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College Admission in a Global Pandemic…
Positioning yourself well in the college application process has always been critical, but now more than ever, students feel challenged to set themselves apart from their peers in terms of activities, demonstrated interest, essays, etc. In a global pandemic, where extracurricular activities (and all interpersonal connection for that matter) have been significantly impacted, how can you still articulate all you have accomplished? Even if it was making sourdough bread or crafting around the house!
Be purposeful: avoid trying to exaggerate involvement simply to elongate the list. Focus on the areas in which you have really focused, where you have truly devoted your time and expertise.
Be honest: if you did not have a formal leadership role, do not try to create one. State your experience as it is.
Be clear: try to create a list that is organized and cohesive, starting with the activities you have devoted the most time (total time, but also most recent time). List your activities in order of time spent, and importance to you.
College Visits
College visits have changed drastically over the past two years (what hasn’t?!). One benefit, however, is that colleges now offer a robust variety of visit opportunities virtually. Regardless of whether the schools you are considering value demonstrated interest in the application process, visiting is important for you to establish a sense of fit.
Essays that stand out
I have read thousands of college essays. The best ones were not about the biggest accomplishment or the worst trauma. They were stories that captured the essence of a student. Maybe they told a story of a childhood memory, and related it back to the values they still possess today. Others wrote about sports and other “don’t”s, but did so in a unique way. If it’s a story only you can tell, and it’s authentic, you can’t really go wrong (most of the time).
Deferred?
While a deferral can feel like a rejection, I assure you it is not! If a college defers a student to the Regular Decision process, it means that college wants to review the student again in the context of the larger Regular Decision pool. This is not a bad thing! It may feel frustrating to elongate the wait, but there are a few things you can do to be proactive…
Demonstrated Interest
While some schools track any and all engagement, from website clicks to visits, others schools simply do not have the time to assess. Some schools require visits, and others may never know if you visit 0 times or 10. As always, it is important to know the admission criteria each school considers.
The Interview
An interview is a great way to engage with a school, and have your own questions answered! There are a few different types of interviews, and a few tips to know going in!
January Entry?
More and more colleges seem to be introducing January entry terms for first year students. This is typically due to capacity. For example, a college may be able to project space for a few more first years to join during the spring semester, as dorm capacity might open up due to study abroad, attrition, etc. Sometimes, colleges will utilize this January term to admit students they could not take for fall. If one of your top schools offers January admission, here are some questions to consider.