COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Some students do just fine walking through the college admissions process on their own.  Others have benefited from our help with brainstorming and writing essays, shaping a resume or application, and keeping organized through it all.  If you would like help or advice about any of these, or any other aspect of college admissions, please don’t hesitate to call.  Aspire Education Project educators know this process very well and are happy to have you use our experience to make the most of this important time.

Many seniors figure that college essays—and all things related to college applications—are matters for late in the fall, but there are some very good reasons to begin to think about these early.  The most important reason is that later in the year students are going to be much busier.  Some will be taking AP classes, many will be retaking the SAT or ACT, and everyone will be going to school.  If possible, we recommend that students finish or at least begin their essays before school starts their senior year.  The freedom to focus and devote time to essays can result in a better product, and thus a better application and more acceptances.

Some steps to take to prepare for the admissions process:

1. Compose, refine, and finalize the list of schools you will apply to.  If you are working with a private counselor, use the advice you are given.  If you want a counselor and don’t have one, let us know.
2. Begin to collect applications.  You can send away for a paper copy or you can obtain a user-name and password at the schools’ websites.  Check to see if any of your schools will accept the Common Application.
3. Many students find a spreadsheet helpful.  You may want to record data such as deadlines, tests required, essay topics, teacher recommendations, and interviews.
4. Prepare a resume.  This can be submitted in place of some of the short answers on applications, and is useful for teachers who will be writing you recommendations.
5. Start brainstorming and composing those essays!
6. If you are retaking the SAT or ACT, be sure to register.  For more practice you can take a proctored test through Aspire Education Project or sign up for additional tutoring. (See our Test Prep page.)