Admissions Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What is admissions looking for in an adversity essay? I'm writing about moving to Guam, and I have so much I want to say, I'm not worried about exceeding the limit, but I really don't want to bore them talking about unnecessary things. What are some major points college admissions will be looking for in an adversity essay? Also any tips you have about making my essay stand out would be very helpful, Thanks!

Answer: Situation, Task, Action, Result. They want to see that you're able to frame the context for an issue effectively, see what tasks you truly consider to be adverse, how you handle adversity through your choices, and how you perceive the results of your actions. I'd devote the bulk of the essay to the action and why you chose that over alternatives.

Question: What would the perfect art school admissions portfolio comprise of? I'm just looking for suggestions for different types of pieces to include in a portfolio for admissions to an art college. What did you have in yours? Did any specific pieces provoke the attention of admissions in your interview? What do you think they liked best? Just tell me your story! :) and if it makes a difference I am applying to transfer to the Cleveland Institute of Art for next fall. Currently though I am attending a community college.

Answer: One that perfectly fulfills the requirements set by the school you are hoping to attend! What are THEY asking from you? Are you applying for general admission to a program all freshman will be attending, or transferring into a specific department (like graphic design or other major)? That will make all the difference in what would comprise the "perfect" portfolio. When I applied to RISD in the 1970s, they wanted to see slides of your work. But they also had a drawing asignment for everyone who applied, regardless of what that student planned to major in (at RISD you were accepted into a Foundation program for freshmen, and didn't get to specialize until the next year). They assigned three drawings of specific subjects (a bicycle, a shoe, and something else I cant remember now); the drawings all had to be a specific size and medium. The quality of those drawings made a huge difference in whether you were accepted or not. And the portfolios were not reviewed in person. So no one can say what EXACTLY did the trick and got them in. Every school is different, though. You need to know exactly what the Cleveland Institute of Art wants from their applicants, and fulfill that, before you start innovating.

Question: How does one land a position as admissions officer in an elite university? Currently I am an English major at a top university, and I am really interested in the prospect of working in the admissions selection process at the university level. I've already informally helped numerous people with admissions insight and I get a lot of gratification out of it. I am also a frequent contributor to an online admissions consulting resource. The admissions process is fresh in my memory and I viewed it as an exciting challenge rather than stress as many of my peers did. So, how does the job ladder in this career work, like the potential to eventually become Dean of Admissions at a highly regarded university? Should I pursue a graduate level degree or can I land a job straight after I graduate? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer: I don't know about "landing" any job right after you graduate with an English degree, however, if you want that type of job then you should start trying to find out what colleges might be in need of admissions people now. The sooner you start looking, the sooner you'll narrow down your choices and the more efficient your job search will be. If you want to be a counselor, and unless you know some important people in that college, you'll need to start at a lower level position and work your way up. You'll probably have to start somewhere else in administration and over time you might end up in the job you want.

Question: What is the veterinary admissions board looking for in the personal statement? I am a senior in animal sciences and I am in the process of applying to veterinary school. I am currently writing my personal statement, and I am a bit baffled on what to write exactly since there are so many different approaches I could use to write the essay. Does anyone have any advice, or perchance is anyone on an admissions board of sorts and wants to give me some insight?? Thanks!

Answer: Believe it or not they want a personal statement. Something about you, what makes you special? What will you bring to the class? Have you done unusual volunteer work (like at a zoo)? Have you travelled? Are you published? They also want to know what your goals are. Will you focus on large animal veterinary medicine? Small animal? Work for the ASPCA? Be concise. This is also going to be a measure of your writing skills.

Question: What looks better to college admissions officers in terms of volunteering? Does it look better to college admissions officers if I continue to volunteer with a "less prestigious" nursing home which I started volunteering at during freshman year. Or should I move on to volunteer at a "prestigious" hospital. I know colleges like consistency and dedication but what do you think? Should I move on to the hospital or stay at the nursing home?

Answer: Yes it looks better to college admissions about volunteering continue the good work

Question: How long should a college admissions essay be? I'm entering my senior year of high school, and I'm trying to figure out how long my admissions essay(s) should be. Is there a limit? Quinnipiac University says they have a 250 word limit, but that seems VERY short. Anyone with experience?

Answer: I took a side trip to find out what and where Quinnipiac University is. Now, 250 words can speak volumes if you have something to say. Quality, not quantity. This is your opportunity to do an All About Me essay that brings you to life in the mind of the reader. It has to be special, or they won't read it at all!! Ask an English teacher to proof it for you; he/she will be flattered.

Question: What is the purpose of standardized university admissions tests? I'm Canadian and we're only judged by our high school grades and to a lesser extent our extracurriculars. What makes standardized admissions tests necessary in other countries? Why don't they just judge applicants by their high school grades? I'm already in university, so I'm just curious

Answer: In the United States grading standards vary widely between schools. A-level work in rural Mississippi might equal D-level work at a magnet school in Minneapolis. Thus, college admissions commitee's use SAT/ACT scores to get a handle on a student's general level of academic ability. This also helps put the grades in perspective. Good grades are still a plus even for a student with a low SAT score and an easy high school, because they usually indicate that the student puts out a good effort and gets along with teachers. Canada probably has more evenly distrubuted and higher-quality high schools, making standardized tests less important. However, I know for a fact that many graduate programs in Canada do look at GRE scores and other standardized tests, so it is not completely unknown.

Question: How to write a letter to an undergrad admissions committee explaining a low grade? For my mid year report, I received a low grade for my calculus class. I dont want this to be the determining factor of whether I'm accepted to my school of choice or not. How would I go about addressing the admissions committee?

Answer: you can't. unless you had an extreme illness or something like that, you have to live with it and see what they say

Question: How many different ways are there for an admissions officer to select a group of 7 college candidates from a g How many different ways are there for an admissions officer to select a group of 7 college candidates from a group of 19 for an interview?

Answer: 19C7 = 19! / [12! X 7!] = 50388

Question: How important are clubs/extracurricular activities to college admissions? I have an internship, but I don't belong to any clubs or do school activities, and I haven't done any volunteer work, and I hear those are all important on college admissions. Is this true?

Answer: For most colleges, extracurriculars are important but their importance varies with the institution. Check the criteria for admission at the school you want to attend and it will tell you how important extracurriculars are in their evaluation of you as a candidate. Having activities isn't important for the sake of having them. ECs demonstrate to colleges that you are someone who is going to contribute to the community, that you will be generous in offering your time, talent, gifts and abilities and that you are going to make a difference as a student in their school. I hope this helps. Find your passion whether it's helping others, community service, playing softball or whatever it may be. Good luck to you. I take it that you're a senior and if so we're all in the same boat. I hope you get into a great school that is right for you.