Just Another Filter

Being a legacy is a way of filtering applications. Schools want students that will do well. If you are a legacy, you are a safer bet than some unknown applicant. Your mom or dad went to that school and did well, and there’s a good chance that you will perform well as part of the student body. If you are related directly to an alumnus, your application will be considered more closely, but it is not a guarantee for admissions. Remember there is a ton of competition.

Beware

If you are one of the lucky people to have family as an alumnus of an Ivy League school, take advantage of the opportunity. Not everyone has family that can help them get into or through school. However, there are a lot of people that are trying to make being a legacy an impossible or unpopular idea.  As a legacy, you will have to be on your toes and make sure that you are working hard to make yourself a competitive candidate for enrollment.

Not About the Money

Some people consider giving money as a legacy. However, being a legacy has nothing to do with any amount of money given. The fact that you have family that attended the school makes you a real legacy student.

Good News

If you work hard and are a legacy, you have a better chance of getting into the school of your dreams. However, as long as you try your best, you don’t have to be a legacy student to get into the school of your dreams.

Classes

Most colleges require the minimum of the following:

4 years of English

3-4 years of Math

3-4 years of Science

3 years of Social Studies

2-4 years of Foreign language

These classes are considered fundamental in basic knowledge and preparation for college success. Other courses they prefer you to have are classes that support and give you exposure to your major. For example, if you are majoring in communications, involvement in the school’s AV department or communications department gives you greater consideration than someone who has had no exposure.

Tests

Depending upon the college, the SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests are required. There are certain scores that you must pass in order to receive admission and scholarship consideration.

The SAT is comprised of three parts: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. Each section’s scores range from 200 to 800. The three sections combine to form your total score. A perfect score would be 2400.

The ACT is comprised of four parts: English Language, Reading, Mathematics and Science. Each section’s scores range between 1 and 36. The four scores are averaged together for the composite score. A perfect composite score would be 36. There is an optional writing portion of the ACT exam. The writing section’s scores range from 1 to 12. The perfect writing score is a 12.

Some colleges require SAT Subject Tests to get into their schools and especially their competitive programs. These include Literature, Math, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry amongst others. Some schools will let you substitute AP tests or an ACT test instead.

The Essay

With your application, you will be required to write one or more essays. Usually, one is what you hope to learn or achieve through education at the college.  Every school will have a slightly different essay topic. The main thing is no matter which essay you are writing, make sure you are writing like your English taught you to. Be sure to follow all conventional rules of grammar and writing. Make your essay neat and easy to read. Please, do not write or spell like you are texting someone. These essays are given heavy consideration, especially at competitive, larger schools.

Recommendations

Many schools require recommendations by your teachers and community organizations.  Be wise in choice of person to write about you. These recommendations are an opportunity to prove your character, your talents, and to set you apart from the other applicants. Make sure you provide a addressed, stamped envelope if you want the writer to mail the recommendation directly to the college.

Interview

Competitive schools often require an admissions interview. This gives you a face to face opportunity to promote yourself, explain your thoughts and goals, and to impress the admissions officer. Be sure to dress in business attire and to act in a professional manner before, during, and after the interview. You never know who is watching and taking notes.

Financial

During the fall, gather together any information you may need for applying for financial aid. Be sure to fill out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Many school sure the information obtained from the FAFSA to determine what financial scholarships or programs they may assist you with.

There are also other great grant and scholarship opportunities available for college students. Websites like www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com have large databases full of opportunities you can apply for. Some of these require a short written passage or two about your goals and pursuits. Others simply require you just fill out the form. Either way, the possibility of free money is well worth the time investment. The key is to start looking early in the fall to make sure you have all of the necessary information in on time.

Academic

Every school and institution has different academic requirements for incoming students. Most schools look at your grade point average (GPA), activities, and community service. They want you to be a good student, but they also want to know if you are dedicated and disciplined enough to be involved in something or volunteer your time. Anyone can study for hours on end. The question is can you do that studying and handle the other opportunities life throws your way.

The other thing most schools require is a SAT or ACT test. These are national tests that look are your knowledge and expertise in different subject matter areas. The higher the number, the more likely you are to do well at college. Some schools and businesses use these scores as qualifications for scholarship opportunities. Do not fret, though. There are a number of online resources available to help you get prepared for these tests.

The most important thing is to contact the schools you are interested in and ask for an application for enrollment. Normally, the application will have the basic guidelines required for acceptance at their school and will list any required materials you will need to submit for admission.

Emotional

The hardest test of going to college is the emotional one. Leading up to graduation is a roller coaster of emotions from one angry end of the spectrum to the elated end at the other. Suddenly, you are out of school, a legal adult, and for many, on your own. Don’t be afraid to talk to people about how you feel. There are counselors at most schools that will listen and advise you. Some programs even set students up with an older student mentor or academic adviser that will listen and point you in the right direction. The most important thing is don’t give up. Here are some ideas to help you prepare for the emotional times:

• Have a contact list of friends you can call or write.
• Have a calling card or cell phone so you can keep in contact regularly with friends and family.
• Get involved in student activities. It keeps you from being alone.
• Find the student ministries on campus. Many have church services and study groups.
• Find somebody at the school before you go. Social media connects people easily. Make a connection now so you’ll have someone to talk to when you get there.

The Boy Scout Motto is Always be prepared. You have time to make yourself ready for college. Preparing now will help you be more successful later.

Start with your class schedule. Switch your classes so you are taking a challenging course load. Make sure you include Advanced Placement, Honors, and dual programs. Take enough to challenge yourself without going into burnout or not having a personal life.

Be the best you can be. Work as hard as you can for valedictorian or salutatorian, but be willing to settle for top ten percent as long as it leaves you a little time to be involved in the community or be a fun loving youth. Admissions officers want students that are smart and well rounded.

Don’t be too active! Too much says you are too spread thin to really be an asset. Have one or two meaningful activities. By focusing on being good at one or two things, you have a better opportunity to reach a high level of leadership or achievement.

Volunteering sets you apart. By contributing to others, you see life from a different perspective. In many cases, it also brings a level of maturity to your decisions. There is a ton of ways to volunteer. Use your unique talents to find some way to give back.

Decide what you can contribute to the school you are applying to. Whether it’s your good looks, vast array of experiences, or amazing knowledge of bottle caps, figuring out how you can give to the school you are applying to will make you mean more to them than John Doe of Smithton.

Standardized tests are losing their popularity for anything other than an elimination tool. However, you still have to have the scores before you can be considered for entry. Prepare for any standardized tests by studying and taking practice tests.

Apply as soon as you can for an early decision. It shows great interest in the school and gives them an opportunity to invest time in your application. Not every school has early decision, but getting your application in quick anyway puts your name on their desk first.

Get to know your teachers. You need great recommendations from them. Being a constructive, active participant gives the teacher something to write about.

Ivy League schools are tough, but you can meet the challenge through these help hints. Just remember to start preparing and applying early, and you’ll increase your chances by leaps and bounds.

Each individual has a unique set of gifts and talents that great college programs are seeking. Sometimes, it takes some guidance to help you uncover those talents and get them noticed by the right people. That’s why at Write Track Admissions, all of our services are one-on-one. One Admissions Expert will be with you through the entire admissions preparation process to help guide you to your academic dreams.

Our Experts will be constantly posting unique content on our WTA Blog to help keep your finger on the pulse of the entire admissions process with tips and relevant insider expertise. Together we can greatly increase your prospects of admissions and Get you Noticed and Into your top choice program!