FAQ: US Universities
What do you officially recommend to students RE SAT Prep? Can you make a list of all the things you recommend and why/in what situations?
1. Classes at TA: Group classes first, and then transition to 1 on 1 tutoring 2. Khan Academy, but with a tutor or parent to coach you through the process 3. College Panda book for Math 4. Erika Meltzer's books for Grammar and Reading
What is the difference between an Honors College and an Honors program?
An honors college is essentially a small college within a larger university, and typically found at big state universities like UNC Chapel Hill or University of Indiana. They offer academic and residential benefits. These colleges will offer actual living spaces and study spaces for students to take advantage of. This creates a tight-knit community within a large university. Honors programs usually have similar perks, but they are not a particular college. Rather, an honors program is just a program you fulfill as you get your degree, and oftentimes are specific to your major. For example, you may have to write a senior thesis and complete advanced courses, and then can graduate as part of the honors program. The perks here are largely academic -- you will be surrounded by ambitious peers in seminar-style classes (within your department usually) and have more access to faculty for conducting independent research.
Is a BFA a limiting degree? What kinds of jobs do BFA graduates go on to do?
BFas and BAs in Art do not have to be inherently limiting, but you can maximize your job prospects by combining a BFA with a minor or second major in a technical field like Business or Computer Science. Some of the most common jobs pursued by BFA graduates include (with average salary): 1. Graphic Designer: $45,000 2. Museum Curator: $60,000 3. Art Director: $65,000 4. Interior Designer: $50,000 5. UX Designer: $69,000 6. Creative Director: $88,000 7. Product Designer: $75,000 8. Marketing Manager: $60,000 9. Web Designer: $50,000 Skills from a BFA are transferable to a lot of fields, and can be enhanced by additional education: a) TECHNOLOGY - If you have a strong background in art, you are positioned to step into the tech world and create apps, graphics, products, designs, and much more. Creativity is critical to today's emerging technologies. b) ADMINISTRATION/EDUCATION/BUSINESS - Whether it is directly in an art-related field (museum curator, art historian, etc) or different (working in marketing and advertising), art students are prepared to handle a variety of jobs in administration, business, and education. c) MEDIA - From illustrators to multimedia artists to graphic designers, artists can put their creative talents to work in a way that's practical and offers a great deal of flexibility.
How important are college visits? Why are they important?
College visits are important for two reasons: they show demonstrated interest in a school, and they can help students make much more informed decisions about whether to apply to a school. Not all universities or colleges require demonstrated interest or consider it at all, but many do. The feel once a student arrives is very personal, and it is one all students need to have experienced before deciding which school is right for them. A campus visit allows the student to experience the trip involved to get to the school, the people who are there, and the actual learning environment on campus.
How do transfer applications work?
1. Get letters of recommendation from your college professors . High school recommendations are beneficial, but the opinion of someone who has seen you handle college coursework will hold more weight. Seek out professors who have taken a shine to you (especially ones within your major or academic area of interest). Don't be afraid that they'll be unhappy with your decision to leave; ultimately, educators want their students to be content. If a professor agrees to write you a letter, let him or her know how much it means to you. A thank-you note goes a long way towards making your recommender feel appreciated. 2. Be mindful of transfer application deadlines. Transfer deadlines vary from school to school, though you'll probably need to send in an application by March or April if you're hoping to transfer in the fall. 3. There are usually a lot of supplements, three per school. Transferring requires a lot of consideration and time but is absolutely worth it if you are unhappy with where you are attending college! Consult advisors when making this decision, as sometimes you can find ways to improve your college experience. Generally students transfer after their freshman or sophomore year.
How many hours do I need to study for the SAT to get the score that I want?
100 points > 20-30 hours of instruction > 40-90 hours of homework We recommend: > 12-15 weeks of 2 hour lessons, once per week > 4-6 hours of homework per week Expedited: > 8-10 weeks of 1.5 hour lessons, twice per week > 6-9 hours of homework per week 200 points > 50-60 hours of instruction > 100-180 hours of homework We recommend: > 16-20 weeks of 1.5 hour lessons, twice per week > 6-9 hours of homework per week Expedited: > 12-15 weeks of 2 hour lessons, twice per week > 8-12 hours of homework per week 300 points > 70-90 hours of instruction > 140-270 hours of homework We recommend: > 18-22 weeks of 2 hour lessons, twice per week > 8-12 hours of homework per week Expedited: > 12-15 weeks of 2 hour lessons, three times per week > 10-15 hours of homework per week
What's a "good" GPA? (unweighted GPA)
3.85+ ← Top 20 Schools 3.7+ ← Top 50 Schools 3.3-3.6+ ← Top 100 Schools Most high schools don't weigh anymore -- the colleges are weighing on their end.
How many hours of study for each SAT II if I'm taking the AP for that class already? And what about if I'm not?
40 additional hours after the AP exam in May assuming you were mock testing at an average to high 5. 10 hours per week. This number might be higher for physics. SAT Physics test tests Physics I and Physics II (most juniors will only have done Physics I, so prep a bit more). If they don't hit the score, they'll take it again in November (have the summer to cram).
Is the IB system better than the AP System?
> Reputationally, the IB system is better. > If you're doing IB, England becomes a great option for you > It is generally considered as more rigorous. Yale, for example, awards 2 credits for HL Chem, but only 1 for AP Chem. >> By the end of my HS career, I have been able to do this - Extended Essay. >> In the AP, you have to go outside of your school to show that you are exceptional academically.
What should I write in my letter?
> Thank the reader for reevaluating your materials and reaffirm that X school is the place for you. If the college is your absolute first choice and you would attend if admitted, say so. > Offer new information such as updates on extracurricular activities, any awards won, projects you've begun, or improved GPA or standardized test scores (if applicable). > Include any info on a campus visit, if you've made one, and what specifically you loved. > Consider including 2-3 brief "Why us" details describing why you and the school are a great match. > Thank the reader again and sign off.
What is a letter of continued interest?
A letter of continued interest is an email you send to an admissions office, typically after you have been deferred or placed on their waitlist. The letter lets the college know you're still highly interested in attending and why, and also highlights any new achievements.
How does the application process for honors colleges/programs work?
Honors programs/colleges are meant to attract ambitious and high-achieving students, so GPA and SAT scores are very critical. Some have separate supplements (like BU's Honors College or UNC Chapel Hill's) but many will extend an invitation to you if you are among their top-ranking applicants. If there is a supplement, then the common app will include a question like "Do you want to be considered for the honors college?" and then open up an essay. Honors programs that are not part of a college will usually just be something you are able to join your junior year based on your grades within your department, and whether you want to undertake a thesis or other advanced research.
If I want to do Engineering, do I have to take AP Calc BC? How bad does it look if I have only done AP Calc AB?
Do AP Calc BC. I can't think of a situation where you would be interested in engineering but not be able to complete BC by the end of high school. This alone should stress how important it is to be done with BC. I would consider it baseline.
What is an AP Seminar?
First year AP Sem, Second year AP Research. High school research class - you learn to pull together different documents, putting together research that is both individual and collaborative. Main outcomes for the test are that you have one big group paper and one individual paper. Those are what gets submitted to the college board after the test. Colleges decide on a set of materials, documents - pick a theme, build your own research questions. This is what the class is designed to do. If you do AP Sem and AP Research, you get an AP Capstone diploma award. A lot of colleges DON'T see AP Sem as a Language class -- this can cause problems for some students because students at ASIJ weren't aware of this and had chosen AP Sem. The other part of it is that because it's built around a set of documents, it's more extended DBQ writing. In the US, it's offered to freshmen in high school (so that gives you a sense of how difficult it is). The reason they created it was to compete with the Extended Essay in the IB -- they wanted to compete with the independent research capacity. a) Would you recommend that someone takes AP Sem? No. b) If I've done AP Sem as a junior, should I take the AP Research Capstone? Only if you have a clear topic that you want to pursue.
When should I send it?
If you are deferred, send it in January, and if you are waitlisted then as soon as you have been waitlisted. It is important to note that you should try your best to include new information that was not reflected in your original application. You should also send a second letter later in the year with more information about what you've accomplished during your senior year since you've been deferred/waitlisted.
How do I go about building my college list if money is a concern? (meaning I'll want/need financial aid of some sort)
If you need financial aid, then you should consider applying to schools that offer financial aid for international students. Only five U.S. schools meet 100% of demonstrated need and are fully need blind for international students: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Amherst. Other colleges will be need aware or need blind, but not guarantee meeting full demonstrated financial need, OR need aware and guarantee meeting full financial aid.
What do you consider a good score on the SAT essay?
If you're at about a 1300, you should be getting around a 14-16, if you're at a 1400 you should be getting a 16-20, and if you're getting 1500 you should be scoring 20+ on the essay.
What kinds of business majors are there?
If you're interested in studying business, there are many options to explore. You can get a Bachelors in Business Administration from a business school, or a BA/BS. Depending on the school, there are majors like the following: > Accountancy > Business Analytics > Finance > Management Consulting > Marketing > Entrepreneurship > Business Technology > Economics and Finance You may also be able to get minors or sub-concentrations.
How many hours per week do I need to be spending on each AP class?
In addition to class time, generally 6-8 hours per week.
How do I demonstrate interest proactively?
In addition to visiting campus, there are many steps you can take. You should follow the college/university's social media accounts, open and explore any emails they send you, and contact admissions officers.
Can I/should I be self-studying APs?
In certain situations, self studying for an AP exam can be doable. There are a few reasons that students might decide to study for an AP exam on their own instead of taking a course.One is that their school might not offer a particular AP course they're interested in or any AP courses at all. Another reason is that they might not have room in their schedule for another AP course but still want to get as much AP credit as possible. This is common among students who are self-studying the more content-light AP exams, such as Human Geography and Environmental Science. Similarly, some students feel that they can cover ground more quickly on their own than in the classroom. This may be especially true if they already have a certain baseline level of knowledge in the subject, like a foreign language. Essentially, people self-study when they either cannot or do not want to take the AP course associated with the exam but believe they can still do well on the test through some amount of work on their own.
For students with US Citizenship/Permanent Residency, how should they approach financial aid during the application process?
In terms of whether or not to fill out the FAFSA, applicants who think their income is too high to qualify for federal aid should submit the Financial status documents associated with international students rather than submitting the FAFSA.
If SAT/TOEFL scores/grades are not high enough, should you apply RD rather than EA/ED?
In this situation, consider taking the December SAT. If your grades could go up and your GPA is possible to raise, then you should wait and apply for the RD because you could be a more competitive applicant. If not, and you feel like your first quarter of senior year is not going to be great, then applying EA/ED might be a good option.
How long does it take to write the Common Application Essay?
It can vary widely depending on students' comfort levels with writing personal essays, but generally you will need an average of 30 hours to craft several drafts and perfect your essay prior to submitting.
What are the main differences between Liberal Arts Schools and Regular Universities?
Liberal arts colleges are much smaller in enrollment size, and focus on a well-rounded education. Regular universities are typically larger, and focus on research. The offerings for majors and concentrations are generally also more limited at liberal arts colleges, because there's a bigger focus on gaining a broad exposure to a field of study while balancing a well-rounded exposure to other areas and fields.
What if I'm just a really bad test taker? What can I do to improve this?
Look for test optional schools. Practice under more closely simulated circumstances (add consequences, pressure, specific environment). Learn strategies. But also consider asking your teachers for alternative methods of assessment.
How should you report Duolingo English test scores?
Many universities do not include the exam in their Common App drop down menu but if they state on their website that they will accept DET as a form of English proficiency, and/or as a supplemental form of proficiency, you should send your scores directly from the testing service to your schools.
Why are so many colleges going test optional? If tests are a strong point for me, does this hurt my chances of getting in now?
Most of the schools that are going test optional are doing so only for international applicants because they feel the SAT is not equitable outside the US. If tests are a strong point for you, take more APs, take subject tests, and go ahead and submit your high scores. As mentioned, "optional" right now still means they will actually look at the scores as a component of your profile. Only Northeastern that we know of will completely ignore your scores (if you're an international applicant).
Do all high schools send out Q1/mid-semester grades?
Most schools in Japan will make sure that there are enough assessments in order to make sure that grade is reflective, including IB grades and predicted scores for the IB. At St. Mary's and Seisen, the first round of predicted scores is logged 10/23.
What exemptions exist for showing proof of English proficiency through TOEFL/IELTS?
Most schools will waive for 4 years of English instruction, an SAT Verbal above a certain score, or ACT Reading and Grammar above a certain score. Some schools will waive for 3 years of English instruction as well.
How does super scoring work for essays?
Most universities will look at your highest essay score, but keep in mind that the essay is scored separately from your overall SAT score, so schools will likely look at all essay scores but prioritize your highest one.
Do you have to include all of your activities?
NO.
Can I use TOEFL scores instead of IELTS for Tier IV Student Visas in the UK? How does this work?
No answer yet.
Do you pay to send Duolingo scores to schools?
No! Send results to every school on your list—at no extra cost. Hundreds of universities around the world accept the Duolingo English Test. You can send your score reports to as many of them as you want, for free.
Do you need to indent on the personal essay?
No, just use line breaks. No need to indent!
Does taking the TOEFL multiple times hurt your application?
No, you can take the exam as many times as you want and you do not have to send in all your scores to universities.
Is my choice of major binding?
No, your choice of major is not binding! Just please note that if you apply to a specific school within a college (like Wharton at UPenn for example) it may be more challenging to transfer into a different school.
Can the ACT be used for a National Merit Scholarship?
No.
Can you send in superscored SAT exams without sending in the essay section?
No. If you take the SAT with Essay, your essay scores will always be reported along with your other scores from that test day. Even though Score Choice™ allows you to choose which day's scores you send to colleges, you can never send only some scores from a certain test day. For instance, you can't choose to send Math scores but not SAT Essay scores.
General Strategy question: Is it a good idea to go to Andover, Exeter, etc and then be compared to this pool of high caliber students?
Not really! It's better to be a big fish in a small pond than an average fish in an ocean. If the student is truly excellent, and can stand out even among Exeter/Andover, then it may be worth it, but otherwise, it is far better to be the #1, #2 at a lesser known school than #300 at a top school.
Education > Future Plans → does it matter if you want to get a Masters or a PhD?
Not that I have seen, BUT, the general sense is that a PhD should have some precedent in terms of research experience on the activities.
How important is a National Merit Scholarship for college admission?
Not very important at all! It is a prestigious distinction to include on your application, but the actual scholarship amounts tend to be quite small, just a few thousand dollars. There are plenty of other merit-based scholarship opportunities available, so do not worry if you do not qualify as a National Merit Scholar.
When do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS? Which one should I take and why? Is it hard? How much should I study for it?
Only school that we know of right now that will NOT waive the TOEFL requirement if a student attended 4 years of English Speaking High School is Cornell. Most schools will waive for 4 years of English medium, an SAT Verbal above a certain score, or ACT Reading and Grammar above a certain score. Take the TOEFL, it's more widespread, accessible and easier to prepare for. If you're hitting your SAT verbal marks, it will not be hard, but speaking does require getting used to in terms of timing. Take it over the summer ahead of your Senior Year.
What is the difference between Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Early Action (EA)?
Restrictive Early Action (sometimes called Restricted Early Action) is a non-binding option, so you aren't obligated to attend if accepted. However, if you apply Restrictive Early Action, you may not apply to any other schools in the early rounds; you cannot apply ED or EA anywhere else. Applying REA indicates to the school that they are your number one choice, and it can significantly increase your chances of acceptance. Like EA applicants, REA applicants have until May 1 to make their decision. Early Action is a non-binding early round application. This means that you are not obligated to attend if accepted Early Action. Some schools have both Early Action I and Early Action II. Early Action I generally has a November deadline, with students receiving the school's decision by mid-December. Early Action II usually carries a January deadline, with applicants hearing back 4-8 weeks later. EA indicates that you're very interested in a school, and it can help you receive college decisions earlier and begin narrowing down your choices.
Am I better off getting an A in an Honors class or a B in an AP class?
Schools weigh internally. So take AP classes because they will weigh them more favorably in their calculations. Your ceiling is higher with AP but capped at 4.5 with Honors. Only exception is if even maintaining a B is knocking your other grades down as well.
Yearly prep for AP
Semester 1, focus on school (your grades). Learn how to take notes, etc. Semester 2 is more looking at the TEST.
Will colleges see my semester 1 and semester 2 grades?
Semester 2 only matters for the schools you're accepted to.
Is there a big difference between taking 4 APs a year, 5, 6? How many should I be aiming for total?
Student trying to get into a top 20 school (and/or trying to get a scholarship to a top 50). 10+ Student trying to get into a top 50 school. 7-10 Student trying to get into a top 100 school. 4-6 Student who is trying to get accepted into an Engineering Program (same thing--top 20, top 50, top 100). 7-10. Focus on STEM CB is making a push to agree that anything above 5 APs will not be weighted as more. This is important, we have to keep following up on this, but we will still probably recommend to most students to keep taking APs.
The SATs are optional at some schools - should I still take them? If yes, what score should I be aiming for (since the school doesn't require SATs)
Student trying to get into a top 20 school (and/or trying to get a scholarship to a top 50). Yes. 1550+. All the top schools still require them. Student trying to get into a top 50 school. Yes. 1450+. Only a few schools are truly SAT optional (in that they won't even look at your tests if you submit), so unless you're applying to just 3 schools, you'll need test scores. Student trying to get into a top 100 school. Yes. 1300+. You don't want "test optional" to be the thing that limits your options. Student who is trying to get accepted into an Engineering Program (same thing--top 20, top 50, top 100). Yes. At least 800 Math.
Should I double up in math so that I can take AP Calc BC in my senior year? How important is it to do something like this?
Student trying to get into a top 20 school (and/or trying to get a scholarship to a top 50). Yes. In fact, if you're focusing on a STEM major, you should be past BC Calc by your senior year, and do whatever you need to in order to get there. Generally, if you're not taking BC at least by senior year, you're behind, so even as a humanities student, you should be graduating with BC as your math. Student trying to get into a top 50 school. Yes but only if you're focusing on a STEM major Student trying to get into a top 100 school. Not essential, especially if your academic focus is not STEM Student who is trying to get accepted into an Engineering Program (same thing--top 20, top 50, top 100). Yes. Be past BC Calc by senior year.
How should students approach making their resume if they are applying for internships in Asia?
Students should make at least 2 resumes, and use one specifically for internships in Asia. That one can have significant family connections mentioned on the resume itself.
How long does it take for TOEFL scores to arrive at universities? When is the latest date I can take the exam?
TOEFL scores take a maximum of 2 weeks to arrive at university admissions offices once you request the scores to be released from ETS. You should plan to take the exam with a few weeks to spare until your deadline.
What do I need to do and keep in mind prior to doing a college visit?
The College Board recommends spring of junior year as a good time to visit campuses for students who have already done the research on those colleges. Late summer and early fall before senior year are also convenient times, the College Board website notes, adding that classes may already be in session, allowing prospective students a glimpse of campus life. College visits are also a good use of downtime over spring break. > Start planning early. > Establish a budget for college visits. > Take virtual tours. > Get student perspectives. >> Given their collective experience, it's likely they'll have opinions to share on academics, facilities, dining services, student life and more. The College Board recommends asking questions about reasons to attend that particular school, the transition from high school, what students do in their free time and on weekends, and what it's like to live there. > Explore academic departments. > Visit a dining hall or student center. > Ask about campus safety. > Get financial aid information. > Explore campus through the lens of campus media. >> Don't forget to check campus bulletin boards, which can give applicants a sense of what's buzzing on the college's social scene.
What is the process of sending IELTS scores to schools?
The IELTS score process is different in that students have to reach out to the organization directly to request their scores be sent. It's not something that can be done through an online order like TOEFL. They process it really quickly, sometimes in 1 business day for US schools). So, students can retake the exam pretty close to deadlines if needed, but should check when scores come out.
What are the different ways to show English proficiency as a non-native English speaker?
The TOEFL is a standardized test of English language proficiency for nonnative English language speakers. This and the IELTS are two of the most popular standardized tests for English proficiency that many international students will need to take before applying for a college or university in the U.S. Many universities have required minimums for the TOEFL and IELTS. In addition, many universities will accept the Duolingo English test now as an alternative, or other criteria as mentioned in the next question. We recommend taking the TOEFL; it's more widespread, accessible and easier to prepare for. If you're hitting your SAT verbal marks, it will not be hard, but speaking does require getting used to in terms of timing. Take it over the summer ahead of your Senior Year.
Considering the answer to #8, should a sophomore be careful about taking the SAT then?
The advice we give to sophomores is: do a few mocks in sophomore year/summer before junior year, and then take it at the beginning of junior year as your first test. Sophomores usually haven't finished algebra II yet, and they should really have finished algebra 2 before taking it. If they are consistently scoring at their target score on mock tests, then they can consider taking it earlier than junior year.
How do you get a National Merit Scholarship?
To be eligible for National Merit Scholarships, you must take the PSAT/NMSQT in October of your junior year - if completing high school in four years - and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, among other requirements. You also have to get a top score on the test. Around 16,000 high scorers, representing less than 1 percent of the nation's high school graduating seniors, will qualify as semifinalists. The scholarship organization looks at scores on a state-by-state basis, so students across the country have a fair shot at winning.
How many hours of study for the AP tests (per class)?
Usually students will come in for a cram session during spring break (early April/end of March)-- then April is crunch time. An additional 3-4 hours per week per class to study for the AP test. But what we actually recommend is that by the end of semester 1, we have a semester final at TA in addition to what the final that they are doing at school.
Should students be sending resumes in with their college applications?
Very few students actually need a resume to send to schools, as everything can be put in the Activities section. They should make a resume, though, for internships and sending it to admissions officers when they email, so it's always good to have one on hand.
For the Dartmouth and Davidson application's peer letter of rec, how should I advise my friend to write this letter?
What a truly outstanding letter can do is give deep insight into a student's character and personality, beyond what a teacher or counselor can communicate in their evaluation. According to Dartmouth, it doesn't "want another letter from a teacher, coach, or other supervisory presence in your life; we have enough of those. Ask a peer who can provide fresh insight into our interests and your character." Davidson, similarly, says, "You, as a close friend or classmate, know the applicant in a different way than do teachers, counselors, principals, and advisors. Your insights will help us to understand the nature and extent of the respect accorded to the applicant by peers." In addition to a statement of support, Davidson asks peer recommenders to rate their friends on qualities like self-confidence, leadership, concern for others, reaction to criticism, and energy and initiative. Some questions you can ask your friends to reflect on: 1. What qualities most impress me about my peer? 2. What specific examples and anecdotes can I provide to demonstrate these qualities? 3. What tone should I use to best express my recommendation? Discuss with your friend four character traits they think best highlight your personality and character, and ask them to use specific anecdotes whenever possible.
I have connections and/or a family member or friend is on the board of admissions - how do I leverage these kinds of connections?
When you have a board connection you need to reach out to them early and have, preferably in person, a conversation so that they have ample material to write about in their letter and can speak to your personal qualities and strengths. You should also send them a brag sheet and resume and indicate what strengths you want them to highlight. Be sure to send thank you notes both after speaking with them and if you are accepted. Depending on how close the connection is to your family, it may be appropriate to send a gift as well!
If I am not at all prepared for the SAT/ACT, should I sit for an exam just to see how I do?
While it's easy to make the argument that students want to get comfortable with the test day scenario as much as possible, we strongly urge students that they should not take the test without any preparation for the first time. There are a few reasons for this: > Doing poorly may break your confidence as you prepare, and unreasonably so. Students generally prepare a LOT for these exams! > Some schools require students to send in all score reports, so you don't want to have one be unnecessarily low. > This may just end up being a waste of money and time! Instead consider taking a diagnostic exam under test taking conditions with timing and environment, and then prepare for the exam prior to taking it officially.
Does the order of activities matter?
YES - it's in order of importance.
Do different schools have different art portfolio requirements?
YES, different schools have slightly different portfolio requirements, so this MIGHT mean that you have to edit the portfolio slightly for different schools. The goal is to make one portfolio that fits the requirements for as many schools as possible, but you might need to make some changes for some schools.
Do I have to send one if I am deferred from early admissions or waitlisted?
Yes! You should always send in a letter of continued interest because the most competitive applicants do. It signals to admissions offices that you still want to be seriously considered and would likely attend if given the chance.
Is it a good idea to include info on AMC scores on my college application?
Yes, if you did pretty well! Generally above a 90/150 is a score worth mentioning, and definitely include your score if you qualified for AIME.
Can a student send an additional letter of recommendation after being deferred?
Yes, we recommend that if they're going to do this, then the letter highlights an element that their initial application didn't. For example, sending in a letter that speaks to the student's service and leadership in more detail.
Should you sometimes leave out some of your activities?
Yes, you absolutely "can".
Do I need to prepare for interviews? For how long?
Yes. Now more than ever. 2-4 hours minimum! A few things to keep in mind: > Answer the question concisely. Then follow up with explanations and specific examples. > Read the room. As you talk, please pay attention to the body language and response of your interviewer. > Know why you want to come to the school. You must be clear regarding the specifics as to why you want to attend. > Practice! Confidence is a huge part of it.
How does Early Decision II (ED 2) work? Can I apply somewhere during Early Decision I and then somewhere else for ED 2?
You can apply ED 2 at a different university than you applied ED 1 at! So apply ED1 and if you don't get accepted to that university, you can then apply ED 2 somewhere else if you have a strong second choice.
Can I apply to a bunch of different schools in different countries? Is there any downside to that? (For ex: is it a problem for teacher recs?)
You can apply to schools in multiple countries! You will need to carefully keep track of the admissions requirements, since you may not have completed every country's typical college requirements and expectations. Some schools will accept your high school credentials, or will ask you to take additional standardized tests. For example, UK universities tend to have additional testing requirements for various majors.
On the main Common App, it seems you have to say "yes" or "no" as to whether you want to have your SAT score considered by schools. But then some of the schools allow you to say in the extra Qs whether you want your SAT score considered. How do you send it to just some schools and not others?
You can change it for every application, so send out all the ones that you are not sending scores to first for example, and then go back into the common app and change everything for the ones you are sending to. Schools will receive whatever version you submit at the time and will not update following any changes to the common app afterwards.
Why is having a resume important?
a) First off, it's a good opportunity for students to self-reflect, think about their strengths/weaknesses, their overall "picture" b) It's useful to have on hand - it's a professionalism thing (think of it like a student's version of a business card). c) Something that's useful to have ready for summer internships, any kind of opportunity that might pop up, college fairs, college admissions interviews (even informal ones in which you just go to the school) d) Helping when preparing teachers for teacher recommendations (with some tweaking). e) It's a useful skeleton of accomplishments to have in general.
How many extracurriculars should I have?
a) Hypotheticals: For all of these hypotheticals, I'd want to know how you'd handle a sophomore in this situation and a junior in this situation → one reason is I'd like to see if you'd handle a sophomore/junior differently. I'd also like to see if the answers are different based on how competitive of a school a student is applying to. a.1) Student is doing 5-9 extracurriculars and likes them all. Does she have to drop any? How many should she drop? Why? For any student like this, I would use three steps to decide: > ECA evaluation tool that gives a point score for each of her activities > Weekly scheduler to determine time commitment > Now → Goal → How within the framework of the Common App. What do you want to say you have done? What's the highest cap you can reach for this? We would then drop based on a combination of scores, hour commitment, and what she wants to be able to say on her Common App. Generally: If there's something that can be of National rank (or equivalent. self published research would go up there as well I think) and seems feasible, drop down to that plus at most 2 more things with an ECA score of 13-15 or higher out of 18. If not, then use the same tools to score the ECA now vs. the ECA goal. Pick 3-5 that score 13-15 and focus on those. This would be true for both sophomores and juniors. The only difference is urgency. A Junior doesn't have time to be wishy washy about this. He/she needs to make a decision by October. a.2) I'm a junior/sophomore (I'd like to know the answer for both) and I don't really have a narrative. I'm doing a few ECAs that I thought I was "supposed" to do and I don't really have a strong attachment to any of them, and none of them are that connected with one another. What do I do? Should I continue doing these three or should I pick one and do it A LOT or should I choose something new that he is more interested in (together with the counselor). Sophomore: This is pretty much everything I'm doing now. > What do you actually enjoy doing? What are problems you see that you'd like to solve? What sounds interesting to you? > Find out. >> Strong Assessment >> Talk to upperclassmen/leaders in those ECAs >> Now-goal-how and ECA evaluation that I mentioned above >> If there's nothing else he's interested in, the counselor will build and drive it. >> If there's something he says he's interested in, the counselor will test commitment with simple tasks (submit proposal! Give me a resume! Send out emails!), and then pursue accordingly. Junior: > Same as above but I would seek more to find an interesting way to build upon what he's done so far instead of building something completely new. If you've been playing basketball, do a stats or AI project; if you're doing charity, make it bigger and better with measurable impact; also look for synthesis - are there areas of overlap that the kid just isn't seeing? Can he merge a couple of activities to create his own new pillar? > A counselor will likely have to drive this, as a Junior who is coming in with this profile is generally non-committal but pliable. a.3) I do a few sports because I like to exercise and it helps me to feel better and concentrate (this is something I don't want to lose) and also because it's basically my social life at the moment. So I want to continue doing these sports, but at the same time, I'm not going to get captaincy in any of them. I have a couple of other ECAs but nothing that really sets me apart. What should I do? Same process as above, with the additional caveat that we clearly know the time commitment for sports. If it impacts GPA or pushes you to take less competitive classes, drop it down to one sport per season (pretty much have to do this anyways) Sophomore: How do you know you're not going to get captaincy? Are you planning on continuing this all the way through senior year? Can you get the benefits of exercise any other way? Running an hour a day = 7 hrs per week. Track practice = 3 hours x 4days a week + 5hrs every weekend for track meets = 17 hrs per week. Junior: Same questions as above + Have you been doing this sport since freshman year? Is there anything else you can be doing for your team to help show your commitment in a different way other than captaincy? Especially if it connects to your other interests. Is your coach also a teacher for one of your subjects this year? Is that subject one that is lined up with your college interests? > If I WERE going to get captaincy in some of these, would that change the answer? How do you know you're going to get captaincy? My answer actually doesn't change, you should keep it to one per season and be looking for ways to accentuate your captaincy as different from other sports captaincies by adding value (advanced stats tracking, fully managing nutrition, driving community engagement as a team etc). a.4) How many ECAs is the goal -- is it 1? Is it 3? Is it 6? How do you base this answer on? Am I better off being "A" level at one ECA or am I better off having 3-4 ECAs that I'm "B" level at? Or is it better to have one "A" and two "B's"? ETC -- I'm not sure how to determine what the GOAL is. Basically the question is: what are the colleges ultimately looking for. > Colleges are looking for a clear A+ surrounded by A/Bs. > A specialist is ALWAYS > generalist. I always push depth over breadth when it comes down to it. The Renaissance Man isn't memorable. >> If I'm doing 5-6 things and I'm fairly accomplished and successful at all of them, is this good? Or am I better off narrowing it down so that I can be "even more" accomplished at 3 of them? Define "fairly accomplished". What standard are you using? Compared to who and what? What colleges are you aiming for? a.5) I don't have any meaningful ECAs right now, and I have no idea what my interests are. What do I do? How do I get started? This feels like the same question. But generally, let's determine some things that at least get you excited or that you seem passionate about (Strong, ECA evaluation and questionnaire etc) and let's start doing something. Counselor will drive this.
Education > Honors
"If you have received any honors related to your academic achievements beginning with the ninth grade or international equivalent, please indicate the number of honors. If you received more than five, please add the five most important to you.*" (What does it mean by honors -- and we are not actually *naming* the honors at any point? Just how many we got?) Any awards for academics. ASIJ has things like "Excellence in Humanities Award" and "Social Change Award"
I'm going to pursue STEM in college, but I don't have a good relationship with any of my STEM teachers, and I have good relationships with my history and English teachers. What should I do?
Although it's obviously better/ideal to have a GOOD STEM rec, if that's not an option, go with the good non-STEM recs. A Good rec is always better than a mediocre one. Reach out to your school's guidance counselor about this as well! We've had some guidance counselors offer to write a letter of recommendation from the "Head of the Math/Science Department" (ghost write the letter, essentially), and take comments from multiple STEM teachers and aggregate them. Again, not better than a good rec, but it can be a supplemental one for you to ask the guidance counselor to write and then you can decide if you want to use it. (It's possible that not every school does this or it may depend on the circumstances -- in this case, the student's teacher that he hoped to ask was on paternity leave and couldn't write letters), but it's worth asking! Some school counselors suggest one English, one STEM. is that true even for someone who is going to go full-stem at uni? I want to ask my ___ teacher for a teacher recommendation, but I have not a stellar grade in that class. (The teacher and I have a really good relationship, and s/he knows me really well, but I struggle in the class). Should I ask this teacher for a rec?
How can I ensure that a teacher is going to write the kinds of things that I want them to write (meaning in the college talk you talked about how important teacher recs are and some teachers aren't good at writing them even if they mean well) - how do I make sure my teachers are writing me great recommendation letters?
Brag sheet. Fill out with a counselor, schedule time to talk with the teacher, meet and talk through a brag sheet. Be explicit with what you would like the teacher to focus on.
How many times can I take the SAT?
Data shows that there is generally no harm in retaking the SAT twice, in order to improve your score. After three attempts however, some admissions officers may look poorly upon your results. Also, most students do not improve significantly after 2 or 3 times, so we recommend limiting the number of times you take the SAT/ACT!
Does everyone get an interview? Who does/doesn't?
Depends on timing and availability of interviewers. A lot of smaller schools don't have the alumni network to interview you in Japan. Some schools require/suggest a short video as part of their application (Brown, Babson).
For the "Future Plans" section of the Common App, is it okay to check off undecided, or should I try and input some sort of career path?
Even if you do not know what you want to do in the future (most high schoolers do not, and that's okay!) it is good to show some sense of purpose and direction, so you should try and put in a future plan, even if it's theoretical. You can always do something broad, like "Scientific researcher" or "Professor" or "Community organizer."
Which is more important? Grades or SAT Scores? Or are they equally important?
Grades and course rigor. Follow the link below to see the table for Percentage of Colleges Attributing Different Levels of Importance to Factors in Admission Decisions: International Students (First-Time Freshmen), Fall 2017. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MXbNq73UKyXxR4NYvWqrJVfeaeR9Cfuy/edit#bookmark=id.1jlao46
How important is the TOEFL? Does it help to get above 110+?
It is more important to score well on each subsection of the exam. As long as you can break 25 in each section and 28 in listening, that is a great score. A minimum overall score of 100 will make you very competitive, and scoring higher than 105 will be more than satisfactory.
With many colleges going test-optional, to what degree is the SAT an important part of the application package?
It's still important if your score is good or if your school grades are bad. If your score is below the school's midrange, submitting that score can be a negative. If your school performance is limited, the SAT can counterbalance it. It's all contextual now. But as a standalone metric of whether you qualify, it's diminished significantly and is far less important than school performance and course rigor. The general rule of thumb that we're using with students is that they should prioritize getting a good score quickly. The more effectively and efficiently they study and get the test out of the way, the more time is saved working towards the other, arguably more important components of the application. Over the course of junior/senior year, it's well over a hundred hours that a student can be spending on other things that will help them stand out more than a score that they don't have to submit.
When should I start working on my essays?
Junior → Senior Year Summer (It can be helpful for students to start looking at prompts even before this just so that they know what kinds of things are asked of them, as they think about the ECAs and summer plans).
I still don't really understand what Early Action vs. Early Decision is. What's the point of Early Action if I can apply to a bunch of schools Early Action anyway?
The benefit of applying through Early Action is that you will receive your admissions decision more quickly. If you apply EA at schools that you are confident you want to attend, and get accepted, then you may not need to apply to more schools during the Regular Decision round. This can greatly decrease the stress of the process. Early Decision is a good option if you have ONE college you are confident you want to attend more than any other, and ED also increases your chances of acceptance as long as you're a strong applicant. If you are not a competitive applicant, it is more strategic to apply RD and give yourself time to strengthen your application. Questions to ask yourself: > I am totally in love with this college and I would absolutely attend if accepted. > I have done thorough research and can name at least five clear, specific reasons why this college is a perfect match for me. > I've visited the campus and know I could be happy there. Or if I haven't visited the campus, I know enough about it to know that I could be happy there. > If the school requires test scores, mine are in the range of other students who have been accepted--or at least they're about as good as they're going to get. > My grades, extracurricular activity profile, and the support from my school (or "hooks," if applicable) are so good that I (and my counselor, if I have one) feel I have a reasonable chance of getting in.
Do colleges know how many times we have taken the SAT?
The common app requires it, UCs require it. UW doesn't require it, and some schools don't require it (even though the common app requires it). So in general, yes colleges can see it. For this reason, we generally say take it three times max. Some parents tell their kids to take it as many times as they can, just to see if they can score a bit higher. But if they have taken it 3 times and haven't scored any higher, this is probably the time to stop. Because if you keep taking it, now it shows that you cannot improve, even over time which doesn't look great to colleges.
Counselor's name >> we don't put any TA counselor's name in here do we?
The counselor's name is that of their HS counselor. However, it is important to know that schools like ASIJ do directly ask for the name/contact of independent counselors.
How important are interviews in the overall picture?
They rarely make, but can definitely break an application. If you don't present well, don't do it.
Self-Reporting VS. Officially sending in scores - Should students self-report their AP scores, or send official scores from the College Board during junior year? What are college counselors responsible for in this process? What about for the SAT?
The general policy is to both self report AND send in official scores. Most schools are operating similarly to the SAT, in that you self report now and then send official scores later. However, it is likely easier to take care of this process all at once so counselors should know which schools students have sent official scores to and which they have not, and make sure these all get sent in upon admission. You should recommend sending them all at once. In terms of the SAT, here is how students should approach self-reporting vs sending in their official scores if they have the option: > You self-report when you have a strong super score and the wording around how a school views your tests is unclear/vague, then send in official score reports once you are in. This is to avoid having all your scores read at once if you, for example, have a poor single test performance. Otherwise, you should always send it directly. If you have a strong single test score or if the school requires it upon admission, send directly from the College Board in addition to self reporting. > If the school only accepts direct sends from the College Board (Japanese schools, some US, Canada, UK) then send directly EARLY -- allow at least 3 weeks for your scores to be processed.
How many colleges should I be applying to?
The number of colleges you apply to will largely depend on how selective you want your list to be. If you want to increase your chances at getting accepted to very selective schools, you should apply to a larger number of colleges. Generally, students will apply to anywhere from 8 to 16 schools, sometimes less or more. You should include 2-3 safety schools, 2-3 targets, and 2-3 reaches, at a minimum. Keep in mind that the more schools you apply to, the more time you will have to spend writing application essays and completing different applications.
What is super scoring? What is Score Choice? How does this work?
There are a few things to keep in mind. First, some colleges, particularly the most selective colleges, may want you to send in your scores from all of the tests that you have taken. It is your responsibility to know the policy of each school to which you apply, and the best source for this information is to go directly to each school's website, especially since admission policies can change from year to year. The second important point to understand about score choice is that you cannot choose which sections of a particular test day's scores to send. The College Board helps to clarify: "No, you can't choose to send your Math score from one test day and your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score from another test day. But some colleges use superscoring, which means they consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates. You can choose which scores to send by test date for the SAT (Score Choice) and by individual test for SAT Subject Tests. Scores from an entire SAT are sent." The same holds true for the ACT.
What are some of the benefits of pursuing an honors program at a lower-ranked university?
These vary based on each university but can include: > Priority registration for small seminar style classes that provide opportunities for hands-on research and discussion with other ambitious students > Special research or study abroad programs > Building personal relationships with professors, fellow scholars, and alumni > Residential spaces you can choose to live in with other honors students > Merit based scholarships to lower the cost of tuition
If you want to get into a competitive major, like business or engineering, can I apply to the school first and then apply to the program after?
This varies depending on the school, but the majority of colleges will allow you to do this. However, it is usually quite competitive to internally transfer to majors like Business or Engineering, and you will need to maintain a very high GPA in the appropriate prerequisite classes during your first two semesters. In addition, you may have to attend information sessions and complete additional essays in order to apply to these programs later.
How important are extracurriculars compared to the other parts of my application?
This varies depending on the type of university. Overall you should aim to get involved in a range of extracurriculars that show your passion and dedication, and your leadership qualities. Generally, at large public universities, extracurricular activities will not have a particularly significant impact on your application. This is because these schools — especially state flagship schools — receive tens of thousands of applicants each year, but have limited resources available to evaluate them. As a result, many such universities rely more heavily on the quantitative aspects of a student's application, such as standardized test scores and GPA. The reasoning behind this is obvious; a student's grades and test scores are easy to evaluate with a quick glance, as opposed to the time and energy necessary to pore through essays and recommendations. Some schools even use computer algorithms to quickly sort applicants by GPA and test scores. Like most state flagship schools, colleges like UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, or University of Virginia receive tens of thousands of applications during each cycle. However, these schools, due to their great academic reputations, draw in applicants not only from their states, but from all across the country and the world. The sheer number of applicants these schools receive means their selection processes are much more selective. Extracurricular involvement definitely matters. For competitive private colleges like Harvard, Amherst, and Princeton, extracurricular activities matter — a lot. Basically every competitive private university employs holistic admissions, though not solely for the purpose of getting a more complete picture of who an applicant is. At famous private universities, the high applicant count of public schools meets the intense evaluation process of small private schools. With so many applicants — nearly all of which are arguably qualified for a spot — these schools need to find some way to differentiate one student from another. Consequently, these schools place heavy weight on "soft" admissions criteria like extracurricular activities and essays. But unlike the schools mentioned in the previous section, your extracurriculars need to be extremely well-developed if you hope to be accepted to a competitive private school. It's imperative that through your accomplishments, you demonstrate not only academic or professional skill, but also admirable personality traits like passion, leadership, and dedication. For these schools, extracurricular activities are also important in that they're the most effective way to demonstrate interest in your potential major, or if you're undecided, certain areas in which you are particularly talented. While this can be communicated to some extent through strong grades or test scores in a corresponding subject, ECs allow you to show off practical skills, like lab research, and prove that you have what it takes to be successful inside the classroom and out.
When do I declare a major?
You do not have to officially declare your major until sophomore or junior year in the majority of cases. It is very fluid and people change their majors all the time. College is all about exploring different paths and finding the academic field that you thrive in and that interests you most, so do not worry if you change your mind along the way!
I heard that some schools like NYU only let you submit one of the following: IB, SAT2, SAT, or AP. What should I do?
You should submit whichever exam you have the strongest scores in!
