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October 11, 2005
Here come the applications!
Still on the road, but that doesn't mean that I can ignore the applications that are beginning to pile up on my desk. I got through my first batch on Friday evening (yes after hours) and called eight students last night to congratulate them on their accpetance to Albright's class of 2010. It is great that everyone in my office has the ability to contact each of our applicants directly and really get to know them as individuals.
So what do I look for in an application?????????????????????????????????????????
I really enjoy and appreciate an application that tells the student's story. I like to be able to envision the student w/o even meeting them. There's a lot of ways of doing this. Some are within the control of the student and some are not. Here are some quick recommendations:
- If there are any question marks on your application explain them or ask someone else to in their recommedation. Some examples may be an off semester grade wise or just a grade that isn't consistent witht the rest of your high school record. There is probably a reason for it, but don't assume that the reader knows it. In fact, if they don't they may assume something that is incorrect, which could be to the applicants detriment.
- Fill out every college application like it is your #1 choice. You never know where you are going to end up or what decisions colleges will make. Your #4 school could quickly become your #1 school and if you didn't put in the same effort in their application, it may not be an option.
- Be smart about who you ask to write your recommendations. Make sure the teacher feels comfortable writing a recommendation for you. Instead of just requesting a teacher to write you a recommendation you may want to ask them, "do you feel like you can write a recommendation that would strongly support my candidacy for college admission?". Not all teachers feel comfortable saying "no" to students when it comes to recommendations, but this gives them an out and prevents a bad or weak recommendation letter from getting to a college admission office. I recommend that the teacher you request to write a recommendation has known you for at least a year and has had you in at least one class. And no offense to gym and shop teachers, but you are applying to college, make your request of a teacher in a core subject area.
- Write honestly! If you need more input see my prior post on conforming. (one more thing, type it!)
- Ask someone who doesn't know you to read your application and ask them what they think it says about you. If you don't like what they say or don't think it is accurate, go back to the drawing board. Remember, many times the person reading your application has not met you. It is very difficult, but your personality has to come through in paper.
I will post some more recommendations as I think of them. I'll keep notes while I am reading applications this week. If you have any questions of me, please post a comment.
For any of you the read prior posts I will be sleeping a lot better this week. The Yanks lost to the Angels and I no longer have to stay up late to watch them:-(.
Posted by Chris Boehm at October 11, 2005 2:00 PM