#applblr

[oxfd-studies]

It’s A Level Results Day! Please let me know how you all get on, especially if you’re going to Oxford next year🥰 even if you’re results aren’t what you wanted, it’s not the end of the world I promise!

[sophisticatedstudies]

College Applications: My process and advice

Hi, Y'all I’m a college freshman at UCLA! Some of you guys have been asking about what colleges I had the option of going to and what I put on my application so let's get started!

Colleges I got into:

- UCLA

- University of California, Santa Barbara

- UC Berkeley

- Northwestern

- University of Minnesota

- University of Washington, Seattle

- NYU

- University of Southern California

I also applied but did not get into Columbia, Dartmouth, or Stanford. 

My Application

Stats

GPA: 3.982

ACT: 33

AP tests passed: 9

Tips: Classes

1. My school didn’t offer as many AP tests as public schools. However, it’s not about the number of AP tests it’s about how challenging you make your schedule with the options you are given and if you succeed in those classes. When I was touring I talked to an advisor at UCLA and she said that they don’t look at just numbers they look at context. So don’t worry if you aren’t taking 15 APs throughout your four years. You’ll be okay.

- Also, the same thing applies to IB. (And just because it’s not offered at your school doesn’t mean you won’t get in!)

Tips: Activities

1. My biggest tip to make your application competitive for more elite and competitive schools is to find really unique activities that a reader will remember. For example, on almost every single application I wrote about how I volunteer on a website called 7 Cups of Tea. A lot of people haven’t heard of that site or anything like it so it’s something they remember. Even my Stanford interviewer was really fascinated by it and wrote a portion of my recommendation on it.

2. Again quality over quantity. Make the clubs you put down clubs that you are passionate about and have been involved in for several years. There are only so many activities they will let you put down on your application so make those few count! 

3. In at least a few of your activities try to show leadership. For example, I was JV captain of the soccer team and president of Spanish Club for a year. Let it shine that you are both involved and capable of taking charge and leading groups. 

4. VOLUNTEER. Universities love to see that you make an effort to reach out to the community and help others. If it’s in between adding more clubs or taking more time to volunteer I would definitely choose volunteering. It doesn’t have to be at too many places, but just something consistent that you are passionate about.  

5. Working is another great way to show that you take responsibility and leadership, but if you don’t have time to work I don’t think it’s the end of the world. Personally, I started working sophomore year, but I think I only put one of my jobs under my activities. Again, you only have so many spaces to put down what you want to showcase. Focus on a few solid things rather than too many things. 

Tips: Essays

This is the hardest section of the application. You will spend hours revising and the application reader will spend about 3 minutes max looking at it. Be prepared to be stressed, but know that it will be okay.

1. Unique topics! Everyone and their mom can write about how they think its great that a university has research opportunities. Make it personal! Especially for schools like Northwestern where one of their only essays was “Why Northwestern”. Don’t leave out that you think research opportunities are important, but expand off of that and tell them why you want that and how it will affect your undergraduate experience. 

2. Grammar and spelling. The readers are only going to be looking at these essays for a few minutes. Don’t risk not being accepted by making it hard for the reader to understand what’s happening. Utilize tools like Grammarly and have a few others proofread to make sure everything is understandable and flows.

3. Don’t have too many proofreaders. A lot of college counselors will suggest you have your essays read by your parents, your neighbor, your teacher, the weird old man down the street, etc. In my opinion, having too many proofreaders leads to a loss of personality. It’s okay to take criticism and change things, but don’t let people take out your passion and the things you want to showcase.

If you have any specific questions feel free to message me. If I think of anything else or you guys want a second post with Q&A just let me know! I hope this helps. 

[studykookies]

It seems like it's been a few years since anyone has posted about this, but I got accepted for the Discover Wellesley Fly-In program! I'm super excited for this opportunity. If you guys are going, please contact me so we can become friends! I hope to see you all there (:

[radicallysadposts]

9:51 am

Things I explicitly hate: Sending Professor's E-mails asking them to be your reference because someone out there needs to judge your character through second hand knowledge.

[doctor-coffee]

College edition: East or West coast (of whatever country)? Small, medium, or huge? Urban or rural? Full on college town or its own city? Far from home or nearby?

[studiouslysassy-blog]

so many reach schools i like.... such little acceptance rates :)))))))

[the-saga-of-studying-blog]

CLASS OF 2017

Hi! So I am looking for studyblrs/appblrs that are applying to college next year! I’m from the UK so it would be good to have people to talk to about the whole process!   Look at my about for more information n.n

[studyglot]

need help with my common app essays!

Hi everyone! So I am applying to transfer for Fall 2016 and would really really really appreciate some feedback on my essays!! My first application due date is coming up real soon so I’m sort of a crunch but I’d really love some input!! So if anyone would be willing, please message me! Thanks loves! x