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College Essays and 7 Quick Tips On Writing The Best

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College Essays and 7 Quick Tips On Writing The Best

Finding your voice can be a challenge, especially when most students’ school years are marked by a stifling of their creativity. When students’ focus falls strictly on how high their grades are, there is a strong possibility of having their authentic voices censored or even silenced. However, they will be surprised to find out that college will gradually motivate them to showcase their uniqueness. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss college essays and what it is that makes them so important to the admissions offices. Together we’ll uncover the 7 best tips on how to write the best college essay. Grab a pen and a paper because we’re going to dive deeply into this subject!

  1. Writing About Something Inspiring

Most college applications focus on a student’s achievements, such as extracurricular activities or leadership experience. However, while these details do tell a part of the story, they ultimately fail to express something truly personal about the person . When writing a college essay, it’s important to remember that the applicant is speaking directly to the admissions officers. They want to understand what each student is all about, as well as their innermost motivations in life.

The safest thing to do is to write about something truly inspiring. There are many college essay examples online but each student will have to think for themselves in terms of what it is they want to convey. They should write about something they know very well or an experience that has shaped who they are today.

  1. Going In-Depth About A Passion Or A Hobby

Although most students have a rather limited life experience, they surely have at least one hobby they can talk about for hours. By doing this, applicants can showcase an ability that they might be able to pursue during college. No need to put an entire life in an essay. However, describing a small part of it will surely do. 

An honest passion for a particular activity can increase the chances of standing out from other peers. So whether we’re talking about a love of music, dancing, or even basketball, it’s important to make sure that it’s all conveyed empathically and honestly.

  1. Writing Authentically

First-generation college students understand that authenticity is key when writing a college essay. The culture that has turned college admission into a conquest has missed out on a simple concept ━ establishing what it is that students want to get out of college, and most importantly, who they are. 

Authenticity should be the applicants top priority. Their voices should exude this quality throughout the entirety of their essays. When you know who you are or when you’re in the process of self-discovery, it’s crucial to hold on to authenticity and express it whenever it’s possible. It will always come across as commendable, even when done clumsily.

  1. Showcasing A Unique Personality
College Essay

Admissions officers want to get to know each student. They’re not bothered by how many times they read essays on the same topics. However, they want to see each student’s take on things. What does this person add to the topic that the other won’t? Allowing one’s unique personality to infiltrate each paragraph can pave the way to success. 

By focusing more on how certain things, ideas, or situations affect students on a personal level, they will get to showcase their distinct attributes and make a great first impression. Self-awareness is a must. Quick tip ━ college essays on money, work, or social class can offer an impressive way of diving deeper into one’s personality.

  1. Being Concise & Accurate

Most students wonder about how long a college essay should be. This depends on the college of choice and what their requirements are. It’s easy to find out using The Common App because most universities use it. Since sending in the first draft is a generally unpopular practice, rewrite it until it fits into the word limit.

Another important detail to look out for is conciseness and accuracy when writing the essay. It’s nice to be descriptive and elaborate but students should always aim for surgeon-like precision when writing down their thoughts. Are all the details important to mention? Can they get the point across by removing some of the unnecessary parts? If so, they should do it!

  1. Formatting The Perfect College Essay

When formatting a college essay, students must be cautious. A great essay has to be neat, orderly, and most importantly, easy to read. No one wants to read an essay filled with grammatical errors and missing commas. The paragraphs must be separated clearly from one another. A standard font like Times New Roman will never disappoint. The lines should have 1.5 spacing and the margins should be set to 1 inch. Keep it basic.

Using tools such as Grammarly can surely come in handy before sending it in. That way, you can discover minor errors and correct them where it’s necessary. The paper should be a pleasure to read. Formatting helps a lot, so it’s important to pay attention to these details. 

  1. Keeping An Eye Out For Supplemental Essays

Most highly selective colleges require supplemental essays. They are additional writing samples  that are just as important to the college application. Students should view them as another chance to display their uniqueness and intellectual stamina. 

Writing a couple of great essays shouldn’t be a stumbling block, but rather an opportunity to shine brighter and bring forth important insights. The word “supplemental” might confuse some students and have them believe that it’s synonymous with “optional”. That couldn’t be further from the truth. A successful application may sometimes depend on supplemental essays, so it’s an important detail to take into consideration.

The bottom line is…

Writing the perfect college essay doesn’t happen overnight. It requires rewriting, adjusting, and high levels of authenticity. ScholarPrep Nation makes it its mission to simplify the journey to college and scholarship applications. 

With the help of the ScholarPrep Organizer, aspiring students will be able to tackle each section that they will encounter during applications. Also, The Organizer will be a trustworthy provider of helpful tips to fill out perfect applications. The current Portfolio Edition contains pocket folders to keep application materials organized so that everything is together in one place. Get yours today!

A Note From Our Friend, Jordan

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Dear Friends:

When The Village Method began providing youth development and outreach services for middle schoolers, we knew that we had developed a cohort model that would eventually serve high schoolers. Jordan Schanda King was generous enough to provide free access to her online content and curriculum. After running her business for seven years, she has decided to move on and trust us with keeping the service going. Here is a letter from Jordan, in her own words…

Seven years ago, my mom and I took on the challenge of creating an organizational system that could help parents and high school students be more prepared for their college journey. We have supported thousands of students to win scholarships and successfully transition into college of their choice. Our High School Organizer, Online Courses, Coaching Intensives, and Resources have been valuable assets for school districts and families throughout the country, and around the world. This work has been deeply rewarding for me and I am forever grateful to the districts, schools, community-based organizations, families, youth, churches, and individuals who have supported us over the years. 

A few years ago, Mark & Mahea Gaskins reached out to me to learn more about ScholarPrep. They are the founders of a thriving nonprofit organization, called The Village Method, which helps children from underserved communities succeed in school. They developed a cohort model that partners with school districts to support students from 3rd grade to and through high school. I fell in love with their passion and the mission of the program and donated ScholarPrep materials and online courses to support their cause. Every year, they returned after having increased the number of students they served and expanding their programming. It was clear that their model of service was successful in reaching and retaining youth and families and this is the sort of program that I believe in. 

As some of you may know, my husband and I recently welcomed our firstborn into the world and many of our priorities have shifted to focus on family. While coronavirus has caused a great strain on many families, school districts, and organizations, I am thankful to have met the Gaskins’ and to support their continued success. Fundamentally, we have made a bet that when youth and families are more organized and aware of the steps to get into college – there will be more success and less debt. The Gaskins’ accepted that challenge and are committed to reaching every student; especially those who tend to fall through the cracks of our education system today. 

I am excited to share that The Gaskins’ have accepted ownership of ScholarPrep and will be continuing the work that my mom and I started. I will continue to play an active role in the development and transition of the program and am confident that they will take ScholarPrep to the next level. Their network of educational consultants, college recruiters, and a new savvy team of college-aged mentors will prove to be a valuable asset to the continued success. 

As I sign off, I urge you to continue supporting this husband and wife team, as you have my mom and I, to build upon our success. It took a village to build ScholarPrep and it will take a village to continue its growth. Even in the midst of COVID-19 and sheltering in place, I remain hopeful that the best is yet to come. 

With gratitude, 

Jordan Schanda King

We’re honored to take on this tremendous opportunity and expand our service offerings for high schoolers. There is a tremendous amount of work to do and we need all the support possible to reach those who would normally fall in the cracks of our educational system. Stay tuned as we plan to share our vision in an upcoming letter. Until then, keep building!

– Mark & Mahea Gaskins, Founders

13 Ways to Show Leadership on College Applications

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Students who can lead are considered motivated, dependable, problem-solvers, and team-players. This is exactly why college admission and scholarship review committees are looking for leadership qualities.

What is leadership?

But what does leadership experience mean, and more specifically what does it look like for high school students?

DEFINITION: By leadership experience, we mean everything that demonstrates a student’s ability to take initiative, lead their peers, serve as a role model or even create something new.

There are so many opportunities for students to gain leadership experience – and it’s not just officer positions of a club.

CLARIFICATION: Leadership does NOT mean outgoing; so don’t be intimidated at the thought of taking on a leadership role.

How do I find leadership opportunities?

Many times, you can make your own opportunities for leadership experience. Don’t limit yourself to the idea that leadership is defined by officer titles such as president, secretary or treasurer. Often, you can find situations that require someone to step up. You can also brainstorm ways to create your own leadership role. Is there an event coming up that needs someone to plan it? Is there a need at your school or in your town that no one is addressing?

BONUS TIP: Students who are heavily involved in a particular interest or know their future career/major should strive for leadership roles that compliment that area.

Here are 13 ways students can show leadership experience on their applications:

  1. Run for an officer position (the obvious choice): This could include student government or any other club or organization that you are a part of.
  2. Plan an event: Events take a lot of planning, coordination and leadership. Look for opportunities to become a team leader or organizer for an event.
  3. Lead a project: Do you have an idea for a project, but no one wants to take on the planning? Do it yourself! Creating a new project or initiative and bringing it to fruition really stands out on applications. Whether it’s implementing a new recycling program at your school, organizing a food donation collection, or starting your town’s first stream team, taking this kind of initiative will set you apart.
  4. Spearhead a campaign: Interested in politics? Showcase your leadership abilities by getting involved in school, local community, state, or even national campaigns.
  5. Step up at work: Leadership isn’t just for school clubs and community service organizations. You can gain leadership experience at your job by working your way up to shift leader, supervisor or management.
  6. Become the captain of your sports team: Playing a sport gives you the opportunity to gain leadership by becoming a team captain or leader of the team.
  7. Coordinate volunteers: It takes strong leadership and communication skills to coordinate volunteers. Offer to manage schedules, sign-ups, assignments, and more…
  8. Start something new: Are you really passionate about robotics, or the environment, or something else? If there isn’t a club for your particular interest at your school, consider starting one! Not only will it give you leadership experience, it will also give you the opportunity to meet and engage with others who are interested in the same thing!
  9. Head up a committee: Next time there’s a call for volunteers to manage a committee, raise your hand. Make sure you track the progress and impact of your committee – what did you accomplish?
  10. Organize a fundraiser: Take initiative in a club or organization by offering to organize a fundraiser. This is a big undertaking, but this type of project looks great on an application, especially if you can highlight the specific outcomes of the fundraiser.
  11. Become a peer mentor: Is there a peer mentoring program at your school? Have you served as a camp counselor? Look for ways to lead through mentorship.
  12. Take the lead in community service: Ask the organization or your volunteer supervisor how you can get more involved and gain some leadership experience. They’ll be impressed and find ways for you to build your resume.
  13. Show off your entrepreneurial side: Sell jewelry on Etsy, give private tennis lessons, start a small woodworking business in your basement, repair or tailor clothes for friends and family members, sell your famous granola and blueberry muffins, tutor for the ACT or SAT…. the possibilities are endless! What hobby, skill or interest can you turn into a business?

Here’s your leadership challenge:

Make a list of at least five (5) ideas for leadership experience. They can be roles you’ve already held or ones you can take on in the future. Use the list above to help brainstorm opportunities in areas that interest you.

BONUS TIP: Anything that recognizes your leadership role should be kept, including awards, newspaper articles or pictures.

Congrats, you’re now officially on your way to creating an impressive application. Leadership is just one piece of the puzzle, read on for more tips:

How Do You Actually Find Scholarships?

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One of the questions I hear most often is: how can we actually find scholarships?

So, here’s my best advice and top resources for finding and winning scholarships.

First, it’s important to know that there are four main sources of scholarships:

  1. The college or university you will attend
  2. The department that houses your major
  3. Local organizations and businesses
  4. Organizations and businesses nationwide

As I walk you through each of these sources, keep in mind that some of these tips are for seniors who are already applying to college (or have maybe already been accepted – congrats!). Other tips are applicable to ALL students (junior high, high school or college).

The college or university you will attend

You will likely automatically be considered for these scholarships when you apply; however, check with your school because you may have to submit a separate application.

The department that houses your major/minor

One of the reasons why it is important to declare your major freshman year is because it makes you eligible for scholarships from your department. Check their website for scholarship opportunities, which will require a separate application (you won’t automatically be entered to win these when you apply for admission).

Local organizations and businesses

I split up local and non-local sources because the way you find these can vary.

Finding local scholarship opportunities has become easier in recent years because of the internet. However, you may still have to make phone calls, visit businesses and read your local newspaper to cover all of your bases.

The best place to start is with your guidance counselor and even the counselors at other local schools. They are experts on college scholarship opportunities and will be able to point you in the right direction. Find out if they post these online or if they have an email list you can join. For some, you may need to call or stop by periodically to see if there are new scholarship opportunities available.

You can also check with the local colleges in your area. Typically, they will have a list of scholarships available to students in the region, regardless of where you actually attend school.

Why is searching locally so important?

Local scholarships have far fewer applicants than national or college specific scholarship opportunities. It’s important to find all of these scholarships, even if they are smaller awards. They are usually less competitive and just a few small scholarships will add up quickly.

Sources of local college scholarships include:

  • Community foundations
  • Local businesses
  • Local chapters of national, state or international organizations
  • State and local governments

A quick google search and some phone calls will help you put together a great list of local scholarship opportunities. Make sure you add them to our handy dandy scholarship tracking spreadsheet so that you can stay organized and never miss a deadline.

BONUS TIP: Get your parents involved by asking them to make a list of potential sources based on the ideas above. They might also want to ask around town about sources that may have been overlooked.

Organizations and business nationwide

There are so many scholarships out there. In fact, there may be as many scholarships as there are students. Personal attributes or life experiences are often eligibility requirements for student specific scholarships. Examples include students who are:

  • First generation college students
  • American Indians
  • Immigrants or have immigrant parents
  • Minorities or under-represented populations
  • Parents, especially single-parents
  • Handicapped or disabled
  • Children of Alumni
  • Adopted or were in foster care
  • Victims of tragedy, loss or illness
  • Veterans or have veteran parents
  • Home-schooled
  • And many more…

When searching for college scholarships, be sure to also think about your interests, community involvement, memberships, affiliations and career aspirations. Examples of these include:

  • Civic organizations
  • Churches
  • Eagle Scouts
  • YMCA
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • High school clubs and organizations (FBLA, FCCLA, DECA, FFA, etc…)
  • National Merit Scholarship (Did you take the PSAT junior year?)
  • Varsity sports
  • Musical or artistic abilities
  • College majors
  • Future career or profession

I have three favorite sources for finding scholarships:

  1. Google
  2. JLV College Counseling
  3. This scholarship book on Amazon

I like google because you can search using keywords, like those listed above. For instance, if one of your hobbies is operating a ham radio, try searching “college scholarships for ham radio operators.” This is a real example that turned up a list of 80 scholarships for one of my students.

JLV College Counseling is a great site because you can search for scholarships by grade, age, interest, characteristics and more. She also keeps it current so you know they are scholarships still available.

The Ultimate Book of Scholarships on Amazon is a great resource for families because parents can flag scholarships when they have down time, like sitting at the doctor’s office, getting their oil changed, or waiting for kids to get done with practice.

Now all you have to do is start your search, compile your list, fill out the applications and be mindful of the deadlines. Make sure you stay organized by using our handy dandy scholarship tracking spreadsheet.

TIP: Try to think of searching for scholarships as a job. It may take you a total of 10 hours to find a scholarship, fill out the application, write the essay and submit all of the required materials. If you receive that $750 scholarship, you would have made $75 per hour!

Scholarship Resources:

Interview: How to Win Scholarships for College with Access 2 Admissions CEO Elisa Buckner

How to Narrow Down Your Top College List

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This is a guest post written by our friend, Heather Lomax, a contributing writer and media relations specialist for Hi Quality Tutorials. She regularly produces content for a variety of higher education blogs, discussing how to apply to college and survive while you’re there.

Where you choose to attend school is one of life’s biggest choices, serving as the first major step on the path to your career. Every university will have different connections programs, job opportunities. With this added pressure, it can be pretty overwhelming to narrow down your final list of potential colleges, but we’re here to help.

1. The Cost

The cost of higher education ranks as one of the top deciding factors for prospective students. In-state and out-of-state tuition can vary dramatically, and earning a scholarship to attend a certain school can make take a huge toll on your financial well-being once you graduate. If you earn a substantial scholarship or a full-ride to a university, then that school warrants your full consideration.

While a specific school might not be one of your top choices for various reasons, a full scholarship could bump it to the top of the list, especially if your parents can’t afford to contribute to your schooling. Knowing that you’ll graduate without a load of student loan debt will also ease much of the stress that comes with attending school.

2. Campus Size

Depending on where you’re from and what kind of experience you’re looking for, campus size and style is another significant thing to consider when making your choice. Some students are looking for a smaller, more intimate learning experience at a private liberal arts college, while many want the lifestyle and social opportunities that are provided by a much larger campus. Making on-campus visits to some of the more appealing options on your list can help you get a feel for your options, and eliminate some of the weaker choices on your list

3. Strength of Program

Many incoming freshmen have no idea what their intended major will be, and that’s okay! But for those who have at least a general idea of what they wish to study, checking into the strength of certain programs is a must. Different universities offer different specializations, and while a certain school might have a nice campus or a strong athletics program, if they have a bad reputation for your desired major, it’s a good idea to scratch that school of your list.

4. Distance from Home

It can be inconvenient to live far from home while in college, especially if you plan to visit your family often. But perhaps you want to go as far away as possible to foster your independence. Whatever your preference, consider how comfortable you are living out on your own and how often you would like to be able to visit home. Sometimes it’s a safe bet to stay within a few hours of home so you won’t have to deal with holiday traffic or long flights – even though it’s only a few times a year, the inconvenience will have you dreading the happiest times of year.

5. Pros and Cons

If the first four points don’t help, then it’s time to make a pros and cons list. Consider the top three or four universities that are remaining, and make a list of all the pros and cons that these choices offer. Take everything into consideration, from the cost of room and board, to the number of people you know are attending, to the mock classes that you took during your tour. Share the list with family and close friends, and with their guidance, you should come to the right conclusion.

Need a little bit of help narrowing down your list?

Download our College List Worksheet:

The Secret to Preparing for College and Scholarship Applications

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If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’ve googled something along the lines of “how to prepare for college” and you know that there is a ton of information out there on what parents and students should or should not be doing to prepare.

This can be so overwhelming!

Let me share a little secret with you: Having all of your child’s information from four years of high school written down and organized is the only way to ensure that filling out applications is not an overwhelming experience.

The more organized their information, the less time it takes to fill out applications. The less time it takes to fill out applications, the more likely they are to apply – and they can apply for more scholarships with that time they save!

The College-Prep System Checklist

I have put together a College-Prep System Checklist just for parents who want to get organized and help their children save time on applications!

Download the checklist and follow each step to create the perfect organizational system for your family.

Grab the Checklist

These simple steps will ensure you’re on track for college and scholarship applications and to make the most of the organizational system you create!

Why is getting organized so important?

Organization is essential for preparing to apply for college and scholarships, but it is also one of the most important life skills to develop in high school.

Note to Parents:

  • Keep in mind is that the organizational system that works for you is not necessarily the system that will work for your student.

Note to Students:

  • Don’t be afraid to try different methods. If you start off using a paper planner, but find that you frequently forget to keep it updated, try a method that you can update directly from your phone instead.

Tips for staying organized:

  1. Use To-Do Lists: This is a great way to make sure nothing is forgotten and crossing items off the list creates a sense of accomplishment.
  2. Set and Reward Goals: Write down and review goals each month! Don’t forget to celebrate when goals are reached – this will keep you motivated and excited throughout the planning process.
  3. Have a Catch All Device: Avoid missing deadlines and forgetting important information by writing things down immediately and then filing/scheduling later.
  4. Do It Now: Procrastination can drain your energy and create extra stress. Get into the habit of tackling tasks immediately.

If you follow these tips and use the College-Prep System Checklist to create an organizational system, you will be able to keep your student on track and you will have peace of mind.

Download the College-Prep System Checklist so that you’ll be ready and organized for college and scholarship applications!

Grab the Checklist