Find Your Spark! (7/2/24)

How Do I Write a Strong College Essay?

1. Understand the Prompt: Carefully read the essay prompt and make sure you understand what is being asked. Answer the prompt directly and completely.
2. Be Yourself: Write in your own voice and be authentic. Admissions officers want to get to know the real you, not an idealized version.
3. Choose a Compelling Topic: Pick a topic that is meaningful to you. It doesn’t have to be a grand event; even small, personal experiences can make for a powerful essay if they reveal something important about you.
4. Show, Don’t Tell: Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points. Instead of saying you’re passionate about something, describe an experience that demonstrates your passion.
5. Focus on Reflection: Reflect on your experiences and explain why they are significant. What did you learn? How did you grow? How have these experiences shaped your goals and aspirations?
6. Stay Organized: Structure your essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Make sure each part flows logically to the next.
7. Be Concise: Adhere to the word limit and be concise. Every word should serve a purpose.
8. Edit and Revise: Write multiple drafts. Revise for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Proofread carefully for grammar and spelling errors.
9. Get Feedback: Ask teachers, mentors, or peers to read your essay and provide feedback. They can offer valuable perspectives and catch mistakes you might have missed.

Source: The College Board – Writing the Essay

What Are My Chances of Getting Into My Dream School?

1. Understand Admission Rates: Research the acceptance rates of your dream school. Highly selective schools have low acceptance rates, making them very competitive.
2. Academic Performance: Consider your GPA and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT). Compare them with the average admitted student profile for your dream school. Higher scores and grades improve your chances.
3. Holistic Review: Recognize that most colleges use a holistic review process, considering your essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal background.
4. Extracurricular Involvement: Strong involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and unique experiences can enhance your application.
5. Essays and Recommendations: Powerful essays and strong letters of recommendation can significantly boost your application. They provide insight into your character and potential.
6. Special Talents or Interests: If you have special talents or unique interests (e.g., athletics, arts, community service), they can make you stand out.
7. Diversity and Background: Colleges seek diverse student bodies. Your unique background, experiences, and perspectives can positively impact your chances.
8. Demonstrated Interest: Show genuine interest in the school. Attend virtual or in-person events, visit the campus if possible, and communicate with admissions officers.
9. Backup Plan: Apply to a range of schools, including safety, match, and reach schools. Even if your dream school is highly competitive, having options ensures you have good choices regardless of the outcome

Source: CollegeData – Admission Profiles

Upcoming Scholarships

Scholarships	About	Deadlines	Link
National Merit Scholarship Program	For high school juniors based on PSAT/NMSQT scores.	October 2024 (for high school juniors)	nationalmerit.org
Coco-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship	Open to high school seniors with leadership potential.	October 31, 2024 (for high school seniors)	coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
Jack Kent Cook Foundation College Scholarship Program	For high-achieving high school seniors with financial need.	November 2024 (for high school seniors)	jkcf.org
Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs	Scholarships for students who have faced and overcome adversity.	October 25, 2024 (for high school seniors)	horatioalger.org
Gates Scholarship	For outstanding minority students with financial need.	September 15, 2024 (for high school seniors)	thegatesscholarship.org
Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition	Scholarships for high school seniors based on leadership, academics, and financial need.	November 15, 2024 (for high school seniors)	elks.org
Scholarship America Dream Award	For students who have overcome significant obstacles.	October 15, 2024 (for current college students)	scholarshipamerica.org
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund	For students involved in social and economic justice movements.	April 1, 2025 (for current college students)	davisputter.org
Ron Brown Scholar Program	Scholarships for African American high school seniors.	January 9, 2025 (for high school seniors)	ronbrown.org
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards	Scholarships for students involved in community service.	November 2024 (for middle and high school students)	spirit.prudential.com

Application Deadlines

Schools	Deadlines
Harvard University	– Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
Stanford University	– Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Action: January 1, 2025
UC Berkeley	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 30, 2024
UCLA	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 30, 2024
Yale University	– Single-Choice Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Southern California	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: December 1, 2024
Princeton University	– Single-Choice Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
California Institute of Technology	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 3, 2025
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: February 1, 2025
University of Pennsylvania	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 5, 2025
Columbia University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
New York University (NYU)	– Early Decision I: November 1, 2024 – Early Decision II: January 1, 2025 – Regular Decision: January 5, 2025
Cornell University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Chicago	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 4, 2025
University of Texis at Austin	– Priority Deadline: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: December 1, 2024
Duke University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 4, 2025
Northwestern University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Florida	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 1, 2024 (final deadline)
University of Washington	– Early Action: November 15, 2024 – Regular Decision: December 1, 2024 (final deadline)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	– Early Action: October 15, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 15, 2025
Boston University	– Early Decision I: November 1, 2024 – Early Decision II: January 2, 2025 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Virginia	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)	– Early Action: October 15, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
University of San Diego (UCSD)	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 30, 2024

The exact dates and requirements for each university can be found on their official admissions page closer to the time when applications are due. Please note that these deadlines are subject to change.