Friday, December 19, 2008
From the gatekeepers themselves...
This New York Times article asks deans at a handful of colleges a series of questions about the college admissions process. Definitely worth checking out.
Monday, December 8, 2008
What are you waiting for?
If you need Letters of Recommendation:
• Get one Recommendation Request Form from Ms. McEvoy (Room 513) for EACH teacher you are asking to write a letter for you.
• Provide each recommender with a list of your accomplishments, either in or out of the classroom. If you feel like you don’t have a lot of extra stuff for them to write about, try to remind them of any special achievements you had in their classes, or any projects you worked particularly hard on.
• Write down the names of each school you are applying to (along with the deadline for your application) on each form.
• Most Schools provide a Teacher Recommendation form. Print out this form from each school that provides it and attach it to your Request Form.
• Provide an envelope addressed to the admissions office for each letter you are requesting.
You should be making these requests now! The longer you wait, the harder it will be for your recommender to write a good letter.
• Get one Recommendation Request Form from Ms. McEvoy (Room 513) for EACH teacher you are asking to write a letter for you.
• Provide each recommender with a list of your accomplishments, either in or out of the classroom. If you feel like you don’t have a lot of extra stuff for them to write about, try to remind them of any special achievements you had in their classes, or any projects you worked particularly hard on.
• Write down the names of each school you are applying to (along with the deadline for your application) on each form.
• Most Schools provide a Teacher Recommendation form. Print out this form from each school that provides it and attach it to your Request Form.
• Provide an envelope addressed to the admissions office for each letter you are requesting.
You should be making these requests now! The longer you wait, the harder it will be for your recommender to write a good letter.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Gobble Gobble
Since I'm sure you'll all be so busy reading this website and working on your college applications over Thanksgiving break, I want to make myself somewhat available. If you have any questions as you go along, post them as a comment here. I will check the blog every night over the long weekend and try to answer any questions you leave.
Macaulay Honors College
If you think you are interested in Macaulay Honors College click the link and check it out. This is a great opportunity for a prestigious education right here in New York City. Here are some of the perks:
Macaulay students are designated University Scholars and each receives:
A full-tuition scholarship
$7500 Opportunities Fund to pursue global learning, independent research, and internship opportunities
Apple® Macintosh® laptop and technology support
Cultural Passports granting free or reduced-price admission to arts and educational institutions throughout New York City
Dedicated Macaulay Honors College advisors
When you apply to CUNY, you'll be asked at the beginning whether you want to apply to Macaulay Honors College or for regular admission. If you want Macaulay Honors, click on that. You will then fill out a specific application for that program. You won't choose a handful of schools as you would with a regualr CUNY application. You will choose one, for example: Macaulay at Baruch. If you are not accepted for the Macaulay program at Baruch, you will still be considered for regular admission at Baruch. If you are not accepted to Baruch at all, a CUNY representative will work with you to find the right school in the CUNY system.
The application requires three (yes, three) essays. When you pick yourself up off the floor, read ahead to see what you can write about.
Essay 1 is a choice between the following 2 essays:
Pick a place or activity that is important to you. Tell us a story about your experience at that place or with that activity that reveals something about you. (500 words or less)
Or
Our association of food with culture is generally automatic and unquestioned. Food, because it is so inextricably tied with need and pleasure, becomes the nexus of rich association. In this essay, tell us about a dish that holds a strong associative power for you and teach us something that is of personal importance to you. (500 words or less)
Essay number 2 is a choice between the following two topics:
Last night you were interviewed on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart". Transcribe the interview. (500 words or less)
Or
Pose an original question and answer it. (500 words or less)
Essay number 3 is the following:
It is now 2013. How has The Macaulay Honors College changed you? (300 words or less)
The deadline for this program is December 15th! Get started today and see me for help!
Macaulay students are designated University Scholars and each receives:
A full-tuition scholarship
$7500 Opportunities Fund to pursue global learning, independent research, and internship opportunities
Apple® Macintosh® laptop and technology support
Cultural Passports granting free or reduced-price admission to arts and educational institutions throughout New York City
Dedicated Macaulay Honors College advisors
When you apply to CUNY, you'll be asked at the beginning whether you want to apply to Macaulay Honors College or for regular admission. If you want Macaulay Honors, click on that. You will then fill out a specific application for that program. You won't choose a handful of schools as you would with a regualr CUNY application. You will choose one, for example: Macaulay at Baruch. If you are not accepted for the Macaulay program at Baruch, you will still be considered for regular admission at Baruch. If you are not accepted to Baruch at all, a CUNY representative will work with you to find the right school in the CUNY system.
The application requires three (yes, three) essays. When you pick yourself up off the floor, read ahead to see what you can write about.
Essay 1 is a choice between the following 2 essays:
Pick a place or activity that is important to you. Tell us a story about your experience at that place or with that activity that reveals something about you. (500 words or less)
Or
Our association of food with culture is generally automatic and unquestioned. Food, because it is so inextricably tied with need and pleasure, becomes the nexus of rich association. In this essay, tell us about a dish that holds a strong associative power for you and teach us something that is of personal importance to you. (500 words or less)
Essay number 2 is a choice between the following two topics:
Last night you were interviewed on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart". Transcribe the interview. (500 words or less)
Or
Pose an original question and answer it. (500 words or less)
Essay number 3 is the following:
It is now 2013. How has The Macaulay Honors College changed you? (300 words or less)
The deadline for this program is December 15th! Get started today and see me for help!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
FAFSA and other stuff...
Get ahead of the game and sign up for your FAFSA pin today. Sign up for your parent's too, and have it sent to your email. And speaking of email - it's time to sign up for a grown up email. One that doesn't have the word "sexy" or "guns" in it or any weird spellings of any weird things. Keep your wild and crazy email for your friends, but have a professional sounding email for colleges!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Getting into College...
...is tough!
I'm here to make it a little easier. I'll be available for college counseling 2nd period and 8th period, every day, unless I'm visiting an advisory. I'd like to meet with each senior a few times before Christmas. Stop by, or I'll come find you if I have to.
Keep in mind, I won't be able to get you into college with a wave of my magic pencil. You've got to be on your game, organized, proactive and, basically, OBSESSED! Have some ideas before I get to you.
To the right, you'll find some links you won't be able to do without.
And here's a hint, right off the bat: write down your passwords for everything - and don't forget where! In fact, if you can, use the same usernames and passwords for each site. Use whatever you use for your e-mail. It might not be the most secure approach, but it will spare you the "Oh-my-God-I-forgot-my-password-for-the-fourth-time" meltdown. Applying to college is time-consuming enough without all that drama!
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