PREVIOUSLY ANSWERED:
- Smart Q & A: Is Optional SAT really Optional?
- Senior Year Honors or AP Classes?
- Is it Better to Apply "Undecided" or Declare a Major?
QUESTION:
Do I need to include a resume with my college admission application?
ANSWER: Yes. No. Maybe.
From: Z. Kelly Queijo
Great question to ask on a college visit!
Yes. If the college admissions office requires a resume be submitted with the application, then absolutely do so.
No. If the admissions office does not require a resume, then do not send a resume or any additional materials for that matter.
Note: some majors may require portfolios or other supplements to the application. Requirements may vary from school to school. Always check the web site, application requirements, and read the emails from the admissions office to stay informed.
Maybe. Depending on where you apply, it may be necessary to send a resume listing your work history, awards, achievements, accomplishments, or community service in order to be considered for an internal/college-specific scholarship. Again, opportunities and requirements will vary by school and by what's required on the application. A resume that simply repeats what you've already stated in the application does not add value to your portfolio.
Jeannie Borin (College-Connections), Karen Torgersen (SCV), and Zack Rosen (UNH), contributed to this answer.
Smart Q & A: The College Admissions Interview
QUESTION:
What should students focus on when preparing for a college interview?
ANSWER:
From: Jeannie Borin, M.Ed. , founder of College-Connections
A few interview tips:
- The first FOUR minutes of the interview usually sets the tone. Get it right at the start, and it can go well.
- Have questions of your own, and make sure they are not obvious factual ones.
- Dress informally so you are comfortable, but not too informally (avoid jeans or flip-flops).
- Be punctual.
- There are no trick questions coming up; this is not an interrogation. Interviewers want to engage you in conversation - and - yes, they want you to be comfortable.
- Don't talk too much. Catch yourself and stop. Think internally for a few seconds before responding to questions.
- Remain conscious of your body language and don't play with your hair or you're your nails - You may be nervous - but don't act it.
- Have thoughts about the last book that you liked; the last film, favorite website, magazines you read and tell the truth. Students should be able to articulate what it is about them that makes them a good fit with that particular school.
Also, be prepared to speak intelligently about what you've done for/in any groups in which you participate. If you have time, a thank-you note (or email) is appropriate! Bring a resume in case it's requested.
The #1 thing I advise students about is to be prepared to thoughtfully discuss their academic preparation and achievement record.
Jeannie is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (ICEA).
Related Reading For College-Bound Students:
- How to Improve Your Chances of Admission when Wait-Listed
- The 5 Biggest Mistakes in College Admissions Essays
- College Tour Tip: Schedule Department Meetings Two Weeks in Advance
QUESTION:
What does a teen with AD/HD need to do to make a successful transition to college?
ANSWER:
From: Robin Roman Wright, founder, Robin Roman Wright Consulting
Rising college freshmen with AD/HD can have an exciting, fruitful and successful first year in school. However, there are some helpful steps that students with AD/HD can take before going to school, during their first few days at school, and throughout the first semester that will help them to make a successful transition.
The following list is not exhaustive but is what I recommend to my bright, creative AD/HD clients who are starting college.
Before You Go: Think about your learning style. Identify your preferred learning style so that you can either choose courses based on Professor’s teaching styles or adapt your study approach when taking a course where the Professor teaches in a way that doesn’t match your preferred style.
- Some students do better listening to lectures.
- Some students need written notes in order to listen most productively.
- Some students thrive in classes where the Professor encourages discussion.
- Some students like to refer back to a text book in order to truly learn the subject at hand.
Find out if the school has a Disability Office or an Academic Support Office:
Many schools have a Disability Office that will help students who have AD/HD or other learning disabilities navigate the transition to college and support a student by providing tutoring, a quiet space to take tests, extended time on tests, help with setting up and managing your study schedule, etc. Usually, you can check out the intake process and forms needed online prior to talking to someone. If you want to make use of any of these services, contact the office early, before the semester begins. There is usually a process to getting approved and this can take time.
Find out if the school has academic support services for the student body as a whole.
Colleges usually have academic support resources for college freshman that are open to all students. I encourage students to make use of these resources early and often. This often includes a Writing Center for help with writing assignments, Peer Tutors and sometimes Time Management Mentors.
SURVIVING THE FIRST SEMESTER
- Print out the Academic Calendar for the First Semester.
- Particularly make note of Add/Drop Dates.
- Check out when holidays are scheduled.
- Note mid-term and final exam schedules.
- Set 1st Semester Goals:
- What will my GPA goal be?
- What do I want to learn or explore as a college student -- what subjects really interest me?
- Should I become involved in extracurricular activities? How many? Which ones?
During Your First Week of Classes: THE MUST DOS
- Carefully review each course syllabus.
- Make note of when the professor hosts office hours.
- Make note of the key assignments such as a 5-page paper or mid-term and final exam dates.
- Note the Professor’s teaching style – if it is problematic for you, contact your advisor to see if there is another Professor, teaching a different section, whose teaching style might be better for you.
- Buy the recommended text books. Many students are trying to be frugal by not buying the text book. Discuss this situation with your parents if you are worried about finances. Many parents would prefer to save money in other ways.
- Make a timeline for your day.
- Block time for class, to study, eat and sleep.
- Note when meals are served in the dining hall.
- Locate the support resources at your school, maybe even drop by to check them out--The Writing Center, the office that arranges Peer Tutors, etc.
During the Semester
- Identify a parent, relative, trusted friend, Peer Tutor, Time Management Mentor, AD/HD Coach who you can check in with once a week to discuss issues that you might be having keeping up with reading assignments, getting started on papers or projects, etc.
- When/if you find yourself getting behind or obtaining a lower grade than you want, see your Professor, visit the appropriate support resource center, and/or talk to your Advisor sooner rather than later.
- Review your goals and timeline throughout the semester.
- At mid-terms assess how you are doing. Is your schedule working? Are you caught up in your reading? Are your grades what you would like them to be? If not seek help.
- Your first set of final exams requires special attention. Set up a study plan well in advance of the first exam.
Most of what I have covered above relates to a student’s academic studies at college. College involves much more than your studies, but you want to pay attention to your progress during your first semester so that you can start off on the right foot. As you set off to college, even though you are “striking out on your own,” know that there are many people at the school who will help you should hit any roadblocks or need some support during the first semester.
BIO: Robin Roman Wright provides career coaching and AD/HD coaching privately to teens and young adults ages 15–29 in Greater Boston. She specifically targets this age group because she enjoys helping young people find their niche, succeed in school, and launch into the world of work and business.
Smart Q & A: Is Optional SAT really Optional?
QUESTION (via Twitter):
from: @suddenlyfrugal
Admissions officer told us optional question on common app isn't optional. So r SATs really optional at SAT-optional schools?
ANSWER:
by: Jeannie Borin, M.Ed. , founder of College-Connections
The word "optional" regarding college essays and test optional colleges is a choice. However, it is recommended to complete any optional college essays. Admission officers are attempting to gain as much insight about the applicants as possible. Writing an additional essay is an opportunity for the applicant to show yet another experience, interest or side of themselves not revealed elsewhere on the application.
Currently, there are about 850 test optional colleges in the United States (a list can be found at www.fairtest.org). Many colleges have selected not to require test scores because they consider other components more relevant in determining a student's success in college. If a student does well on standardized tests, they can still send scores to test optional colleges. However, they do not need to do soto gain acceptance. Students need to understand that without test scores, their grades, courses selected, extracurricular activities, essays and recommendations are extremely important.
Jeannie is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (ICEA).
Do you have an admissions or college visit question? Ask and we'll do our best to answer your question. Click here to submit a question for our experts!
PREVIOUSLY ANSWERED:
Smart Q & A: Senior Year Honors or AP Classes?
We're kicking off our new Q&A series with a question from a current high school junior about what combination of honors vs. AP classes to take her senior year in order to remain competitive.
QUESTION:
"My high school is on block scheduling and I have to make a decision about what classes I want to take. I can either take 5 APs, 2 Honors, and 1 Regular or I can take 4 APs, 2 Honors, and 2 Regular. Unfortunately I do not have the option of taking 4 APs, 3 Honors, and 1 Regular. I will have Varsity tennis and college apps in the Fall semester. What should I do? I want to get into a competitive liberal arts college and my current GPA is 4.9."
ANSWER:
by: Jeannie Borin, M.Ed. , founder of College-Connections
It is important to understand that although GPA and a challenging curriculum are extremely important factors in an admissions decision, they are not the only ones. Many things are taken into account as well such as your activity resume, recommendations and application essays.
You are undoubtedly an exceptional student and if you do well with 4 AP’s 2 Honors and 2 regular courses, you will be a viable candidate for top schools. You can handle an additional AP course if you want to gain extra college credit. This could be a factor in completing your degree earlier. Know, too, that only some Honors Courses (such as chemistry and physics) at various colleges will weight your GPA.
Jeannie is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (ICEA).
