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What are They Judging?
Essays (so start drafting ideas summer before senior year--tell YOUR story--not for CSUs)
Glowing Letters of Recommendation (so cultivate relationships with teachers--not for UC/CSU)
Extracurriculars (to show what you care about and how you use your time)
Transcript (Can tell a story--I struggled here but overcame // this subject is easy for me // I didn’t use to care but I now I do...etc.)
ACT/SAT (a universal measurement--don’t leave this until senior year)
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WHERE to Apply (important criteria to address when deciding)
Cost and Affordability
Location
Size (of undergrad vs. grad)
Percent accepted
Retention Rate (% of students who stay all 4 years)
Perks (things you like/love)
Drawbacks (things that make you question)
*I would recommend creating a spreadsheet that has schools down the left side and your most important criteria at the top
Affordability
Private schools might actually be LESS EXPENSIVE with financial aid than UCs
Fill out FAFSA in October and you’re more likely to get aid
If you’re undocumented fill out CA Dream Act application and get same level of aid as FAFSA for all CA schools
*NOTE: Apply Early Decision or Early Action to your top school if you know you want to go there. It increases your chances.
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Getting Started on Essays (fill this out to get a better picture of who you are)
Click here for prompts to help you start.
Achievements (What are you proud of?)
Values and Characteristics (What makes you you?)
Interests / Hobbies (What do you enjoy doing? Learning about?)
Essay Topics (Any events that show your character)
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Freshman Year
What did you do? (clubs, sports, theater, volunteer, activities)
Sophomore Year
What did you do? (clubs, sports, theater, volunteer, activities)
Teacher(s) who could write Letters of Rec:
Junior Year
What are you doing? (clubs, sports, theater, volunteer, activities)
Teacher(s) who could write Letters of Rec:
Senior Year
What do you WANT to do? Save time for writing essays.
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Your Great Qualities
ex. creative
How You Prove It
ex. took AP Studio Art / built a website for my Uncle’s business / designed AR glasses for science fair / etc.
(for essay topic ideas)
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Common Essay Mistakes to Avoid
too general
bad grammar
not well-edited
Tell YOUR story--they want to see your voice
Tips for writing essays: just write and find any common themes, edit later
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Scholarship Tips
Type in everything about yourself, add the word ‘scholarship’, and google search
Sometimes small, local scholarships are easier to get
Personal essay resonates more than academic goals
The more you apply, the more you get
You get about 1 scholarship for every 20 you apply to
Click here for list of scholarship search engines
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Keep in mind:
College is 100% what you make out of it. There are SO many amazing colleges out there that can make you happy.
Keep in open mind, you never know…
Right now, do what you love and see where it can go. DON’T just build a resume.
The Fiske Guide to Colleges is highly recommended for easy research! You can get it used for ~$14 on Amazon (or maybe from your school library?)