The Guide To Your Dream

School

2 | Admit Me

Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.

Edition: 1st
No part of this book may be reproduced without express written permission from the authors.

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Dedicated to --------

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I believe that education is the single-most important civil rights issue that we face today. Because in the
end, if we really want to solve issues like mass incarceration, poverty, racial profiling, voting rights, and
the kinds of challenges that shocked so many of us over the past year, then we simply cannot afford to
lose out on the potential of even one young person.
-Michelle Obama

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Table of Contents
Introduction...................................................................................... 1
Part 1: The High School Guide.............................................................2
Kielahs Story.................................................................................... 4
Persevering....................................................................................... 6
Hollywood High School Movies vs.................................................8
Your High School Movie....................................................................... 8
College is For YOU........................................................................... 11
A Few Myths and Realities About College.....................................11
What Colleges Seek........................................................................ 12
How to Earn Awesome Grades........................................................14
Grade Management.......................................................................... 30
Extracurricular Activities................................................................36
Advanced/Challenging Courses.......................................................41
Study Tips........................................................................................ 44
Teacher Recommendations..............................................................49
Community Service......................................................................... 54
Getting Ahead of the Game............................................................58
Sophomores.................................................................................... 61
Juniors............................................................................................. 65
Senior Year....................................................................................... 67
Talking to Your Parents About College..........................................69
Surround Yourself with Likeminded People....................................71
Wilglorys Story................................................................................. 76
Part 2: The College Application Guide................................................76
Overcoming the Mountain............................................................78
Choosing the Right School for You.................................................80
How to do College Research............................................................87
Creating a College List.................................................................... 88
Visiting Colleges.............................................................................. 89
Applying Early................................................................................. 91
Tackling the Essay Portion...............................................................95
SAT/ACT........................................................................................... 98
Getting the Coveted 1600, 36, or 800...........................................98
Applying to a Military School.........................................................101

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Applying to a................................................................................ 103

Visual and/or Performing Arts School............................................103
Once You Hit Submit......................................................................104
Interviews..................................................................................... 104
Paying For College......................................................................... 106
Common Misconceptions about College/Applications..................109
Words of Encouragement..............................................................111
About the Authors......................................................................... 113
Notable College Access/Summer Programs..................................114
Top 10 Colleges in America...........................................................114
Glossary........................................................................................ 115
College Application Process Timeline...........................................118
Student Excerpts...........................................................................123

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The authors would like to thank ----

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Introduction
This book is intended for high school students with dreams of college. In particular, this book has the
information that first-generation college students, those whose parents or grandparents didnt go to college,
need to help them prepare for college by starting that preparation in high school. All of the important steps
you need to take, myths you can overcome, habits you need to develop, and relationships you need to foster
are included in these pages.
The first section of this book is about the high school experience as preparation for college. It carefully
outlines how to succeed in high school and develop good study habits that will eventually also help you
succeed in college. This section is written by Kielah Harbert, who has recently finished high school and has a
lot of tips for how to make your high school experiences a success for college.
The second section of this book is about the college application process specifically and is written by Wilglory
Tanjong, another recent high school student who has successfully navigated this process. Wilglory offers
many tips and insights to help you through this process which isnt all that simple or straightforward if you
dont know anything about it yet.
Together, the authors of this book provide a comprehensive guide for high school students aiming high after
graduation. Follow the steps and techniques outlined in this book, and they will help you achieve your
dreams!

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Part 1: The High School Guide

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Admit Me | 11

Kielahs Story
You have to change the world or be changed by the world. As a child, this was my favorite quote because I
longed to make a difference. While my friends played outside, I would be inside, drafting plans to feed the
poor and shelter the homeless. But, before I had a chance to change the world, the world changed me. Early
mornings, long nights, and instability defined my teenage years. While I was born in St. Louis, I considered
Columbia, Missouri, where I lived with my mom, my hometown. But, due to the instability at my home, I was
unable to finish high school in Columbia and my family decided that it would be best if I moved back to St.
Louis to live with my dad. So, my mom and I packed my things and moved me across the state, from
Columbia to St. Louis.
My dad lived with his girlfriend and my little sister in the downstairs apartment of a two-family flat. I moved
into the apartment upstairs. It was just me up there. I did not have keys to the downstairs. My dad was almost
never at home, and I soon realized that I would have to raise myself. At the time, I was only 15. The only
place that would hire me at that age was a friend of the family who owned a pizza shop in neighboring Illinois.
I got the job so that I could pay for groceries and support myself. With many failed attempts, I taught myself
how to navigate the train and bus system in order to get to and from work and school. I can still vividly
remember nights spent on empty busses, from Illinois to Saint Louis. Those nights consisted of long walks
from the bus stop on streets illuminated by flickering street lights that seemed to stretch on for miles. In the
winter, the heat barely blew through the vents, and on some days, only cold water would flow from the
faucets. Exhaustion and unhappiness often overcame me. Juggling my job, grocery shopping, school, cooking
for myself, and sometimes babysitting my siblings seemed unreal to me. I felt very alone and uncared for.
There were days where I just did not want to get out of bed. I wanted to lie in bed all day, and succumb to the
cold. I did not want to struggle with bags of groceries on the bus that day, or feel cheerful enough to go to
school and act as a leader to my peers. I did not have the energy, the strength, or the emotional capacity to
keep going.
Still, I tried hard to put my schoolwork first. I joined College Bound, a college access and readiness program
for students in the St. Louis area, during my sophomore year, and spent hot summer days at the library,
typing essays to qualify for advanced placement (AP) classes. I wanted to succeed so badly, and to give back
to my school so much so that, over the next two years, I founded my school's Student Council, became
senior class president and captain of our mock trial team. I was still so tired and exhausted from having to
take care of myself with little to no support. So, eventually I realized that living with my dad wasnt the best
option for me and decided that moving in with my aunt and uncle would provide me with more adequate
living conditions. I moved out to the county with my aunt and uncle, and continued my schooling at Clyde C.
Miller Career Academy.
Career Academy was in the city, so every morning, I would wake up at 4 a.m. so that I could catch the bus
and get to school by 7 a.m. There were many mornings where it was so cold I could barely feel my fingers.
The cold alone was almost unbearable. While my other friends often decided not to go to school because of
rain or snow, I was there, and it made all the difference. I worked hard enough to get accepted into
Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA). LEDA is a college readiness and access program that
supports low-income students who do not otherwise have access to funding and other support that would
enable them to attend the nations top colleges and universities. LEDA helped me understand that not only
could I attend a prestigious university I deserved to attend the college of my dreams. During my senior
year, I came back home and worked tirelessly to improve my ACT score and supplemental essays. I
graduated high school with a 3.97 GPA and full-ride offers to ten prestigious universities.
I realize now that the quote I loved "You have to change the world or be changed by it" is too black and
white for me. I have been changed by the world, AND I will go on to change it as well. I am using the way the
world changed me to make it better for others. To change our education system, to decrease the inequality
gap, to reform the criminal justice system, to feed the poor and even to shelter the homeless. My dreams to
save the world didn't end when I was 15. Rather, these dreams inspired me to be that much greater.

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Persevering
I define perseverance as the ability to push and persist through anything. It means that you can work towards
your goal and maintain a purpose, no matter the situation that you are in. Regardless of obstacles, difficulties,
and discouragement, you will continue to strive for greatness.
I persevered all through high school, despite the incredible challenges facing me, because I knew that if I
continued my education after high school, I would never have to struggle like that again. Persevering through
high school was my ticket to the next step, and out of the struggles of my teen years. I persevered because I
wanted to succeed that badly. Sometimes, you just have to want it bad enough, even if you think you are not
smart enough, strong enough, or worthy enough. In the end, you have to remind yourself that you are strong,
you are smart, and you are worthy.
I shared my story with you, but what is your story? How will you overcome all that you are going through right
now? You are worthy (ABSOLUTELY!) how do you know this? What are your goals? How will YOU persevere?

What is your story?

What do you care about? What do you want to be in life?
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Give three motivations that will help you persevere.

1.

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2.

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3.

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What are three obstacles in your life that are making it harder for you to succeed?
1.

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2.

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3.

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How do you plan on overcoming the obstacles in your life?

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Why is it important to you that you overcome these obstacles?
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Hollywood High School Movies vs.

Your High School Movie
Youre just starting high school as a freshman, wide-eyed and wondering about this new school environment
thats so different from grade school. Whats it all about? How do you succeed?
Unfortunately, there won't be too many spontaneous dance numbers in high school, but the good news is that
high school does start to prepare you for the real world, and it can be pretty fun at times. The movies have a
few things right, though there will be ups, downs, friendships, break-ups, drama, and so much more. High
school, much like life, will be what you make of it.

Lights! Cameras! Action!

Hollywood makes it seem like there are only a few options which you have as a high school student. The
categories below are some of what you normally see on television and in the movies:
*The bad student who is always getting in trouble with teachers and arguing with peers
*The cool student who is loved by all of their peers, but often gets in trouble with teachers

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*The student who gets great grades and is loved by all teachers
*The jock that is super good at sports, but does poorly in his
classes
*The shy student who has the best grades in the class, and
normally has three close friends
*The preppy cheerleader who has a ton of friends, but isn't very
nice

The Truth
The above stereotypes do exist in real life high schools, but there are so many more kinds of people there.
There is not one set role you fill as a high school student. There are various roles you can have, and there are
many to choose from, even though it will not always be clear how to navigate them. What do you want your
high school movie to look like?
A few things to consider:

Playing on a sports team

Joining a club

Being on time to class

Getting good grades

Earning respect from teachers

Having tons of friends

Being president of a club

Becoming super-smart

Having a few close friends

Getting respect from your peers

What do you want the beginning of your movie to look like? How do you want to start off your high school
experience?
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By your junior year, where do you want to be, both academically and socially?
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Now its the day of graduation, and you are about to walk across the stage. Will you be valedictorian or class
president and honored at graduation? Will you be giving a graduation speech? What do you want people to
think of when they see you cross that stage? What is it that you want them to remember about you?
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College is For YOU

If I could describe college in one word, that word would be opportunity. If I could describe college in one
sentence, the sentence would be: It is a life changing opportunity, literally.
Going to college allows you to grow as a person, have more options for employment, get better paying jobs,
and establish a career. After college, you are more likely to gain exposure to career opportunities that would
not be available to you without your degree, generally allowing you to earn more. So, we can conclude that
attending college opens doors to job opportunities, and that is all, right? Wrong! Of course, we like the idea of
making more money and having a stable career, but it does not end there. When you attend college, an
entirely new world is opened up to you! You get to expand your knowledge and thinking while meeting
different people and experiencing new things. College exposes you to new relationships and new
opportunities, and it changes your life.
If I had not gone to college, I would not have been exposed to the wonderful woman who invested in me so
that I could write this book. This is just one small example of the benefits college brings you. College can
open doors that you did not even know were there. College is for you.

A Few Myths and Realities About College

Many students decide not to pursue college because they are not aware of the facts. Do not miss out on a
life-changing opportunity because you heard something or are just not aware of what is out there. Take the
time to review the myths and facts.

College Myth #1: College is not for me.

Reality: All colleges are different. No matter what you are interested in, you can find the right college for
you. Even if you believe college is not for you, individual learning and development occurs. Throughout life,
you learn new skills, learn new facts, and grow as a person; college allows you to do so in a constructive and
strategic way while allowing you to create a better future for yourself in the process.

College Myth #2: I cannot afford to go to college.

Reality: Yes, you can. Many colleges offer financial aid. Financial aid includes any loan, grant, paid
employment opportunity, or scholarship given to you to help you pay for college. There are various types of
financial aid available. Merit scholarships, grants, loans, and paid employment... all of these, when added
together, can pay for your tuition. We will discuss types of financial aid later on in the book.

College Myth #3: College will be just like high school, but harder.
Reality: College is different from high school. In college, you have full autonomy. Meaning, you have the
freedom to make your own decisions. Your parents are not forcing you to do homework or study. You get to
decide what classes you take, what time you get up, what time you go to sleep, what professors you have,

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what you eat, when you eat, who you hang out with, when you hang out, and everything else. You are in
charge of your own life.
Although you have full autonomy, you want to make smart choices. The hardest thing about college is
handling all the new freedom you have. Its not all fun and games you have to get your work done too.

What Colleges Seek

Now that you know that you can go to college, you have options to help pay for college, and you deserve to
be in college, you have to learn about what it is colleges look for in their applicants. You want your college
application to be accepted so you have to be strategic, but its not easy to know what that entails. Even high
school can be difficult for incoming freshmen who are trying to succeed because they often dont know what
to do. It will not be easy to achieve all of your goals it will take hard work and persistence. The first step in
getting accepted into college is to know what colleges look for. Listed below are the six areas that have been
recognized as being the most essential to your high school career for getting accepted into college. These are
the things college application evaluators will be looking for.

Grades

Recommendation Letters

Essays

Advanced Courses (a challenging curriculum)

Service (community service)

Extracurricular Activities

There are other attributes that colleges like to see as well, and that stem from your dedication to the areas
above. We will cover these later on in the book. You should keep in mind that all colleges do not value each
area equally. Some colleges may value your grades more than they value your participation in extracurricular
activities, or vice versa. However, they do still value each item on the list; therefore, you should try your best
to excel in each area.

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How to Earn Awesome Grades

One time in high school, I remember coming home, throwing my backpack down, and sulking because I had
gotten a C- on a test. I was devastated because I knew it would take my course grade down to a B-, and I
expected more of myself. Whenever I got a grade I did not like, I was disappointed. I do not have any memory
of my mom or dad asking about my grades because they didnt have to; for me, grades were already very
important. My mom never had to get on my case because I pushed myself. If I did not get a grade that I liked,
I worked harder to improve. No one had to tell me to do better because I was already interested in bettering
myself. That attitude towards my goals and accomplishments is what has allowed me to succeed.

The Importance of Getting Good Grades

Getting good grades is not all about how they will look to colleges and on scholarship applications. Getting
good grades is about working towards a goal and succeeding even though it may be difficult. Your grades
matter when applying for college, but they do not define you. You are still important even if you do not have
the best grades, but keep this in mind: The doors that are opened to students who do receive good grades
are not always open for students who do not have those same grades. You deserve the best in life, you want
the best in life, and every door that is open for other students should be open for you. So, how do you prove
it?
When people help others, such as by awarding a scholarship, they like to know that those they are helping
will work hard to better themselves and the world. They like to know that the person they are investing in is a
hard worker and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Grades are an indicator of just that kind of hard
work. Excellent grades show that you deserve a full-ride, that you deserve to receive 10,000 dollars worth of
free money in scholarships, and that you deserve to attend the college of your dreams. To be at that level,
you have to prove that you can work towards a goal and succeed; grades are just one of many *indicators*
that can help you with that.

Benefits of Getting Good Grades

They will teach you to work towards a goal.

Most colleges and scholarships and some clubs consider your grades before admitting you.

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Peers and teachers respect students with good grades.

Good grades indicate strong organizational skills.

Getting good grades will establish self-discipline.

Getting good grades will demonstrate to employers that you have strong self-discipline.

Getting good grades in high school will prepare you for the demands of your college classes, which
are much more difficult.

You will get a lot more out of your education if you work for the good grades.

Attend All of Your Classes

Its always important to go to class. Skipping classes, being late, and leaving early can hurt your education.
You can miss important lecture material, handouts, and questions. Your attendance is critical to your success.
When you attend all of your classes, this allows you to actively participate more. You can ask questions and
absorb the material better. Not only does this help you do better in class, but your teachers value your
presence as well.

Take Awesome Notes

Notetaking is a skill in itself. I still have a problem with this, and my binder is a mess! I am sure my life would
have been a lot easier if I had legible, organized, and thorough notes. One thing you always want to do when
taking notes is to include the date, class, class period, and lesson that youre taking notes on. Doing this will
make it much easier to find specific notes when you need them. Simply taking down notes helps you better
remember the material. You do not have to write down everything the teacher says. Take down the important
points, and anything written on the board or on a PowerPoint slide.
Your teacher will usually subtly indicate what he or she believes is important during a lecture or other class
meeting, and this is definitely something you want in your notes. The instructor might slow down his or her
speech while making an important point, or might carefully punctuate his or her words with strong gestures
like a forefinger point on strong syllables of important words. He or she might also speak a little more loudly
when presenting important material. Pay a lot of attention to these nonverbal cues because they will give you
huge hints about what the professor believes is important. Of course, if the professor believes it is important,
it will be on the test!
It is not enough to just take notes in class. You really do need to review those notes right after class. As I
understand, research in brain science says that if you review your notes within about 6 hours after taking the
notes, you will more deeply absorb the material and you will actually learn it. However, if you review your
notes even the next day, youre relearning the material which means youre working a lot harder in the long
run to learn it because you have to keep learning the same thing over and over. Reviewing your notes just
after you take them also helps you fill in holes left during the lecture and spell out words you cryptically
abbreviated during lecture. You can also add things that you heard and remember but didnt make it into your
notes. The best thing you can do for yourself and the most optimal way to use your notes is to review them
within a few hours after class. When you have a break, take just a few minutes to look over your notes from
the classes you were just in, and you will learn the material so much more easily than if you wait to look at
your notes until the weekend, or worse, right before the exam. If you get into this routine, youll be so happy
you did.

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Here is a page of notes. If you look closely, you can see that the notetaker went back in after the original
notes were taken and filled in some of the rougher spots with a different pen.

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Schedule Strategically
In most high schools, you can choose most of your classes yourself. The most important thing to keep in mind
when scheduling in both high school and college is that you sign up for the required classes that you need to
graduate. Sitting down with your counselor each semester is essential to making sure you are on the right
track towards graduation. Some students do not do this, and by the time they think they should be
graduating, they cannot graduate on time because they do not have their credits from required classes. You
do not want this to be you.

Extra Credit
Always take extra credit opportunities. Even if you have a good grade in a particular course, a few extra
points may help you in the long run. Plus, your teacher will appreciate the extra effort you put in. They notice
the students who do the extra credit and when it comes time to assign grades, if youre on the border, theres
a good chance they will pay attention to whether you did the extra credit in deciding whether to give you the
higher grade or the lower one. Doing extra credit tells your teachers and professors that you care, and that
you are trying. This is the main thing that they want from you. You may not feel like it sometimes, but
remember to keep the end goal in mind learning more and getting a good grade in the course. Doing the
extra credit will help you with both of these goals. You can do it!

Turning Work In On Time

If you turn in work on time, you will have a better chance of doing well in a class. Place homework in your
bookbag when you finish it so you do not forget to bring it to class. Being prepared will also help you turn in
all of your work on time so that you do not lose points on your assignments. If you do work on time, when
assigned, this means you do not have to rush to finish it, allowing you to turn in neat and well thought out
work. If all of your classmates do their work the night before its due but you have taken a week to do yours,
your work will stand out from the rest, and your instructor will notice.

Effective Studying
To make the most out of your studying, you should be keeping up with the material every day after classes.
This is ideal. If you can get into this habit, it will help you tremendously in both high school and college. If not,
review your notes every other day or at least on the weekend to stay on top of the material and be able to
follow future classes clearly. Not studying until the night before a big test will not only be tiring, but your lack
of preparedness will likely show in your test score and you will not likely do as well as you would have if you
had studied all along the way or at least a week in advance. Try making a schedule at the beginning of each
semester. Most instructors have important dates listed on their syllabi. This will allow you to prepare in
advance. Reviewing material from each class for at least 10 minutes each day will help you so much to better
remember the material. Studying for long periods of time instead is not always helpful. Try studying in short
intervals of 40-60 minutes when you do need to review a larger amount of material, like before a test. This
will allow your brain to rest after reading a great deal or doing practice problems. Make sure your breaks are
no longer than 10 minutes. A study strategy similar to the blue diagram below would be great.

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Here is a good strategy for studying and test-taking (above).

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Below is a different kind of graphic that shows the components of study skills.

Risking Your Grade

Risk can be a positive thing. But, if you feel that you are putting your good grade at risk by maybe not
adequately completing a homework assignment or being unprepared for a test, you should probably rethink
your schedule. If you want good grades, you have to prioritize that in your life. If you put your social life first,
you put your good grades at risk.
There were several times during the year when I wanted to hang out with my friends instead of doing
homework or studying, and I did just that. So when the time came for me to turn in my work during class, I
had to scramble to write down my answers and turn the work in before it was too late. Doing this was not
worth it. Sometimes, the work would be incomplete or sloppy, and it never showed my clearest thinking or
my best work. I felt better when my work was fully completed the night before and when I knew I had the
material down pat. In the long run, sitting down to study will be worth more than a night out on the town.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when you have to make a choice between studying and other, more
attractive options:

If I go out and stay up late, will I be mentally and physically prepared to take that test?

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How much will hanging out today/tonight benefit me in the future?

Is there another event or get-together in the near future that I can go to instead of this one?

If I decide to go, how will this decision affect my schooling or other responsibilities?

Do I want to risk failing or doing poorly on a test or quiz?

How much do I value doing well in my classes?

If I do not study tonight, do I still have enough time to study in the future, and still be well-prepared
for my exam?

Do I really want to rush to do my homework?

Can I risk not completing this homework assignment?

Study for Success

A lot of students simply study in order to get a good grade on a paper or a test, instead of studying in order to
learn the material. It is essential that you do not strive to do well on a test only in order to get good grades:
You want to do well so that you can learn and understand what you are being taught. You will need to
understand the material for later on in your high school and college career. College assumes you learned
certain things in high school, and at a reasonably high level, and they build on that foundation. So it is really
important that you actually have that foundation. Try to learn the material well instead of just memorizing
what you think you need temporarily. Doing this will save you time when you take similar classes in the
future. Take advantage of your education!

Advice
Asking your teacher for advice is great, as well. Try asking your teacher about study groups (students staying
after school in order to get a better understanding of the material) or tutoring for the class. Some teachers
stay after class to help students. You can also reach out to other students who have already taken the class!
Ask your teacher if there are former students who offer help and/or provide advice to students currently
taking the class. Teachers, friends, and coaches are always willing to help, so why not let them? For example,
during my junior year, I struggled tremendously with the English portion of the ACT. I asked my English
teacher if hed be willing to help me by setting up times when we could meet after school. With his help, I was
able to improve by 20 points. It is always essential to ask for help and advice when you need it. (P.S. This is
also why its essential to maintain good relationships: You never know when youll need someones help!)

Stay Motivated
It may be difficult to stay motivated to get good grades because you know you might not receive immediate
rewards. Keep in mind that your motivation can exist around your own dedication to success. For some
people, getting rewards keeps them motivated, which is fine, but what other reasons allow you to stay
motivated? Do good grades keep you motivated, or does your yearning to learn more push you? Do you have
intrinsic or extrinsic motivation? Intrinsic motivation is when you work towards a goal because it is personally
rewarding. Extrinsic motivation is when you work towards a goal for a reward or to avoid getting punished.

What tasks are you motivated towards? Pick the answer that most applies to you.
I want to do well in school because
A.People tend to respect me more.
B. I get paid when I get good grades.

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C. I love doing well.

D. It allows me to grow.

I want to go to college to
A.Make a lot of money.
B. Gain social status.
C. Learn more.
D. Grow as a person.

I like to turn in my homework on time because

A.I will get better grades if I make the deadline.
B. My teacher deducts points for late assignments.
C. I feel accomplished when I turn in things on time.
I play video games because
A.I get praise for getting high scores.
B. If I do well, I can earn a new game.
C. It is exciting.

I do my chores because
A.I will be punished if I dont.
B. I get an allowance when I complete my chores.
C. I enjoy it.

If you chose A or B as an answer on a regular basis, it is likely that you are extrinsically motivated. You work
hard in order to gain rewards or avoid punishment.
If you chose C or D as an answer on a regular basis, it is possible you are intrinsically motivated. You find joy
in certain activities and follow through because they are personally rewarding.
Keep in mind that these are not mutually exclusive categories or responses. You can be intrinsically motivated
towards doing well in school and extrinsically motivated when it comes to helping out at home.
Why is this important? If you are intrinsically motivated, it is likely that things such as vision boards inspire
you to achieve more. A vision board is essentially a bulletin board with pictures and words that mean
something to you. You can see what it is you are working towards because you have a certain vision of
yourself and your development. Your inspirations, dreams, hopes, desires, and etc. can be placed on the
board for you to view daily as a reminder of where you are going in life, and what you yearn to be. If you are
externally motivated, competition or outside rewards appeal to you. One way to better challenge yourself is

Admit Me | 27

to make a goal sheet that challenges you to turn in each homework assignment on time, or to get a certain
grade and, if you do well, reward yourself. Small things like these steps can push you to succeed.

28 | Admit Me

How to make a vision board:

1.

Get a piece of cardboard or sturdy poster board, scissors, glue, and magazines.

2.

Find words and pictures that motivate you and represent your dreams.

3.

Cut the words and pictures out.

4.

Glue them all over the board until it is full.

Reach For the Stars

Heck, reach for the moon or any other celestial body! Your goal should be to earn the highest
grade point average possible. If your schools Grade Point Average scale goes to 4.0, your goal
should be a 4.0. It can be difficult earning the best grades, and that is okay because you can
always improve. We will talk about how to do your best later on in the book. Remember:
Always strive for greatness... because you can do it! Take a moment to consider the following
questions, and write down your answers so that you can keep them in mind as you go
forward.

Why do you want to get good grades?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

What is your dream GPA, and why?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What daily steps will you take to get that GPA?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

How will you ensure you are on track to success?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Admit Me | 29

About my Friend, Sean

Sean goofed off all through freshman year of high school and ended the year with a 1.0 GPA. He was not
satisfied with such low grades, so he then took courses during the summer, and went into the following year
as a different student: He stayed after class, and even took advanced classes. In the end, Sean graduated
with a 3.8 GPA. Even though he started with a 1.0, colleges liked seeing his determination to improve. He
ended up being offered a full-ride to three colleges. His grades had an upward trend, meaning they
continuously got better. This is something colleges look for in their students.

Advanced Courses Can Help

Most advanced courses are weighted, so they can help bring your grades up. For example: at some schools, if
you have a B in an advanced class, it counts as an A toward your overall GPA! However, keep in mind that
you should take the course because you are interested and you feel that you can handle it, as well. Do not
take a course simply because you want to improve your GPA. Remember: Your grades are important, and you
want to make sure you are putting in the most work possible so that you can get the best grades possible!
Not all schools have weighted grades. Be sure to ask your counselor.
Be aware of your grades: Staying on top of your grades is always important. It helps you analyze what you
could be doing to improve. Some teachers frequently tell their students how they are doing in their classes,
while others do not. It will be up to you to be well aware of how you are doing in those classes, especially.
Some schools have Parent Portals that allow parents and/or students to access grades, attendance,
transcripts, etc. Ask your counselor if your school has such a system!
What does staying on top of your grades look like?

Asking your teacher what your grade is.

Being aware of how well you are doing on tests and exams.

Knowing what your grade is in all of your classes.

Keeping all graded paperwork.

Stay Organized
Being organized makes you that much more prepared to ace your classes. Keeping up with notes, binders,
test dates, and important information is essential. It makes it harder to forget about a homework assignment
or a test, and allows you to be in control of how well you do in a course. When you do your homework, put it
in your backpack as soon as you finish it so that you will not forget it. You can also stay organized by using a
planner. Put all important tests, homework assignments, and quiz dates in one place so you will be prepared.
If you can, buy a planner and put all important dates in it or use a calendar. If you can't afford one, use a
notebook to organize dates and tasks.
Something similar to the calendars below, shown as examples, would be great.

30 | Admit Me

More Questions Equal More Blessings

Even students in college struggle with this. A lot of people believe that other people will think they arent that
smart if they ask too many questions, but you will soon figure out that some of the brightest students ask
questions because this helps them understand the material better. In fact, your peers may be wondering the
same thing that you are inquiring about. If you ever have any questions about the material, do not be afraid
to ask during class.

Admit Me | 31

Long Story Short... Grades..?

If you dont know your grade in a class, find out.

If youre falling behind, ask for help.

Always take advantage of extra credit! Even if you have an A, it will come in handy.

You want great grades, but remember that the ultimate goal is to learn.

Grade Management
The Importance of Grade Management
When you know what your grades are, where they are headed, and what you can do to improve, you have a
better chance of getting the GPA you are working towards. It is important to be aware of your grades, but
working strategically to improve them is what makes all the difference.

Benefits:

Better grades

Learning responsibility

Organizational skills

Self-awareness

Its All On Me
I could see my friend was upset before she even walked in the classroom. She stormed in, making sure
everyone else knew she was upset, threw down her backpack, and let out a loud sigh.
What happened, Sydney? I asked anxiously.
Mr. Enyal gave me a D on the test for no reason! She said it loudly enough for him to hear.
32 | Admit Me

That really sucks why do you think he gave you a D?

I dont know, probably because he doesnt like me! I didn't even do anything wrong, though! She said with
tears in her eyes.
Sydney was obviously upset, and for a good reason. Getting a D on a test would lower her grade significantly.
But, what Sydney didnt understand was that Mr. Enyal didn't give her a bad grade, and it wasn't that he
didn't like her as a student; a D was the grade she had earned. She only studied one night before the day of
the test, and got a D because that is all she worked for. Your teachers do not like to give out bad grades (even
if it may seem like it); they want you to do well in their classes. Whatever grade you get, it is the grade you
have earned. Taking responsibility is a crucial part of becoming a responsible young adult. This is all a part of
managing not only your grades, but your life, as well.

Responsibility Overhaul
It is difficult to take responsibility for your actions because it means you only have yourself to blame, but that
is okay. If Sydney and I had understood that she got a D because she didn't study, she could have improved
her study habits for the next test. Blaming the teacher does nothing to improve herself or her skills. Taking
responsibility and learning from your mistakes can only make you a better person.

Grade Etiquette
Yes, I was one of those students. I was always worried about my grade, asking my teachers about how I could
improve. I would literally ask my English teacher, every day after class, what my grade was. After a while, I
signed up for Parent Portal because asking every day was not respectful of my teachers time. So, when I
signed up for Parent Portal, I then checked it religiously on my way to school, during school, and after
school. I guess you could say I was a little obsessed. But I learned valuable lessons during this process. I
learned to never ask my teacher what my grade was during class because class time was class time. If it was
not related to the work in class, then I should not ask. Asking could also lead to disrupting my other
classmates from what we were learning that day. I always made an effort to ask after class or during a free
period, and if I could not ask during those times, I would send my teacher an email, inquiring about my
scores.

Do you know what your cumulative GPA is? If yes, what is it?
If not, how would you go about finding what your cumulative GPA is?
List three steps you can take today to improve your cumulative GPA?
1.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

2.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

3.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

What do you want your cumulative GPA to be at the end of the semester? __________ List three things you can
do every day to make sure you are working towards your dream GPA:

Admit Me | 33

1.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

2.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

3.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

34 | Admit Me

Mistakes Happen
Some teachers make mistakes, but it will be okay! You may often find that a teacher forgot to add in your
extra credit or even forgot to enter an important grade; that is why it is important to always stay on top of
your grades and to keep all of your papers. If this happens, be polite! Bring the potential mistake to their
attention and ask if it will be fixed before grades are released, or if they meant to put in the grade that way. It
is okay to bring potential grade mistakes to your teachers attention. Save your papers/tests that have been
graded so you can compare them to whats been officially recorded by your teacher.

Dropping a Course
If you are struggling in a class, make sure to ask your teacher what you can do to get your grade up. Teachers
appreciate it when students take this kind of initiative. I would not suggest dropping the class unless you
know for a fact that you do not need it, or that you are 100% sure you will fail if you remain in the class.
During my senior year of high school, I dropped a Trigonometry class because I was also taking AP Calculus. I
could have done well in both classes, but I decided to drop the non-AP course. I begged my principal and my
teacher to let me drop the class, and eventually they gave in. To this day, I regret dropping the class. It turned
out that Princeton called my school and specifically asked if I was taking both Trig and AP Calc. My counselor
informed them that I had dropped Trig and, well, the rest is history. I am not sure if that is why I did not get
into Princeton, but it could have been a contributing factor. In other words, take challenging classes and do
not drop them unless you absolutely need to. Be sure to get your teachers and counselors opinions about
dropping, as well.

Struggling in a Course
If you are struggling, it is okay. We all struggle in a course at one point or another in our lives. The most
important thing to remember is that you should not give up. You are smart, and everyone deserves to know
it. If you realize that you are having a tough time learning material, analyze how you can do better.
If youre struggling in a course, analyze your struggle. Check off all of the below areas that apply to the class
you are struggling in.

I am studying a week or two in advance for each test.

I know when each quiz and test is coming.

I am studying frequently.

I am staying after school to get help.

I pay attention in class.

I take good notes while I am in class.

I am reviewing my notes every day after class.

I ask my teacher questions about material I do not understand.

I ask my teacher for extra worksheets so I can practice the material.

I have study sessions with others in the class.

I email my teacher when I have a question about homework.

If you only checked off a few items on this list, perhaps you could be doing more to do well in the course. As
the saying goes, you get out what you put in. The areas listed above will help you do better and understand
the material better. If you are doing everything above and you are still struggling, talk to your teacher about

Admit Me | 35

the material. Maybe you are just having a hard time understanding what is being taught or understanding
expectations for the course. Communication with your teacher will allow you to do better. Having a strategic
plan will also help. If you are struggling in one or more classes, think about the following questions, and
record your responses here.

What classes are you struggling in?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are the steps you want to or need to take to improve?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List four challenges that may emerge.

1.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

2.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

3.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

4.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

What are the ways that you could deal with each of the above issues?
1.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

2.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

3.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

4.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

What are you trying to achieve?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why is your goal important? How will this affect you in the long term?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

36 | Admit Me

Long Story Short... Grade Management

Be aware of your grades.

When asking about your grades, be respectful.

Understand that your teachers can make mistakes.

Take responsibility for your actions.

You can pass the course!

Extracurricular Activities
I remember way too many early mornings during high school. Waking up at 4 a.m. so I could catch the bus at
5 a.m. in order to get to school by 7 a.m. was not an easy task. I even stayed late after school for meetings,
and caught the bus back home every night. I did all of this while being involved in several extracurricular
activities during high school. If I can do it, so can you. I started Student Council, and became president of

Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, and my senior class. I was also on the Superintendents
Advisory Board. I did not get involved in these activities just so they could go on my resume or my college
applications. I got involved because I cared about helping my school and the organizations I joined. If I was
able to do all of these things without a ride to school and little support, then you can do anything you put
your mind to.

Why Extracurricular Activities are Important

Other than the fact that they are super-fun, extra-curricular activities allow you to develop skills and positive
character traits. In addition to your personal development, these activities show colleges, employers, and
even scholarship foundations what kind of person you are. Your leadership, attendance, and dedication in
these clubs all speak to your overall character.

Admit Me | 37

Benefits of Participating in Extracurricular Activities

Develops your leadership skills.

Contributes to your school and local community.

Allows you to participate in a hobby you enjoy.

Gives you opportunities to make a lot of friends.

Allows you to learn outside of the classroom.

Develops your character.

Challenges you.

Represents your problem-solving skills.

Helps you decide what careers you may be interested in.

Teaches you the importance of punctuality and keeping a balanced schedule.

Getting Involved
Most schools have a range of clubs, and as a freshman, it is okay not to know what kind of club youre
interested in joining. It is easy to attend club meetings and sit in, but check with the club sponsor first. If you
find that you like the club, sign up as soon as possible. Start to think about your strengths and weaknesses.
What are you good at? What do you need to improve on? Do certain strengths link to certain activities?
Consider the following prompts, and fill in your responses here.

I am interested in learning more about...

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In my free time I like to...

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My school offers these clubs that fit my interests...

1.

________________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________________

Keep track of the following information for each club you are interested in pursuing:
I have talked to the clubs sponsor and I can sit in on a meeting on ( ______) at (__________).
I sat in on the meeting and I plan on _________the club.

38 | Admit Me

Be There or Be Square
Once you have become a member of a club, dedication is important. Clubs rely on your participation and
consistent attendance. You will find that, as your school year gets busier, it may be tempting to skip one or
two meetings; however, you must remember that clubs and organizations not only note your attendance, but
value it, as well. Do not join a club if you do not think you can be a dedicated member. That being said, clubs
can be flexible! If you have something outside of the club that would hinder you from attending a meeting (a
dentists appointment, for example), you will most likely be excused if you notify the clubs sponsor. Advance
notice on missing commitments is important at least 24 hours notice is considered appropriate.

Sports
Like clubs, sports are also flexible, but since your participation directly affects the team, your attendance is
even more crucial! Try not to miss any practices unless absolutely necessary. As a freshman, odds are that
you will not be able to run for leadership positions within a club, or make varsity on a sports team. Clubs and
teams like their leaders to have experience and maturity. However, that doesnt mean you cant work your
way up the ladder!

Leading Like a Boss

As a freshman, you may be eligible to run for positions such as secretary, historian, or maybe even treasurer;
doing this will help you gain experience and become acclimated to a clubs policies and procedures. Members
of the club will also be more likely to elect you for higher positions in the future if you have experience
leading within that club. Regardless of whether your job is secretary, historian, or just plain member, though,
you want to be a leader at all times!

Your Club Checklist...

Being on time

Dressing appropriately

Being prepared

Looking for solutions to problems

Staying positive

Helping others

Initiating dialogue around problems

Being innovative

Leading Outside of a Club

One cool thing about many extracurricular activities is that they allow you to gain real-world experiences for
working with others toward a positive goal. They allow you to show your true character and to share your
passion with others who enjoy the same things that you enjoy. Through your club involvement, colleges gain
a sense for your dedication, leadership, and interest. You may be asking, What if I have to work part-time, or
have to babysit siblings, and cannot participate in a club? That is okay! Colleges also value your leadership,
attendance, and dedication in employment, as well as family-oriented responsibilities, so do not fret! Many
institutions understand that not everyone is able to join a club or sport. In fact, colleges like to see that you
are involved in your community or an organization outside of school. They want to know who you are as a

Admit Me | 39

person. What draws your interests? What are you most passionate about? Getting involved outside of school
is not only positive it is necessary.

Writing a Proposal
If there's not a club that you want to join, create your own. When I transferred to my high school, there was
no student council, so I created one by writing a proposal and following through on the proposition. Proposals
are documents that propose an idea. The purpose is for action to be taken on the idea. If you are writing a
proposal for principals, teachers, and other staff, be sure to re-read it and have a teacher look over it to give
you suggestions on how to improve it before you submit it.

Starting a Club Checklist

Create the proposal. Outline the purpose of the club, what the clubs activities will be, what days you
will normally meet, who the sponsor of the club will be, etc. Make sure it is neat and well-organized!

Find a teacher who will review it and give you feedback.

Find an adult who can sponsor the club (attend meetings, give guidance, etc.).

Schedule a meeting with your principal or vice principal to propose the club.

Ask your sponsor to help with ideas for gaining membership, planning activities, etc.

Lead, lead, lead!

Long Story Short... Extracurricular Activities

Join a club or sport if at all possible.

Be a leader. Take initiative.

Be willing to learn from people who are older or more experienced than you.

Be a dedicated member.

Work your way up the ladder.

Get involved outside of school.

Stand out! Always be willing to go above and beyond requirements.

Advanced/Challenging Courses
During high school, I didnt have wifi at home, so I had to sit outside on the curb to catch a wifi signal in order
to work on homework. The first advanced high school class I had was AP World History, and it was extremely
difficult. I had a tough time passing the tests, but I stayed after class two days out of the week and emailed
my teacher with questions. I ended up passing the class with a B. Even though Id known it would be tough
earning an A in the class, I also knew that colleges would like to see that I had challenged myself. When the
time came around for me to decide whether or not I wanted to take another AP course, I knew that taking
another would only help me in the long run. In the end, it was worth it. When I entered high school, I
immediately signed up for the advanced classes. I had no idea if I was prepared or if I was smart enough,
but I knew that if I worked hard and sought help from my teachers, I could do well.

40 | Admit Me

Why Challenging Courses are Important

Challenging courses teach you to work hard. These courses push you to do your best, and prepare for college
courses, as well. Colleges and other organizations like to see that you have pushed yourself in high school.
Colleges require you to take certain courses before you can graduate, and these are called general education
requirements. Depending on what courses you take in high school and how well you do, you can sometimes
skip introductory classes in college, thus saving you money and time.

Benefits of Taking Advanced Courses

Challenging yourself.

Standing out.

Earning college credits.

Transferring general education requirement college classes.

Saving money on tuition.

Gaining academic skills.

Graduating more quickly.

If you signed up for a challenging course your freshman year, odds are that you may be taking a class which
is harder than any other class you have taken thus far. These courses challenge you to give your all at all
times. There are several things you can do to succeed in these types of classes...

Signing up for Challenging Courses

First of all, you should make sure youre prepared for the course. Meet with the teacher and your counselor to
discuss your readiness. Once you have talked to the teachers who instruct those classes you are interested in
and your counselor, you should think about your options. If you decide to take advanced courses, your next
step should be speaking with the coordinator of advanced courses at your school, along with your counselor,
to get you scheduled.

Questions to Ask the Teachers

How does the teacher structure their lesson plans? Is the class mostly lecture-based (i.e. the teacher uses the
majority of class time to speak to the class about the lesson while students take notes)? Are the tests mostly
over the notes that students take? Does the teacher rely heavily on PowerPoints or book work? These are
examples of questions to get an idea of what to expect from the class. Show the teacher you are interested:
Teachers love students who show an interest in academics or coursework, in general. If you dont think youll
know what to say when approaching a teacher you have never met before, below is an outline of some ideas:

Hi, my name is ________. I am a freshman and am considering taking challenging classes next year. Do you
mind telling me more about your class and how I can benefit from this class, in particular?
What kind of student succeeds in your class?
Do you offer tutoring after school?
Do your students do a lot of book work?
Admit Me | 41

How much homework is assigned every day?

Do your students take a lot of notes?
If I were in this class, what tips could you give me that would help guarantee my success?

If You Take It, You Can Make It

Most AP, Honors, or International Baccalaureate teachers will tell you it is going to be hard to get an A, and
that it will take a lot of work. Some students feel as if they will not do well in advanced courses, but that is
often not the case. If you are willing to put in the effort, then you can succeed. However, do not be
discouraged by the idea of hard work! You have already taken the first step and showed a potential future
teacher that you are an interested student who cares about his/her education. When teachers see this kind of
interest, they definitely appreciate it! Not only that, but colleges prefer a B in an advanced course compared
to an A in a regular class. Remember: You are smart and you can do it!

Strategy
To be sure you graduate on time, remember to meet with your counselor and make sure you are taking the
required classes. Once you are sure you are on the right track for high school graduation, you can sign up for
challenging courses. Try to be strategic; taking too many challenging courses at one time without a good
reason could be harmful. Limit yourself so that you will not be too stressed out. Most teachers recommend
taking two advanced courses during your sophomore year, and one your freshman year. If you think youre up
for more than that, you will have to stick to a strong study schedule and work hard. Scheduling strategically
also means looking down the road and being aware of what it is colleges like to see from their students. Some
colleges require that you take at least two years of a foreign language! Try it!

Taking Initiative
If your school doesnt offer these kinds of classes your freshman year, try talking to your counselor or
principal, and ask whether it is possible for the school to add advanced courses. Perhaps the school will take
it into consideration. If your school does not offer advanced classes your freshman year, get to know the
teachers who teach those classes for sophomores, juniors, and seniors!

Long story short... Advanced Courses

Dont be afraid to sign up! You can do it!

Take initiative, and talk to your principal about possibly adding courses.

Be strategic.

Ask questions.

Study Tips
During high school, studying was particularly difficult because I had so many other responsibilities at home.
All of my responsibilities made it difficult to study every day consistently, but I was able to manage by

42 | Admit Me

mapping out a schedule and talking to my teachers about establishing healthy study habits. Here are a few
things you can do to ensure youre forming wise studying habits:

Study Groups

Study groups allow you to study with peers, and can even help you get a better understanding of the
material. In study groups, you can review material, go over problems together, and challenge one another.
Set up a weekly time to meet with your partners and make sure you try your best to stick to the
established/agreed upon timeline. Schedule weekly check-ins with your peers. How far do you want to be by
week 2 or week 3? Working with your friends can be tempting, but you also want to make sure you are
getting work done. Feel free to ask classmates if they would like to have a study group, and ask the teacher if
he/she would be available after school to assist you! Some teachers will allow you to hold your study groups
sessions in their classrooms.

Rewrite
Some people study by rewriting what they already have written down because it helps them better memorize
the material. You can rewrite your notes from class or important points made in the textbook.

Flashcards
Flashcards are a fun and easy way to study. You dont want to put too much information on a flashcard,
though; the best way to make flashcards is to have one or two bullet points of important information on each
side.
Example:
Front: U.S. President in 1965
Back: Lyndon Johnson
Flashcards are not meant to be overloaded with too many notes and too much information! If you dont want
to make flashcards or rewrite notes, then you can always read over your notes on a daily basis.

Memorization/Integration
Try memorizing and learning the material every day. This will make for better test scores and overall
knowledge of the material in the process. Make sure you understand the material before trying to simply

Admit Me | 43

memorize it. Memorizing is great, but this practice alone does not allow you to actually understand the
material. Understanding the material is essential if you want to do well in more advanced classes later on.

Avoiding Time Management Pitfalls

There may be days where all you want to do is relax or hang out with friends, and that is okay! Every student
needs a break from time to time; however, being responsible about your time is important to your overall
success. It will be hard at times to sacrifice hanging out with your friends for studying or school obligations,
but in the long run, you will not regret buckling down so that you can ace a test or project.

Papers Out, Pens Out

When I studied, I always tried to have all of my books, notes from class, lecture materials, classwork, and
other relevant materials in front of me so I would not have to keep getting up while studying, and so that if I
did not understand something in the textbook, I could simply look at the notes Id taken in class. Ultimately,
this will save you time and will help you understand the material better. Studying strategically goes a long
way in your learning, and saves time.

Studying Late at Night

When I had a project or assignment I knew was not going to be super fun, I would wait all day before starting
it. This was a poor method because, when it was finally time to start the project, I was too tired. Even though I
wanted to stay up to work on it, I would fall asleep and have to wake up super early to finish it. Not fun. If you
try to study late at night, odds are you will fall asleep or you will not be as productive. Try to have a balanced
schedule so you can fit in studying time in the daytime.

Breaks, Breaks, Breaks

Some people do not like to stop studying before theyre done, but taking breaks really is a healthy habit if you
exercise it correctly. Studying for hours straight can make you tired, irritable and much less productive,
whereas a few short breaks in between sessions of study help you stay focused and more energized for the
studying ahead. Breaks also help you to better remember what you have studied, and allow you to rest.

Advice
Ask your teacher if he/she has any unique study tips. Asking your teacher shows them that you are serious
about the class, and oftentimes, teachers know what study habits work best for their classes.

Its In the Technique

Different study techniques can work better for different subject areas and types of learning. For example,
flashcards work exceptionally well for memorization tasks, such as foreign languages and vocabulary for
English classes. Flashcards can also come in handy for government or history classes, when trying to
memorize specific dates and events. Some subject areas require you to review the material by practicing the
problems. Math and science are prime (get it, prime?) examples of this. Simply reviewing notes for math will
not be sufficient; rather, you will have to solve practice problems in order to get a better understanding of the
material. Feel free to ask your teacher for extra practice problems so that you can succeed!

44 | Admit Me

It Is All About You

Finding out what study habits work best for you is essential. Do you learn better with flashcards or by rereading notes? Does writing your notes in color help you stay organized? Do you study better right after
school, or do you study more effectively once you have had a chance to relax? I did not find out until the end
of my junior year that I study better right after school. I knew that if I waited to study I would be too lazy to
get up and do my homework, though. Studying right after school gave me time to enjoy the rest of my day.

Study/Homework Checklist

All materials

Snacks/water

Distractions turned off

Quiet environment

Morning/midday/evening

At least one short break

Practice problems/Rewriting material

Long story short... Study Tips

Organize your notes.

Find a style that works best for you.

Take notes in class to lead to your success.

Ask for advice.

Take breaks.

Create a study schedule.

Form study groups.

Ask for advice.

Admit Me | 45

Teacher Recommendations
There came a time when I needed letters of recommendation from my teachers those I had during both my
sophomore and senior year of high school. Had I not had a decent relationship with those teachers, stayed
after class asking about the material, sent emails, and participated in class, I may not have received such
great letters of recommendation. Those letters of recommendation helped me get into college and win
scholarships.

The Tale of the Class Clown

Moving from a small suburban town to a decent sized city was definitely a culture shock. The people acted
differently and the schools were almost total opposites of one another. When I first transferred, I tried fitting
in. This did not end up well for me. I took an AP course when I first arrived, and I always made sarcastic
comments or cracked jokes in class in an attempt to fit in with the other kids. I always got the response I
wanted from the class, but my teacher was not always happy. I wanted my teacher to like me, but I also
wanted to be the class clown instead of the smart girl, so I goofed off and, when I finally matured to see
that I should only be myself, my teacher only remembered me from the days that Id goofed off in her class.
When the time came to ask for a letter of recommendation, I had to convince her that I had matured and was
worthy of a letter of recommendation. I got lucky most teachers will not write a letter of recommendation if
they do not believe you deserve one, or they may write you one that contains negative comments, based on
how you acted in their class.

Why Letters of Recommendation Matter

Admission officers at colleges do not know you personally. They rely on many aspects of your application to
get to know you better, but letters of recommendation from the people in your life give them a special insight
to who you are as a person and as a student. These letters of recommendation highlight your strengths,
weaknesses, and your overall character. You always want to be respectful to your teachers and peers, though
not only for recommendations, but because this quality reflects your character. You are an awesome person
and you want to portray that as much as possible. Being a great student means you are nice and respectful
towards your peers and your teachers, and it means that you care about others, as well. Many colleges and
scholarships require letters of recommendation, often requiring two or more. Thus, it is essential to make a
good impression. Try following the steps below in order to ensure you are going above and beyond.

Excellent Student Checklist

Ask questions in class.

Ask your teachers what they expect out of their students.

Stay after class to ask for assistance or clarification when needed.

Ask for help.

Help your peers.

Be punctual.

Be respectful.

Email teachers in advance regarding extensions on work or questions regarding material.

Make sure emails are in the correct format.

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Turn in work on time.

Complete extra credit assignments.

Ask questions.

Benefits of Being an Excellent Student

Developing your character.

Making you a better person.

Getting rewarded by people who see you are hard working.

Gaining respect from peers and teachers.

Learning self-discipline.

Character Outside of Class

It is important that you consistently make good choices in class, but it is equally important that you show
good character outside of class, as well. Whether it is in your community or with different clubs, adults and
students alike recognize those who work hard and those who are constantly helping others and being a
positive force in others lives.

Avoiding Pitfalls
No student is perfect. Going above and beyond can be difficult at times. Sometimes, you may feel as though
a teacher is giving you a hard time, or you may just be really stressed out. Remember that there is always a
caring adult around to help you. If you feel that you and a teacher are not seeing eye-to-eye, ask to talk to
him/her one-on-one. Express your concerns in a respectful manner, and try to understand where your teacher
is coming from. Being disrespectful never helps. If you try communicating in a respectful manner and you are
still having issues, make sure you talk to a counselor, parent, or other caring adult.

Problem Solving
As a student in high school, you must continuously problem solve. If you are having a problem with a teacher
or peer, first try putting yourself in their shoes and trying to see the situation from their perspective. When
you do this, you get great insight and can often understand so easily where the problem is coming from that
you simply understand how to proceed. Then try thinking of how you can strategically work to fix the issue.
Even if it is not your fault, what steps can you take to fix it? Think about a problem you are dealing with
now, or have faced recently, and answer the prompts below.
Problem Identification: What problem are you dealing with now or have faced in the past?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Action: What is the step you want or need to take?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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Barriers: What are the issues that will arise?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Ways to address each barrier: What are the ways that you could deal with each issue?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Goal: What am I trying to achieve?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Why is my goal important: How will this affect me in the long term?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Taking Responsibility
It is difficult having to be the adult in certain situations, but it is worth it. I learned this many times throughout
high school. In one such case, I had a teacher who I did not get along with. Even though I had a good grade in
his class, I would not get recognized as student of the month or get praised for my hard work. This is
because, even though I had good grades, I was not nice I argued with him and disagreed with his methods
during class. I learned fairly quickly that taking responsibility for my actions and talking about how I felt with
my teachers, instead of being passive aggressive, blaming others or making excuses, would only help me in
the long run.

Say Please and Thank You

It is the little things that count. Saying thank you, offering to help with things in class, and respecting other
classmates contributes to your overall character. Keep in mind that people remember how you act towards
them.
Now that you are a superb student, you should have no problem getting a letter of recommendation. Here's
how:

Asking for a Letter of Recommendation the Checklist

Ask in advance! Giving two-three weeks notice is recommended.

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Ask politely.

Detail what the recommendation letter is for.

If the recommendation letter needs to be mailed, provide your teacher with an addressed and
stamped envelope to send it.

Do not ask to read the letter of recommendation.

Always try to ask for a recommendation letter from your teacher in person.

Remind your teacher of the letter and deadline every once in a while, with friendly emails after he/she
agrees to write one for you.

Give him/her your resume and a list of your accomplishments that can be included in your
recommendation letter.

Long Story Short... Plan for Teacher Recommendations

Always be respectful, inside and outside of class.

Be a leader.

Give 100% at all times.

Ask for recommendation letters in a respectful manner and give plenty of advance notice.

Do not burn bridges.

Take responsibility for your actions.

Community Service
During high school, I found it hard to volunteer with just one organization. It took me a long time to find one
place that I knew I would not mind volunteering at frequently. My sophomore year, I discovered that
volunteering with one organization was best because it showed that I was consistent and that I could work at
one place for a long period of time. I ended up volunteering at a church that served free meals to those in
need. I decided to volunteer there because I liked the vibe. The chefs played music in the kitchen while we
diced and minced vegetables, however, the best part was seeing how happy people were to be able to feed
their families. I would not trade that experience for the world.

Why It Is Important to Get Involved in Community Service

Getting involved in community service allows you to give back and establish yourself. It represents who you
are and what causes you are most passionate about. Although colleges, jobs, and other organizations like to
see that you volunteer, your main concern should be the community you are affecting. Many organizations
would not be able to function without volunteers; your involvement allows you to make a real difference.

The Benefits of Community Service

Contributes to your school and local community.

Develops leadership skills.

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Develops team working skills.

Gives you opportunities to meet people in your community.

Allows you to learn outside of the classroom.

Allows you to challenge yourself outside of the classroom.

Can help you decide what careers you may be interested in.

Saves resources.

Is good for you.

Teaches you the importance of punctuality and keeping a balanced schedule.

Develops job skills.

Helps you explore other interests.

How to Volunteer
Extracurricular organizations are extremely beneficial when it comes to community service. Many clubs have
community service events that you can volunteer at while also having fun! However, you should still seek out
your own community service organizations. Try sticking with one or two places where you consistently
volunteer. Institutions such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, mentoring programs, and clothing donation
stores depend on volunteers in order to run effectively. It is extremely important to be dedicated and
consistent because such organizations require regular and punctual volunteers. If you are unsure of where
you should volunteer, ask your counselor and other adults at your school! If you come up empty-handed,
search online for credible institutions that need volunteers. Unitedway.com is a great site where you can
search for volunteer opportunities. Once you find an organization to volunteer at, have a counselor or caring
adult look over its credentials.

Align Your Passions

Volunteering should be helpful and fun. Looking forward to your commitments encourages you to arrive on
time, engage, and ultimately enjoy the experience. You should ask yourself what it is you like to do and what
you care the most about. For example, I like playing basketball and reading. At my college, there is a program
where college students tutor kids and, afterwards, they play basketball together. This program allows me to
teach students (something I love) and play basketball (something I also love).

Volunteering Checklist

Ask a parent, counselor, or teacher about volunteer opportunities.

Search for volunteer opportunities.

Look into mentoring/tutoring at a local elementary school, or other organizations/clubs.

Think about starting your own program.

Have an adult review the organization to make sure it is credible.

Search, search, search! There may be many organizations within your community that can
accommodate you.

Email the organization or call about volunteer opportunities.

Show up on time.

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Dress appropriately.

Questions to Ask
If you find somewhere to volunteer, feel free to call and ask questions. Most organizations have many of the
answers to these questions on their websites, but if they do not, be sure to ask:

What available time slots do you have?

How many hours do you normally require?

What should I wear?

Is this a seasonal organization?

What are the duties of volunteers?

Safety First
If you do happen to find the place thats right for you, make sure you have an adult accompany you on your
first day (but ask the organization if its okay first). If your parent or guardian cannot accompany you or the
organization says no, make sure you tell someone your volunteer days and hours.

Logging Hours
Although your sole purpose is not to fulfill your community service requirements, you surely do not want to
neglect them! If you belong to an organization that requires hours, make sure to know how you are expected
to report them. Remember to always log your hours (write down the date and time of when/where you
volunteered, and have an adult at the organization you belong to sign off on it). Some organizations log your
hours for you, so make sure to ask! This is important because scholarships and colleges may ask for
verification of your community service hours. Here is a sample of a volunteering log.

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Showing Up and Showing Out

Organizations that need volunteers often depend on them in order to function. It is also sometimes very hard
to get people to come out and work for free. If you sign up to volunteer, arriving on time and working your
hardest is the best way you can help that organization. Put your all into your work.

Long Story Short... Community Service

Volunteer in clubs already at your school.

Research! Go online and look for volunteer opportunities that best suit you.

Ask a teacher or another caring adult if they know of any volunteering opportunities.

Initiate! Start your own volunteering program.

For example, I started a program called Link & Read through my schools Student Council. Students would
walk to the nearest elementary school and help the kids with their homework. Many kids got community
service hours while helping their community in this fashion.

52 | Admit Me

Getting Ahead of the Game

Standardized tests: I took the ACT 4 times, and barely got the score I wanted the 4th time. Had I known I
would have to take the test so many times, I would have started studying earlier in my high school career.
Depending on where you live and where you want to apply for college, you will take the ACT or the SAT. It is
essential that you study. Again, at this point in time, it may be too early, but if you want to get a head start in
order to ensure the best score possible, buy an ACT/SAT prep book and start studying! If you cannot afford a
study book, then go to your local library and check one out. You can also seek out extra help from teachers
and other people who are knowledgeable about the test. Search online for organizations that allow you to
take practice tests for free and/or offer free or reduced-cost tutoring services.

Applying for Scholarships

As a freshman, you may not find too many scholarships you can apply for, but its still good to search. Any
scholarship money will be beneficial to you in the long run! Some local scholarships are recycled every year,
meaning the criteria, essays, and general requirements stay the same. This allows you to get a head start on
the essay portion of these scholarships. Over time, your ideas, views, and writing skills may change, so it is
important to constantly update and edit your essays.

Some Great Scholarship Databases:

Scholarships.com

ScholarshipPoints.com

Cappex.com

Zinch.com

Fastweb.com

CollegeBoard.com

ScholarshipMonkey.com

CollegeNet.com

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Studying for Potential Courses

If you are sure you want to take the advanced courses or you know what courses you will take your
sophomore year, try studying and familiarizing yourself with some of the material before you take the
courses. For example: If you are taking English literature next semester, try reading books that are commonly
associated with the course. You can also familiarize yourself with grammatical rules or literary terms.
Searching online for books and course content that is normally offered in such a course can help you better
learn the material.

Sophomores
You want to follow the same general advice given above; however, you should be steadily advancing! You
should focus on the areas we discussed that colleges like to see, but you should also focus on these other
tasks, as well:

Researching colleges

Visiting schools

Practicing tests for the PSAT

Improving English/verbal skills

Exploring college and career interests

Sustaining Excellent Coursework

Visiting college campuses near you

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Coursework
It is your sophomore year and you have taken classes in various subject areas; you want to make sure you
continue expanding your knowledge in each area. Not only do you want to learn more in each area, but
colleges like to see that you have taken all four years of each subject. Continue in mathematics, with
Geometry or Algebra II; in English; in History; and in Science. If you can take a more challenging course, then
do so, but remember to take a balanced approach.

English/Verbal skills
Read, read, read! Read books that are not assigned to you in class. Believe it or not, the more you read, the
more your English skills improve. This is important for your personal development, college entrance exams,
and interviews. You also want to make sure that your writing skills are steadily improving because colleges
will require supplemental essays with your application. If you are really invested in your future, ask your
English teacher for extra reading assignments and essay prompts! This will allow you to work on your
weaknesses and strengthen your writing skills.

Extracurricular Activities
Continue engaging in activities that you have already taken an interest in. If you want to advance, try running
for a higher position! If there is a need that you believe is not being filled, such as a need for more
fundraising or leadership, go for it, or even take initiative and start your own program. There is still plenty of
time to take part in activities that you may not be familiar with. Get involved, challenge yourself, and have
fun!

Start Thinking About Colleges

It is only your second year in high school, but thinking about college early will allow you to be more prepared
for what you need to do in order to succeed. In your free time, you can start researching colleges. Here are
some questions you can ask yourself when researching:

What type of colleges would I be interested in?

Do I like the idea of colleges with large or small student bodies?

What am I passionate about? What colleges specialize in this?

What clubs or extracurricular activities do they have that I would be interested in?

What colleges stand out to me the most?

What is their average financial aid package?

What do these colleges look for in students?

Do they value _____ more than ______? (Example: Do they value grades over community service)

Do they require the SAT or the ACT?

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Asking questions like those listed above will allow you to know what kind of colleges you are interested in.
Meet occasionally with your counselor! The questions you should ask include:

What do you need to prepare for college?

What tests should you take to prepare yourself?

What college entrance exams should you take?

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Career Interests
It is never too early to start thinking about your future. You do not have to be sure about what you want to do
(and it may change one hundred times anyway), but it helps to start thinking. You can research how much
people in that field make, if graduate school is required, and etc. Having some kind of idea of what you want
to do will allow you to reach out to others in the field and start to find out if it is something you are really
passionate about. The question to ask yourself is, what makes you happy? Ask your counselor about careers
and activities that might spark your interests. Research careers and participate in activities that relate to
careers that interest you.

Reach Out to Everyone

Getting advice from your counselor is great, but make a concerted effort to research online, talk to people
who are currently in college or have just graduated, and join college websites. As a sophomore, you want to
follow the general advice given in the freshman portion of this book, as well. Continue to advance during your
sophomore year.
PSAT The PSAT is a test that allows you to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. The National Merit
Scholarship is a competition for university scholarships. These scholarships help students pay for schools. The
best part is that the test does not count towards your college applications. So, if you are afraid of not doing
well, do not fret you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You can study for the exam by going to the
College Board or the Princeton Review websites to find prep courses near you and/or printable practice tests.

Colleges Near You

If there are colleges near you, go visit! Explore, see what kind of programs they offer, how you like the vibe,
etc. This will help you decide in the future what types of colleges you like and dislike, even if you already
know you dont want to stay so close to home.

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Juniors
Junior year is usually the hardest for everyone, and the most important, because its the last full year that
colleges will see when you apply in the fall of your senior year, or in the summer before if youre going for
early admission. Learn to balance your schedule! Its okay to say no sometimes. Dont feel obligated to do
something if you dont have the time, but do keep the following tasks in mind.

Attend college fairs.

Create a well thought out college list.

Take the PSAT.

Advance in your extracurricular activities.

Consider summer internships.

Get ready for the ACT/SAT.

Attend College Fairs in Your City

College fairs allow you to talk with admissions officers and others who work at the colleges you are interested
in while giving you valuable information, and they can expose you to colleges you may not have been aware
of before.

Take the PSAT

This is the last year you will be able to take the test. Make sure you have studied and are well prepared. Get a
good nights rest and arrive prepared.

Ready. Set. Lead.

Advance in your extracurricular activities by applying for the vice president position, or even president.
Advancing shows that you are interested in being a leader and that you can contribute such abilities to other
organizations youll join at the college level.

Intern
Seek out summer internships related to the jobs that interest you. Ask your counselor about local internship
opportunities that may be available. If your counselor cannot provide you with the information you need, try
emailing various organizations and expressing your interest. You can also reach out to teachers or other
adults, and they may know about an opportunity youd be interested in.

Testing Time
Some students choose their junior year to take their ACT or SAT. Taking the test your junior year will allow you
time to retake it if you are unhappy with your score, and this gives you a better idea of where you stand.
Some schools offer the ACT to all students during their junior year. Find out if your school does this, and
when.

58 | Admit Me

Senior Year
Your senior year will largely consist of taking standardized tests, continuing courses, gaining letters of
recommendation, making college visits, and filling out college applications. Your senior year will be extremely
laid back, yet extremely busy. Here is what you should focus on in your senior year:

Verifying graduation requirements.

Registering and taking/retaking college entrance exams if you have not done so already.

Submitting scholarship applications before they are due.

Finishing high school.

Are you ready? Remember to meet with your counselor to make sure you have all of your graduation
requirements. Also, review your college list. Do you have all of your college entrance exams completed, along
with supplemental essays and completed courses that they require? This should be one of your main
concerns, as you cannot apply to schools without the proper paperwork. This includes requesting transcripts
and letters of recommendation.

Register and Take Exams

If you have yet to take the ACT, SAT, subject tests, or writing portions of the exam, your senior year is the
time to do so. If you have taken the exam and are not satisfied with your score, be sure to register and retake
the exam. Some schools give you at least two fee waivers for the exam. If your school does not do this, ask
your counselor about various alternatives to help pay for your exam fee. Remember your college applications
include supplemental essays. Start writing your essays early in the year so that you can get appropriate
feedback. Continuously receiving feedback and editing your papers will allow you to write great essays.

Submit Scholarship Applications

Various scholarship foundations have similar due dates for students in their senior year of high school.
Completing the applications and sending them in before they are due allows you to stay ahead of the game.
You dont want to miss out on free money!

Finish
Many of my friends dropped classes their senior year because they felt as if they did not need them. What
they did not know was that, even though theyd gotten accepted to college, the school they planned to
attend in the fall was still keeping an eye on their academics. Many of my classmates who dropped classes
ended up getting their acceptances revoked. Even if it is your senior year and you do not feel like doing work,
your priority is to finish all of your classes and give them your all.
Completing your FAFSA, registering for your FAFSA pin, supplemental essays, and college acceptance
information will be covered in the College Application Guide.

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Talking to Your Parents About College

If you will be a first-generation college student, your parents may not be aware of everything it takes to get
into college and why college is important. They may not understand why you need to spend so much time
studying, or their role in supporting you. There are many steps you can take to educating yourself and your
parents on the road to and through college.

The Sit-down
Be honest. Why do you want to go to college? Is it so you can guarantee a better future for yourself, learn
more, be exposed to new things, etc.? Sitting down and telling them the honest reason why you want to get
into college is the best route. When you tell your parents your goals, it will help them help you on your path
to success.
Debunk myths about college. Remember the myths we discussed in the beginning of the guide? Try
explaining to them that you can get assistance to help pay for college and that you have a great chance of
getting into college! Some parents don't want their kids to go to college because they are so used to having
them around and will be sad to see them leave. Some college students have to explain to their parents that
there are many breaks in college where students get to come home (winter break, spring break, thanksgiving,
summer break, etc.) Explaining college and why going away will help you in the future can help your parents
understand why you are passionate about going. Some parents are afraid of the massive amounts of student
debt you might be acquiring, and they dont want this for you. Assure them that first of all youll be applying
to all of the scholarships you can and will get a part-time job if you can, and secondly, the education will be
well worth the investment, even if it puts you into some debt. A college degree is something you will have for
your whole life. Some parents actually dont want you to go because they themselves didnt, and their lives
are just fine without it, so think your life should be just fine without it too. It might help to explain that yes,
your life will be fine either way, but the working world isnt what it used to be and in todays world, you will
have more options and opportunities to live a happy peaceful life with a college degree than without one.

Explain Why College Would be Beneficial to Your Future

This guide provides you with various reasons why you should go to college, but try doing your own research.
Explain to your parents, statistically speaking, why college could substantially benefit your future.

Tell Them What They Can Do to Help You

When parents understand what it is colleges require from their students, and what it is you should be doing to
succeed, parents can help you keep certain priorities in mind and they can support you on your journey
through all of the following tasks:

Helping you with your homework.

Supporting you in your endeavors.

Understanding why you need to spend time studying or on extracurricular activities.

Motivating you to do better.

Talking to you about school.

Helping you research colleges.

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Helping with fees related to admission -- telling them in advance about certain costs such as college
application fees, standardized test fees, ACT books, and etc. may help them prepare and save up to
help you out.

Researching ways they can help you positively.

Attending events at your school to become more involved.

Making sure you have a quiet, distraction-free working environment.

Sitting down with you to make sure you are juggling everything correctly.

Helping you create a study schedule.

Helping you adjust to a regular sleep pattern.

Instilling organizational skills.

Not all parents are willing or able to do all or maybe even any of these things. If this is your case, try to
understand where they are coming from, then look for other caring adults who can support you through this
process. This might be an aunt or uncle, school counselor or teacher, or even a trusted member of your
community. Wherever you get your support is fine; just know that you will need it. So if your parents cant
provide this for you for whatever reason, work on finding some people who can fill this important role in your
life and nurture those relationships. Once you get going in college, you will need to rely on them.

Surround Yourself with Likeminded People

Friends?
If your friends don't support you in wanting to better yourself in school, are you sure they are your friends? As
a student in high school, and actually throughout your life, you have to decide what relationships are positive
in your life and what relationships are negative. Ultimately, you must choose between those who push you to
do better and those who lead you down a destructive path.

List three friends who are also interested in doing well in school and making positive decisions.
1.

____________________
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2.

____________________

3.

____________________

Why is it important to surround yourself with these people and others like them?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

List three friends who tend to make decisions that would not support your future goals?
1.

____________________

2.

____________________

3.

____________________

How can it be harmful to surround yourself with people like this?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Hanging around others who do not match or support your goals can get you in trouble. Take my friend Kevin,
for example: Kevin was a straight-A student and was accepted to five colleges, with full-rides offers to three
of them. His senior year of high school, he started hanging around the wrong group of people. He still
managed to get good grades, but sometimes his friends pressured him to get involved in the wrong activities.
One day after school, Kevins friends asked him to drive them to a friends house. When they got there, he
was told to wait in the car while they went inside. About ten minutes later, his friends ran back outside. They
wouldn't tell Kevin what had happened so Kevin decided to forget about it. He dropped them off at home and
went home to study for the next days test. What Kevin did not know was that his friends had gotten into a
physical altercation with another guy who they did not like. The guy ended up pressing charges and all of his
friends got arrested. Kevin was also arrested and convicted because he had driven them to the house. Even
though Kevin was not aware of what they were up to, he lost all of his scholarships to his schools and spent
time in jail.
This story exemplifies how hanging around people who do not have the same mindset as you can be
detrimental to your future. If you have the mindset of wanting to study, obey the law, and make wise
decisions, and yet your friends are always pressuring you to party or hang out, or worse, break the law, will it
be easier or harder for you to accomplish the things you want to do? Would it be easier to surround yourself
with people who want to study and do homework with you and who will make positive decisions? Remember
that you are the company you keep, so choose your company wisely. These are all questions you want to
keep in mind when it comes to the people you surround yourself with.

Low-income Isn't So Fun

If you are classified as a low-income student, throughout your high school experience, you may go through
certain problems that are unique to low-income students. There are a few things you can do when faced with
particular problems.

62 | Admit Me

Take Deep Breaths

Don't let obstacles overwhelm you. If you feel as if you are facing a problem that has no solution to it,
remember to take a deep breath and clear your mind. Being emotionally or mentally overwhelmed can make
the problem worse. Remember: It will work itself out in the end.

Research
Throughout high school, I was faced with various problems regarding how to pay for certain fees related to
high school, how to get to and from school, and other needs. I found many solutions to my problems by
researching various organizations that helped low-income students. I researched many questions that I had
regarding college and other things that I was interested in. For example, I wanted to participate in a summer
camp, but I did not have the money or transportation to do so. I researched programs in the St. Louis area
that offered scholarships and transportation for students, and got into a great summer program as a result.

Ask, Ask, Ask

Talk to trusted adults in your life about obstacles that you are facing. The people around you have an
immense amount of knowledge. You never know... they may have just the answer you need.

Strategize
If you find yourself struggling with how to pay for fees regarding your education or things you are interested
in, remember to think strategically. If there's a problem regarding a lack of money for something you are
interested in, think about how you can work around it. There are often solutions that you may not have been
aware of. Try writing down the problem and how you can go about fixing it.
Barriers: What is the problem?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Ways to address the problem: What are the ways that you could deal with the issue?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Goal: What am I trying to achieve?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Why my goal is important: How will this affect me in the long term?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Admit Me | 63

64 | Admit Me

Admit Me | 65

Part 2: The College Application

Guide

66 | Admit Me

Admit Me | 67

Overcoming the Mountain

Wilglorys Story
Heights. One of my greatest fears in life was one I decided to conquer on August 16 th one year by climbing
Mount Schiester. How did I get here, and why was I in a position to climb a mountain anyway? Well, I was on a
trip with the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming. As part of my fellowship for Future Global
Leaders, the other fellows and I were expected to endure a 20-day hiking trip in the Wind River Range of
Wyoming. It was tough... in fact, it was more than tough. It was incredibly difficult. We ended up hiking about
65 miles and we gained over 11,000 ft. in elevation, and our 45 pound backpacks didnt make the journey
any less difficult. On this trip, I was encouraged to face my fears. One day, we were set to climb Mount
Schiester. I was terrified. I didnt want to go. I was absolutely terrified of heights. But my instructor, Darcy
Mullen, encouraged me to go. She persuaded me, actually, with her kind voice and rational thinking. I thought
I was going to die, but Darcy thought I would overcome my fear of heights. And you know what? I did it. We
hiked without our backpacks to the peak of the mountain. Summited Mount Schiester. I broke down twice, and
I wouldnt move unless my friend, Daniela, held my hand. Without the support and love of Dani, Gabe,
Ashwini, Tanguy, Bryan, Wei, and my instructor Amit, I wouldve never summited the peak. But the views from
the top were incredible. I stood at the peak, and I realized that if I could overcome my fear of heights, I could
do anything. I had always felt like the world was my oyster, but when push came to shove, I thrived. I hiked
down the mountain, fearless, and the next day we hiked through another mountain... and I wasnt scared at
all.
Looking back on this experience has made me realize that every obstacle we face in life is a mountain. And
sometimes, reaching the peak isnt always an indicator of our success, but coming back down to flat ground
is. Applying to college is just like that. Hiking up the super steep slope, where you catch your breath every 30
seconds because its so steep, is rough. And then you go from climbing up a grassy area to climbing over
boulders like youre Spiderman. The hike to the peak is never consistent. There are so many moving parts to
the college application process and every obstacle is unique, but overcoming it is possible. Reaching the peak
means getting admitted to college. Youre at the highest point in your life, but you still have to find a way to
get back down. Getting back down is being successful in college, navigating life, and getting a job, but thats
for another book. In this book, we want to help you reach the peak. Everything you will need to know about
applying to college and how to do it, youll find here. With perseverance and a will to succeed, you will be
successful.
I am a lover of food, an enthusiast of travel, and creator of things. My passion for education equality and
access propelled me to write this guide. When I was a two-year old, my parents immigrated to America from
Cameroon. They had big hopes of acquiring the American Dream. However, the dream was not so simple to
reach. Following my mothers diagnosis and battle with breast cancer, my parents separated and my father
didnt keep in contact with my sisters and me. Seeing how hard my mother struggled to give my sisters and I
everything, despite still fighting cancer, was the fuel that kept my flame shining bright. I will never forget the
day my mother told me something that changed my life forever, way back when I was in elementary school.
She was lying in bed, so sick. Her head was bald, her skin was gray, and the joy in her eyes was gone. She
held my hand, and with my sisters next to me, she said, The only thing you guys can give me in this world is
a good education. That pushed me to be my best self. If I was going to be a straight-A student, it would be
for my mother. To see her smile, just even for a little bit, would make me happy. Ive faced a lot of adversity in
my life, but its only made me stronger. Just like hiking up a mountain made me mentally and physically
stronger.

68 | Admit Me

Before You
Apply

In 2013, degree-granting higher education institutions in the U.S. enrolled 17.5 million students, which is an
increase of more than 45 percent over the last 25 years, and there is a good reason why. A college degree
outweighs what it actually costs and will allow you to live a comfortable lifestyle. A study by the Georgetown
Center on Education and the Workforce revealed that high school graduates make around $1.3 million in their
lifetimes, in comparison to college graduates who earn nearly $2.3 million. Furthermore, by 2018, 63% of U.S.
jobs will require some sort of post-secondary education or training.
And despite the scary amounts of debt we often hear about college graduates having, a study done by Beth
Akers and Matthew Chingos found that the average household with student debt had a household income of
$71,681 and was making a monthly payment toward their loan of $242. That monthly payment is about what
those same households spent each month on entertainment ($217) and apparel ($145). Its good not to go
into debt any further than you absolutely have to, but its reassuring to know that it is possible to repay these
loans when the time comes.
In college, you learn what interests you and you gain valuable work and life skills that you will need when
your time comes to conquer the real world. College is undoubtedly expensive, but if you play your cards right
by getting scholarships, taking out loans the smart way, and applying to and attending a school that you can
afford, your college degree will eventually pay you back.

Admit Me | 69

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/brookings-now/posts/2015/08/what-to-think-about-when-applying-to
college?
hs_u=maxine@buildabear.com&utm_campaign=Brookings+Brief&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=
email&utm_content=21664068&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--nf7xzFKaQ9hEDzXzP3jeCeCJa4C510anNAbOjqQ2nPAOXWBi7idIS9N0S-LZIErOd6JRSXeOwR7s1mGX6p63PQHFnw&_hsmi=21664068

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/08/college-gradutates-pay.html

Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he/she
chooses to be so or not.
Nathaniel Hawthorne

70 | Admit Me

Choosing the Right School for You

With over 2,700 colleges in America, youre probably wondering, How do I find the right school for me?
Well, this section breaks down all of the different types of schools that make up that 2,700, and the things
you should consider before applying.

Types of Schools

Co-ed: Most colleges are co-ed, serving the needs of men, women, and gender nonconforming
students.

Single-Sex: These schools are either all-male or all-female. Schools that are not co-ed typically have
a sister/brother college they have close ties to. They have dances, hold events together, etc.

Liberal Arts: Liberal arts colleges and universities place an emphasis on undergraduate study in the
liberal arts and sciences. Also, these schools typically have smaller populations.

Public: Public schools receive funding from the government and usually have larger populations.

Private: These schools do not receive funding from the government and their student body size is
usually smaller.

Arts: These schools have a focus on fine and performing arts, and offer degrees in specialized fields.

Military Academies: These include educational institutions that prepare candidates for service in
the officer corps of the army, the navy, marine corps, air force, or coast guard. There is no tuition or
room/board for these schools so students attend for free, but must serve in the military after they
graduate.

Religiously Affiliated: There are a good number of schools that have a religious affiliation. However
some of these schools may just have religion rooted in their history but you dont really see it in daily
life, while others affect students day-to-day life with religious-based rules they must follow.

HBCU: These include historically black colleges or universities that focus on educating black
students. Non-black students can still apply and are eligible for minority scholarships.

Admit Me | 71

And Other Things

Academics
Look into the majors offered at a school and see if the school offers what you are interested in. Some schools
even allow self-designed majors. If you know what department you want to study in, you should also browse
that departments website. Some departments are more well-known than others because they are considered
leaders in their field. And if you are looking to receive college credit for AP classes, check whether the schools
youre applying to will accept the credits. Some schools allow students to enter college as a sophomore
because they have a lot of AP credits, but other schools have different policies and may allow you to only use
a high AP score to not test out of a class, but instead be promoted to the more advanced level of that
course.

Size
Can you thrive as a small fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a small pond? Some schools are small, with fewer
than 2,500 students, like Swarthmore College. Medium-sized schools range from 5,000 to 6,000 students,
including institutions such as Stanford, and large schools have an undergraduate population of 10,000 or
more, like UCLA.

Programs
Does the school offer special programs that spark your interest? Does the school have resources you would
take advantage of? These programs and resources may include:

Study abroad

For-credit internships

Lab research opportunities

Independent-study courses

Combined-degree tracks

Funding for student groups

Scholarships and funding opportunities for individuals

Tip: Writing about these specific programs in your application will show admission officers that youre
seriously interested in their school.

Cost
How much can your parents afford to put towards your education, assuming theyre willing to help? To figure
out how youre going to pay for college, you can check using a financial aid calculator, a tool many colleges
have on their websites. These calculators provide an estimate for the financial aid amount you will most likely
receive. Colleges determine these financial aid packages based on many factors: your parents income, family
size, the number of siblings currently attending college, business assets, investments, and college savings.
Colleges will require that you submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile, IDOC, and/or some other type of financial form
that will help them create a financial aid package for you. Keep in mind that your financial aid package may
change if the scholarships your college provides are not renewable on a yearly basis. Additionally, because

72 | Admit Me

you have to reapply for financial aid, your financial aid package will change each year, depending on your
parents tax returns and income for that year.
With all this said, the most selective schools in the country with large endowments give very generous
financial aid packages, so most students at these schools are not paying the sticker price. More incentive to
reach higher!

Distance
How far do you want to be from home? Long distances can lead to homesickness, but it can also promote
growth and independence, as youll be forced to become self-reliant and make decisions alone. Being further
away from home also means itll cost more to travel home. So, if you or your parents can only afford to bring
you home for Christmas break, you may have to spend fall break, Thanksgiving break, and/or Spring break on
campus, or perhaps at a friends house who lives nearby. But know that there are cheaper traveling
alternatives, as opposed to taking a plane or using an Amtrak train, such as Mega bus, Bolt Bus, or
Greyhound.

Campus Culture
What is the campus vibe like? You can find out about campus life on a colleges website, or at
http://colleges.niche.com/ and Collegeboard.com. These sites will provide you with information on the college,
reviews from students, and rankings based on academics, weather, diversity, nightlife, hotness of students,
etc. But honestly, you will never know what its like to be a student on campus X until you are a student
there. No visitation weekend or even a plethora of review reading can totally describe what being a student is
like, but it can paint a portrait though, sometimes an abstract one.

Physical Environment

What location do you think would be most suitable for you sunny California or snowy Boston? Do you want
to attend school in a rural, urban, or suburban area? Schools near big cities can be more appealing because
of the part-time job opportunities, internships and the great entertainment options they provide. Schools in
rural areas are great for people who enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, running through the
woods, or just enjoying nature. Colleges in suburban areas provide a tranquil environment, with most
activities typically occurring on-campus rather than off-campus.

Some Specific Examples in Comparing Colleges

New York University vs. Columbia They have very different campuses, but are both in the middle of
NYC. NYU has an open campus, whereas Columbias campus is more closed.

Smith College vs. Amherst They are both small liberal arts colleges near Boston, but Smith is a
womens college.

Cornell vs. Penn rural (-ish) vs. urban schools

Stanford vs. Harvard a West Coast vs. East Coast school

Duke vs. UChicago a Southern vs. a Midwestern school

Admit Me | 73

Brown vs. Pepperdine They are similar in size, but very different in their locations and in the
religious, ethnic, political, and LGBTQ diversity of their students.

Important Questions to Find Answers To

What is the retention rate of the school? A retention rate is the percentage of students who go on to
continue to their next year. Retention rates can indicate whether students like the school enough to
spend their next three years there. They can also indicate how affordable the college is. Some
students drop out of school because theyre unable to continue paying tuition and they have no other
choice. Make sure to carefully consider where you decide to attend college so that you complete your
4 years and receive your degree.

What special opportunities does the college offer?

Does the school offer discounted events/food in the community so that you can really explore your
environment?

Does the school have study abroad programs to destinations that interest you? How are they paid
for?

Does the school offer music festivals or other fun events for students?

Does the school have sports team with games youd want to go to? For instance, if youre really into
football and a school doesnt have a football team, then thats awkward...

What support system does the school have for students (counselors, academic centers)?

Some schools have a very structured academic curriculum (such as MIT); others have a very free-form one
(such as Brown University). Some schools are better equipped than others to address the concerns of ethnic
minorities, low-income students, LGBTQ students, international students, women, students with physical
and/or mental disabilities, or etc. Check whether the school has places and groups where students can find
support, including:

Ethnic/Diversity Centers

LGBTQ Centers

Womens Centers

Employment Centers

Housing Centers

Counseling Centers

These systems of support are so necessary because in college, many students become more aware of who
they are and the way society views them. So, if a college has a safe space for you to freely express yourself
and be your truest self, that is a precious bonus!

Lastly...
Dont be deterred from attending a certain college because you do not know what you want to major in. Most
students do not know what they want to do when they enroll, but your college will help you discover your
calling. They often do so by requiring students to take a few classes in various disciplines so that students are

74 | Admit Me

exposed to a wide range of subjects and are placed outside of their comfort zone, and into classes they would
never take otherwise. Of those students who do think they know what they want to do, many will change
their minds once they begin college often many times. But if you do know what you want to do, thats great,
too! Its easier to find what youre looking for when you know what that is.

The choices you make now, the people you surround yourself with, they all have the potential to
affect your life, even who you are, forever.
Sarah Dessen

Admit Me | 75

How to do College Research

Part of the college research process is in figuring out how well your own profile aligns with the profiles of
students they typically admit. Here is an example of Boston Colleges average admit for the academic year of
XXX.

Boston College
Undergraduate Population

9,100

Student Body

52% male, 48% female

Acceptance Rate

32%

SAT average

2032

Percent of freshmen in top 10% of high school class

Faculty: Student Ratio

1:14

Tuition

$44,870

Average Financial Aid Package

$35,000

82%

http://www.bc.edu/offices/pubaf/about/facts.html

Most schools have this information available on their website. For others, you may have to dig deeper.
If youre a senior, you need to be aware of how well you match up with the colleges average admit
because, by senior year, most of the information you submit to colleges will not change very much (GPA,
course rigor, SAT/ACT, etc.). Do not be discouraged from applying to a school because your profile may not
align perfectly with what the school typically admits. If you really love the school, go for it! Allow your desire
to be a part of the student body to shine in your application. Some schools see students as more than just
numbers, so you never really know. Take a chance. Take the risk. The worst they can say is no, and youve
been told no before.

Do not look for appraisal except for the consciousness of doing your best.
Andrew Carnegie

76 | Admit Me

Creating a College List

This section will help you compile all the schools youre considering into one of three categories: Reach,
Challenge, and Likely.

Reach

Challenge/Target

Likely

Challenge schools
Likely schools are
have profiles that
ones that, nearly
match yours
without a doubt, you
regarding the
will get into. Your
types of students
grades, test scores,
they accept. You
etc., surpass or
meet their
match the types of
expectations, and
students they
while thats a good
typically admit.
indicator of being
These schools are
accepted, youre
your back-up plan.
not always
They ensure that you
guaranteed
will attend college.
admission. You
You should have at
should have four of
You have to use your own judgment and figure out where your profile fits in. A healthy college list has 8-10
schools in it. Avoid applying to too many schools because its really all about either quality or quantity. Its
better to focus on only 10 applications than on an additional 5 to schools you are not even that interested in.
You also do not want to apply to too few schools because you want to give yourself the opportunity to get into
a really good school. Just make sure that, when you add a school to your list, regardless of whether its a
reach, challenge, or likely, you would still say yes to the school if given the opportunity to attend. If you dont
want to go there, spend that application money on a college you actually do want to attend. Set yourself up
for success and happiness in college!
Reaches are your
dream schools.
They have stats at
or above yours.
You should have
two or three of
these.

Dont bother to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than
yourself.
William Faulkner

Admit Me | 77

Visiting Colleges
Once youve created a solid list of schools that you want to apply to, you should try your best to visit them.
Good times to do this would be over the summer and during breaks (Thanksgiving, winter, spring); however,
the downside to this is that many college students are not on campus during breaks, so you wont get to
experience the campus vibe. Visiting during the school year is also good, but you will be missing your high
school classes. See if your high school allows for excused absence days for students making college visits.
Also, college calendars are often different from high schools ones, so you might be able to visit a live and
thriving college campus at the end of August, before your high school year starts in September, or at the end
of June, after your high school classes finish. Be alert to college academic schedules.
If youre going to visit the school, you should check in with their Admissions Office to see if they conduct oncampus interviews. Definitely go on a tour of the campus. This way, you get to see the campus while hearing
fun facts and cool things the school offers from your tour guide. Some colleges also do a session prior to
each tour, where students and parents are allowed to ask questions about the school, how financial aid
works, etc., so ask the Admissions Office if they offer such an opportunity.
Some schools also offer fly-in visits, where you visit the campus for a weekend and learn about college life
there. Some fly-ins are only available to minorities and/or low-income students, but others are open to
everyone. The applications for these are quite simple. They ask you to submit your transcript, SAT/ACT
scores, and a maybe a short written statement. If you need financial assistance, the colleges might provide it.
Some schools will even pay for every students travel expenses, regardless of their financial situation.
During these visit days, the prospective student is hosted by a current student for two-three days, and also
provided with meals. The visiting student attends classes, explores the school, and learns about the financial
aid process. The weekend stays are typically held from September through December. You should begin
applying for these visits during August and September.
Many schools also have admitted student days, and will fly admitted students out to visit the school. For the
school, these are attempts to woo you to study there after theyve accepted you. Definitely take advantage of
these opportunities once youre admitted. Youll get to meet future classmates who you might quickly realize
also got into a lot of the same schools you did, so its likely youll see them on another fly-in. During these
visits, keep in mind that the glitz and glam of admit days arent like what happens during the academic
school year. Colleges always put their best foot forward during these days to attract you, and it will probably
work.
Because not all colleges offer fly-in visits or admit student days, I highly recommend that you contact the
schools Admissions Office to inquire about open house visits/fly-ins/interviews. Also, reach out to current
students. If you have a friend that has a friend at a school youre interested in, he/she may be willing to talk
to you about the school.
Pro Tip:
I did a lot of fly-ins during my senior year of high school. I quickly realized
that many of my flights were on the same airline: Southwest. So I set up a
Southwest account, added my flight numbers, and accumulated all those
flyer miles! I recently used all those miles to pay for a ticket to visit my
friend in Cincinnati.

Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you've never been to,
perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground.
- Judith Thurman

78 | Admit Me

Admit Me | 79

Applying Early
Some colleges give applicants the option to submit an early application. Applying early usually increases an
applicants chances of admission, and shows the school your commitment to attend if admitted early. Most
early admission deadlines are in November, and most applicants find out if theyve been admitted in
December/January. By comparison, the Regular Decision deadlines for most schools are in late
December/early January, and applicants find out about their admission decision in late March/early April.
There are two ways to apply early: Early Decision and Early Action. Early Decision is binding, meaning that
admitted students HAVE to attend the school. This option is not as appealing because you must attend,
regardless of the financial aid package provided. However, some schools allow students to opt out of this
binding contract if they absolutely cannot afford to attend, even with the financial aid package provided to
them. Early Decision is also not as appealing because what was initially your dream school could turn out not
to be so dreamy after all once you learn a little more about it. But early decision is still great because, like
early action, it gives you a better chance of getting into that school. On the other hand, early action allows
students to apply early and is not binding, so students can still consider other schools. Students admitted in
early action dont have to respond with their decision to attend until May 1 st, the national deadline for most
other schools. So, if you become unsure about attending the college you got into with early action, its okay
because you dont have to respond with your decision until the deadline for nearly every other school in the
nation, so you can still apply elsewhere. At the same time, if you get into your dream school with early action,
you can save a lot of money not having to send applications to additional schools.
Some schools have restrictive early action (REA), meaning that you can only apply to their school and no
other schools for early admission. However, if you were looking to apply to your state school early, so that
you could be considered for an academic scholarship, you might still be able to do so on top of the REA school
youre applying to. Just be sure to check with the REA school to make sure its okay.
If you apply early, there are four things that can happen to your application.
1.

Incomplete
These applications had missing elements not submitted to the institution on time, so the admission
committee was unable to consider the student. The committee may push your application to a later
admission round and request the missing documents. So, make sure youve sent in every portion of your
application on time, and your school counselor and recommenders have also done the same.

2.

Accepted
Yay! Now that youve been admitted early, senioritis is more prone to attack. Stay strong! Schools can
rescind their offer of admission if your grades take a devastating turn in your final grade report.

3.

Deferred
Being deferred means that you were not rejected, but you also were not admitted. So close, yet so far
away. Being deferred provides students with a glimmer of hope to still get into the school. Deferred
applications are automatically sent to the regular decision round, where they will be reconsidered. A
deferred application means that the admission committee was not prepared to give the student a definite
decision. They may want to see your first semester grades on your mid-year report (this report is not
available to colleges for students who apply early), awards youve won, and any other major
accomplishments that could come about in your senior year.

If youre deferred:

You can contact the admissions representative for your area to ask why you were deferred.

80 | Admit Me

4.

You now have even more of a reason to obtain a really good mid-senior-year report.

If you receive any major awards/accomplishments, you should let the school know so that they can be
added to your application.

You can submit additional letters of recommendation.

You should communicate with your counselor because admissions representatives may contact them
to talk about your application.

OR, you can just let it go and take this time to consider your other options.

Rejected
If you are rejected, there is very little hope for reconsideration. Some schools do allow a petition for
reconsideration upon rejection, but this is mainly for technical reasons, e.g., your test score was sent, but
it was a lower score than the higher score that was supposed to be sent and youre later able to provide a
higher one. Other schools do not want to hear it and will not let you appeal. Rejection hurts, but, if
anything, the school is missing out on a great student, and there is another school out there that will
accept you!
Note that even with a rejection, the game isnt over. If you get rejected from your dream school but you
really want to go there, consider attending someplace else for a year or two then reapplying to your
dream school as a transfer student. Be sure to keep your grades up and be a stellar college student, and
your dream school will take a closer look at your application the next time around.

If you apply Regular Decision, you can be:

1.

Accepted
Yay! The school loves you and they want you to attend, and that is awesome.

2.

Waitlisted
There is still hope! You may be pulled off the waitlist if a college does not have enough students who
accepted their initial offers of admission to fill the class. Although there is still hope, you should take this
time to consider the other schools you were admitted to.

3.

Rejected
There is no hope for this school sorry! For the most part, at least, and not at this time. Some schools will
allow you to appeal your rejection, but only in very specific circumstances. Other schools just dont want
to hear it. But as mentioned above, if it really is your dream school, consider going someplace else for a
year or two then reapplying as a transfer student. If you go this route, your academic performance in
those first couple of years before transfer are critical. But dont give up on your dream just because
someone in Admissions said no. Keep your eye on the prize.

Likely Letters
Some schools send likely letters to students before the official admission result release date for both early
action and regular decision applicants. Likely letters are basically coming from admissions officers who are
saying you will probably be admitted, and then giving you a huge wink. Some letters literally say, "You are
likely to be admitted." Other likely letters are not as direct. For instance, I received a likely letter from the
University of Notre Dame that said I was likely to be admitted, and they invited me to visit their school.
Whereas, for Duke, I was invited to their Black Student Alliance Invitational, which was set to begin the same

Admit Me | 81

day applicants received their admission decision. So that invite also served as a likely letter, since I figured
Duke would not invite me to be on their campus when they released decisions, and then be like LOL, jk, you
didnt get in. However, these letters are not set in stone. Admission officers can still alter the decision if they
receive any bad information about you. So either do not do anything bad, or just make sure admissions does
not find out.

Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed
to something better.
Steve Maraboli

Pro Tip:
I applied early to a school I thought was my dream school. After being deferred, I realized
I had to seriously consider my next two favorite options. When regular admissions came
around, I didnt even care if I had gotten in or not. I had already let the school go, and I
fell for another school. Regardless of what happens, the school will really choose you. You
will end up where you are meant to be, honestly. And if you dont like it, just transfer out
and go study someplace else.

82 | Admit Me

Tackling the Essay Portion

Many of your schools will accept the Common Application. The Common App is an online application that
allows you to fill out one main application and send it to all the schools on your list. Most public schools dont
accept the Common App though, and you will instead submit an application through their website.
The essay portion gives
skills and add what you
about you from your
effectively and
list, I suggest putting all
Word document. Back up
crashes, you will be
prompts. Then
questions while only

you the ability to display your writing

want so the admissions officers know
application. To tackle this portion
efficiently, after you compile a college
the essay prompts together in a single
your files so that, if your computer
okay. Group the essays with similar
brainstorm ways to answer each group of
having to write a small number of essays.

After I went through all

my main essay prompts and categorized
them, I ended up with
one essay on extracurricular activities,
one on my educational
pursuits, and one on my culture. I worked
really hard to write three
stellar essays, and I reused each essay as
much as possible.
Remember, quality over quantity. It is
better to write three
great essays than ten mediocre ones.
And, reuse, reuse, reuse!
If you have a 500 word essay that also
answers the prompt of a
150 word essay, you can make it happen.
Its important to learn
what information is necessary to keep,
and what is not. If the
part you want to keep doesnt answer the
prompts, then its got to go. It is not easy, chopping essays, but it will save you time and still result in quality
work. But if you are really struggling, you should reach out to your English teacher for help, or a trusted
person who writes really well.

Personal Essays
Admissions officers have to read thousands of essays, so make yours stand out. These personal essays are
not the standard 5 paragraph essay with a thesis, introduction, and conclusion that youve been writing
through all of high school. Personal essays should be more of a narrative which allows the reader to get a
better glimpse into who you are and your experiences, that still roughly follow the standard essay format. If
youre having trouble deciding what to write, you can follow these steps.
1.

Find a particular moment/event/person that has heavily impacted or influenced you greatly.

2.

Now, if you had to talk about this event, but you were only allowed to describe one scene from the
event, which would you talk about?

3.

Take this scene, and write about it. But, the key is to write it using a lot of details and descriptions.
Dont say I walked into the hospital, but describe the hospital room, the colors, the lights, and the
people, how you walked in, etc. You want the reader to feel like they are there with you, in that room.
Provide adequate descriptors but not too much as space is limited.

4.

Then, for the rest of your essay, you want to talk about what you learned from it, how it allowed you
to grow, and how it influenced/impacted you.

These 4 steps will help you create a solid blueprint for your essay. You should read the essays in this guide for
inspiration. And, after you write your first draft, you should have someone peer edit it: someone who is a
good reader and writer, and someone who you trust. Even after reading your own essay over and over again,

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you will miss things that others might notice. Its important that the person reading it is someone who you
trust so that you: 1. feel comfortable sharing personal information with them, and 2. see their feedback as
constructive criticism not meant to hurt you. The more feedback you get, the better your essays can be!
These essays will take a lot of revising. So dont become overwhelmed if you feel like youve been working on
draft after draft after draft. Perfection takes time. Rome wasnt built in a day.
Many essays have word limits, and even if an essay does not have one, you should stick to no more than 600700 words per essay unless instructed otherwise. Essays longer than this can become repetitive and bury the
main point. You certainly do not want to do that. Also, remember that these admissions officers read
thousands of essays so if yours isnt holding their attention for any reason, you risk that they will stop
reading. And if you do find yourself going over the word limit, its time to cut and delete. Refer back to my
cutting and deleting tips for help, and sometimes you can recognize wordy passages and rewrite them to
save space. Also, make sure that your essay is as fine-tuned as possible regarding the mechanics of writing
(grammar, usage, structure) so that you dont distract from the content. Go for perfection here. Admissions
officers do notice these things.
During your time on this earth, you may have experienced maybe sorrow and/or maybe joy. Take
your unique experiences and be fearless in sharing them. Let them make you stand out among
the rest.
Wilglory Tanjong, your author

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SAT/ACT
Getting the Coveted 1600, 36, or 800
Most colleges will require that you send in your standardized test scores for either the SAT (Scholastic
Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Test.) These tests are actually very different and suit different
types of people.
The ACT is an achievement test that measures what a student has learned in school. The test is composed of
five sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. The English, Math, Reading, and Science sections
are scored out of 36 points, while the Writing section is scored from 2-12. The writing score is separate and is
not included in your composite score, so the highest composite score you can receive is a 36. The writing
section is often optional, but some schools require it. The ACT does not penalize for guessing, so students are
encouraged to fill in all the bubbles.
As for the SAT, it is being revamped and revised. Currently, the highest composite score on the test is a 2400,
with three sections included: Critical Reasoning, Math, and Writing, accounting for 800 points each. A penalty
exists for guessing, so 1/4th of a point is taken off for every incorrect answer. Therefore, its often better to
leave an answer blank if you cant narrow down the choices, and then get no points rather than guessing,
getting it wrong, and getting points taken off.
But, starting in March of 2016, the SAT will be releasing a new test. Its going from being more of an aptitude
test that measures reasoning and verbal abilities to being an achievement test, like the ACT, that measures
what students have learned in school. The new sections are Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and then
the essay. Each section is becoming more analytical, and the essay will be optional. As for vocabulary, they
are no longer testing students on obscure words like punctilious, but instead on words that are widely used
in college and career. Questions called sentence completion are being scrapped, and there will no longer
be a guessing penalty, meaning that points arent going to be taken off for wrong answers.

Preparing for the SAT/ ACT

You should take both tests to decide which one is better for you and because different colleges require
different tests. The SAT is better for people who are deeper thinkers, and students taking this test are given
more time to answer thought-provoking questions. The ACT has significant time constraints and is better for
students who can answer direct questions rapidly. If you cant afford to take both tests, contact your school to
see if youre eligible for a fee waiver. And if you use an SAT fee waiver to take the test, Collegeboard will also
provide you with 4 free college application fee waivers.
Do not beat yourself up for getting a low score, though. They are standardized tests, but not everyone gets
the same preparation for them in their high school curricula. Some students in the country will take these
exams without ever having covered the testing material because the schools they attended may not be the
best, education-wise. Others may have been preparing for these exams for years. But this does not mean
that, if you come from a low-performing school, you cannot succeed on these exams... because you can.
You should first take the test(s) during your sophomore/junior year and consider it a practice run. You can also
take the PSAT as practice for the SAT. If youre a senior, you should take the test as soon as possible. Learn
which test you prefer, what your weak areas are, and where you need to improve. If you can, get a test prep
tutor. Although they can be expensive, sometimes these tutors offer discounts. Students are not encouraged
to take the test more than three times because, after the third time, statistics show that scores do not
improve.

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SAT Subject Tests

These are also known as the SAT Iist, and test your knowledge in specific subject areas (e.g., Literature,
History, and Biology). These tests allow colleges to see which subjects you excel in. They are scored out of
800 points, and students are penalized for guessing. Some schools require that you submit scores for onethree Subject Tests (typically more selective schools). Other schools do not require these tests at all, and
some may highly recommend that you send scores, meaning, you should definitely look into taking them.
You should take the test immediately following taking the Honors or AP (Advanced Placement) course for that
subject, especially if you take the AP exam in the same year. If youre already a senior, you should start
preparing to take the next available test. Its helpful to take them early and during the same year that you
take the test subjects advanced course because youre more likely to remember the content, and you will
free up precious time you need during senior year. Also, it is recommended (and required for some schools)
that you take Subject Tests in different subject areas to display diversity in your knowledge areas.

86 | Admit Me

THE KEY:
These tests have the same types of questions and concepts they repeat over and over again. So after you
take the test multiple times, youll become accustomed to the test. Youll be able to quickly pick up when
theres a trick question, what answer theyre looking for, and what you have to do to get the answer, etc.
So, to get a high score without any test prep tutors, you need to first take a lot of practice exams. You can get
an SAT or ACT book from a bookstore or your local library, and these generally have practice tests in them.
There are also practice tests online. After you take a timed practice test, you must go over every question you
get wrong, understand WHY you got it wrong, and do your best to make sure to not miss the same type of
question again. And if you do make the same mistake again, its important to acknowledge why you made the
mistake and what tripped you up. Timing yourself is crucial because you need to build test stamina. Taking so
many tests over and over again is overwhelming, but its important to not get discouraged. Your score will
improve. If you are determined, you will succeed.

Pro Tip:
After taking the ACT and the SAT, I felt more comfortable with the ACT and decided to master that test. Every
day after school, I took an ACT test. Depending on how much homework I had, I would dedicate 2-3 hours per
day to the tests and do 2 or 3 sections of the ACT.
For instance, one day, I might do the entire test, or I would take the math and reading section and save the
science section for another day. I used the answer keys in the back of the test prep books to correct my
wrong answers, and I made sure that I thoroughly understood why I got questions wrong. And if I still didnt
understand, I would Google the question and hope that I could find an explanation online. And if that didnt
work, I would go to my teachers with questions. I did this for the two weeks leading up to the test, and I
ended up taking over 20 tests. When it came time to take the official test, I just sailed right through it. It was
just like taking another practice test, except it was in a classroom. The result? My score increased
significantly. This method isnt easy, but it does work. So much practice will make perfect, or at least get you
close to it.

Never, never, never give up.

Winston Churchill

Applying to a Military School

There are five federal military academies in the United States: the United States Military Academy (West
Point), the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard
Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The only price you pay is service. Students dont
pay tuition, or room or board, but all graduates do have a service obligation of at least 5 years.

Application Process:
1. Meet the eligibility requirements
Applicants must be citizens of the United States, and at least 17 but younger than 23 by July 1 st of the
admission year, as well as unmarried, not pregnant, and without dependents. Noncitizens may be eligible
through a special agreement between the government of their country and the United States.

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2. Submit a preliminary application

Each academy makes this application available for online download, or you can request that a copy be
mailed to you.

3. Apply for a nomination

Every applicant must obtain an official nomination. Those qualified to nominate candidates include the
Vice President of the United States, U.S. Representatives, and U.S. Senators.

4. Take the college admissions tests

The academies require high scores on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test
(ACT).

88 | Admit Me

5. Complete a medical examination

The medical exam is given by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board
(DODMERB).

6. Take the Candidate Fitness Assessment

Due to the rigorous nature of the academy programs, candidates must be in top physical condition. This
assessment consists of physical tests designed to check your stamina and movement.

7. Wait for your status

The academy will make a decision when it has received every part of your application package.

8. Interview.
An official interview with your Blue and Gold officer is required to complete your application.

http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Steps-for-Admission/

It is a proud privilege to be a soldier a good soldier [with] discipline, self-respect, pride in his
unit and his country, a high sense of duty and obligation to comrades and to his superiors, and a
self-confidence born of demonstrated ability.
George S. Patton Jr.

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Applying to a
Visual and/or Performing Arts School
These types of schools focus on the arts and have different special requirements for students who are
applying, so I encourage you to read the schools website and be aware of all requirements. Things like
grades/GPA and test scores might be less important in the application process, in comparison to the
extraordinary talent they are looking for. You are likely to be asked to audition or perform, so practice,
practice, practice!

Here is a helpful link if you are considering applying to a performing arts school.
http://www.petersons.com/college-search/music-school-applying-arts.aspx

Examples of specialized visual/performing arts schools are Juilliard and RISD (the Rhode Island School of
Design). Some of these schools are part of a larger college, such as Oberlins Conservatory of Music or NYUs
Tisch School of the Arts. These schools can have a completely separate application (like Oberlin), but they
can also use the same application as their parent school and ask for additional materials (like NYU).

Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice reduces the imperfection.

Toba Beta

90 | Admit Me

Once You Hit Submit

Even after submitting your application, there is still more work to be done. You should receive emails from the
colleges you applied to, confirming that theyve received your primary application. You should also receive
additional emails about how to access their online portal, a site where you can see whether all your
application components made it to the admission office (test scores, recommendation letters, etc.). You
should regularly check this site to make sure your application is complete and youre aware of when and how
decisions will be released (either snail mail, email, or through the online portal). If youre not getting emails,
check your spam or call the admissions office just to make sure they received your application. Its better to
be safe than sorry!

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
Nelson Mandela

Interviews
Some schools offer on-campus interviews (e.g. Carnegie Mellon), and some will require that you do an alumni
interview as a part of your application (e.g. Georgetown). An alumni interview is simply an interview with an
alum. These interviews are provided to students who have alumni interviewers in their area. If youre offered
an interview, you should definitely do it. Interviews add more depth to your application and can help you
stand out.
When doing an interview, you should:

Always be on time, which really means you need to be early. To be early is to be on time. To be on
time is to be late. And to be late will not look good.

Make sure you do research on the college prior to the interview. You should be ready to answer this
question: Why do you want to attend _______?

Be prepared to answer common college interview questions.

What will you contribute to the college community?

What do you expect to gain from the college?

What do you plan to major in and why?

What contributions to society do you intend to make after you graduate?

What do you do in your free time?

And of course: Can you tell me about yourself? This will most likely be the very first question of
the interview. You should talk about your interests, your extracurricular activities, your
passions, etc.

The last question the interviewer will ask is probably going to be: Do you have any questions for
me?, and of course, you do! Always ask a question. You can ask them about their experience at the
college, their career, or how the college prepares its students for the real world. You want them to

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know that your interest in the school is genuine. So make sure you ask them at least one question
when they ask you if you have one.

Dress appropriately. Some interviewers will actually ask you to dress casually, which never means
shorts and a tank top but rather khakis and a pressed shirt or top. Your best bet is to dress to impress.

Shake the interviewers hand firmly and look them squarely in the eye. In US culture, weak or limp
handshakes are generally perceived as the person being less confident and nervous, and little-to-no
eye contact is perceived similarly or worse, like you have something to hide.

Remember that this is a casual conversation between you and the interviewer, so laugh and smile. If youre
nervous, you should do practice interviews with your other college-bound friends. But at the end of the day,
this interview is not the end-all, be-all. Alumni interviewers are not admissions officers, so their evaluation of
you only carry so much weight.

Changing the world does not mean changing the whole world, but changing somebody elses
world.
Rani Jaswal

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Paying For College

So, youve been accepted into college. Now, you have to figure out how you will pay for all the costs and fees
that come with receiving a college education: tuition, room & board, school fees, books, transportation,
activities, etc. Most schools will provide a financial aid package that includes a number of different options:
scholarships, grants (you dont have to pay back), loans, work-study options, family contributions, and
student contribution. In addition to the package, students can pursue outside scholarship and employment
opportunities and use those options to help pay for college.
Some people take out private loans to cover the remaining costs of college, or students can also take out
loans offered by the U.S government. Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are federal student loans for eligible
students, meant to help them cover the cost of college.

Subsidized loans:

Unsubsidized loans:

Your school will determine the

amount of money you can
borrow, depending on your
financial need. While youre in
school, the U.S. Department of
Education will pay the interest
on your loans, and also for up
to six months after you
graduate.

There is no financial requirement

for these loans. Your college will
determine the amount you may
borrow, depending on the cost of
attendance and other financial
aid you receive. You must pay
interest while youre in school,
but you can choose to postpone
payments on these loans until
youre out of school. The interest
that accrues while youre in
school is added to your principal.

Source: studentaid.ed.gov

Scholarships
One of the biggest misconceptions about college is that your parents income and ability to contribute to your
educational expenses will prevent you from attending a really selective school with a high-ticket price. But in
reality, many of these schools have significant endowments, have demonstrated a commitment to increasing
the number of low-income students on their campuses, and are willing to provide generous financial aid
packages. For instance, at Princeton, if your family makes under $65,000, Princeton will often cover your
tuition, as well as room and board.
You should also hunt for merit, need-based, and athletic scholarships, as they apply to you. Some popular
scholarship search engines are Zinch.com, Fastweb.com, Collegeboard.com, and Scholarships.com. These
websites will have you enter basic information about yourself and match you up with scholarships you are
eligible for.
The federal government also provides funds for students who need financial assistance through the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) The FAFSA is available on January 1 st of every year, and money is

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given on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you submit, the more money you are likely to get. Even if
you dont think youll be eligible for FAFSA money, you should still apply because some of your schools might
require that you submit the FAFSA in order for them to create a financial aid package for you. And if you are a
low income student, you should definitely apply for the FAFSA. Dont be discouraged by the lengthy
application. Get that money!

Hint: Avoid fake FAFSA websites that ask you to pay for the application. The application is FREE.
Here is the secure website: https://fafsa.ed.gov/

Here are some popular Scholarships for students with financial need (some are for minorities only): Gates
Millennium, Ron Brown, Jack Kent Cooke, Jackie Robinson, Burger King, Elks, Herbert Lehman, Horatio Alger.
Popular merit-based scholarship: Coca-Cola Scholars.
You should also apply for local scholarships. Your school will know more about the scholarships available in
your community. These may be small, but every dollar counts.
To receive the best financial aid package possible, you need to be aware of what documents your school
requires for them to fully process your request. Schools may require that you submit the FAFSA, IDOC, CSS
Profile, and/or complete their own financial aid award application! You should really start worrying about
completing these documents once you submit your applications to college because the FAFSA doesnt
become available until January 1st, and deadlines to submit the IDOC and CSS Profile are much later. The
College Board will email you if a school you applied to requires that you submit the IDOC. Check your
spam/junk section if you dont get emails from Collegeboard because thats where my emails from College
Board were going!

Some debts are fun when you are acquiring them, but none are fun when you set about retiring
them.
- Ogden Nash

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Common Misconceptions about College/Applications

There are several common misconceptions about colleges and the application process. Ive listed a few for
you here.
1. Going to my public state school will be less expensive than a private school.
For some students, this is not true. Many private schools have large endowments and are willing to help
admitted students fund their education, especially at highly ranked universities and especially for lowincome high achievers. Some students who attend the nations top schools actually leave college with
little debt because they do not pay the full cost of tuition due to the need-based aid that is provided.

2. Ivy League schools are full of pretentious kids who think theyre entitled to everything.
Although there are some students like this at these schools, and the other types of schools too, there are
plenty of regular students, as well. The odds that you will find other students like you are very high. The
Ivy League schools (and other top schools) like to admit a broad range of students with all types of talents
and interests in order to create a well-rounded class and community. These schools promote all kinds of
diversity, such as the mix of socio-economic backgrounds of the students, or the inclusion of international
students from all around the world. Also, you will find pretentious people everywhere; its just the way it
is.

3. Getting a letter of recommendation from my dads friend who knows a guy who knows Bill
Gates is golden.
But this is not always the case. Is it impressive to get a letter of recommendation from a public figure or
someone who is well-known? Yes. But what is even more impressive are letters of recommendation that
really speak to who you are as a student letters that say more about you than your test scores or grades
ever will. So make sure that when you ask people to be your recommenders, you choose carefully and
you ask early. Reach out to possible recommenders as soon as your senior year begins. Dont put your
recommenders under pressure by asking late.

4. If I dont get a perfect test score, I wont get into my dream school.
While this may be true for some schools, its not true for all. Schools that practice holistic admissions see
you as more than tests and numbers. They account for you as a real person who took rigorous courses
and participated in extracurricular activities, understanding that you are not perfect in every aspect.
Youre only human. If you didnt get a perfect test score, the other pieces of your application packet had
better shine though, especially your essays and letters of recommendation.

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Words of Encouragement
Kielah and I initially felt compelled to write this book for the student whose school lacked the resources
necessary for helping them get into their dream schools. Although this guide can be used for any collegebound student, we'd like to return back to our initial purpose in this section to illustrate to all underserved,
low income, socio-economically disadvantaged students that life's adversities should not deter them from
attaining their dreams and becoming successful students. It is those who endure the most struggles who will
most develop the ability to inspire others. In this section, you will find students who have pushed past
adversity to achieve great success. They are real life examples of students who have made it.

Two Continents, One Dream

Nebiyu Kebede
Wesleyan University
'18

I started my life in the rural side of Ethiopia, where education was not highly valued, where the struggles of
everyday life surpassed a childs desire to evolve academically. Although I learned many life lessons as a child
growing up in an impoverished nation, I coveted expanding my knowledge of this world through education.
This desire was far from coming true in an unmonitored educational system. School came 7th to: helping my
uncles at the farm, herding the cattle home, helping my grandmother bring home water, helping the
neighbors fix the crumbly hut, feeding my younger brother as my mother cooked, and finally taking my
fragile great-grandmother up the hill to church and back. If nothing else came up that day, I would surge to
school to learn my alphabets.
English is the universal language that is the key to my coveted world of education. It was all around me in
the newspapers, television, billboards, movies, and in all the books I held in my hands as I sat staring at just
the pictures for nearly two years. I was suffocated in my illiteracy. For the first two years of my American life, I
was immersed in learning this language. I spent every waking hour attempting to speak, read, and write in
English. I dreamt of the days when I could read every billboard, a day when I could write like the kids at
school or talk like the people on television. For two years, learning English went right in conjunction with my
breathing. Success finally arrived, but it came with an understanding that English gets harder as you
understand it more. I have found the English language to be progressively more complex as one continues to
learn it. As it gets harder, all I have to do is breathe harder, dream bigger, and sleep a little less.
As I continued my endeavors towards college, I didnt have a conventional route. I have faced many
challenges academically, be it AP courses or taking classes at the University of Minnesota as a junior in high
school. I did not succeed at all the challenges I faced, but those challenges showed me my strength in being a
passionate and driven academic, no matter the obstacle. Although the public high school I attended did not
provide me with all the academic foundations to succeed at an elite university, it did give me essential life
skills in growing among peers from different backgrounds. Attending a very diverse school, both culturally
and cognitively, enabled me to become a well-rounded individual and leader through the leadership roles I
had at my high school, like president of NHS, VP of Student Council, and Co-founder of a student-led Christian
group.
I hope to major in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry while being on a Pre-med track at Wesleyan University.
This was one of my dream colleges, and I was able to get here with hard work, and will get further in the
same way. My journey has been a difficult one, but its nothing one cant overcome with perseverance. The
application process was tedious and very difficult, but at the end it is worth it. My suggestion for high school
seniors is to take it one essay and one college at a time. It is also not where you go to college, but what you
take from the college you attend, that matters. It will be difficult but thats what makes the result great.

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Admit Me | 97

About the Authors...

Hello! My name is Wilglory Tanjong and I am the co-author of this guide with Kielah Harbert. I am 18 years
old, and I was born in Yaounde, Cameroon. I came to America when I was just two years old, where I became
a citizen soon thereafter. I enjoy watching sports (mainly basketball and the World Cup), taking selfies with
legislators, and doing DIY projects. I call Maryland home, but now I will have two places to call home, as I am
attending Princeton University in New Jersey! One of my proudest accomplishments is being a LEDA Scholar.
LEDA (Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America) works with socio-economically disadvantaged and yet
high achieving students to help them gain access to the nations most prestigious schools. Its an incredible
program and you can find out more at ledascholars.org. During LEDA, I learned a lot about the college
application process that I felt compelled to share. So I started writing this college guide, and I am grateful
that Kielah joined me to handle the portion on how to tackle high school. I would like to thank Joseph Lee from
the LEDA Scholars foundation for all the help and great insight he provided. He is truly awesome. And Robin
Gillespie, from Collegebound, for making sure that our college guidance information was correct. This guide
was meant for every student seeking a college acceptance letter, and it is my hope that when you read this,
you will become more comfortable and successful with the college application process. Best of luck to you as
you begin your journey to getting into your dream school. Great things come to those who remain relentless
in the pursuit of their dreams.

Your author,
Wilglory Tanjong

Notable College Access/Summer Programs

LEDA
College Bound
MITES
Upward Bound
LEAD
Questbridge

Top 10 Colleges in America

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Princeton
Harvard
Yale
Columbia
Stanford
University of Chicago
Duke
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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9. University of Pennsylvania
10. California Institute of Technology
http:/ /colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities

Admit Me | 99

Glossary
CSS Profile

Along with the FAFSA, the CSS Profile is the most common financial aid application
that students fill out. Each CSS Profile costs a fee, varying from year to year.

Early Action

Applying to a school by an earlier deadline, usually in November. This option is nonbinding, so if the student is admitted, he/she is not required to attend.

Early Decision

Applying to a school by an earlier deadline, usually in November. This option is

binding, so if the student is admitted, he/she is required to attend.

Endowment

A large amount of money that a school retains. The larger the schools endowment,
the better the financial aid packages it can give. The five schools with the largest
endowments are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT.

Financial Aid Package Money awarded to students based on the financial situation of the students
parents. These packages include money from the school, Pell grants, loans, and
work-study.
IDOC

IDOC stands for Institutional Documentation Service. The College Board collects
families' federal tax returns and other documents on behalf of participating colleges
and programs.

Ivy League Universities

Eight prestigious private universities located on or near the East Coast of the
U.S. They have academic and social prestige and are also a collegiate athletic
conference.
Liberal Arts Colleges

General colleges.

Little Ivy

Small prestigious liberal arts colleges such as Amherst and Bowdoin.

Matriculate

To enroll at a college/university.

Need-Blind

Colleges that practice need-blind admissions do not look at your financial situation
when they consider your application.

No-Loan Policy

These schools do not include loans in their financial aid packages. This generally
means that the loans that they would have provided will instead come in the form
of a grant that you dont have to pay back.

Pell Grants

Money provided by the federal government on a financial need basis for

undergraduate study.

Personal Essay

An essay on the Common Application that is sent to all the schools you add to your
Common App. This essay gives students a chance to show colleges who they are.

Supplementary Essays Additional essays that colleges use to find out even more about you. Some want
you to talk about your extracurricular activities, while others may ask fun questions.
For example, a 2013-2014 question for Tufts was, What does #YOLO mean to
you? and a question for Lehigh was, Describe your favorite Bazinga Moment.
Supplemental Materials
These materials are add-ons to your application and can include artwork, a
video of you performing a certain work, etc. You should submit these if you have
really good work to show because the work you submit will typically be sent to the
appropriate department and critiqued by professors.
Study Abroad

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Students travel to another country (typically for one semester) where they take
courses at an accredited institution.

Undergraduate College

A four-year college.

Admit Me | 101

College
Application

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College Application Process Timeline

Timelin

Freshman Year
Youre just now getting into high school, and this is where your
grades REALLY matter. Some middle schools allow students to
take high school courses, and those grades also appear on your
transcript e.g. Algebra 1 and higher, and some foreign
language courses. Freshman year is a critical year because you
begin to set the foundation for the rest of high school. The
workload will be tougher and the classes will be harder than
what youve experienced before. You have to find the best way
for you to study, take notes effectively, get help when you
need it, and ask questions! Start doing extracurricular
activities, getting involved in your school and community, and
getting to know the counselor who will write you a letter of
recommendation. You should begin looking into colleges that

Sophomore Year
During this year, you should continue challenging yourself by
taking rigorous courses and getting great grades. Within your
extracurricular activities, you should begin pursuing
leadership positions. Continue building a relationship with
your counselor and looking at the schools you want to attend.
Start looking into the SAT/ACT, and even doing a practice test
or two. The earlier, the better.

Admit Me | 103

Junior Year
Junior year is typically the most difficult year because this is
when you pile on the difficult classes that might even exceed
what youve typically been able to handle. Push yourself to
your limit and prioritize your education; you will attain
amazing results. Also, remember when choosing AP courses
that a B in an AP class is better than an A in an Honors course.
However, a C in an AP class is not better than an A in an
Honors course. Continue participating in extracurricular
activities, developing leadership skills, and getting excellent
grades. This will help you evolve into the well-rounded
student that selective colleges seek. Take the SAT/ACT this
year, and practice, practice, practice! Take SAT Subject Tests

Senior Year
Summer: Think about where you want to go to college and
plan some campus visits. If youre considering applying early
to a school, you should begin brainstorming what you will
write about for the essays. You can brainstorm topics from the
previous years essay prompts because most colleges reuse
their essay questions. Also, study for your standardized tests!
The SAT/ACT is not offered during summer, but will be during
September/October.
During the school year: This year is going to be hectic. Youll
be applying to colleges, studying for standardized tests, and
going after scholarships, all while trying to (maybe) maintain
a job, keep up with your extracurricular activities, and excel
in school. Get ready to GRIND. Keep working hard to get that
great mid-year report!

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September
First two weeks
Start:
Common App/Online college application
5 Components to the Common App.
1.

Transcript

2.

Recommendations

3.

Essays/Interviews/Support Materials

4.

Activities

5.

Testing

Know all dates for the SAT/ACT/ SAT Subject Tests and sign up for
them.
Be aware of all deadlines for Regular/Early Admission and for
Financial Aid
Request Letters of Recommendation
Ongoing:
Brainstorming topics for your essays
Last two weeks
Ongoing:
Continue preparing for the SAT/ACT.
Two weeks before youre scheduled to take a test, spending one
to two hours a night studying and taking practice exams will be
beneficial.
Completing the Common App
Start:
Requesting transcripts to be sent to the colleges
Being prepared for your school requiring a fee to send your
scores
Writing personal essay/supplemental essays
Checking in with your teacher to see about the status of your
recommendations

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October
Start
Applying for scholarships
Proofreading essays for grammatical and spelling mistakes; have
others give you feedback
Ongoing:
Taking standardized tests
Check in with a teacher/counselor to see about the status of your
recommendation if they havent already submitted it
Sending thank you notes for letters of recommendation.

November
Start
Submit your application for early admission
Confirm that the college received your application
CSS Profile
Ongoing:
Studying for standardized tests
Making sure that your teacher/counselor recs are in
Working on your essays
Applying for scholarships
End
Writing essays

December
Start
Submitting your applications with a December deadline
Doing alumni interviews or on-campus interviews
Ongoing:
Applying for scholarships
CSS Profile

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First 2 weeks
Start:

FAFSA
If your parents have not yet filed their taxes for the year prior,
just use their taxes from the last time they filed and update the
FAFSA information later. The earlier you submit, the more
money you can get. Funds are distributed on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Mail in IDOC for colleges that require it

Request that mid-year reports be sent to colleges that require it.

Your school registrar or your counselor may submit your midyear report. Check with your school about this.
Ongoing:

Applying for scholarships

If you win any major scholarships, notify the colleges youre
applying to. This may help you get into the school. Major
scholarships would be those that are prestigious, typically
$10,000 and up.
End:

CSS Profile

February
Ongoing:
Applying for scholarships
End:
FAFSA
IDOC

March-May
Wait to hear back from colleges.

Before May 1 - National College

Decision Day
Accept your offer of admission and pay any enrollment
fees!

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Student Excerpts
January
I asked students who were not only successful during the college application process, but also successful
during high school, to write excerpts in order to provide varying perspectives on tackling high school and the
college application process. Every student has a different high school and college application experience, so
take every excerpt with a grain of salt. However, my hope is that you learn from each student, for many
students have overlapping experiences.

Claire Moore
University of Chicago
'18

My name is Claire Moore and Im from College Park, Maryland. I graduated from the Holton-Arms School in
June 2014. I will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall. I plan to major in Linguistics with a double
minor in Spanish and Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies.
The college application process is like another course, on top of all the other school work. Its a lot of work,
and inevitably, something will go wrong. For example, application fee waivers are available to students who
qualify, and I had to wait to see if I qualified (which I did). The Common Applications breakdown wasnt fun,
but it gave me more time to finish my essays. Before the college process, I wish I had known all of the costs
involved. Application fees, test score fees, and college visits are all very expensive. I got accepted to New
York University, Howard University on a Capstone Scholarship, Tulane University, the Honors College at the
University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Chicago. I worked so hard as a high school student.
I would spend hours on homework, and got four to five hours a sleep per night for the entire school year. If I
didnt understand something, I would search until I did, whether that meant poring through books or meeting
with teachers. I made sure to take breaks in my work, because senior year was especially hard. I loaded
myself with extracurricular activities on top of my hot mess of a schedule. It was all very stressful, but I never
gave up. Miraculously enough, when it felt like my life was in shambles (all of senior year), I did my best work.
It was all worth it when I got that 4.1 GPA average for the year.

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Aamir
Zainulabadeen
Princeton '18
Applying through QuestBridge (a scholarship organization) helped me to find schools that were willing to
award me generous amounts of aid in the form of grants which I needed, as I come from a low income
family. I was incredibly lucky to have gotten into Princeton through the QuestBridge National College Match
early; it helped to make my senior year much less stressful.
Some words of wisdom: Look at schools that you have a good shot of getting into. I know that I am certainly
blessed and lucky to have gotten into Princeton. Many of my friends (who were extremely well qualified if
not more so than me) did not get into any of their reach schools. One of my friends also made the mistake of
applying to many reaches, no target schools, and only one safety which resulted in much unhappiness at
the end of our senior year. Many of the problems and stress factors that I faced in school were due to my
personal life. My familys financial situation was precarious; they did not (and still do not) accept me as being
gay; and I never felt like I had close friends. I mean, I had plenty of friends and a great support network at
school, but I never felt totally connected; I always felt misunderstood. I was always looking for a handsome
man to come save me. Another piece of advice: You are complete as you are; you dont need other people
to complete you. If I have any good advice to offer about the process, it would be to keep your head(s) down
and to keep working hard. A good work ethic will serve you throughout life, whether in school or at work.
Getting into college is not the end goal it is also what you do when you get there. Also, try to live in the
present, in the midst of school and everything else; we forget to enjoy the moment. Stop and smell the roses,
let the sun kiss you, and tell your aunt that you love her, as you might not get to tomorrow.

Admit Me | 109

Luis Rivera
Columbia '18

My family and I moved to Florida from Puerto Rico when I was five years old. I struggled academically until
4th or 5th grade, right around the time when the English language became less formidable and more second
nature. Towards the end of middle school, I started thinking about my plans after high school and beyond.
Although most people will probably tell you to live in the moment, I say you should live however which way
works best for you. I, for one, am a planner. I was matched to Columbia University through the QuestBridge
National College Match. QuestBridge is a program geared towards high-achieving, low-income students who
wouldnt normally apply to selective universities. I chose to participate in the program because I couldnt
afford application fees at the time, and I liked the idea of possibly receiving an acceptance to a reach school
before anyone else. It worked out (I also applied and was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology MIT and others). I think a successful applicant is one who is passionate about something other
than academics, whether its community service, a sport, a fine art, etc. Leadership and initiative are two
words admissions officers throw around quite a bit, so never let a summer go to waste. Internships, research,
classes... anything works. Personally, if I could go back and do something differently, I wouldnt. Nevertheless,
applying to a few more schools wouldnt have hurt (you can use need-based aid offers from other schools in
order to contest an offer at the school you actually want to go to). My senior year, going to fly-in programs
like WISE @ MIT, Windows on Williams, and the Columbia Engineering Experience helped me gain insight into
the application process. Additionally, the National Merit Scholarship and the MVS Scholarship (awarded by the
Elks National Foundation) have essentially erased my financial burden.

Hans Hanley
Princeton '18

My name is Hans William Alexander Hanley from Orlando, Florida. I attended Montverde Academy, an
international boarding school. Throughout my college admissions process, I realized the need to focus on how
I presented myself to colleges through essays. SAT scores, ACT scores, and grades can only tell a college so
much, but through the essay, one can truly elaborate on and express oneself. The entire process is an
arduous one. For me, it was often difficult to juggle the college admissions process with my commitment to
school and Track and Field. However, I would advise, in retrospect, the need to focus on the admissions above
all because it truly is what the high school experience was building towards. What worked for me: reworking
essays until I got to something I truly wanted to say a statement about myself, not something that was just
tailored to the question. What I wished I had known: applications to college are truly very expensive! Major
Scholarships I received: National Merit Scholarship, National Achievement Scholarship. Habits that helped:
Not watching television during the school week, concentrating on glorifying God above myself.
Schools Accepted to: Princeton University, Harvard College, Yale University, Stanford University, Dartmouth
University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins
University, Duke University, University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University,
Rutgers University, Rensselaer Institute of Technology, Penn State University, and Purdue University.

Leslie Robinson
Princeton '18

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Im Leslie Robinson and I am from Corvallis, Oregon a small town that only includes about 55,000 people. I
played basketball in high school for all four years and I will be playing in college, as well. Basketball, as well
as many other things, had an impact on my application process and college decision. Living in a small town,
but coming from big cities, definitely helped in my college application process. I was able to experience
different lifestyles, both fast paced and relaxed. Knowing the kind of college environment you want to be
around will be a significant part of your college decision. In addition to knowing where you want to be, you
need to set goals in high school that will help you get there. As an athlete, you need to make sure that you
are doing all that you can do in order to succeed in your desired sport, but also keep in mind the schoolwork
you have to balance with it. For me, I made sure that whenever I didnt have a workout or practice, I was
getting my schoolwork done. If you get things done in a timely manner, you will still have time to enjoy high
school and still be a young adult.

Eniolufe (Eni) J.
Asebiomo
Stanford '18

'Soooooo Eni, what were your SAT Scores?' A question I have heard many times, that truly indicates the many
misconceptions of the college admissions process. Born in the U.S. to two Nigerian immigrants, I earned the
status of dual citizenship at birth. Since then, I have lived in various places, including New York, Virginia,
Georgia, and even one year at a boarding school in Nigeria. In regards to the application process, I was
fortunate enough to have an excellent guidance staff, but my most valuable asset were friends who I could
communicate with to review essays and suggest scholarships. With respect to the many misconceptions, one
overarching myth is that admissions officers solely rely on numbers and scores. I cannot stress enough that
admissions officers at selective schools truly do look at applications holistically in attempts to determine if
any given candidate is a good fit for their school. If I could have known one thing before applying to college, it
would have been that the Financial Aid application process is just as lengthy and difficult as the college
application process, if not more so, including the FAFSA, the CSS Profile and IDOC. One great truth that I have
come to know is that, with applying to college and most things in life, it becomes less about how smart you
may be, and more so about what you know. Information can make all the difference, and in our day and age,
it is all available one must simply go out and find it. Success in high school certainly does not reflect
success in college, but a habit that helped me in high school was learning how to work the system. In
essence, devoting your time and hard work to the right things may be more effective than doing things in
the proper way i.e. work smarter, not harder. At the same time, the value of hard work is indispensable. I
kept in mind that I was not competing with my classmates, but with high achieving students from across the
country. I made sure to maintain my standards at that higher level. The Minority Introduction To Engineering
and Science program a six week, residential, college style program that I participated in during the summer
of my junior year really brought that sentiment home for me. At MITES, I was surrounded by absolutely
brilliant minds, and I was no longer the smartest one in my class. MITES truly gave me a taste of what college
would be like, and affirmed my desire to become an engineer.
Schools Accepted: Georgia Institute of Technology, Duke University, Olin College of Engineering, Swarthmore
College, Columbia University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University and
Princeton University. Major Scholarships: Gates Millennium Scholarship.

Carrington Akosa
Princeton '18

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I was born in Nigeria, but moved to the United States in 2009 to re-join my biological family in Maryland,
where I attended the Western School of Technology and Environmental Science in Baltimore, MD. I started
school there in the 8th grade; least to say, it wasnt a smooth transition. Everything changed for the better in
high school when I tried new things sports, in particular. I played soccer and ran track. I will be going to
Princeton University this fall. My application process was a little different, in the sense that it was earlier than
usual. I was recruited by six schools including three Ivy League schools, but not Princeton. I did a little
research on the Ivy Leagues and then I decided to contact Princetons track coach. But it was too late... the
coach had already finished recruiting, but he still wanted me to give it a shot and apply very early this way,
I would know my admission decision before the early admission deadline of other Ivy League schools that
were interested in me. Needless to say, my application was rushed, but I made sure that it didnt appear so
by seeking guidance from my teachers. I received a likely letter from Princeton before the early action
deadline, so everything worked out. We are all unique and different in our own ways, but the belief that each
and every one of us possesses greatness is the start of greatness. Optimism, hope, open-mindedness,
humility, love, and faith are all virtues that I believe helped me to become successful in high school.

Maya Wesby
Princeton '18

OK there are three key things to keep in mind when going through your senior year. First, start the
application process as soon as youre physically, mentally, and emotionally possible. Every step will take
ample time and thought. For some, this may be difficult because there is still school and maybe a social life to
focus on. But you have to prioritize. To get through this, you must be more organized and more aware of your
actions than ever before, even more so if you plan on applying for scholarships. In terms of numbers, I got
into 7 (Georgetown University, American University, Northwestern University, Vassar College, Barnard
College, Smith College, and Princeton University) of my 9 schools, and have applied to about 25 scholarships
so far. Its going to be a busy time, but extremely rewarding. Second, if the opportunity presents itself,
befriend or at least get to know your counselor. However, if you happen to go to a large school where your
counselor is dealing with hundreds of students at a time, try and make the effort to visit their office once in a
while to make a good impression. One important goal in the student-counselor relationship is a good
recommendation letter, and if you present 1-2 unique qualities about yourself, you're already ahead of the
game. Lastly, I would highly recommend recording your college decision reactions. It may sound odd at first,
but these are precious moments. By recording your reactions, you are giving yourself something to look back
on. Record and save the rejections, too (if any), because you could give yourself a pep-talk before and after
the decision, making a no easier to swallow. All in all, just do your best. Wherever you are accepted is where
youre meant to be. Every college has something extraordinary to offer, and I hope you find it. Good luck.

Isaiah Udotong
MIT '18

Being successful in high school is much more than making honor roll and getting excellent standardized test
scores. Frankly, theres a surplus of students around the country who can fit this description. Unfortunately,
colleges dont have enough room to accept all high achieving students. Colleges want to see something
special about you; something that will set you apart. This can be leadership: Devote time and efforts to
activities/sports and strive to attain an elected position or a leadership role. I started football and track as a
freshman, and by the time I graduated, I had been named a captain four separate times. This can also be
community service: Find time to be active in your community. Use the internet to find local opportunities to

112 | Admit Me

volunteer in your community. Balancing the activities that you are involved in can be difficult. The best thing
to do is to choose a few activities that you love the most, and put your all into them. Prioritize your activities
and set goals for yourself within the activities. Although it is nice to use the summer to relax, try to do some
type of productive activity or project during the break. During my high school summers, I spent a large
portion of time participating in the Congressional Award Program. I encourage all high school students to sign
up for this program. Colleges love to see students continuing to make strides during the summer. In fact, I
recall an essay question, for Princetons application, specifically asking how I spent my summer before senior
year. Ultimately, colleges want to accept students who stand out beyond their grades and standardized
scores. I will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall. In addition to my acceptance
into MIT, I was accepted into Princeton, Duke, and Johns Hopkins.

Will Rivitz
Princeton '18

My name is Will, and Im an 18-year-old from Brookline, MA (just outside of Boston), and am attending
Princeton University in the Fall. My experience with the application process was thankfully pretty low-intensity
I applied to only two schools because I got into Princeton via Early Action. However, I put a lot of work into
my Princeton application. One thing I found to be helpful was starting work on my essay almost as soon as
the Common App came out working on the 650-word beast early and often helped me produce the most
slickly-polished and satisfying essay possible. Otherwise, the application process was somewhat nervewracking, but I did my best to quell my nervousness with the amount of work I put in. One thing I wish Id
known before starting the process is that the applications are kind of meaningless. Obviously, thats a bit
hyperbolic, but whether you get accepted to the best school possible or not isnt a reflection on your
character. Colleges might spend fifteen or so minutes looking over your personal achievements and the
occasional supplemental essay, but they cant tell what kind of person you are through the application. If soand-such a school rejects you, its only their response to an incredibly incomplete few-minute survey of what
youve done nothing more. Some advice Id give on how to be successful in high school is to find things
youre passionate about. Obviously, its all well and good if you study hard and get good grades, but those
grades are way easier to obtain if you really care about the kind of reading and writing youll do for those
subjects. Easier said than done, sure, but as long as you can keep engaged not only with your classwork,
but also with discussions in and out of school working hard wont seem that hard at all.

Holly Haney
MIT '18

Whatever you do, do it passionately. If youre interested in many things, try everything! If you know where
your focus lies, really exert and establish yourself in that field. Participate in activities that interest you and
youll want to put in the hard work and creativity necessary to do them well. Apply to at least one dream
school, and at least one fall-back school. You never know what could happen. I was accepted to my dream

Admit Me | 113

school, but not my second or third choice schools. I was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, George Washington University, and the Colorado School of Mines. Ultimately, I chose to attend
MIT. Before filling out college applications, it is useful to create a resume with activities you have participated
in under categories like Leadership, Community Service, Athletics, and Academics. Establishing what
youve done over the years before starting the applications will save you tons of time, and will allow you to
simply copy and paste instead of repeatedly racking your brain. Really play up your strong points. If your test
scores arent great, emphasize activities you participated in. And, again, if you dont know what you like
most, try different things! Try sports, or student government, or a performing arts group, or a scholastic team.
Find something you like and excel at it. In my experience, balancing sports and academics wasnt too tricky
because I truly wanted to do both of them, so I made sure to make the time for each activity. Do what you
enjoy and it will truly show on a college application.

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