As part of our Student to Student video series, College Matters reconnected with its former student Molly, who is studying nursing in college. She explains which extracurricular activities she did in high school, what she considered when applying to nursing programs, and shares other helpful tips for high school students.
What is a Good MCAT Score?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test used by many medical schools in the United States and Canada as part of their admissions process. The MCAT is scored on a scale from 472 to 528, with a median score of 500.
A competitive MCAT score is one that puts an applicant in a strong position to be considered for admission to medical school. However, what constitutes a competitive score may vary depending on the specific medical school and the applicant pool in a given year.
Generally, a score of 510 or above is considered competitive for many medical schools. However, some highly selective medical schools may expect applicants to have scores in the 515-520 range or higher.
It is important to note that while a high MCAT score is an important factor in the admissions process, it is not the only factor. Medical schools also consider an applicant's undergraduate GPA, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and other factors when making admissions decisions.
Overall, a competitive MCAT score is one that is well above the median and puts an applicant in a strong position to be considered for admission to medical school. However, it is important for applicants to research the specific admissions requirements and expectations of the schools they are interested in applying to in order to determine what score would be considered competitive for that particular school.
Top Tips to Completing Your FAFSA
CEO Betsy Morgan sat down with WFSB’s Eric Parker to talk about the new FAFSA
As predicted, the new FAFSA launched right before the end of the year -- December 30th to be exact. The Education Department is calling it a "soft launch," meaning that they will continue to tweak, make corrections, and fix issues that arrive for at least the month of January, if not beyond.
Families are reporting being unable to access the site or being kicked out after doing so. We suspect that multiple issues are at play: the site is overwhelmed by traffic, and when issues arise, they are taking it down to address them.
But forms are beginning to be filed, so that is good news.
Here are our suggestions:
* Make sure that you have an FSA-ID account for the student and parent(s) before you start the FAFSA.
* Gather all the required documents that you will need to file. These include bank statements, tax returns, 529 documentation, social security numbers, etc., for the student and the parent(s). Have them with you so that you can get through the FAFSA as quickly as possible.
* If any schools require the CSS PROFILE (list here), it may be easier to complete the CSS first and have a printed copy of that for reference, as it is a much deeper dive than the FAFSA.
* Try filing later in the evening or early in the morning when website traffic is less.
* Be mindful of each school's deadline to file. Check their website to confirm. However, if you run into trouble and are worried about meeting those deadlines, contact the colleges themselves and let them know. Financial aid officers are well aware of what is going on and share your frustration!
The Education Department has stated that they will not begin processing FAFSAs until the end of the month at the earliest. This means that you may not get a confirmation email, and your student's applicant portals will still list the FAFSA as missing. Keep checking at the end of the month to ensure that it does go through. In addition, you will not be able to file any corrections to the form (including adding additional colleges) until the first form processes, so make sure that you have all of your schools listed the first time around!
Any questions, let us know!
Should I Have a LinkedIn When I’m Applying to College?
Each year, students are applying to increasing numbers of colleges, driving admission rates lower than they’ve ever been, and raising the question: what can I do to stand out?
You’ve probably heard your parents, teachers, and counselors say:
“Be careful what you post on social media.”
“Make sure your accounts are set to private.”
“If you wouldn’t want your grandma to see it, don’t post it!”
But could using social media actually benefit your college application? Some social media experts are saying “yes.” Here’s the scoop.
Thousands upon thousands of students are applying to schools all over the country. While admissions officers can (and occasionally do) search for students’ social media accounts, more often than not, that’s an extra step they don’t have time for. However, if a student includes a link to their social media account in the application as an invitation for admissions officers to take a look, there’s a good chance they will.
Are you an aspiring photography student with an Instagram account dedicated to your work?
You’re a TikTok singer looking for a degree in music?
You’re a future engineer with a passion for 3D printing who sells your work on your Business Facebook page?
Maybe you want to consider encouraging colleges to take a look.
While most social media platforms are designed for sharing day-to-day life with peers, LinkedIn is specifically designed for you to be able to market yourself professionally to adults who may not know you. And yes, colleges are on LinkedIn too! A well-curated LinkedIn account can allow colleges to get to know you in a way your application might not. It is a great space to create a resume, share articles related to the topics and issues you are passionate about, demonstrate interest by interacting with the colleges you are applying to, and showcase yourself as a serious candidate.
So, do you need to have a LinkedIn account when you’re applying to college? In short, no. Not having a LinkedIn profile is not going to hurt your application. Inviting colleges to look at a mediocre profile that doesn’t show you off as an excellent candidate might. But if you have an account that you’ve really put thought and effort into, that shows you off in a way your application can’t, and gives colleges insight into what you are going to bring to their campus community, then by all means, share it!
How to Deal with a Deferral in Five Steps
You've been deferred -- and no matter what anyone says to try to lessen the disappointment, it still feels lousy! Your parents are vacillating between trying to be comforting and hitting the panic button. You're staying off of Facebook to avoid all of the "Class of 2022!!!!" posts, even though you are genuinely happy for your friends. Some call it limbo; others call it purgatory. Here are five things you can do to right the ship and get cruising along once again.
HELP, Typo in my Common App!!
Q: I submitted my Common Application a few weeks ago. When I looked back at it again, I noticed a typo in my activities. What do I do?
A: A college representative was visiting our office a few weeks ago, and we asked the same question of her. "Students need to realize that we are human, too! We are far more understanding than they think!"
Mistakes happen all the time!
So, what should you do if you discover an error in an application that has already been submitted? If it absolutely needs to be corrected, such as an incorrect essay version or a glaring typo, the student should call the school and ask what their policy is for correcting the mistake. Often, the college will have the student email the change to the general admission email -- an admission staff member can then make the adjustment on their end, sometimes even before the file has been reviewed. If the error is more of an oops than egregious, it can be a harder call. Sometimes, it is better just to let it go. Pointing out the error may draw more attention to it, which could be a bad thing.
"I totally get it! These kids are juggling so much," said the rep. "Even calling us the wrong name in a supplement, I'll let go if the rest of the application is strong."
One Section on Your Common App That Could Help You STAND OUT
We’re getting tons of questions from students and parents who want guidance on completing the Common App. If you want more tips like the one above, join Gilbert for a live (and recorded) presentation that will walk you through EVERY section of the Common App.
Top Ten Things to Remember When Packing for College
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!!
5 Reasons to Love Colorado Mesa University!
1. THE GREAT OUTDOORS
One of Mesa’s most popular organizations is the Outdoor Program. This organization is always scheduling fantastic trips for students and also has inexpensive equipment rentals. While on campus in Grand Junction, you’ll find great views of the Colorado mountains. You can access even more cool sites since you’re 40 minutes from skiing and 1 hour and 45 minutes from the scenic town of Moab, Utah.
2. NEW BUILDINGS EVERYWHERE
It’s quite apparent that Mesa has been making significant financial investments in its facilities to give students hands-on experiences. Mesa bought out a former hospital and converted it into clinical and lab spaces for health science students. The university’s engineering building has modern equipment, and students can earn their engineering degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder while staying on Mesa’s campus. There’s a beautiful student-run hotel and restaurant where students can get hands-on hospitality experience. We’re not even scratching the surface here!
3. SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
A common thread during our two-day visit was an atmosphere of support. The student tour guides cared about the school. The university’s president has a one-hour open office hour where students can drop in to talk. The largest class size at Mesa is 60 students, but most classes are capped at 40. Generally, the higher-level classes will have about 12-15 students. The professors are much more committed to teaching students than their own research.
4. NOT ONE, BUT TWO SCHOOLS?!
The university has a formal partnership with Western Colorado Community College (WCCC), a seven-minute drive from Mesa. WCCC students can earn their associate degrees in fields like culinary, aviation, and even winemaking. They can also take classes and live at Mesa to earn their bachelor’s degree.
5. THE PRICE
Out-of-state students looking for a bargain will find Colorado Mesa’s tuition, room, and board to be a bargain! The listed price is anywhere from $37,000-44,000, with the possibility of earning up to $6,000 per year in scholarship money if you’re out-of-state.
The Best College Essay Advice You'll Get!
At this time of the year, we often get calls from rising seniors asking for a bit of advice on their essay. “My topic is great, but something is missing.” After an initial read, we concur. What is missing? Them!
The best college essays are rarely the ones with the most “impressive” or “catchy” topic because the topic of every single college essay should be the same: you!
Making that shift away from the life-changer or the dramatic event can make all the difference. When you see yourself as the topic of the essay, you have far more freedom with themes. What small story showcases who you are at your core? How do you think? What are your quirks? Your fears? Your dreams?
Use that story!