College Mentors

How can I write a killer personal statement?  Do I have to come up with something I've done that no one else has done—what if I'm just a 'normal' kid? These are just a few of the questions that students are asking this time of year. Let's take them one at a time. You will write a killer personal statement by being yourself!  Unlike all the other types of writing you have done throughout your high school career, this one really IS personal—not academic.  For once, using "I" is fine, really.  Think of the personal statement as a page or two from your memoirs; somehow, you need, purely through the written word, to let someone know who you are and why they should want you at their college. You want to use vivid language—verbs that pop, maybe a metaphor or two, or other figurative language, even a bit of humor.   Some colleges are even posting sample essays from successful students, helping to demystify the essay jitters.  Check out Connecticut College...

Hey Juniors, think about signing up for the SAT in May or June—just to try it out—then, if you're not thrilled with your scores, you'll have the whole summer to study for another go in the Fall.  The deadline to register for the May 1st exam is March 31. The deadline to register for the June 5th exam is May 5th. Sign up at the College Board web site: www.collegeboard.com

By now, you've received many acceptances, and in some cases have already received your financial aid offers. How do you determine which offer is the best financial deal for you? Most colleges to promise to meet your need—defined as the difference between your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the "total cost of attendance." However,  colleges have options for HOW they meet your need, including grants, scholarships, loans, and so on.  Also, not every college includes the same elements in "total cost of attendance."  So, since you want to maximize the amount of free money you're receiving, let's break down the elements of an award letter. Cost of attendance --this section tells you how much it costs to attend the university. It always includes tuition, room and board, any mandatory student fees (e.g. health, registration, etc.). Most colleges will also list an amount for books, travel, and incidentals, but some will not list all of these.  Whe...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday!  It's now time to apply for financial aid, which means filling out your FAFSA.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the base requirement for receiving all need-based college aid, whether grants, scholarships, or loans. So, time to get started. To fill in the FAFSA, go to http://www.fafsa.gov   It is KEY to make sure you're at the .gov site, and not to go to a .com address. There are many FAFSA scam sites out there that will charge you for submitting the FAFSA, but remember the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE. You can submit your FAFSA any time up through March 2nd in California (other states may have different deadlines),  but some colleges will have earlier deadlines for "priority" consideration or for specific scholarships. What information/records will you need when filling out the FAFSA form? Social Security Number (student/parents-if parents do not have SSN, use all zeroes) Driver's License Numbe...

Those of you who applied Early Decision or Early Action may soon be hearing from your first choice schools. Good luck! I hope each of you gains admission to your first choice college.... Meanwhile, the next major set of application due dates is coming up on December 31st. By now you have completed your Common Application essay and any supplement essays (and have turned them over to a trusted reader for comments/editing review).  I expect that you arranged for all letters of recommendation to be sent to the colleges at the same time--back when your first wave of applications was due; however, if you have added a college or two to your list since that time, make sure to let your teachers know immediately (and give them stamped, addressed envelopes for the new schools), before you leave for winter break. Finally, I wish you all a very Happy Holiday and Happy New Year. 

If you are in the Los Angeles area, please join me for a free workshop on November 2nd at the Fairview Library in Santa Monica at 7pm.  We'll be reviewing the UC, Common Application, and CSU Applications.  We'll also talk about what makes a great personal statement! Join my Facebook page (just click on College Mentors link in the lower right column on this page) and keep abreast of upcoming events!

Tomorrow, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) is holding their annual Performing and Visual Arts College Fair at UCLA. Here's a link to the details: http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/pva/Pages/09PLA.aspx