How to Apply to the UCs
Students who want to apply to any of the nine UC campus must use the UC application. Unfortunately, it is a separate application with different activity descriptions and writing requirements than the Common Application. This year, the deadline for fall semester applications is December 2. Start early; do not underestimate the time it will take to complete it well!
To complete the UC application you need:
Transcript for entering courses and grades
SSN (if available) and contact information
Test scores – IB, AP, English Proficiency and/or other international exams (NOT SAT OR ACT)
Activities List
Responses to 4 Personal Insight Questions (PIQs)
Campuses and Majors Section
You will select a major for each campus you apply to. Keep in mind that each campus offers varying majors and/or names the majors differently. They have tried to make it easier for you to find your major by listing some of them under multiple categories. You will also be able to select an alternative major but note that some campuses do not consider alternative majors for certain first-choice major selections if at all. Do your research as to how campuses consider these majors and how impacted each major is at your campus(es) of choice.
Ex. UC SB does not admit by major except for Engineering (strongly suggest picking a non-engineering backup major). UC Berkeley rarely considers the second-choice major listed.
Important notes: Campuses do not collaborate on their admissions decisions nor consider which other campuses a student has applied to. Some majors require supplements to the application and these will be visible once the student selects their major in the application.
Academic History Section
All grades are self-reported through the application and transcripts are not accepted. You will enter all grades from all courses taken in grades 9-12 including repeated courses. If you took a high school-level math or language course other than English in 7th or 8th grade, you can include them. There are no +/- used. Students are expected to meet the A-G requirements outlined here.
The UCs use their own calculation to determine what GPA a student has. The GPA only includes 10th and 11th grade; this includes courses taken in the summer after 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. They will recalculate GPAs for applicants, no need to try to calculate it yourself. However, if you want to get an idea of what your UC GPA is, you can use the UC A-G list to verify which courses are given weight.
Activities and Awards Section
You can enter up to 20 activities from grades 9-12 in six categories:
Award or honor
Educational preparation program
Extracurricular activity
Work experience
Other coursework
Volunteering / Community service
The prompts for how you will describe each of these vary by type of activity. Use the space wisely and describe the activities efficiently, highlighting your specific contribution. You have 350 characters for this. You do not have to use full sentences. Also, note that the activities are numbered but not ranked, so the order in which they are listed is not important.
If you were not able to participate in many activities due to lack of availability or personal circumstances, you can share that with admissions in the Activities & Awards and Additional Comments sections. If you take a gap year or are a transfer student, you can select the ‘after 12th grade’ option to enter activities post-12th grade.
Scholarships and Support Section
The options available here will vary depending on which campuses you select to apply to. You will select all criteria that apply to you and then see which scholarships are available depending on the responses. The responses to these prompts are not considered in the admission decision. They are used solely to determine eligibility for scholarships.
You can also apply for the Education Opportunity Program (EOP), a program for first-generation and/or low-income students that offers additional support resources such as mentoring and financial assistance.
Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) Section
Students will select four of the eight PIQs to respond to. Each response can be up to 350 words. The same responses will be sent to ALL campuses you apply to and can not be changed for each school. These questions are your opportunity to share details not seen anywhere else in the application. This is your chance to show the colleges who you are and what is important to you.
Additional Information Section
This section should be used to provide information about extenuating circumstances or details that could not be shared elsewhere; this can be academic and non-academic information. Examples of this may be an explanation of the high school coursework available to you, family crises, or lack of activities available in your area.
Start early, take the time to research which campus(es) and majors are right for you, and craft thoughtful and thorough activity descriptions and PIQ responses. If you are a younger student, consider the A-G requirements early and make a plan to meet them. It is important to start thinking about how you will strengthen your academic and extracurricular profiles early. For guidance on your college planning and additional assistance with your applications, contact us.
FAQs
1. Does the UC require test scores?
Test scores are not required for admission to the UCs. They will consider scores from AP, IB, English Proficiency, and other international exams but NOT ACT or SAT scores. Submitting unofficial scores is fine.
2. Does the UC require recommendation letters?
No, however, as part of an extended review process or if you apply for select scholarships, you may be asked to submit one.
3. How many UC campuses can I apply to?
You can apply to as many as you want.
4. What are the English Language Proficiency requirements for the UCs?
There are many ways to demonstrate English proficiency. Take a look at the updated list of accepted exams here.
Applying to US Colleges as an Expat
The application requirements for expats applying to colleges in the US are fairly similar to those students attending school in the US, but there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. Although you are considered a domestic student, you do have the benefit of the international experience and hopefully language skills you have gained while living outside of the US. These are great assets to highlight in your applications.
While expat students are not considered international, there are a few additional factors to take into consideration as you apply. Below are a few tips to help you submit successful applications as an expat.
High School Curriculum and Grades
If you attend a non-American school, you need to be sure that the college understands your grading scale and curriculum. If your transcripts are not in English, you will need an English translation from a reputable or official translator (requirements vary by school). It is recommended to include a key to the grading scale with your translation. Typically, admissions offices have staff which are familiar with the various international curricula, but even if they aren’t, most will review the student’s application holistically without full grade and course conversions.
Your high school counselor or another school official can also prepare a school profile which is a great resource to provide colleges with an overview of the school. It typically includes information about the curriculum, graduation requirements, exams, grading system, demographics and class sizes, and any other important information that would help give general context of the school. This profile can be shared with all colleges the student applies to and should be written in English.
Proof of English Proficiency
Even if a student has a US passport, if English is not their native language or the language of the school they have attended, they will need to provide proof of proficiency. These requirements vary by college, but typically one of the standard tests such as TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS will be necessary. Students should familiarize themselves with the format of the test and do a bit of practice even if they are proficient in English. Luckily, these tests can be taken online at home. Although it may seem unnecessary, some schools require an English proficienty test even from expats attending English speaking schools. It is best to plan on taking one of the tests well before you apply to avoid last minute surprises!
Testing
Although testing is currently optional for admission to many colleges, getting a good score can still help you and give colleges another way to evaluate you, especially if you are attending a high school with a curriculum less familiar to them. Many international high schools offer the PSAT and SAT and/or ACT. If you attend a school which does not offer the tests or dates which fit your schedule, you will need to look elsewhere. This will take planning ahead as the locations and test dates vary and you should register for your spot early. Search the College Board website for upcoming SAT dates and locations near you and the ACT website for ACT dates and locations. Note that the ACT is only offered digitally at international testing locations while it is still available in paper format in the US. The SAT has gone digital everywhere.
Timeline
It is important for students to begin their application process early. In contrast to many colleges abroad, US colleges have application deadlines as early as November of the student’s senior year. Students should take the time to familiarize themselves with the requirements for each of the schools they are interested in applying to well before then. Also, students who will need standardized testing should plan well in advance to give themselves time to register for the tests, prepare well and possibly retake them. Visiting colleges in the US from abroad may not be possible during the school year, so families should plan these in to their summer and longer breaks if possible. The college planning process should really begin by 10th grade at the latest so that students have time to explore their options and prepare well.
Check out the other posts in our expat series for more tips regarding financial aid and application status for American expats applying to US colleges.
Are Expats Considered International Students?
Not a simple answer
There is no simple answer as you are considered a citizen but often read as international. At most colleges, your application will be read by the international admission team as they as they are responsible for your region and often more familiar with the school curricula and other aspects related to student life in that area. It makes sense that your application would be read in the context of where you are attending school. You would be compared more to the students in your region. However, when it comes down to choosing an expat vs a true international student, you often have the advantage as you are eligible for federal aid and do not have the burden of providing proof of finances.
Although you are not an ‘international student’, you have the benefit of the international experience and hopefully language skills you have gained while living outside of the US. These are great assets to highlight in your applications. How has your international experience shaped you? What can you bring from this to your future campus? I help guide my students to focus on and add activities to their resume which will enhance their application and demonstrate their uniqueness. We also find creative ways to include these international experiences in their essays.
Our next post in our expat series focuses on how to apply for financial aid as a US expat.
Top College Application Tips for 2024
Top Tips for Applying to College in 2024 with college admission expert Ashley McNaughton and test prep expert Laura Heslin Whitmore
I recently had a great discussion about the current state of college admission with test prep expert Laura Heslin Whitmore of Strategic Test Prep. We spoke about all things related to the college application and have some great advice for students and their families. Check out the video for top college application tips for 2024 related to:
Score choice vs sending all scores
Should you go test-optional?
Early Action vs Early Decision and Regular Decision
Personal statement/college essay topics
Extracurricular activities and how to shape your resume
Who, how and when to ask for recommendation letters
What to do if your application is deferred or you are waitlisted
FAFSA
The importance of campus visits
Is demonstrated interest important?
and so much more!
Stay tuned for our next post all about the digital SAT and how to prep!
How to Apply to German Universities
Over the last few years, the number of international students choosing to study in Germany has grown to over 380,000. With most public universities extending free tuition even to international students, the cost alone is a big draw. Add that to the safety of the country, availability of programs in English, opportunity for an international experience and easy travel within Europe, ability to work as a student and get an extended visa post study, and the high-quality education offered, it is easy to understand why students are interested in attending university in Germany.
Applying to University in Germany
Over the last few years, the number of international students choosing to study in Germany has grown to over 380,000. With most public universities extending free tuition even to international students, the low cost alone is a big draw. In addition, the safety of the country, availability of programs in English, opportunity for an international experience and easy travel within Europe, ability to work as a student and get an extended visa post study, and the high-quality education offered are major reasons international students are interested in attending university in Germany.
How much does it cost?
Public universities other than those in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg are free for both EU citizens and other international students. Students will need to calculate 700-1000 Euros/month for living expenses in addition to an administrative fee of 300-400 Euros/semester. This often includes public transportation for the semester. In Baden-Wurttemberg, public tuition for non-EU citizens is 1500 Euros/semester. Private universities costs can amount to up to 30,000 Euros depending on the school.
How to Apply
As with other countries, applying to university in Germany as an international and non-EU student is a bit different than for citizens. Unfortunately, there is not one streamlined process as it varies by school and program of choice. 170 universities use the central system, uni-assist, to process the documents and applications of international students. Students typically apply via the program and mail certified copies of their application documents to the system to be processed. They are then verified through the program and the results forwarded to the universities. Other universities use the platform solely for verifying the documents and then require the students to submit a separate application to the school itself (a process known as VPD – preliminary review documentation). Programs such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy have a nationwide limit (Numerus Clausus). Many other programs of study have a regional or university limit. Universities may have additional criteria such as entrance tests, portfolios, or recommendation letters materials in addition to the general requirements. Whatever the program of study and university may be, it is very important to follow the instructions given by the university on how to apply with your specific background.
Students can typically start during summer (March) or winter (September) semesters. Application periods are usually early May to July 15th for the winter semester and early December to January 15th for the summer semester.
Hamburg, a popular student city
The General Application Requirements for international students:
Certified copies of high school diploma/leaving certificate also known as the university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung)*
Not all diplomas and leaving certificates are eligible for direct entry to a university or to some programs. To find out how yours will be evaluated, use the search tool on Uni-Assist and Anabin.
If your country requires the passing of an exam to enter university, provide a certified copy and translation of results.*
Copy of all transcripts/overview of subjects taken and grades*
Proof of language proficiency – level of German and English required varies by university, check their criteria individually. Proof of proficiency can be shown in several ways.
German proficiency can be proven via the DSH test (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) which is given at universities, TestDaF (German test for non-native speakers) given at various test centers around the world, the Deutsches Sprachdiplom or certificates from the Goethe-Institut.
English proficiency can be proven via the IELTS or TOEFL examination, graduation from an English speaking school (only in certain countries), Cambridge English Language Certificates, and sometimes but rarely, having taken English as a subject in school.
Application fees – if applying via Uni-Assist, the fees are 75 Euros for the first application and 30 Euros for each additional. This includes each subject applied for.
*These documents must be in English or German, if they are not, you will need to provide certified translations of the certified copies. For detailed information on the certification and translations of documents, check out uni-assist. Confirm document language requirements with the universities.
German University Prep Course (Studienkolleg)
Students who do not meet the standards for direct entry to a university or a particular program of interest are recommended to apply to the Studienkolleg. Studienkolleg is a 2 semester college prep program which concludes in an exam to test the student’s levels of German and Math for university entry (Festellungsprüfung). The Studienkolleg is offered at many public universities, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) and private schools and students can choose to take specialized courses depending on what they want to study in university. The cost of these programs is typically 100-400 Euros/semester for public programs and can be more for private. Students need to calculate an additional 700-900 Euros/month for living expenses. Application for Studenkolleg can be done via the uni-assist page or the school itself. Spaces are limited and students typically need a German level of at least B1 to apply.
Visa Requirements
Visa requirements vary by citizenship. Citizens of the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland can enter the country using a valid ID card and register as residents after finding accommodation. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel and several other countries can enter the country without a visa, but will need to apply for a residence permit as they are only permitted to stay for 3 months without one. Seek advice from the German embassy or consulate in your country to get exact details on visa requirements.
If you require a visa to enter the country, you must apply for a student visa or prospective student visa before leaving your country. The documents you will most likely need are:
Passport valid for time of stay
Health insurance coverage certificate
Public health systems from various countries will cover a student while studying in Germany. If not, the student will need to find insurance valid in Germany which can be from a company in another country or a public company in Germany. For verification of which insurances are valid, contact the university directly.
Proof of financial resources
As of January 1, 2021 students are required to have proof of a minimum of 10,332 Euros for one year of study in Germany. There are various ways to demonstrate this such as proof of income of parents, documentation of someone in Germany who will assist you financially if needed, receipt of scholarships and/or banking statements. The best way to establish proof is to allocate this amount in a separate ‘locked’ account through a German bank which will not be available to use until your arrival in Germany (Sperrkonto).
Either a university entrance qualification recognized in Germany (can be provided through Uni-Assist for prospective student status) or letter of acceptance from German university (for student visa)
Certificate of language proficiency, German and/or English depending on program of study
While it may seem overwhelming to put together an application to study in a foreign country, there are many great resources available to help. Remember, the international student office at each university will be the most reliable source of information and place to get your questions answered. Start early to give yourself time to research requirements, form a solid list of universities and programs of interest, gather all of the documents needed and get them processed.
What to do after you hit submit
After applications are submitted and the giant feeling of relief has subsided, there are a few things to keep in mind. Each school has their own timeline for when they will inform applicants of their admission decisions. In general, schools which have rolling admissions take 2-3 weeks, schools with November EA will inform you between mid-December and end of January, and schools with RD in January will inform you by end of February or March. What do you do while you wait?
After applications are submitted and the giant feeling of relief has subsided, there are a few things to keep in mind. Each school has their own timeline for when they will inform applicants of their admission decisions. In general, schools which have rolling admissions take 2-3 weeks, schools with November EA will inform you between mid-December and end of January, and schools with RD in January will inform you by end of February or March. What do you do while you wait?
After receiving the application, colleges will create a personal account on their website for you to check the status of your application and submit additional materials. Check your email consistently and make sure you do not miss these emails from your colleges (typically by 2-3 days after submitting application). After receiving them, log in to your student portal and double check that the colleges have received all of your application requirements. While doing this, keep in mind that it may take some time for the websites to be updated as colleges are inundated with materials around their deadlines. If about a week after the deadline you still see that your application is missing something, follow up with the admissions office. Although some colleges will send you a reminder that something is missing, you do not want to rely on that.
If you have not completed the FAFSA and CSS Profile, you should definitely do that right away. Students who applied to colleges which require a Self-Reported Academic Record or proof of residency often submit these through their new student portal after they have applied. Also, some Honors programs, scholarships and other specialized applications are only open for the student after they have submitted the main application. Students should ensure they have followed the instructions from each college regarding completing all of their requirements and supplements.
If you do indeed find out that something is missing, do not overreact. Remember, with so many documents and emails being sent back and forth during such a short time span, it is very easy for something to get lost in the shuffle. If what is missing can be taken care of by you, do it right away. If it is something a counselor, teacher, or testing agency should have taken care of, politely follow up with them yourself. Whatever it may be, respectfully ask them to resend the materials as soon as they can. Confirm with the admissions office that you have taken care of it and verify if they have received the missing materials. While doing all of this, it is important that you advocate for yourself and be patient. Colleges would much rather hear from the students themselves than from a parent or counselor. You want to show them you are ready for college.
It should go without saying, but keep working hard and maintaining or improving your grades. Colleges ask for mid and final reports from your counselor for a reason! If you are given admission to a college and your grades sink, they have the right to revoke their offer. On the other hand, if you end up getting deferred or waitlisted, you want to be able to show progress to improve your chances of acceptance. No matter what your situation is, continuing to work hard and get good grades can only help.
You can use your new-found free time to search for scholarships and continue to learn more about your potential colleges. If you have not had time to tour or attend an information session, now is a great time to do that. You can demonstrate your interest in the colleges while preparing to make an informed choice when your admission decisions do come in. Congratulations on getting this far, get excited for the future!
Additional Resources:
An example of an applicant portal and use: Brown Admission Page
Tips to get your Essays Started
The college application essay has long been a valuable part of the admissions review process. Right behind academic performance which includes grades, rigor of curriculum and test scores, the essay(s) continue to be important. While this importance varies by the college you apply to, it is typically given more attention by private colleges. With many colleges becoming Test-Optional for the 2020-21 application cycle and beyond, the essay will most likely get more attention than in previous years.
The college application essay has long been a valuable part of the admissions review process. Right behind academic performance which includes grades, rigor of curriculum and test scores, the essay(s) continue to be important. While this importance varies by the college you apply to, it is typically given more attention by private colleges. With many colleges becoming Test-Optional for the 2020-21 application cycle and beyond, the essay will most likely get more attention than in previous years.
Some colleges simply require the common application personal statement, but many require supplemental essays tailored specifically to them as well. By now, almost all colleges have confirmed their supplemental essay topics, and the common application and coalition application prompts are out and ready to be tackled. Depending on your list of schools, you will most likely need to write more than one essay. So, if you have not gotten started by now, it is time! Here are my tips to kick off your personal statement:
Don't Focus on the Prompt – For the personal statement, think about YOUR story or something you really want to share and it will most likely fit. Don't forget there is always the Topic of Your Choice if what you end up choosing does not truly fit a prompt.
Be YOU – The goal is to help admissions get to know you and pretending to be someone you are not or someone you think they want you to be is not helping anyone. This is your chance to share something about you that can not be found anywhere else in the application or something that is really significant to you.
Start EARLY – The essay topics are out, why not begin now? For many students, the idea of sitting down to write such an important essay (or maybe any essay at all) seems daunting. However, delaying it is not going to make it any better. Starting early not only gives you more opportunity to write a quality essay, it also gives you time to really consider what you want to share with admissions. Some students end up writing several entirely different essays before they arrive at ‘the one’ they are happy with, and that takes TIME.
Brainstorm – You may have an idea or two in mind when you take a quick glance at the prompts, but it is time to dig deeper. Doing some excellent brainstorming activities can be really helpful for coming up with a good focus for your essay. I highly recommend the exercises from Ethan Sawyer, The College Essay Guy. His Essence Objects and Values exercises are great. If you are still drawing a blank, take a few days off and come back to it. But sometimes it takes actually sitting down and writing the first draft before you realize the essay topic will or won’t work. While it isn’t ideal, it is better to get rid of it before you spend too much time trying to make it into something it just can’t be.
Make it Personal and Entertaining – You want the readers to remember you after your essay and be able to connect you with YOUR story. You also want them to want to finish reading it. Give them details, use adjectives, don’t be repetitive, dig deep and you will be fine. Admissions readers get many essays on the same topic and sometimes on the most mundane subjects, but the way they were written turned them into something special. Ask anyone in admissions what their favorite essays were about and you may be surprised.
Get Feedback but not too Much - It is definitely a good idea to have someone read over your essay to check for grammatical errors and get an overall opinion. However, do not forget this is YOUR essay. Sometimes getting too many opinions ends up leaving you more confused than helped. Ask someone you trust for an honest opinion, triple check your grammar and be done!
Need some inspiration? There are many ‘successful’ essays out there for you to read. Take a look at a few of them and maybe it will spark an idea. Just remember, it is about YOU.
Resources:
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/college-essay-examples
https://essaysthatworked.com/colleges?opt-out=true
https://apply.jhu.edu/application-process/essays-that-worked/
https://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/advice/past-essays/common-application-essays/
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/personal-statement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=ZF4DErhsLvQ&feature=emb_logo
What Happens After You Hit Submit?
After applications are submitted and the giant feeling of relief has subsided, there are a few things to keep in mind.
After applications are submitted and the giant feeling of relief has subsided, there are a few things to keep in mind. Each school has their own timeline for when they will inform applicants of their admissions decision. In general, schools which have rolling admissions take 2-3 weeks, schools with Nov. 1 EA will inform you between mid-December and end of January, and schools with RD in January will inform you by end of February or March. So what do you do while you wait?
Within 2-3 days, most colleges will create an account on their website for you to check the status of your application and submit additional materials needed. Check your email consistently and make sure you do not miss these emails from your colleges. After receiving them, log in and check that the colleges have received all of your application requirements. While doing this, keep in mind that it may take some time for the websites to be updated as colleges are inundated with materials around their deadlines. If about a week after the deadline you still see that your application is missing something you have already sent, follow up with the admissions office. Although some colleges will send you a reminder that something is missing, you do not want to rely on that.
After applying, Florida students will need to connect their Student Self-Reported Academic Record to their applications of the schools which require them. These instructions will be on the Admissions website or sent via email. Also, financial aid forms such as the FAFSA and CSS Profile will need to be completed if they are not already. For some schools such as FSU, proof of residency will also be completed after the application is submitted. You will be able to see which of these materials you need by checking your new student account assigned to you.
If you do indeed find out that something is missing, do not overreact. Remember, with so many documents and emails being sent back and forth during such a short time span, it is very easy for something to get lost in the shuffle. If what is missing can be taken care of by you, do it right away. If it is something a counselor, teacher, or testing agency should have taken care of, politely follow up with them yourself. Whatever it may be, respectfully ask them to resend the materials as soon as they can. Confirm with the admissions office that you have taken care of it and verify if they have received the missing materials. While doing all of this, it is important that you advocate for yourself and be patient. Colleges would much rather hear from the students themselves than from a parent or counselor. You want to show them you are ready for college.
It should go without saying, but keep working hard and maintaining or improving your grades. Colleges ask for mid and final reports from your counselor for a reason! If you are given admission to a college and your grades sink, they have the right to revoke their offer. On the other hand, if you end up getting deferred or waitlisted, you want to be able to show progress to improve your chances of acceptance. No matter what your situation is, continuing to work hard and get good grades can only help.
Now try to relax and wait for your acceptance (hopefully) letters to roll in! Remember, there is a school for everyone and it WILL work out. Stay posted for my next article on what to do if you are waitlisted or deferred and how to weigh your options.
Additional Help:
FSU Admissions FAQs - https://admissions.fsu.edu/images/pdf/2019%20First%20Year%20Admissions%20FAQ.pdf
FAFSA Tips: https://www.nasfaa.org/fafsa_tips
The SSAR
What is it?
The Self-reported Student Academic Record is basically a student’s transcripts in another format completed by the student instead of the high school. It is used as a substitute for official transcripts at several schools in Florida including University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, University of North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Polytechnic University and The New College. Students complete this record by inputting their high school courses attempted and/or taken and their respective grades including the courses in progress senior year.
The SSAR
What is it?
The Self-reported Student Academic Record is basically a student’s transcripts in another format completed by the student instead of the high school. It is used as a substitute for official transcripts during the initial college application review process at several schools in Florida including University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, University of North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Polytechnic University and The New College. Students complete this record by inputting their high school courses attempted and/or taken and their respective grades including the courses in progress senior year.
Why do schools use it?
In Florida, UF began using the SSAR in 2013 and several schools have followed since then. They adopted it in order to streamline the process of connecting transcripts to applications. Instead of waiting for transcripts to be sent from the high schools, students’ SSARs are able to be connected directly to their applications. In addition to linking the students’ academic records to their applications more efficiently, the SSAR allows colleges to sort through transcripts easily as the data was manually entered by the student in a standard form instead of being sent as a non-standardized document from the school. While many students complain about the tedious work of data entry, others say it relieves stress as they are now in control and do not need to rely on the school to send their transcripts on time.
When should students complete it?
The SSAR is a regular and essential piece of the college application to the schools which require it. College applications are not considered complete until the SSAR is received along with everything else. Students should complete it while they are working on their applications and ensure it is submitted to the colleges by the admission deadline they are aiming for. While some colleges such as UF will accept the SSAR a few weeks after the early application deadlines, it makes the most sense to finish it all at the same time and avoid the risk of having an incomplete application. So if you are applying for a November 1 priority deadline, get it in by then, etc.
How is it completed?
Before starting the SSAR, students need to obtain a copy of their high school transcript to use for the data entry. They will then create an account on the SSAR website and begin entering the information. Once complete, they should double-check for any errors before submitting. Connecting the SSAR to the application varies by college. Several schools have students connect it after they have submitted their application by logging into their student account where they check their application status and inputting their individual SSAR code. Others send students an email with a link to log in to their SSAR account and connect it to their application. Students should regularly check their email and application status pages for each college to ensure they have complete applications.
What if a mistake is made?
As long as the mistake or course change is corrected before the application is reviewed and/or before the application deadline, you can log in to your SSAR account and make the changes. If you are too late, you should call the admissions office at your chosen colleges to inform them of the errors. If you made a slight error and do not catch it, it will most likely have no affect on your application. However, if it appears that you intentionally inflated grades or did/did not list courses taken, your application will be thrown out. Do your best to accurately input the information. Students who have been accepted and plan on enrolling at colleges which require the SSAR will have to send in their official transcripts to verify the information they entered on the SSAR.
Tips for the College Application Essays
While many rising seniors are not quite focused on their college applications, there are many pieces they can and should begin to take care of now. The essay is one of them. Many colleges have not released their supplemental essay topics, but the common application and coalition application essays are out and ready to be tackled. Here are my tips to get you started:
While many rising seniors are not quite focused on their college applications, there are many pieces they can and should begin to take care of now. The essay is one of them. Some colleges have not yet released their supplemental essay topics, but the common application and coalition application essays are out and ready to be tackled. Here are my tips to get you started:
Don't Focus on the Prompt – For the basic common app. or coalition essays, think about your story or something you want to share and it will most likely fit. Don't forget there is always the Topic of Your Choice if needed.
Be YOU – If you have not heard this by now, you should have. The whole idea is to help admissions get to know you and pretending to be someone you are not or someone you think they want you to be is not helping anyone. This is your chance to share something about you that can not be found anywhere else in the application.
Start EARLY – The essay topics are out, why not begin now? For many students, the idea of sitting down to write such an important essay (or maybe any essay at all) seems daunting. However, delaying it is not going to make it any better. Starting early not only gives you more opportunity to write a quality essay, it also gives you time to really consider what you want to share with admissions. Some students end up writing several entirely different essays before they arrive to the one they are happy with and that takes TIME.
Brainstorm – You may have an idea or two in mind when you take a quick glance at the prompts, but it is time to dig deeper. Doing some excellent brainstorming activities can be really helpful for coming up with a good focus for your essay. I highly recommend the exercises from Ethan Sawyer, The College Essay Guy. His Essence Objects and Values exercises are great. If you are still drawing a blank, take a few days off and come back to it.
Make it Personal and Entertaining – You want the readers to remember you after your essay and be able to connect you with YOUR story. You also want them to want to finish reading it. Give them details, use adjectives, don’t be repetitive, dig deep and you will be fine. Admissions readers get many essays on the same topic and sometimes on the most mundane subjects, but the way they were written turned them into something special. Ask anyone in admissions what their favorite essays were about and you may be surprised.
Get Feedback but not too Much – It is definitely a good idea to have someone read over your essay to check for grammatical errors and get an overall opinion. However, do not forget this is YOUR essay. Sometimes getting too many opinions ends up leaving you more confused than helped. Ask someone you trust for an honest opinion, triple check your grammar, and be done!