College Application Webinars

 Please check out the following recorded webinars for students and parents regarding college application assistance.

The Common Application

College Essay Writing

How to Make Your Application Better Using Just the Activities List

Source: Tufts University 

When I was little I thought the Clean Plate Club was a real club, complete with weekly meetings. I thought it was akin to Girl Scouts or my town soccer team, but more exclusive because it required an entrance exam. The exam was, of course, finishing your whole dinner, and I could never pass (in my defense, I was set up to fail; no child can be expected to eat that many peas). I wanted to be in that club more than anything.

This childhood aspiration should tell you something about my dad. Will Reynolds is one of those dads who doesn’t like to waste anything, hence playing up the Clean Plate Club like it was the cast of Zoom  or something (for those who don’t know: Zoom is the best children’s TV show there ever was or will be). If we bought something at the grocery store, we were going to eat it. As it turns out, life lessons from the Clean Plate Club can be applied to many things, including (you guessed it!) college applications. In filling out the Common Application and Tufts supplement, you are given a very limited amount of space to tell us the complete story of you. So let me give you some advice as a Clean Plate Club hopeful:

You should use every bit of your application to tell your story, just like I was expected to eat everything on my plate growing up. In my opinion, the vast majority of college applicants are wasting one huge opportunity to maximize their space, and it is in the “Activities” section of their Common Application. So in the spirit of staying transparent in this process, here are four things you can do to use the Activities section to its absolute fullest potential. This will not only make your application a more comprehensive introduction to you as a person, it will also make it more powerful and more compelling.

1. Order Matters. List what you consider to be the most important/meaningful activities first. I don’t say this because I won’t read to the bottom (I will always read to the bottom, I promise). I say it because the way you prioritize your activities tells a story about you. If you see yourself as a funky jazz musician first and foremost, why would you bury “Jazz Ensemble” three quarters of the way down your list of activities, under that one year you participated in Relay for Life? If you think part of what makes you unique is that you’re both the captain of the football team and the LGBT club, why wouldn’t you put those two things next to each other at the top of your list of activities? You have control over what I learn about you when. Don’t make me guess what’s most important to you. Tell me.
2. Write in Your Own Voice. Even in this seemingly documental space, your voice should be present. I once had an applicant write, in the “Details” section under his role as a youth basketball coach: “I chase ten-year-old boys around a gym and try to teach them how to dribble without falling over.” I immediately began laughing. Already I had an image of this applicant and I hadn’t even begun reading his essays. If you’ve been class president three out of the four years you were on student senate, or you’re so good at chess you beat your own dad, which in your house is like a coup, or you won your school’s talent show, which just so happened to have 47 contestants spread out over three nights, tell me this. All of it. Be specific, tell a story, and do it in your own voice.  You’re painting me a picture of your life, and it starts here.
3. Don’t Leave Anything Out. When I get to your guidance counselor’s recommendation, I should not have to go back to your Activities section and write, “Her Guidance Counselor adds that Sarah balances a part-time job.” It was your job to tell me this. If you pick your younger brother up every day after school and make him a snack while he does his homework, include that in your list; it is an activity. It accounts for some of your time, and it tells me why you couldn’t join the chess team that meets right after school. Family responsibilities, paid jobs, foreign exchange trips, conferences – these all add to my mental image of you going about your day. Do not leave them out. On the flip side…
4. Do Not List Just to List. Just because you can list as many as ten activities on this list, does not mean that you should. Maybe for one week in 9^th grade you volunteered at a soup kitchen. I’m happy you did this. It’s thoughtful, and hopefully it got you excited about giving back in the future. But that does not make it something you should include in the “Activities” section of your Common Application. Instead, you should be focusing on what I’ll call meaningful activities (that is, meaningful to you – volunteering at a soup kitchen is obviously meaningful, but clearly it didn’t stick for you). Meaningful activities are things that you sustained over a period of time (i.e. not a couple of weeks three years ago). Meaningful activities are also things that require teamwork, leadership skills, specialized knowledge, or a significant amount of time or energy. Six of these meaningful activities can be far more impressive than ten “far-fetched” activities, like going on sunny vacations with your family or joining that club for a hot second in tenth grade before you made the dance team and promptly quit. So before you add “playing video games” to your list, ask yourself if it’s meaningful.

That’s it! Four easy steps and you’ve made the most of this tiny space in your Common Application! Welcome to the Clean Plate Club, my friends, I’ll see you at the meeting next week. Please bring extra snacks, we never have leftovers.

 

Class of 2024 PEO Scholarships - Due August 31st

Georgia State Scholarship applications are awarded based on the following criteria: GPA of 3.25 minimum, financial need, community involvement, extracurricular activities, special circumstances, awards and achievements, writing skills as demonstrated through an essay (subject to be announced by the State Scholarship Committee). Each Georgia P.E.O. Chapter can sponsor up to seven young women for this scholarship. These women are required to be Georgia residents, but do not have to attend college in Georgia. The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a project of P.E.O. International, so candidates are competing with students from the US and Canada. In 2022, only sixteen students out of the 900 total STAR scholarships awarded were from Georgia. The criteria for STAR are similar to those for Georgia State Scholarship except the GPA is 3.0 minimum and there is no financial need component. I have attached a brochure for the STAR Scholarship. Interested candidates need to send the attached information form via email (vhinesley@bellsouth.net) to me by no later than Thursday, August 31, 2023. Please remind these young women that this is a competitive program in which we are not only looking for someone who meets the minimum GPA or has a financial need but that they also need to demonstrate that they are well rounded in their school activities, community involvement, etc. on their information form. Chapter BK's Scholarship Committee will meet to review their information and will select our top candidates to interview in September.

An application can be picked up outside of Dr. Morton's office. 

7 Ways to Fight College Application Stress!!

By CollegeData

Online application services, such as the Common Application, can make applying to college more convenient—if you know what to watch out for.

The idea of applying to all your colleges with one application sounds ideal. But there's a little more to it than speeding through an online form and clicking "send." Here's a rundown of the leading platforms and tips for making the most of any service you choose.

The Leading Online College Application Services

There are several organizations with platforms that help students apply to multiple colleges and keep track of deadlines and application requirements.

The Common Application is the oldest and most well-known of the application providers. It is accepted by more than 800 public and private colleges and universities in the U.S. and internationally. Initially, these colleges were required to include essays and recommendation letters in their evaluation of applicants, but this is no longer the case.

The Common Black College Application allows students to apply to more than 50 historically black colleges and universities. Students can apply to as many colleges as they like for a single $35 fee.

The Coalition for Access and Affordability is the newest application service provider, launching its first application in 2016. Its more than 100 member institutions must meet specific requirements that show they provide support to lower-resourced and underrepresented students; have affordable tuition, high graduation rates, and low levels of student debt; and offer low-cost, in-state tuition or need-based financial aid.

State-Based Application Services are hosted by some public state university systems to allow students to apply to multiple campuses within the system.

The Universal College Application is similar to the Common Application. Colleges using the service do not have to require essays or letters of recommendation. Although the number of colleges accepting the Universal College Application is small (about 15 - 20 schools), several Ivy League schools and big-name colleges are among its members, as well as some smaller schools that accept the application exclusively.

Tips for Applying Online with Application Services

Don't apply to any college on a whim. Application services make applying to multiple colleges much easier. But resist the temptation to apply to more colleges just because you can. You'll avoid unnecessary fees and unwieldy college lists by sticking with schools you are serious about.

Know how to use the application. Each service has a unique interface, process, and features. Before you get started, take the time to learn about the platform and tools, and how to get technical help if needed.

Check for extra forms, questions, and requests from the college. Beyond the standard application, many colleges ask for extra essays, recommendations, work samples, and information about you. A benefit of using any of these services is that they help you keep track of these different requirements and when they are due.

Don't tell every school the same thing. You might be tempted to use the same or similar answers on the supplemental essays. Don't. Use the supplemental essays to explain why you want to attend a particular college, what makes the college special to you, and what you think you can contribute.

Print out your application and review it before clicking "send." Be sure to go over the application with your counselor or parent to make sure there are no omissions or mistakes. Also, there are rare instances where electronic applications get lost, so keep a backup copy.

Don't panic over technical problems. Colleges understand that technical issues delaying an application aren't the student's fault. They usually extend deadlines if such heart-stopping trouble arises.

 

Best Colleges Report - 2023

Check out the best of the best from College Raptor.  This comprehensive report lists the best colleges in many categories including: price, location, academics, public, private, small, by geography and much more!!  

 

Best Colleges Report 2023 

Evening with UGA Event for Juniors and Seniors

The University of Georgia is hosting an Evening with UGA event for juniors and seniors. This program is designed to help students learn about the opportunities available to them at UGA and our admissions process. We have already sent an invite to students, but we ask that your share this information as well.

This event will take place on Tuesday, August 15, from 6:00-7:30 PM. I will be sharing information with local high school students and their families about America's first state-chartered institution and why so many great students are choosing UGA as their college destination.

Space is limited and this program will fill up quickly. Please encourage your students to register, by using the button below.

REGISTER NOW!

Best,

Austin Todd

Office of Admissions | University of Georgia

Terrell Hall | Athens, GA 30602-1633

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Common App Opens Today!!

 By The Princeton Review

The Common Application, also known as the Common App, makes it easy to apply to multiple colleges using one application. Is your dream school a Common App college? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Common Application?

The Common Application is a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities. Instead of filling out the same general information—like your address, GPA, and extracurriculars— a dozen times, you only have to do it once. The Common App dashboard also helps you track necessary application documents (like your letters of recommendation) and important deadlines.

What colleges use the Common App?

Common App colleges are a varied list of institutions: private, public, big, small, engineering colleges and liberal arts schools. Check out the full list of the 918 Common App schools.

When does the Common App open?

Get ready for application season! The Common App goes live every year on August 1.

When is the Common App due?

Your application deadline depends on whether you are applying early decision (typically November 1) or regular decision (typically January 1). Deadlines also vary by school, so be sure to check dates for every college you are applying to. You can find application deadlines (plus tons of school information) in our online college profiles.

What are the Common Application essays?

You’ll submit one essay through the Common Application for all your schools. Some colleges may ask you to also answer a few supplemental questions. Check out previous Common App essay prompts now so you can start strategizing about which essay to write.

Do you apply for financial aid through the Common App?

The financial aid process begins with filling out the FAFSA and is separate from submitting your Common App (and with different deadlines!). Learn everything you need to know about financial aid.

What does the Common App cost?

The platform itself is free to use, but every college charges their own application processing fee (usually $30 to $75 for U.S. applicants and more for international applicants). You can apply for a fee waiver if you need one.

How do you apply to Common App colleges?

Follow these steps to apply to college through the Common Application.

1. Create a Common App account.

All you need is an e-mail address to get started. You'll be prompted to create a login and password and to answer a few quick questions about who you are (parent, teacher, or counselor) and when you're applying to college.

2. Confirm which of the schools on your list accept the Common Application.

Not all schools accept the Common App. Colleges may require that you fill out their own application form or ask you to use another application system like ApplyTexas for Texas colleges. Add schools that interest you to the My Colleges list in your Common App account.

3. Review the admission information for every school you are considering.

Keep in mind that Common App schools can have different writing, testing, essay, and letter of recommendation requirements. Make sure you do your research! You’ll use the same Common College application form but admission requirements may differ from school to school.

For example, one college may require the SAT, while another school might be test optional. Many schools will ask you write essays in addition to the Common App essay or have additional college-specific questions for you to answer. You’ll be able to submit all of these extras through the Common App dashboard.

4. Gather the information you KNOW you’ll need

For the most part every application will ask for a copy of your high school transcript, a list of your extracurriculars, and information about your parent or guardian's educational background and work history.

5. Start working on your application

Your Application Dashboard will show all your colleges and the status of each component of your application. Pick an essay topic, start filling in general information, or ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation. There's no college application task too big or small!  

6. Track the status of your application(s)

The icons on your Dashboard are there to guide your way. A green check means your work has been submitted to that particular college, a yellow circle means your application is still in progress, and a red dash means that a particular section is not required for admission to that college. 

6. Submit!

Submit all your application materials by 11:59pm (in your local time zone) on the deadline date posted in your Common App Dashboard.