Dear reader,
We here at Nalukai are looking to help with your college journey. This page is a guide that aims to direct and inform your decisions throughout the difficult road that is college applications and admissions. Below and in the other liked pages is a number of different pages and informative material that aims to help you get to the college with the best fit for you. If you have any questions or need any help, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Glossary of college counseling and college admission terms:
1. ACT: A standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses a student's readiness for college in English, Math, Reading, and Science.
2. Common Application: An online college application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges using a single application.
3. CSS Profile: The College Scholarship Service Profile, an application used by some colleges and universities to determine a student's eligibility for non-federal financial aid.
4. Deferred Admission: When a college or university offers a student admission to a future term rather than the one initially applied for.
5. Early Action (EA): A non-binding early application process where students apply to colleges early and receive their admission decision earlier than regular applicants.
6. Early Decision (ED): A binding early application process where students apply to their top-choice college early and commit to attending if accepted.
7. Expected Family Contribution (EFC): The amount a family is expected to contribute toward a student's college costs, calculated based on financial information provided on the FAFSA or CSS Profile.
8. FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a form used by students and their families to apply for federal financial aid for college.
9. Financial Aid Package: The combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study offered to a student to help cover college costs.
10. Gap Year: A year taken off between high school graduation and college enrollment for travel, work, volunteering, or personal growth.
11. GPA: Grade Point Average, a numerical representation of a student's academic performance based on their grades.
12. Merit-Based Aid: Financial aid awarded to students based on their academic, athletic, artistic, or other achievements, rather than financial need.
13. Need-Blind Admission: When a college considers applicants for admission without taking their financial need into account.
14. Need-Based Aid: Financial aid awarded to students based on their demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA or CSS Profile.
15. Rolling Admission: An admission process in which colleges review applications as they are received and make decisions throughout the application period.
16. SAT: A standardized test used for college admissions in the United States, assessing a student's readiness for college in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.
17. Test-Optional: When a college or university does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission, and students can choose whether to submit them.
18. Waitlist: When a college offers a student a spot on a waiting list for admission, with the possibility of acceptance if spots become available.
Please note that the definitions provided are general explanations, and some terms may have specific nuances or variations depending on the context and college policies.
https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/college-terminology-glossary/
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Tips from college and university admission deans about writing the college essay:
1. Be Authentic: Be genuine and write in your own voice. Admissions officers value authenticity and want to learn more about the real you.
2. Choose a Meaningful Topic: Select a topic that showcases your values, passions, or personal growth. The essay should provide insight into who you are beyond your academic achievements.
3. Start Early: Give yourself ample time to brainstorm, draft, and revise your essay. Rushing the process can lead to a less polished and impactful piece.
4. Show, Don't Tell: Use descriptive language and storytelling techniques to illustrate your experiences and emotions, rather than just stating facts.
5. Focus on Specific Details: Use concrete examples and anecdotes to paint a vivid picture of your life and experiences.
6. Stay Relevant to the Prompt: Ensure that your essay directly addresses the prompt or question provided by the college or university.
7. Avoid Clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases and clichés. Your essay should stand out and be unique to you.
8. Edit and Revise: Proofread your essay carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ask for feedback from teachers, counselors, or trusted peers.
9. Be Concise: Aim for clarity and brevity. Admissions officers read many essays, so make every word count.
10. Reflect on Growth: If writing about a challenging experience, focus on how you grew or what you learned from the situation.
11. Stay Positive: Emphasize your strengths and accomplishments rather than dwelling on negative experiences.
12. Show Enthusiasm for the College: If applicable, convey your genuine interest in attending the college or university and why you believe it's the right fit for you.
13. Don't Try to Impress: Avoid writing what you think admissions officers want to read. Instead, be yourself and share your unique perspective.
14. Be Humble: While highlighting achievements is essential, avoid sounding boastful or arrogant in your writing.
15. Seek Feedback Responsibly: While feedback is valuable, remember that the final essay should reflect your voice and ideas.
16. Know Your Audience: Tailor your essay to the specific college or university you are applying to, demonstrating your fit with their values and community.
17. Be Open and Vulnerable: It's okay to be open about personal challenges or vulnerabilities, as long as it serves the purpose of your essay and shows resilience.
Remember, the college essay provides an opportunity for admissions officers to get to know you beyond your grades and test scores. Use it as a chance to showcase your personality, experiences, and aspirations.
What is the relationship between college selectivity & student outcomes?
“While some employers might check the name on your college transcript, most care far more about your track record in the field, basic communication and problem-solving skills, and the attitude and work ethic you bring to the table (NACE, 2017)”
“The estimated earnings effects of having a bachelor's degree from a selective institution may be inflated.
Studies generally did not control for measures of individual ambition and other unobserved characteristics, which may influence students' pathways into selective colleges and universities, as well as their subsequent productivity and earnings. (p. 437)”
“The data presented in this report suggest ...that the answers lie in thinking about things that are more lasting than selectivity of an institution or any of the traditional measures of college. Instead, the answers may lie in what students are doing in college and how they are experiencing it. (Gallup Inc., 2014, p. 5)”
“Gallup-Purdue's findings echo other prior research on job satisfaction and well-being. For instance, ten years after graduation, former students of selective colleges report lower job satisfaction than students from less selective colleges; students from more selective colleges are more likely to feel underpaid (Liu et al. 2010).”
What matters? Engagement.
“In our reading of the research on student outcomes learning financial, and otherwise - this theme arises: the students who benefit the most from college are those who are most engaged in their academics and campus communities taking advantage of the opportunities and resources their particular institution provided. Engagement is the key.”
“Mayhew et al. summarize the research on engagement in higher education by saying, "It appears that what students do in college is far more important than the type of institution they attend" (Mayhew et al., 2016, p.38; See also: Astin, 1997; Bruni, 2016; Pascarella and Terenzini, 1991, 2005). They add, "Students learn more when actively engaged in the learning process" (Mayhew et al., 2016, p. 60).”
“The Gallup-Purdue studies mentioned above show a strong connection between certain forms of engagement in college and future job satisfaction and well-being. They report six key college experiences that have an impact on how fulfilled employees feel at work and whether they are thriving in life after college: 1.TAKING A COURSE with a professor who makes learning exciting. 2. WORKING WITH PROFESSORS who care about students personally. 3. FINDING A MENTOR who encourages students to pursue personal goals. 4. WORKING ON A PROJECT across several semesters. 5. PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERNSHIP that applies classroom learning. 6. BEING ACTIVE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.”
“Considering that these college experiences are tied to future workplace engagement as well as health and thriving, and that these experiences take place in a wide variety of colleges, regardless of size, location, or selectivity, the implications seem clear: A good fit is a college where a student will be engaged - in class and out - by what the college has to offer.”