Why would a student turn down Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Yale for an offer from Washington University in St. Louis, Emory University or the University of Chicago?
Ask the Consultant
Q: I’m finally to the point where I feel like my essay is done. Should I show it to a third party for comment?
A: Over the years we have seen students swing from confident to questioning after they have shared their college essay with others for comment. Your aunt who is a copy writer or the next-door neighbor who is an English teacher is truly trying to be helpful, but the very act of giving your essay to someone else for comment means that they feel a duty to critique the piece. Often, too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth. The most important element in your essay is authenticity, and we have found that when too many people try to insert their ideas, the personality of the author tends to get lost. That doesn’t mean that you have nailed it on the first draft or you shouldn’t scrub it for grammar mistakes. It takes many drafts to get a college essay to the point of being brag worthy. However, when it gets there, own it -- be proud of it and move forward with confidence.
Student to Student
Nithya Pathalam is a junior at Georgetown University and a former student of College Matters. In this Student to Student segment, Nithya talks about her decision to transfer.
When I tell people that the reason I transferred universities was because I “loved my old school too much” I often receive very puzzled looks. I decided during my sophomore year at Northeastern University to apply to transfer. Choosing to put myself out there and apply to other schools was hard, but when acceptances rolled out, and I was faced with the option of leaving my university, I had no idea what to do. In the end, I did decide to transfer to Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and I am so glad that I did.
When I say that I “loved my old school too much,” I definitely mean it. My experiences were enriching, I met some phenomenal people, and I was able to establish myself with a positive reputation. I did well in my classes, had a position as the leader of a research team, was connected with my professors, and had a part-time job. To any college student, it may seem like I had it all- but internally, that was not the case. Growing up in central Massachusetts, Boston was the big city that I knew, and it had my heart and soul. I loved being surrounded by the innovative culture and active student life. However, after interning in Washington D.C. the summer after my freshman year, I had discovered that there was so much more to the world than just the little corner that I happened to know. I was almost too comfortable with where I stood and wanted to challenge myself in a new way and continue to explore the world.
Being a transfer student is never easy, and I knew that transitioning to a new place during my junior year of college would be exhausting. I would need to make new friends, establish a new schedule, get acclimated to a new city, join new clubs, and meet completely new professors -- but somehow everything worked out in my favor. I am lucky enough to say that I am now happily surrounded by an amazing group of students and professors, a new academic environment, and a vibrant new city and I will never look back on my decision to transfer as a negative one.
Most Connecticut Colleges are Test Optional
The majority of 4-year colleges and universities in Connecticut are test optional! Only Yale University, The University of New Haven, and Albertus Magnus College require that applicants submit standardized testing.
Student to Student
Our summer intern Laura Card is a rising sophomore at Colgate University, where she plans to major in Biology and Women's Studies.
Q: First year orientation was a blast. Now that classes have started, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
A: Attend an event on campus! Throughout the week, there are tons of fun events and guest speakers. (Some professors even offer extra credit for attending specific events!) Most of these events are free -- and many include food! So take a break from your work. You'll come back to it re-energized.
Go to office hours! Especially in larger class sections, it can be hard to develop a relationship with your professor, so try to attend their office hours when you can. Office hours are a perfect time to clarify any confusion you may have with course material, and it will also put a face to your name. Your professor will see that you are making an effort in their class which will often help your grade come the end of the semester!
Stay on top of your work! It’s easy to get overwhelmed with assignments and exams, especially at the end of the semester. Make sure you stay ahead of your homework and studying, so it doesn’t all pile up. Try setting a goal-time each night to have your work done by and reward yourself after with a movie or a night out with friends, so you are motivated to get it finished!
When Do Most High Schools Start Their Day?
Despite the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics, only about 13 percent of high schools start later than 8:30. Nearly half — 46 percent — start before 8 a.m.
Ask the Consultant
Q: I took the SAT this past weekend and don't think I did so well. I was hoping to apply to a few schools early action. Will I have time to take it again?
A: First of all, take a deep breath! We often have students tell us that they "bombed" a test initially, and then are pleasantly surprised with the results. Good news! Most colleges will consider October or even November SATs, or September ACTs, for consideration for early action. As always, check the college website or call the admission office to confirm!
There is still time!
You can indicate on your Common Application or Coalition Application that you are planning to take a test in the future, which will signal to the college admission team that they need to wait for that score to render a decision. Just make sure that you send an official score report to each college via the College Board or ACT website as soon as scores are released. You can then go back into your Common or Coalition app and update the testing section with your better scores!
Student to Student
Our summer intern Laura Card is a rising sophomore at Colgate University, where she plans to major in Biology and Women's Studies.
Q: I'm about to start my first year in college. What advice would you give me before I pack the car?
A: Balance your time! The best skill to have during college is, without a doubt, time management. Find a balance between academics and your social life, and don’t forget about sleep! Pulling all-nighters never feels good in the morning--make sure you’re fully rested to take on your next day.
Plan ahead! I found the best way to prioritize my time was to outline my weekly schedule. Taking five minutes each Sunday night to write down any assignments, exams, or events I had throughout the week helped me stay organized, efficient, and prepared!
Take a class outside of your major! Branch out during course registration and try something outside of your path of interest. Following the pre-med track, my schedule was pretty science-heavy, so I decided to take Introduction to Women’s Studies and ending up loving it so much that I’m looking to double major in Biology and Women’s Studies. University offers lots of cool and interesting courses--try one out, you just might love it!
Ask the Consultant
Q: My high school senior applied to colleges late and did not receive any scholarships to attend. Should he consider taking a gap year and applying again as a freshman or go to community college and transfer?
A: Taking a gap year can be a wonderful way to re-energize, focus interests, and gain maturity. Some students travel the world during their year off, but I'm guessing that if you are looking for scholarship money for college, an expensive program won't be in the cards. Other students save money for college by working or bolster their resumes with internships or service opportunities. It's also not too late to retake standardized testing if you think that higher scores might translate into more merit money.
There are pros and cons to each option!
On the other hand, attending community college can be a great route for the student that wants to stay on the academic track and gain credits at a much lower cost than at a four-year institution. But do your homework! Some universities will only accept a community college transfer after they have completed the equivalent of two years of coursework. Others don't offer merit money to transfers. And always make sure that you are taking courses that are likely to transfer to a full bachelor's degree!
Fun Fact if You’re Thinking About a College Sport
Less than two-percent of high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship to compete in college. And fewer than two-percent of NCAA student-athletes will go on to play professionally.