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What kind of murderer has a moral fiber?
A cereal killer.
It's a simple joke... but put me in front of an audience and I'll botch it. I'm a realist. I know that I'm not a good joke teller.
So would it make sense for me to try to joke in my college essay? Nope!! It's not my voice.
The takeaway? Be true to who you are! Your essay will reflect you, and that is what college admission officers really want to hear.
Are you about to enter high school? There are a few things to think about as you consider your course selection and look ahead. One of the top factors that admissions people use to gauge a student’s competitiveness for acceptance is the rigor of the courses that the student took in high school. Receiving all As in level 2 or college prep classes is not considered as competitive as earning As and Bs in level 1, honors, AP or IB courses. You should aim high and challenge yourself to the best of your ability in high school.
Colleges want students who work hard, who participate and engage in their academics and broader school community. They especially want students who demonstrate drive and a good work ethic. So, when you’re debating between that easier class and one that may challenge you, think about how you want to position yourself for your future. It may seem far off now, but the years will fly by, and you’ll be considering your options for after high school sooner than you think. Be sure you plan well.
Another reason to take standardized tests multiple times...
When student scores were released for the June SAT, the internet lit up with reactions of frustration and confusion. Students who expected the June test to be their final try but who saw their score fall were dismayed. Something very unexpected had happened: the test itself was an anomaly. It turns out, the June test was much easier than most SATs and therefore had a far steeper grading curve. Because of this, students could miss fewer problems to receive the same score as previous tests. Experts warn that variability on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT is not uncommon and that the variance on the June SAT is not as unusual as it may seem. Test creation is a complicated endeavor as the writers have to estimate the difficulty of content for the cohort of students taking the exam. If they miscalculate, it affects the curve proportionally. The takeaway: plan to take standardized tests 2 or 3 times, if possible. That way, if you happen to get caught up in a test like the June SAT, you will still have a fallback option or two.
Students striving to get more out their undergraduate education might consider applying to schools with Honors Programs or Honors Colleges. Although admission requirements vary, be aware that acceptance into any Honors Program usually requires test scores that are at the very top end of the college’s accepted students’ academic profile with similar overall strengths in high school course rigor and GPA. You will find Honors Programs or Honors Colleges at both public and private institutions. There are many variations among Honors Programs. Most have honors level classes and often thesis and research requirements. Enrollment may come with perks such as dedicated Honors dorms (or sections of dorms allotted to Honors students), study abroad stipends, and mentors and/or special advising. Often Honors students have priority registration for courses and Honors scholarships may be offered, some more generous than others. Some of the larger public universities with Honors programs describe them as “a liberal arts college within a larger research institution with the advantages of both” or similar descriptor. It pays to do some research to determine the institutional priority given and resources dedicated to support any particular Honors program and to fully understand if the school delivers on that promise. In some cases, it can be a great way to get value-added academic and extracurricular experience with a more reasonable price tag.
1. Carrying case for toiletries. You will probably have to share a shower, and it may be far down the hall. You will need something to carry your shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. And make sure it has holes for drainage.
2. Earplugs. Even if your roommate says that they only snore “on occasion,” earplugs are a good idea to have on hand.
3. Extension cords, flash drive and surge protector. College dorm rooms are notorious for having only one outlet in the most inconvenient place possible.
4. Over the door hangers, adhesive hooks, and poster putty. There never seem to be enough places to hang things, so be creative. And don’t forget the poster putty to cover those cinder block walls.
5. Crates, under the bed boxes and other storage containers. A well-organized dorm room can be the key to success – and to a happy roommate.
6. Air fresheners. Don’t be “The Stinky Room.”
7. Lamps. One single ceiling light will not be enough. Make sure you have a good desk lamp (but not halogen since most colleges now ban them) as well as a lamp for your bedside.
8. Foul weather gear. The weather may be unpredictable – don’t forget an umbrella and a rain jacket; snow boots; and a fan!
9. First aid kit. Band-aids, cold medicine, tweezers, antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, aloe vera gel, etc.
10. Coat hangers. The most commonly forgotten item!!
Congratulations Class of 2018… and get packing!
Q: What are the difference between AP exams and SAT Subject Tests? Which should I take?
A: We get this question a lot! They are both tests administered by ETS that assess your knowledge in a single subject. But beyond that, they are very different.
Some colleges require SAT subject tests as an admission requirement (although the number that do is dwindling). That being said, even if they don't require them, most colleges will consider them as a part of your application if you submit them. And while SAT subject tests are given in particular areas of study such as Chemistry, US History or Latin, they do not directly correspond to one specific course curriculum. Our advice: good test scores never hurt a student. Take a practice exam and see how you do. If you do well, take the test, even if the colleges to which you will be applying do not require them. Having two solid SAT subject test scores in your testing portfolio gives the student the most options!
AP exams are also subject specific, but they are tied to a specific curriculum. AP exams scores are never required for college admission because there are many high schools that either offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum or have decided to sidestep the AP curriculum altogether. That being said, one does not need to be enrolled in an AP class to take an AP exam. We have had many students earn college credit via their AP scores, even in courses that were not classified as AP. The main purpose of taking AP exams is to earn college credit, which usually requires that a student score a 4 or 5 out of the maximum score of 5.
So which should you take? If qualified, take both. The subject tests to show readiness for college-level work and AP exams to exhibit mastery of a subject.
What makes one a great teacher? Their lessons endure.
I was recently at a book discussion at a local library where the facilitator made a claim: that reading literary fiction improves one's capacity for empathy. It seems that the practice of putting oneself in the shoes of another via fiction translates into the ability to understand what others are feeling and thinking.
And as I drove home, reflecting on that point, I realized that many years ago, Mrs. Glitzenstein taught me that.
We read a lot of classics in senior English -- it was a college prep class after all. But what stands out to me about what I learned that year was that Mrs. G challenged us not just to read and analyze a text, but to internalize it. To live it. To feel it. I wrote papers in the style of Jonathan Edwards and pondered the scarlet letters that demonize many. I learned that words could be beautiful and they could convey pain. From that point on, I read differently.
Admittedly, it wasn't until after college that I really began to read for the pleasure of it, but it is a habit and a hobby that has endured. I still love it when a book lets me explore an unfamiliar world or exposes me to an alternate reality. Most of all, I read because reading challenges me to jump in and walk the path of another, if only for a little while.
And for that, these many years later, I thank Mrs. Glitzenstein. Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!
The testing company ACT recently launched "ACT Academy," a free online test prep and learning tool for students who want to improve their ACT scores. The service is similar to College Board's partnership with Kahn Academy for SAT test prep and aims to close the gap regarding equity, opportunity, and achievement for all students interested in test prep, including those who may not have the means or desire to pay for test preparation services. The content is personalized for each student and uses instructional videos, practice questions, full-length practice tests, and games for learning. The personalized approach is shaped by the student's previous ACT or preACT scores, which are entered by the student manually, as well as platform diagnostics. ACT reports that the ACT Academy tool was developed in partnership with Khan Academy, NASA, PBS, and other organizations. Making it even more user-friendly, ACT Academy is compatible with all devices and is available anywhere that a student has internet access.
Q: I can't make up my mind where I want to attend. Should I put down deposits at my first few choices?
A: We will admit -- we're not the best at reading the fine print either. Downloading a new version of iTunes? Gym membership contract? Move to the bottom, check "I agree," and add your John Hancock.
So you may have done the same with your Common Application. Every time you sent an application, you had to check a series of boxes, agreeing to policies and stipulations. One of those: "I affirm that I will send an enrollment deposit (or equivalent) to only one institution; sending multiple deposits (or equivalent) may result in the withdrawal of my admission offers from all institutions. [Note: students may send an enrollment deposit (or equivalent) to a second institution where they have been admitted from the waitlist, provided that they inform the first institution that they will no longer be enrolling.]"
Can you double deposit? The answer is no.
Hi there!
My name is Alina Dess, and I attended University College Dublin through the N.U.in program during my first semester of college, during the fall of 2016. I am now a second-year Environmental Engineering student about to go on my first Co-Op. I know it’s a lot to take in when you get accepted to the N.U.in program, but first off, CONGRATULATIONS! It’s awesome that you got accepted into Northeastern and this incredible program.
Usually, around 1/5th of the freshman population goes abroad their first semester, so you don’t have to worry about sticking out on the Boston campus. I like to compare Northeastern to a revolving door; every six months a different group of people moves onto campus from abroad, co-op, or even a different school, so there is a constant flow of people. You will be coming back to campus with all the friends that you made at your N.U.in location as well as with all the other students from the other locations. Northeastern is really good about incorporating the N.U.in students into the student body, so you will have an orientation when you get back in January with fun events like club fairs, comedy nights, and free tickets to events across Boston.
Another concern that I had was in regards to academics. You will be taking Northeastern-approved courses that fit with your major while you are abroad. For me, that was General Chemistry, Introduction to Physics, Calculus One, Irish Presence in America, and Global Experience. What was really nice about this courseload was that I got to experience a new learning environment while not having to worry about my grades affecting my Northeastern GPA because while the credits transferred, the grades did not. If you have any AP/IB credits, you will work with an advisor to see what other course options are at your location. When I got back to Boston, I took Calculus Two, Introduction to College Writing, and Cornerstone One and Two. Usually, Cornerstone is broken into two semesters with Physics One taken during the second semester, but because that was done abroad, some of the other courses were moved around. Regardless of your major, by the end of your second semester, you will have taken all the same courses as other freshmen students who were on campus the whole time.
Hopefully, this information is helpful!!!
Many colleges are offering alternate admission options for first year students: January entrance, guaranteed transfer, and first semester abroad options. Today, Alina, a former College Matters student, shares her experience in Ireland with NUin.
