletic recruiting slots a school offers is a “de facto quota,” which goes against the decision by the Supreme Court. We will have to see whether legacy admissions, athletic recruitment, or any other aspects of the admissions process change in the next few months and years after the decision.

For students looking for less selective schools that have great name recognition and on-campus recruitment opportunities, public state flagships are a great option! This article lists the state universities with acceptance rates over 50%, and features well-regarded schools like the University of Alabama, Penn State, and Virginia Tech. While it is important to take the acceptance rates at state schools with a grain of salt, as they are often much lower for out-of-state students than for those applying in-state (or vice versa, depending on the state!). I would not include Virginia Tech as a less selective option for Virginia residents, unfortunately, But this list could be a great starting point for students who are beginning to build their college lists!

And for college students heading off to school in the fall and looking for tips, check out Forbes’ top five financial tips for college kids to follow. This summer is a great time to start building credit, creating a budget, and getting familiar with the perks offered to you as a college student, which can range from free museum or movie tickets to free public transit in your college town to discounts at local businesses. I will add my own tip here: return your library books, and when you get a letter in the mail about library fines, DO NOT ignore it. In one sense, it’s kind of funny that the biggest mistake I made in college was failing to return library books, but the consequences were a lot less funny. The library reported me to the credit bureaus, it impacted my credit score, and when I bought my first home in my early 20s, I had to pay a higher mortgage interest rate as a result. I was never so happy to see that fall off my credit report!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

If you didn’t catch my FAQ on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, posted at the end of last week, check that out here.

Speaking of the Supreme Court decision, I think that it is impacting some of the timing around supplemental essay prompt releases for the current admissions cycle. Schools which have had the same essay prompts for years have now indicated that they are considering making changes as a result of the ruling - because of increased dependence on essays. And from other schools that have always released prompts by this point in the cycle, we’re just hearing crickets…

If you want to know which schools have released prompts already, we keep a running pre-8/1 list here: 2023-2024 Supplemental Essay Prompts. As a reminder, our goal is to help our students complete as many essays as possible before August. This gives them plenty of time to get a lot of it out of the way before the school year starts, so they can focus on their classes (and enjoying senior year) in the fall!

Have a great week!

Weekly Update: June 27

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AWAIT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION DECISION

The Supreme Court could issue a ruling on whether schools can continue to consider race in college admissions as soon as tomorrow, and colleges and universities are preparing. While no school has yet released a concrete plan for how they might respond if affirmative action is abolished, we suspect that this will impact whether or not schools remain test optional, as well as whether those that consider legacy as part of admissions will continue to do so. 

DESANTIS CHALLENGES COLLEGE ACCREDITATION

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration sued the U.S. Department of Education, claiming that it was disrupting the efforts of Florida public universities to switch accreditors. DeSantis says that accreditation boards have too much power over Florida schools, and are undermining decisions made by his administration. Florida’s current accreditor is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS), but more than half of Florida public schools are expected to change accreditors in the next two years. 

DUKE UNIVERSITY OFFERS FREE TUITION

If you are a Carolina resident, you might be in luck - Duke University is offering free tuition to students from North and South Carolina whose families make less than $150,000 per year. Duke is already need blind and meets 100% of students’ demonstrated need, but the full tuition grant is designed to encourage more applicants from the Carolinas, who can apply with the knowledge that if admitted, they will be able to attend without financial hardship. 

FLORIDA GATORS SCORE MOST RUNS IN COLLEGE WORLD SERIES HISTORY, BUT STILL LOSE

During a 24-4 game against LSU on Sunday, Florida scored 24 runs - breaking the previous record of 23 runs, scored by Notre Dame in 1957 and by Arizona State in 1984. But don’t feel too bad for LSU - they had a comeback on Monday evening and won the College World Series!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Last week, we shared an Atlantic opinion piece from a Princeton professor who believes that universities should not take political stances. This week, the opinion comes from a Princeton student - a rising senior who argues that when university departments take a political stance, it alienates some of their students. In the coming months, Princeton’s faculty will vote on a proposal that would prevent departments from taking positions on controversial issues. The student offers examples of the kind of official communications, from condemnation of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict to the support of Roe v. Wade, that would be limited under the new proposal. 

The recurring question - is college worth it? - has a new answer. According to an analysis from the Institution for Higher Education Policy released last week, college is worth it for 93% of students. The report is meant to identify colleges that provide a “minimum economic return” for their students. In other words, college is “worth it” if students earn at least as much as a high school graduate, plus recoup their investment in college tuition, within 10 years after graduation. Public universities provide the best economic return, likely due to lower tuition costs, while for-profit colleges and private colleges are least likely to help students reach the threshold. 

Not a fan of Greek life? Check out U.S. News’ list of 10 Colleges with No Fraternities or Sororities, which features schools like Princeton, Middlebury, and Virginia’s own University of Mary Washington.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

I (Colleen) was featured last week in U.S. News’ list of 18 Ways to Prepare for Your Freshman Year of College, sharing some of my top tips. If you are a Class of 2023 student, I highly recommend using at least a few hours of your summer to refresh yourself on topics from your high school courses, especially courses like math and foreign language that build on themselves year to year. This is also a great time to take a look at the list of clubs and organizations on your campus, so you can make a plan to get involved - without getting totally overwhelmed at the club fair! 

Shannon, Staci, and Ian led our second research session for clients last week. Performing college research is an essential skill for students as they think about writing “Why This School?” essays this summer. Wondering how the research session came to be? We noticed that our students have so much trouble with these types of essays and wanted to give them a little bit of extra help. After brainstorming ideas, we decided to offer all rising seniors two different opportunities to join a special session on research at no additional charge.

We covered: 

• Parsing the prompt to really understand what the school is asking you to write about in your essay

• Identifying aspects of the school that are unique and relevant to your interests - and which attributes aren't unique at all!

• Using the ASC Method for performing research focused on academics, student life, and community

• Choosing where to get started with your research and how to fact-check when you are done

Current clients who weren’t able to attend a session can, of course, work on these skills one on one during regular essay coaching meetings with their coaches! Our schedules are now posted throughout the summer, and we encourage our current clients to book meetings ASAP to ensure they get their preferred times to complete their essay work this summer. 

Have a great week!

Post Graduation Tips for the Class of 2022

Exams are finished, lockers are cleaned out, and graduating seniors across the country are celebrating. Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Although it’s the second day of June, we can’t help but think ahead to the fall semester. After all, we’re firm believers that success starts EARLY. That’s why we’re sharing practical tips today to help our high school graduates set themselves up for a smooth, low-stress transition into college.

Connect and Communicate

By now, you’ve probably realized that you are going to be receiving a LOT of college communications. These emails and portal announcements provide essential information about housing, roommate selections, course registration, and more. Although you’ve already completed plenty of paperwork in the spring, we guarantee there are more important forms and tasks coming your way. Make sure you have access to your college email address and continue to check it regularly throughout the summer. An easy way to do that is by adding your new school account to your smartphone. Not sure how to do this? Here are quick tutorials for iPhone and Android users. 

Now is a great time to connect with your new college and classmates if you haven’t done so already. Consider attending a summer orientation event if your school offers one. And even if you can’t connect in person, there’s always your laptop. Most schools have social media groups for the Class of 2026, as well as a variety of other interest groups that you may be able to join now. PS: Tell your parents there are social media groups for them, too. They just need to search for the school name + parent/family page on Facebook.  

One caution, though. Don’t be that person who randomly friends or follows hundreds of strangers just because you have a college in common. This approach doesn’t necessarily make for strong connections or new friendships. In fact, it can come across as ‘creepy’ if you don’t actually try to communicate with the person you’ve suddenly added. A better strategy is to focus on getting engaged in the social media group discussions and actually starting conversations with other students. 

Evaluate your social media presence

You’re graduating and becoming an adult, and that means your social media accounts need to grow up too. For years, your Instagram may have just been a place to share funny photos and updates with friends, but in college, your social media accounts become a powerful networking tool. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a strong first impression with your profiles. (Pro Tip: If you haven’t read it yet, don’t miss last year’s guest blog post with the inside scoop about the social media from a professional in the recruiting industry).

Before you start following fellow undergrads or hashtagging your college, take a detailed look at your accounts. Ensure that your personal accounts are private and delete any inappropriate content, photos, and or/negative comments that appear on your page. Even if you didn’t write the post or take the picture, you’re still associated with it through your profile. A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t want it projected on a big screen for the world to see, get rid of it.

We also encourage graduating seniors to embrace a fresh start on social media. Think about creating new, professional social media accounts (especially on Instagram) that track your college journey. That way you can safely engage with your college online, share campus highlights, and maybe even attract new opportunities.

Finally, if you have some free time this summer, set up a LinkedIn profile. You can use this website to connect with people in your field of study, find jobs and internships, and build a professional portfolio. (If you need help developing your LinkedIn content, book a session with us. We’ll work with you to build your profile and teach you how to use the LinkedIn features to your advantage). 

Coordinate with your roommate

Stuff. It’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your new roommate before moving into your dorm. Beyond your personal items, there are things you’ll need for your room that might be more practical to share, like a mini-refrigerator, vacuum, or bluetooth speaker. Decide on what you’re willing to make communal and then determine who’s bringing what.

Strategically shop for dorm essentials

We’ve got a secret to share. You know those ‘dorm essentials’ on display at Target and advertised all over Amazon? Well, most of those items aren’t actually essential at all. The reality is that you’ll be moving into a small room that you’ll have to share with another person and all of their belongings. Don’t waste money or space on things that you don’t actually need.

Be realistic when it comes time to shop for your dorm room. If you’ve never ironed before, chances are you won’t start in college. Instead of investing in a space-consuming ironing board and iron, consider a travel steamer or a wrinkle-release spray. And as nice as the eight decorative bed pillows might look in the Pinterest picture, are you really going to arrange them every morning before your 8am class?  Probably not! 

It’s also a good idea to hold off on buying gadgets like coffee makers or printers. After a few weeks on campus, you’ll probably find that you can live comfortably without them. Remember, if you forget something or find yourself desperate for a particular item, you can always order it later.

And when it comes to the items you do know you need right off the bat? Don’t make the rookie move of hitting up Target or Bed, Bath and Beyond in your college town during orientation weekend (that shopping trip will make Costco on a Saturday look like a relaxing spa day). Either go to a local store to browse and place an order for pickup at the store near school, or order all of your items online.

Hit the books

No we’re not telling you to start studying for fall semester. We just want you to start finding your textbooks. Rather than waiting until late August to buy everything from the campus store or search for a deal online after everyone’s bought up the most popular titles, start pricing and purchasing earlier in the summer after you know your course schedule. Websites like Chegg, Campus Books, and ECampus offer used books, electronic texts, and semester-long rentals, and Abebooks is the place to go if you need a more obscure title. 

Before you order anything, though, check on the return policy. There might be scheduling changes that happen at the last minute, and you don’t want to be stuck with a book you don’t need. Also, confirm that you are ordering the correct edition. Otherwise, you could end up with an old, outdated copy.

Clean your room

Okay, we don’t want to sound like parental nags, but the college packing process can be a nightmare if you wait until the last minute. That’s why we suggest cleaning out a drawer or two every week throughout the summer. You can also start boxing up things you aren’t using right now, like your winter clothes, and throwing away all of those things you’ve been storing in your closet since middle school. This may not be the most exciting summer activity, but trust us. You’ll feel much better come August, and your parents will thank you.

Schedule appointments ASAP

Before you head off to college, make sure you take care of all of your essential appointments: a doctor’s visit, dental check up, and a fresh haircut. It’s especially important to book any doctors’ appointments early. Depending upon the school, you may be required to get certain vaccines, and some of them could take several weeks and multiple doses to complete.

Get legal paperwork in order

Most parents are shocked to realize that they do not automatically have the ability to make decisions or learn important information about their students when they are away at college. Yes, even if you’re paying the bill!

Because of this, parents should go ahead and work with their student for authorization to intervene in issues as major as medical emergencies or as minor as financial aid questions. We are not attorneys, and this is not legal advice, but here is a non-comprehensive list of documents we recommend having signed and notarized before your student leaves home:

• FERPA Authorization to be able to see your student’s grades

• HIPAA Authorization to be able to find out basic medical information about your student or speak to their doctors

• Medical Power of Attorney to be able to make medical decisions for your student if needed

• Durable Power of Attorney to be able to make financial decisions on your student’s behalf

There are free templates for all of these documents readily available online, and those are probably better than nothing - but don’t forget that laws are different from state to state. It’s probably worth working with an attorney or at least doing your own extensive research to make sure that you’re all set!

How Juniors Can Make Senior Year Easier- Starting Now!

There are just a few weeks left in the school year, and that means juniors can start to breathe sighs of relief. AP exams are winding down, and end-of-year festivities are kicking off. But before you get swept up in prom and summer break, we’ve got a few more assignments for you.

Fall semester can be extremely hectic for twelfth graders. However, there are things you can do now (and over the summer) to help make senior year easier and the college admissions process much more organized and efficient.

Secure your teacher recommendations

Many college applications require two or three teacher recommendations. For teachers, this can be a nightmare in the fall when they are inundated with dozens of requests… and you don’t want that nightmare to be reflected in the quality of your letter! Help your teachers – and yourself – by asking for recommendations now. This way they’ll have plenty of time to write you a quality letter, and you will have one less worry in the fall. 

When you’re ready to ask, make sure to speak to your teachers in person. A good way to make sure you don’t end up with a so-so letter is to use the following language: ”Do you think you know me well enough to write me a very supportive letter of recommendation?” In other words, you’re telling them that it needs to be a great letter, and you’re providing an easy out if they can’t make that happen.

We highly suggest providing them with a ‘highlight reel’ of your personal strengths, achievements, and academic interests relating to your performance in their class. If you’re not sure who to ask or what to include in your highlight reel, take a look at our previous blog post where we discuss the best ways to secure a strong recommendation letter.

Confirm your fall schedule

We can’t say it enough: avoid the senioritis schedule! Colleges want to see that you’re pursuing a rigorous curriculum, so it’s important to continue challenging yourself rather than opting for that extra study hall or the “easy” elective.

Now is the time to organize your course load and address any scheduling conflicts. We especially encourage you to talk with your teachers or counselors if you’re considering an honors section or an AP class. Depending upon the school and their policies, you may have to take some extra steps to enroll in an advanced course, whether it’s submitting a petition or taking a placement test. 

If your ideal fall schedule isn’t turning into a reality, don’t get discouraged. Consult with your parents and advisors to brainstorm alternatives. For example, if you’ve already taken the most advanced foreign language class at your school, you might want to look into a dual enrollment program in your area. If there’s no marketing elective offered, consider an online course. There are a growing number of options, both virtually and at local colleges. To take advantage of these options, though, you’ll need to plan now.

Finalize your college list

If you haven’t started already, get to work on your college list. Do some research to get a better sense of what you’re looking for in a school, from size to location to academic offerings. With literally thousands of colleges and universities to choose from, you’ll need to identify what’s most important to you. The College Board offers a comprehensive search tool, and for data lovers out there, College Data provides plenty of school statistics. 

To stay organized, we recommend keeping track of your research with a spreadsheet. Not sure how to make one? We love this free template that you can easily download and customize to fit your needs.

Prepare application materials

College applications require you to submit many different materials: test scores, transcripts, teacher recommendations, essays, and more. You won’t be able to complete some pieces until the fall, but right now you can begin to prepare several materials.

• Make a list of the activities you’ve participated in throughout high school: sports, clubs, volunteer opportunities, jobs, internships, etc. You can even input them directly into the Common Application and roll them over to the new 2022-2023 Common Application in August!

• Work on your resume, which should include any work experience, extracurricular involvements, and awards/achievements.

• The Common Application released their essay prompts several months ago. Take a look at your options, so you can start brainstorming, drafting, or even finishing your essay over the summer. Since we like to start early, some of the juniors we work with are already done with it!

Visit schools, even through your computer screen

Although campus tours always feel a bit different during the summer months when undergrads aren’t filling up the quads and walkways, these visits can still help you with your college list. If possible, sign up for some campus tours. It’s always good to see the school in person, get a feel for the environment, and check out the surrounding community. Take a look at our expert tips on how to prepare for and get the most of your tour here.

If you can’t travel, don’t worry! You can still use this time to take virtual tours, sign up for Zoom information sessions, and/or attend a local college fair. Colleges like to see demonstrated interest, so take advantage of these convenient ways to formally show your engagement with a school.

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Does your junior need help with the college application process? If so, book a no-obligation meet and greet with us today to learn more about our services.

Tips on First-Year Housing and Roommate Requests

On Sunday, thousands of seniors across the country celebrated National College Decision Day. We were thrilled to see all of the smiles and proud college t-shirts on our social media feeds! But even though the big decisions are finalized, there are still a few more choices incoming freshmen have to make. Over the next few weeks, students will need to think about one of the most important questions: where will I live next year and with whom? To help answer these questions, we’re sharing some important tips and reminders for housing forms and roommate requests.

1) Meet your deadlines

Be sure to check your email and school portal consistently, so you don’t miss important deadlines for housing applications, roommate requests, etc. Some schools are first come, first serve, while others don’t guarantee on-campus housing if you turn in your application late. You can find information regarding deadlines and housing policies on the school’s website.

That said, we recommend submitting housing materials as early as possible no matter the deadline. Situations can occur where housing fills prematurely even when it is not supposed to first come, first serve. In those cases, students have been shut out despite adhering to published deadlines.

2) Research your options

As much as we encourage you to submit your materials early, we also want you to thoroughly research your housing possibilities. Of course, every school is different when it comes to policies and residential offerings, so familiarize yourself with available options. If you’re allowed to rank residence hall choices, use the school website to take a close look at different buildings and dorm style options. Our expert tip: take a virtual campus tour or download a map to help you get a sense of geography as well. A conveniently located dorm may be the deciding factor in your rankings.

You’ll also want to check out any speciality housing options that your school offers. As we covered in a previous blog post, there is a rising trend in living learning communities, themed housing, and other special interest group housing on college campuses. These spaces connect students with similar interests or lifestyles and provide meaningful opportunities for collaboration and fun outside the classroom and your dorm room. So if you’re looking to live with others who are just as passionate about foreign languages, the environment, community service, and more, specialty housing may be the right fit for you.

While most schools require first-year students to live on campus, there are some colleges and universities that allow freshmen to opt out of dorm living. (This was a particularly popular option during the height of the pandemic when social distancing didn’t make communal living so appealing.) We know that moving into your very own apartment can be exciting, but don’t let the allure of independent living detract you from fully exploring on-campus options. Taking part in residential life during your first year of college is a great way to build friendships and find your place in the community. Plus, you might just find a cool alternative to the traditional two-person dorm room.

3) Be honest with yourself…and your roommate questionnaire

When it comes to selecting housing and roommates, you’ll need to take an honest look at yourself. What do you need to feel comfortable in your living environment and do well academically? Notice that we used the word need, not want. Sure, you may want your bathroom and a walk-in closet, but these features hopefully won’t make or break your residential life experience. 

Typically, schools will ask you to complete a questionnaire to match you with a compatible roommate. Now is the time to exercise some self awareness about your lifestyle and those bad habits of yours. Be really honest with yourself and the residential life office when answering these questions. Don’t base your answers on giving off the best impression or maybe even letting parents fill out the form for you. If you’re not a neat freak, that’s okay. It’s better to acknowledge your cluttered tendencies now than to be paired with someone who will feel anxiety just looking at your desk. Here are the general areas you’ll need to consider as you fill out your questionnaire: 

• Neatness, cleanliness, and organization: these questions allow you to assess your tidiness level and your tolerance when it comes to dirty laundry and piles on the floor

• Environment: give insights into your sleep patterns, study habits, quiet time, and more

• Lifestyle choices and interests: share information about everything from religion to sexual orientation to smoking, drinking, and extracurricular activities

4) Friends don’t always make the best roommates

As comforting as it might be to room with a friend, we encourage students to branch out. Just because you get along at school or on the soccer field doesn’t mean you’ll be a great match to live together in a small space. Roommates are based upon living style compatibility, and too much time with a close friend can be a recipe for dorm life disaster. This is also one of the rare opportunities in your life to live alongside people from such diverse backgrounds. Trust that the residential life office knows what they are doing and embrace the exciting possibilities for your roommate experience.

5) Insta-friends don’t always make the best roommates, either

With the rise in social media networks and apps, it’s easier than ever to make insta-friends with your soon-to-be-classmates. We love that students can connect through Facebook groups and Instagram, but be careful! Your new insta-friend might seem ‘awesome’ after a series of DMs, but you don’t really know them yet. Avoid jumping into a roommate situation based upon a few social media exchanges. 

There are also plenty of third-party apps, like Roomsurf and The Roomie, designed to help undergrads find compatible roommates. Some of these technologies use a series of questions and algorithms to match students, but it’s not an exact science. Just like any app or website, be cautious with your safety and communications, as well as getting too comfortable with someone you don’t know in real life.

6) Be your own advocate

If you have a documented disability, it’s critical to share this information, so you can work with the school to secure the living environment you need. Schools are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations, which may include anything from ADA accessible rooms to private bathrooms to service animals.

Navigating College Decision News Series Part 3: What To Do When You've Been Rejected

“We regret to inform you…” And with those five short words, you realize that a college or university has just denied you.

Yet while this news is never easy to hear, it doesn’t have to send you into a spiral of disappointment. 

In the last installment of our Navigating College Decision News series, we’re sharing tips to help families transform a rejection notification into a hopeful future.

FEEL YOUR FEELINGS–FOR A LITTLE WHILE

It is perfectly normal to be sad, shocked, maybe even bitter when you receive a rejection letter. That’s okay! Take some time to acknowledge your disappointment and work through whatever you’re feeling, especially if the decision came from your dream school.

It’s also important to remember NOT to make any big decisions immediately after receiving your notification. Instead, take a few days to talk with your family, college counselor, and/or close friends who can help you process the news.

However, as much as it’s okay to mourn your rejection notification, don’t wallow in it for too long. You don’t want one disappointment to define the rest of your college admissions process, and you presumably have other great options to choose from.

ADOPT A NEW ATTITUDE

We know that it can be easy to get down on yourself after being denied. However, a rejection does NOT define your worth, nor is it an indicator that something is wrong with you. Try your best not to take the news too personally. Of course we know this is easier said than done, so let’s look at the numbers.

As we reported last week, college applications are a record high this admissions cycle. That means acceptances are at a record low, especially at highly selective schools. If you were a qualified candidate, your decision was likely just a result of the numbers game. These schools simply cannot accept everyone they’d like to accept, and many of the final decisions that differentiate candidates from one another are related to factors over which you have absolutely no control, like demographics.

Even though you are understandably disappointed, there’s good news. Just look in your acceptance pile! Instead of defining yourself by your rejection, concentrate on your acceptances as well as your achievements. After all, a rejection letter doesn’t take away from the hard work, growth, and progress you’ve experienced throughout high school. 

Finally, we know that getting rejected might make you feel powerless, but there are actually a lot of choices you can make to regain control. And one of the biggest decisions is your attitude. You’re still going to go to college, and you’re still going to earn a degree. You’re also going to have a great four years–if you decide to start them off with a positive attitude. 

RECONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS

Maybe you didn’t give a lot of thought to the schools that accepted you because you were really hoping to attend this one. Or perhaps you were waiting until you received all of your admissions news before you made a decision. Whatever, the case, we encourage you to consider (and reconsider) your options with your new attitude and a fresh perspective. 

Why did I apply here in the first place? That’s the question to ask yourself as you think about the schools to which you’ve been accepted. They clearly had qualities you were looking for months ago, and reflecting on these specific characteristics can be helpful. In fact, if you previously identified non-negotiables in your college search or made a ‘wish list,’ now would be a good time to review the factors that are most important to you. 

As tempting as it may be to compare every school to the one from which you’ve been denied, don’t! That will create a situation where you’re constantly searching for what a school doesn’t have rather than what it can offer you. Instead, stick to the positives, and view each school through your new lens. We also recommend talking to current students, visiting campus, and attending admitted student days to help you get more of an insider’s look. These extra steps can lead you to discover things you may have not recognized before. 

P.S. There is another option we haven’t mentioned yet, and that involves appealing your rejection. Now before you get your hopes up, we have to give you a reality check:

1. Not every school allows appeals.

2. The chance of a successful appeal is slim.

You can’t appeal the decision just because you’re upset. You have to have a legitimate reason–and it better be good! In most cases, a legitimate reason would include reporting errors related to a student’s standardized test scores or academic record, or clerical omissions in the application file.

Before you seriously consider an appeal, speak with the admissions office and enlist the support of a college counselor. Again, we don’t typically recommend this route unless there is a major error outside the applicant’s control. 

SUBMIT YOUR DEPOSIT–AND GET EXCITED!

Once you decide what school you’d like to attend, don’t look back! Formally accept your offer by submitting your deposit and begin to get excited about your future. To help embrace your decision and build some enthusiasm, you may want to connect with future classmates and/or attend an admitted students day.

Also, invest in some swag. No need to go to the bookstore when there are so many other cool retailers to check out! A few of our favorites include Hillflint, 47Brand, Hype and Vice, and Kickoff Couture. And if you go to a school (like mine!) that doesn’t have as many options, you can even customize your own with Gameday Bae! Wearing a college hoodie is a rite of passage for many students and can make the next four years feel like a reality.

THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR

While we don’t want you to start college with the mindset that you’ll transfer next year, it is an option. Just keep in mind that there are no guarantees when it comes to applying as a transfer. While some schools like UVA are historically known for having a higher transfer acceptance rate, many others are even more selective during the transfer process than they are for first-year applicants.

That being said, if you feel that transferring is in your best interest, consider applying to schools beyond the one that denied you the previous year. And don’t forget to check out our “Should I Apply to Transfer?” checklist!

Navigating College Decision News Series Part 2: What To Do When You've Been Waitlisted

Welcome to part two of our Navigating College Decision News series. Last week we shared our tips for managing acceptance notifications. Now it’s time to talk about limbo - otherwise known as the waitlist!

So what exactly is a waitlist? As we mentioned in our previous post, a waitlist is much like being put on hold. For a variety of reasons, a school may not be able to admit a qualified student right now. Instead, they’ll invite the applicant to join the waitlist, and IF space becomes available, the student could be admitted in the coming weeks or months. The waitlist is really a numbers game, as well as a test of patience. Schools work hard to estimate their yields- the percentage of accepted students who actually choose to enroll. If they come up short in their estimations, they turn to the waitlist to fill demographic gaps in the accepted student population. For example, admissions staff might be directed to pull files for every classics major from the midwest who doesn’t need financial aid.

We know it can be really confusing, even downright frustrating, to find out that you’ve been waitlisted.  After all, you don’t know whether you’ll be admitted or not, and suddenly your future may not be as definitive by the May 1 deadline you had been anticipating all year.

But don’t worry! There are plenty of steps you can take to help feel more empowered and navigate the decisions you’ll have to make.

PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK

First of all, don’t get down on yourself because you didn’t get the news you may have been hoping for. The number of college applications per student have been soaring (up over 18% in just two years, according to Common Application data ) and admissions is more competitive than ever. Remember that if you’ve been waitlisted, the school thinks you’re a viable candidate who’s qualified to attend that school. They would like to take you! And regardless of the outcome, you should feel proud of that! So pat yourself on the back and approach the next steps with a positive, confident attitude.

ACCEPT AN ACCEPTANCE

Sometimes students get so distracted by a waitlist that they forget they have a stack of acceptance offers “waiting in the wings.” The reality is that there are no guarantees when it comes to a waitlist, and you don’t want to gamble on a maybe. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a school to which you have been admitted and submit a deposit by May 1. If you’re having trouble deciding between schools, take a look at our advice for weighing your acceptance options. 

What happens, though, if you’re eventually admitted into your waitlisted school? Notify the first school ASAP that you’re withdrawing your intent to enroll. You will lose your $500-$1000 deposit, but for many families. this is a small price to pay to gain admission to the school of your choice. And if the financial implications of losing the deposit are significant, given your financial situation, we encourage you to reach out to both schools to see if someone will work with you on the financial end.

RSVP TO THE WAITLIST

Now that you’ve secured a spot at a college or university, you have another decision to make. How will you RSVP to the waitlist? Just like any invitation, you’ll need to accept or decline. To help you make an informed decision, we encourage families to do their homework. Determine if/how the school ranks or prioritizes the waitlist and learn where you stand on the list. Sometimes your notification letter can provide this information, or you might have to reach out to the admissions office.  To help you get a sense of the bigger picture, use resources like College Search, which provide helpful data about waitlist outcomes from the previous admissions cycle. While we have seen dramatic year-to-year shifts in our post-Covid world, you can at least begin to gain a frame of reference.

Another great way to predict what your chances might be is to stay up-to-date on whether the school has already begun to take students from the waitlist - or even whether other schools have! When you see waitlist movement at highly selective schools before May 1, that’s a general sign that there’s a LOT more movement to come - for a wide range of schools. Highly selective waitlist admission results in a trickle-down effect: School A will take a student from their waitlist, and the student who takes it will free up a spot at School B to come to School A. Now School B takes a student from School C, and so forth.

And the good (great) news? We have already seen waitlist movement this year! UCLA, University of Michigan, and University of Chicago have begun to take students from the waitlist over the last several days. It’s extremely rare for schools to start accepting students this early, so this is a very promising sign for waitlist movement to come.

While statistics and updates can be extremely useful, there are other questions families should be asking and researching.

• Is it worth it? Do you like the school enough to live in limbo for weeks, even months? Or is it more important to you to wrap up your decision now? Sometimes it can be helpful to set an “waitlist end date” in advance so that you know a sense of closure is on the horizon, one way or the other.

• How might a late acceptance impact your housing options and course selections for fall? You can always reach out to the school’s admission office if you can’t find the information on their website.

• What’s the financial impact? In addition to the risk of losing deposit money, you may also miss out on financial aid packages or merit scholarships. Calculate these factors carefully! 

SHOW YOUR INTEREST

Don’t assume that just because you’re on the waitlist, you have to literally sit back and wait. If you really want to attend the school, let them know by writing a letter of continued interest (LOCI). I cannot emphasize enough how important this is! When they pull the files of all of those midwestern classics majors, the spots are going to go to the students who reached out and established a line of communication. Remember, colleges are still focused on yield. They do not want to offer a waitlisted spot to a student if there is any question about whether the student will accept it.

A LOCI is the ideal space to explain why the school remains your top choice, and you must state explicitly that you are committed to attending if accepted. Of course you shouldn’t profess your love and commitment unless you really mean it, though! 

As part of your letter, you’ll also want to share any recent updates, such as achievements, awards, even summer plans (if they include something academic or professional). 

And one last thing - before you hit the send button, make sure to re-read all communication to double-check that your school of choice has not already issued guidance on LOCIs. Some schools do not want them, and you do not want to send one to a school that has already told you not to do so!

MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

To avoid falling into the waitlist waiting trap of false hope and disappointment, you’ll want to be realistic. Assume that you’ll be attending the school to which you submitted a deposit, and get invested in the exciting next steps. That way if you do happen to be admitted off of a waitlist later, it will be a pleasant surprise rather than a life-altering tragedy. We know this is easier said than done, but a positive mindset can make all the difference in how you manage your expectations!

KEEP UP WITH YOUR COLLEGE COMMUNICATIONS

If you’re in waitlist limbo, be sure to check your email and/or application portals frequently. It’s also a good idea to maintain communication with the admissions office, especially to share a letter of continued interest or to follow up with questions. 

There’s just one catch! Don’t be ‘that’ student who becomes a pest to the admissions office. You’re not going to increase your chances if you’re constantly asking for updates or inundating the admissions office email inbox on a daily basis. No more than one point of contact every 7-10 business days, please!

DO YOU NEED HELP NAVIGATING YOUR WAITLIST NOTIFICATIONS?

That’s what we’re here for! Book an appointment with DC College Counseling today.

STAY TUNED!

Next week we’ll close out our series with part 3: what to do when you’ve been rejected!

An Introduction to Our Three-Part Series on Navigating College Decision News

It’s that time of the year again: colleges and universities across the country are releasing regular decision notifications (or will be soon). For high school seniors, this marks the finish line in their college admissions journey–or so you might think! However, there are still decisions to make and important steps to take, whether you’ve been admitted, waitlisted or denied. 

We know that navigating decision notifications can be confusing, even downright stressful for some families. That’s why we’re kicking off a three-part series today! We’ll break down the different types of decision notifications (there are more than you might think!) and share our expert tips on what to do after you receive the news.

TYPES OF DECISION NOTIFICATIONS

Acceptance:

Congratulations, you’ve been admitted! Unlike early decision, a regular decision acceptance does NOT bind you to that particular school or college. You can choose whether or not you’d like to accept the offer. This is a big decision, so take your time*! Weigh your options and carefully consider the factors that are most important to you. Some students especially benefit from attending accepted student days, visiting (or revisiting) campuses, and talking with current students.

*Most schools require that students accept their offers of admission by May 1 in order to enroll. However, it’s typically possible to get an extension on this if you need one for a legitimate reason. On the other hand, some schools have begun to offer special perks to students who deposit earlier - first-come-first-serve housing, parking spots, course registration, and so forth. So don’t rush the decision, but once you know, go ahead and send in the deposit.

Conditional Acceptance Programs:

Some schools may admit applicants - but with a catch! This typically occurs when the school would like to accept students whose qualifications are not quite as high as the rest of the incoming class - or when the university feels an obligation to keep third parties happy (i.e. donors, alumni, coaches) by offering a particular applicant a spot.

Conditional acceptance programs come in many forms, as you can see below, and they can be very complex. We encourage families to read conditional acceptance letters carefully, do their research, and ask for help if they need it. 

Here are three major categories of conditional acceptance programs: 

REIMAGINED CALENDAR YEAR

Summer session contingency: A school offers admission to students who are willing to begin their college experience earlier than usual. Summer session admission can be less competitive, especially at larger universities. For example, if you want to increase your chances of admission at Penn State’s main campus, indicate that a summer start date is an option for you. You begin in the summer, take a few classes, and then join the rest of the freshman class in the fall.

I love programs like this and see great advantages in them - students have the opportunity to make friends and familiarize themselves with college-level work before the chaos of the fall semester begins. In some ways, this can be even better than traditional fall admission!

Second semester admission: You’re admitted, but not until the spring semester of your freshman year. Therefore, you can use your gap semester in the fall to work, travel, and/or volunteer. Programs like Middlebury’s Febmester are well-known for their mid-year enrollment approaches that ensure students can easily integrate into the community when they arrive on campus. 

Personally, I’m not as big of a fan of these. It can be socially isolating and sort of depressing to be stuck at home during first semester, which often-times is what ends up happening. Students see all of their high school friends having fun on social media at their new colleges, and it can be easy to make comparisons and feel down about their own circumstances.

Second semester admission WITH required fall program: While some schools give you the freedom and flexibility of a gap semester, others require you to complete a structured fall program before moving onto campus in the spring. Northeastern’s N.U.in Program, for instance, admits a small group that spends their fall semester studying abroad at partner locations around the world. Students earn credits, just as they would if on campus, while getting the added benefit of a cultural experience. 

Even though there’s less flexibility, I like this option because it still offers an exciting experience for students. They are making friends with others who will be in their class year, and have the opportunity to start their college years off on an exciting note!

Gap year: Much less common than second semester start dates, gap year admission defers your start date by a full academic year. That means you have twelve months to pursue your interests and gain experience in whatever path you choose. Harvard is one of the few schools to offer this type of admission with their Z-List (which has faced some criticism in recent years).

This shares some of the same disadvantages of second-semester admission - unless the student has a concrete plan for the year that they happen to be very excited about. It is also worth noting that a typical condition of a gap year is that students are not permitted to take for-credit classes at a different college or university. On the positive side, at least the student is starting at the beginning of freshman year, so the transition is not as difficult socially as starting in the winter might be. But they will be a solid year older than their peers, which is something else to consider.

MAJOR CHANGES

General education program: A school offers you admission, but with a slight twist. Instead of immediately jumping into your major course of study, you’ll enter a general education program where you’ll complete prerequisites first. NYU’s Liberal Studies Core, for example, provides a successful program where students can take advantage of small class sizes and study abroad opportunities before transferring into their specific major program.

I like this! It may not be the path students had initially envisioned, but they typically have to take all of these general education requirements anyway - so if taking them all at once can get them into the school of their dreams, why not?!

A different major: A school may not admit you to your first choice major for a variety of reasons. But don’t worry if you’re not sure about the alternate major to which you’ve been granted admission. Schools like UC Santa Barbara will allow you to submit a change of major request. 

This is usually a great option, because so many students switch their major anyway! Just make sure to check eligibility requirements and admissions statistics for internal transfers. For example, if you are trying to ultimately graduate with a specialized finance or engineering degree, your chance to transfer into one of these programs may not be a given.

TRANSFER OPTIONS

Community college bridge program: Bridge programs provide admitted students with greater support and preparation as they transition between high school and college. Admission is typically contingent upon a student successfully completing one to two years of coursework at a community college. Of course colleges and universities don’t want students to miss out on the typical college experience, so some even offer a community living component. Participants in the Bridge to Clemson Program live right on campus and benefit from the structure and support of the resident advisors.

I love programs like this! Remember, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. And this doesn’t have the social disadvantages of starting at a local community college for two years and living at home.

Conditional transfer: Unlike a structured bridge program, a conditional transfer includes a set of ‘conditions’ that students will need to meet for transfer admissions. This might include initially earning a certain number of undergraduate credits and maintaining a particular GPA at a different institution. Some schools consider other conditions as well. For example,  Georgia Tech’s Conditional Transfer Pathway Program allows applicants who were not admitted as first year students AND have a family member associated with the school to benefit from guaranteed transfer admission as long as they meet some basic GPA and course requirements. Notre Dame’s Gateway Program allows students to enroll after spending a year at nearby Holy Cross (remember Holy Cross from Rudy??).

Some of these programs have a few social drawbacks, but they aren’t a bad deal when you consider how selective these schools have become! The more structured ones, like ND’s program, minimize the social impact.

Waitlist:

A waitlist notification means that you’re on hold. You haven’t been rejected, but you haven’t been accepted either. Instead, the particular college or university will offer you a spot on the waitlist, and if you accept the invitation, you might be considered for admission. Of course, there are no guarantees, and a variety of factors must be considered. More on this in a future post!

Deny:

A denial notification indicates that a student was not accepted into the institution.  If you think you have a legitimate reason to appeal the decision, you might be able to do so (we’ll talk about this in an upcoming post, too). But beware! Not all institutions allow for appeals, and the chances of a college or university changing their minds is pretty slim.

Check back next week!

Check back next week for the second part of our series. We’ll share our expert advice on what to do when you’ve been admitted!

Your Course Selection Questions, Answered!

It’s January, and for a lot of high school students, that means it's time for course selection! This week we wanted to offer some answers to the most frequently asked questions we get about course selection from our students, to help you build the best possible high school schedule next semester and beyond.

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“Do I have to take Spanish?”

I’d have to say that this is the number one question we get from students, and we hate to be the bearers of bad news - but YES, you do! Most schools are looking for students to take a language for all four years of high school. If at all possible, plan to take one language throughout high school rather than switching or stopping after junior year. Yes, even if you came in at a higher level after middle school coursework and will have finished Spanish 4 at the end of tenth grade. Yes, even if you really, really, really don’t want to.

“Which is better, Honors Calculus or AP Statistics?”

Most selective schools like to see students on the calculus track, so if you have not yet taken a calculus course, that would be the best option. AP Calculus is better than Honors Calculus (and we love to see students finish AB and BC of possible) but I’d still recommend choosing Honors Calculus over AP Statistics if those are the only two choices. For students that finish their school’s calculus offerings during their junior year, AP Statistics might be a great senior year option - particularly if they attend schools that do not offer Linear Algebra or another advanced math course.

“What if my school doesn’t have those higher-level courses?”

Schools want to see you take the most rigorous course load available to you. Luckily, they have a profile of your high school, along with your counselor letter of recommendation. These documents provide context about the choices you made among the options you had. If your school only offers two AP classes and you’ve taken them both, an admissions officer will evaluate that very differently from a student who has taken two APs at a school that offers eleven. But remember - AP courses alone do not necessarily equate to rigor (as in the math example above). Try to pick the most challenging courses across the board, AP or not.

“Is it better to get an A in a regular class or a B in an AP class?”

This is truly the million-dollar question! Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a simple answer because - it depends. With our clients, we look at the overall strength of the transcript and the student profile before giving advice on this issue. 

In general, it is better to get an A in an AP class! If you are considering dropping down a level in a class, here are a couple of things to consider:

1. Is this a subject area that you are applying to major in, or is it closely related?

2. If you stay in the higher-level class, is there a chance that you will receive a C or below?

3. If you stay in the higher-level class, will your grades drop in your other classes because you will spend so much time on more difficult material? (This is a very important one to consider).

4. If you stay in the higher-level class, will it compromise your time management or mental health?

In the end, this is ultimately a decision that should be made with the help of your parents and school counselor (and, if you are a client, let’s discuss!).

“Which electives should I take?”

One of the first things we do with all of our new clients is talk with them about where they think they might like to specialize. So if you have some open slots on your schedule, take a look at the subjects where you already excel and the extracurricular activities that you love. Are you an athlete who thinks you may excel as a physical therapist? Try out Anatomy & Physiology. Are you a DECA rockstar? See if there is an entrepreneurship or business elective you haven’t already taken. When thinking about adding courses, you want to make sure that they fit into your overall applicant profile and align with your interests. The bonus is that you will enjoy classes much more if they connect to what you already love to do!  

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If you want to talk more with us about course selection, book a strategy session and we can dive deep into your schedule and come up with a plan for the next two, three, or four years of high school. 

We hope you enjoy the start of the new semester!

Colleen, Shannon and Tyler's Best Tips for Freshman Year

This past weekend, I (Colleen) came across an article in Northern Virginia Magazine entitled 19 Tips Every [College] Freshman Should Know. I very much agreed with most of them* and thought we could do our own spin-off for this week’s mid-week blog post!

*While I do not agree with all of them, I vehemently disagree with #13. Study abroad is fantastic but by all means, do NOT take out a loan to do it!!!

If you do opt out of studying abroad, you can still get a mini-abroad experience by visiting friends! I studied abroad in the UK but here I am meeting up with my friend in Paris during his study abroad in Padova! A year earlier I visited other friends in Madrid during their summer study abroad, and we went to Amsterdam together too. So much fun!

Academic Tips

Go to class (Colleen)

There’s a reason why this piece of advice made the number one slot both here and in Northern Virginia Magazine’s article. It is so, so, so much easier to do well in college if you go to class. Ironically, this is also the tip that most students have trouble fully understanding before they get to college - from a high school student’s perspective, of course you’d go to class. Is that even an option?

Well, the reality is that when you get to college, skipping class may be more of an option than you realize. This is especially the case if you attend a mid-sized or larger school; my own school had about 5500 undergrads when I attended and I would say that approximately half of my professors did not take attendance. It’s so easy to rationalize skipping when the professor just reads off slides that are available online, but the reality is that you will miss information that’s not on the slides. Not to mention, are you actually going to review those slides the same day you missed class, or will you be cramming in several weeks’ worth of them the night before the exam?

My best advice would be to never miss a single one if you can help it, because it becomes like a gateway drug of sorts. You skip one at the beginning of the semester and you realize how nice it was to be able to sleep in. Then you start missing one each week. Then two. Then the next thing you know, it’s final exam time and you haven’t been to class since mid-terms. I see this all the time with our students - it’s so easy to fall into a spiral from which you can’t easily extricate yourself. So GO TO CLASS!

Ask for help (Shannon)

Many college students do not even begin to scratch the surface of all of the incredible resources available on campus! You can likely get a tutor in any subject, work on organization, meet with an academic advisor, attend extra study sessions, go to professor’s office hours… the list is truly endless, but these extra opportunities are only available to students who seek them out.

Make sure you don’t miss the career center, either - this isn’t obvious for most freshmen. They have exceptional resources, but again, they won’t (typically) come looking for you if you don’t proactively make an appointment - which I recommend doing during your first semester on campus.

Their career specialists can help you put together a four year plan to employment (or grad school) broken down into chunks, semester by semester. Remember: just like all four years of high school are important for college admissions, all four years of college are important for the job search or graduate school admissions. The students who have strong grades from the beginning and meaningful internships each summer are much more likely to be happy about their choices post-graduation.

I think that many students who were very successful in high school feel awkward and embarrassed when it comes to asking for help in college, but truthfully, those resources are there for a reason! You are making a BIG academic and social transition, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you need on campus.

Map it out (Tyler)

During your first couple days, take the time to walk around the campus! Not only will it help you to know where all of your classes are, but you will also feel more comfortable if you know the lay of the land. Plus, you may run into other curious students!

Tyler’s parents helping him move into his new campus home!

Social Tips

Do live on campus, don’t live with a friend (Colleen)

Northern Virginia Magazine noted (and I absolutely, 100% agree) that it’s so much better to live on campus than off during your freshman year. Typically we don’t see students opting out of that because most are very excited about living on campus!

What we DO see is that a number choose to room with friends from high school, summer camp, etc. Particularly with girls, this rarely ends well. There are exceptions, but our students who are most satisfied with their freshman year residential life experience have typically chosen to live with someone that they did not know before arriving on campus. And definitely don’t be afraid that you won’t be best friends with your roommate! For me personally, my favorite roommates over the years were girls who I enjoyed, but were not in my core social group.

Don’t Worry if You haven’t found “Your People” by Day One (Shannon)

You might get to college and find that your roommate or the person sitting next to you in your freshman seminar is your new best friend. They might be! But I think that freshman year especially, it is easy to feel like everyone on campus is fitting in except for you.

College campuses are diverse places with all different kinds of people, so just because you don’t click with your forever friends right off the bat, don’t give up! Join clubs and take part in extracurricular activities that interest you, put yourself out there by attending social events, and you will find your niche - even if it’s not right away!

[Note from Colleen - you should TOTALLY check out this video that went viral a few years ago! I have sent this to so many kids because I love it!]

LEave YOur Door Open (Tyler)

Yes, literally! Other students who pass by will be able to see that you are open to making friends and talking to others on your hall. If you are feeling bold, you can also just walk around the hall and knock on doors to meet people. Freshman year, everyone is interested in making friends, and they will appreciate your confidence and remember you!

Also, talk with your roommate. You two might not click as best friends, but living with someone else all the time can be hard, so being on the same page and getting comfortable with them from the beginning is a lifesaver.

Try not to attach yourself to a significant other (Colleen)

Whether it’s your high school girlfriend who you’re calling every night, or the cute guy to whom you became attached at the hip during orientation, a serious relationship in college often leads to a less enjoyable experience than you might otherwise have had. Sure, there are some exceptions, but these relationships just don’t typically last. Do you want to look back one day and think about how your college years revolved around someone you don’t even talk to anymore? That’s so depressing!

Get out there and have fun, and if you meet the perfect person, keep it light! We aren’t in 1960 anymore and most people do not get married to the person they met in college. If it’s meant to be, they will still be around after graduation!

Luckily, Shannon and her roommate DID click as best friends (bonding over a mutual love of country music) and are still close today!

Campus Opportunities Tips

Consider Going Greek (Colleen)

I realize this sort of borders with social, but joining a sorority was one of the best things I did in college. I was not someone who came from a long line of sorority women, and this was definitely not a given for me the way it is for some other girls. But it was such a wonderful opportunity for me to find my niche and have a smaller group within a larger community. From Thursday nights in the suite watching the OC (may it rest in peace!) to late-night study sessions to crush parties, there was always something going on and a group to do it with.

I didn’t click with every single girl, but the repeated exposure I did have to the same group of faces led to a lot of long-term friendships. Sororities also provide a lot of chances to develop real-world skills - I know it sounds sort of silly but I’m serious! From event planning during recruitment to leadership skills on the exec board, there were so many opportunities to step up and try out something new.

And it really expanded my network! One of the most surprising parts of joining a sorority for me was how grateful I’d be for it AFTER college. When I moved to NYC and knew nobody, I randomly ran into a girl from my chapter in Columbus Circle who also knew nobody. Three years later, we were in each others’ weddings! I have so many stories like this, and met some of my closest friends in both NYC and DC through my sorority affiliation.

Seek Out Mentors (Shannon)

For many of you, you haven’t had to work at building relationships with the adults in your life. Maybe you had a teacher or coach who you grew close with, but it is easy to let these types of mentors disappear from your life when you graduate from high school.

The interesting people that you will meet on campus aren’t only your fellow students - faculty, staff, and coaches have a lot of wisdom to share, but you won’t know unless you seek them out! So make sure that you go to office hours, take the time to chat with professors and advisors, and let them know that their help and guidance is appreciated.

Bonus: having these relationships in college make it much easier if you need to ask for a grad school or job recommendation or connection down the line!

Go to the Club Fair (Tyler)

The club fair, which usually takes place during the first few days of school, can definitely seem intimidating, with representatives from all the different student clubs trying to get you on their sign-up sheets! But it is definitely worth it to attend and sign up for anything that interests you, and then actually check out a meeting! This is a great way to get involved on campus and connect with more people, especially upperclassmen who you may not be running into every day.

Sorority Recruitment 2006

So much more!

This isn’t an exhaustive list, by any means, and we could have written a book on the subject (maybe we will!). Here are a few more random tips to consider while starting this journey:

• Always look up your professors on ratemyprofessors.com before registering for classes. If they aren’t on there, start googling. Pro tip: you can learn a lot about someone from their twitter feed!

• When you have the choice to pick between what appears to be an interesting class or a good professor, pick the professor. A good one will make any class interesting and then you’ll have both!

• You didn’t hear it from us, but there are usually ways to get around the “no cars on campus for freshmen” rule if your school has it.

• If you do decide to join a sorority, send recommendations to each chapter in advance. You will not regret this, even if your school and the panhellenic council say it’s not necessary. These are not needed for fraternities but a few well-placed phone calls wouldn’t hurt.

• Explore the surrounding area - this may be the only time in your life you’ll live in that city and you’ll have so many fun memories of getting off campus and discovering a new place!

• Try tons of new things! I had never eaten guacamole before my freshman year, which sounds kind of hard to believe, but it’s true. By the time I graduated I was eating all kinds of unfamiliar foods!

• ENJOY! College is amazing. And if you don’t love it, you can transfer!

Attending events freshman year is a great way to bond with new people - Shannon’s friend took this photo at a talk by the Dalai Lama at W&M!

Want to maximize your freshman year?

Whether you’re hoping to play your cards right for a selective undergraduate program like UVA’s McIntire or Batten Schools or W&M’s Mason School; are trying to put together the best possible schedule for yourself; are about to go through fall sorority recruitment and don’t know what to wear or how to prepare (yes, really, this is a thing); or just want to make sure you know all the ins and outs of the school you select, email us to learn more about college experience coaching and how we can help!

Reader Questions: Grades vs. Rigor

Today, we are kicking off our “Reader Questions” series! Have a burning question about school, college, or graduate admissions, or even high school in general? Please shoot us an email and we will make sure to address it in a future post!

Q: We are about to finalize sophomore year course selection and can’t decide what to do. Is it better to make Bs in AP classes or make As in easier classes? With the time involved in X’s soccer commitments and Boy Scouts, there is no way he can make As in AP classes. He’s very intelligent and wants to do well, he just doesn’t have time and we can’t push him to spend five hours each night on homework when he doesn’t get home until 7:00. I told him I would check with you before he decides whether to take AP U.S. History and AP English over regular U.S. History and English 11. He’s hoping to go to Georgetown.

A: If X is still hoping to go to Georgetown, he needs to take the most challenging courses available to him and he needs to make As in those classes. There is simply no way around this. He also needs to continue to have a vibrant extracurricular and leadership profile, so dropping soccer and Boy Scouts is not an option either. Note: I am not suggesting that it is healthy to stay up until midnight every night studying. It’s not healthy and it’s not what I would want my own child to do. But if this is the only way for him to make straight As in rigorous courses, he’s either going to have to do it or he’s going to have to find a new college choice.

Imagine that you are at Thanksgiving dinner and run into your niece, who just graduated from college. She is working as a temp at Facebook (could there be a more perfect place to start your career?!) and is angling for a permanent job offer. Could you take a second to give her some advice, she asks?

She REALLY, REALLY wants this job, but she recently came to the conclusion that she’s simply not able to attend meetings and get all of her work done. If she’s going to finish her work, she just doesn’t have time to go to meetings. There are just not enough hours in the day to do both; she’d have to come in really early and stay really late, and she would barely get any sleep once her commute is factored in. There would be so many ramifications for her work-life balance and she clearly just is not going to be able to do both. Which should she pick, she asks you?

What would you tell her? Is she more likely to get the job she wants if she stops attending the meetings or if she stops making deadlines?

A. Skip the meetings

B. Forget the deadlines

C. Find a less demanding job at a company that prioritizes work-life balance

D. Suck it up, Sally

The bottom line: just as there will always be another eager 22-year-old who is happy to skip hot yoga to prove his worth in the office, there will always be thousands upon thousands of other high school students that are able to manage rigorous courses and straight As alongside a slew of impressive extracurricular activities.

There’s nothing wrong with adjusting priorities. Your niece could find a ton of great jobs that wouldn’t over-work her and would still give her the chance to maintain a healthy work-life balance. But if she wants to work at Facebook, she’s going to need to make these kinds of sacrifices. And if your son wants to go to Georgetown, he’s going to need to make sacrifices too.