Creating a College Application that's Out of This World

Acceptance Rate for Harvard Class of 2017

?

Acceptance Rate for Harvard Class of 2017

5.79%

GOOD GRADESVOLUNTEER HOURSLEADERSHIP

This is all…

COMMON KNOWLEDGE

UNCOMMON KNOWLEDGE

(schools accept both)

Only use official exams

EXTRACURRICULARS

FOLLOW PASSION

NOt everyone needs to be NHS prez

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION

Underscheduleto become amazing. (Decrease stress)

innovateto become amazing(Don’t decrease ambition)

FOCUSto become amazing(Don’t decrease ambition)

DEPTHis better than

B R E A D T H

Intriguing & Hard to explain

is better than

diligent & Hard to do

1)Work hard2)Profit

Intriguing & Hard to explain

1)Choose your area2)Become an insider

3)Work hard 4)Seek hard-to-explain

projects5)Profit

Intriguing & Hard to explain

VIDEOhttp://www.today.com/id/41622747/ns/today-

parenting_and_family/t/inside-college-admissions-process/#.UBWqQ7Se47s

COLLEGESEARCH

REACHES

MATCHES

PRESTIGE

≠

The top 6

is better than

20 “so-so” apps

first come, first serve

Some schools have

Apps are reviewed at the same time

Some schools have

apply to one or multiple schools(it’s non-binding)

Some schools have

apply to one school(it’s binding)

Some schools have

means your is set

20% Early Decision vs. 7% total

Columbia University, Fall 2013

ESSAYS

Opportunity

THE Essay can be about almost

ANYTHING

BRAINSTORMING begins

Letters of recommendation

Select teachers who will write a positive letter

CRAFT a brag sheet

DON’T need A MILLI0N

resume

not a time to be humble

EXAMPLE 2• Developed agenda and

led meetings covering

finances and outreach

• Hosted Spanish food

exhibition with 10 vendors

• Raised $1,000 to support

local charities and outings

• Led team to victories in

Spanish language

competitions

• Developed relations w/

local schools to promote

Spanish and idea

exchange

EXAMPLE 1

• Weekly meetings w/

members

• Planned cultural

events

• Fundraised for

cultural outings

• Competed in regional

language

competitions

• Had correspondences

with other Spanish

students

INTERVIEW

the “optional” interview

Prepare, then relax

Don’t be socially awkward

RECAP

transcript and test scores are #1 & 2

Less is more with extracurriculars

Find the right school for the right reasons

Essays, letters of recommendations, the resume, interviews make a person real (and not just a number)

www.ivyplanners.com

832-390-1840

THANK YOU!

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nationalarchives, sdasmarchives, keithallison, torres21)

@Morgufile (files 3385, 208248, 210358, 680691)

@Inspirations

@SlideComet

@DeviantArt (johnnypc12)

@FreeImages (rdragan79)