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May 7 2013

Why You Should Rock Your APs and IBs Posted By Leah Kaminsky in Education comments

By the time you’re a junior or senior in high school, you’re well on your way to being burnt out on tests. From SATs, SAT IIs, ACTs, and oodles of course exams and ultra-fun pop quizzes, no one could blame you for hating the words “number 2 pencil.” And we’re not even going to talk about driver’s tests and all of those social tests your so-called friends force you through every day.

We get the test weariness, we really do. But if you’ve been admitted to college and are feeling like you deserve to slack off in your AP or IB courses, hold those horses--you just might be making things more difficult for yourself. Why?

College credit.

As your parents and counselors have probably told you a thousand times, good scores on your AP or IB courses can potentially get you out of a course or two in college. This can save you both time and money, and can even help you to graduate early. At the very least, it can help alleviate the stress of a heavy course load in your first semester, when you may want to concentrate on making the big transition into college life. Or, for those looking to major in intense courses of study like the pre-Med track, credit can help you stuff more courses in more quickly so that you can have the chance to study abroad and take advantage of other enriching experiences.

Grades.

Just like all others, grades for the AP and IB courses that you take in your senior year still matter even in the spring semester. Sure, you might have an offer of admission, but that can be revoked if your college-to-be thinks you’re slacking off.

So...don’t! Do well in your higher courses, get great grades, and just so happen to rock your exams along the way.

But I’m a junior! I’m already worried about my AP exams--so much so that I think getting a 3 will ruin my chances at college admission.

Whoa there, tiger. We told you that these exams were important, but no one said that your very college admission depended on it. Just getting a good grade in class will look great to admissions officers, though a good AP or IB score couldn’t hurt. That said, scores below a 4 or 5 won’t get you out of any first year courses, so it still makes sense to try your hardest so you can alleviate some of that first semester load.

Got it? Great.

Now go on and look up your test date so that you don’t make one of those test anxiety dreams a reality.

Leah Kaminsky is the founder and head writing specialist at Just Start Applications. She’s been writing since before she was born (that’s right, it’s possible!) and has over a decade of experience helping students and business people tell their stories using their authentic voice. Check out her full bio and contact us today for help getting into the college, graduate school or medical school of your choice.

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May 2 2013

Thank You Notes 101 Posted By Leah Kaminsky in Education comments

Congratulations, Seniors! Today is May 2nd, so in addition to being that much closer to graduating, by now you have sent in the deposit to hold your spot at your dream college. Now its time to start shopping for dorm accoutrements and getting ready to take your campus by storm!

But, you know what else it’s time to do? This may be less fun than taking your campus by storm, but it is no less important: You need to sit down and write some really good thank you notes to all the people who helped you out along this weird and stressful journey that was the college application process. 

If you listen to pretty much any adult anywhere, you’ll hear them lamenting the fact that texting and social media has RUINED the English language. You’ll also hear that “kids today can’t write.” Prove them wrong when you write the best and most thoughtful thank you notes ever to your teachers and recommenders.  Our Do’s and Don’ts  list will help you with this endeavor:

Don’t!

*Print out a mass thank you note that looks generic.

*Wait too long to send your letters. (Right around now is the perfect time...what are you waiting for?!)

*Use any old piece of paper from your notebook.

*Spell your recipient’s name incorrectly.

*Be embarrassed to be earnest. Heartfelt is appreciated.

*Use cards from last Christmas or Halloween or a Get Well Card.

Do!:

*Choose an attractive card or piece of stationary. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just appealing.

*Address your recipient by name: Dear Mrs. Bates, Hi Mr. Crawford...

*Let your recipient know what you are thanking them for specifically: “I really appreciate all the times you worked with me after class to help me get my Math scores up this year.”

*Indicate that you are excited about the future and note the role the recipient played: “It means so much to me to be going to Swarthmore next year. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

*Include well wishes: “I hope you have a great summer and that you aren’t too sad to see the Class of 2013 leave. Next year’s students will be lucky to have you.”

*Remember to sign your note and include an appropriate closing: Thanks, Best, Take Care, Warm Regards, Your Affectionately, etc.

*Hand deliver your note if possible. (We don’t mean show up at someone’s house. But perhaps drop it by their classroom or office if appropriate.)

Here’s a sample to help guide you as you write your way to etiquette fame:

Dear Mrs. Bates,

I can’t believe high school is almost over! I feel like just yesterday I was a freshman, terrified of all the upperclassmen. I just wanted to thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me over the past few years. In addition to being a letter writer for me, you were also an amazing teacher and mentor. I feel lucky to have had the chance to take two classes with you. I’m so happy to be going to Syracuse next year, and you were a big part of helping me to get there. I’ll miss our class together and wish you all the best. 

Sincerely,

Suzie A. Sample

Now that you know what to Do and what Not to Do, all that’s left is to just sit down and do it. People really, really appreciate the few moments that it takes to write-out a thoughtful and personalized thank you. Thanks for reading! It means a lot to me that you took the time to...see, thank you writing is addictive!

Jamie Oldham is a college admissions coach for Just Start Applications, and a pretty great gal, too. While her interests are varied (she does have a higher degree in Liberal Arts, after all), one of her great life's passions is helping students and parents through the admissions process, doling out great college and graduate school admissions tips along the way. Check out her full bio and contact us today to get her on your team.

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Apr 30 2013

Tips for Writing Residency Personal Statements Posted By Leah Kaminsky in Education comments

We’re one day away from May, and all across the nation medical school students are cramming as much knowledge into their heads as possible...And just trying to stay awake. But after May comes June, and in theory June means summer break, even though few med students will actually be doing much relaxing. Still, whether you’re planning on filling those long summer months with research, more studying, or the occasional trip to the beach, there’s one thing you should really start thinking about: Your residency personal statement (and, really, your medical residency application at large).

Yes, that’s right. After years of focusing on facts and figures and trying desperately to stay out in the front of a competitive, type A doctory pack, you’re soon going to have to write. Unfair, right? Yep, but you’ve got to do it (and we believe in you!), so here are our top 5 tips for writing the most compelling personal statements for residency possible.

1. Know the Objective
Unlike a college essay, residency personal statements aren’t about being the most creative and captivating in the world. In fact, getting super-cutesy and out of the box will likely do more harm than good. The objective here is simply to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and clearly state your medical goals.

However, this does not mean rehashing material you’ve already included in your CV. Instead, it’s best to pick a theme that really captures who you are, and structure your story around that central tenet. For example, a candidate applying to a family medicine residency might emphasize their love of bedside care, and provide us with both a deeper philosophy and anecdotes to fit this theme. Or, that same candidate might show us their journey from more general interests into this specific specialty. Choose your theme first, and the structure will come.

Speaking of which...

2. Choose Your Structure
Residency personal statements are a lot closer to a job application than to other personal writing you might have done in the past. As such, you’ll generally want to start by stating the residency you’ve picked upfront. A more straightforward essay would then go on to explain the skills, clinical experiences and personal attributes that make you uniquely qualified for that specialty, your personal and practical goals, and your reasons for applying specifically to that program.

However, while the introduction and conclusions of your residency personal statement should stick closely to this outline (i.e. by stating your goals and clarifying why this program in particular is a fit), the middle of your essay can vary based on your own personal style.

You might, for example, tell your story chronologically and experientially, from your first moments playing doctor in preschool to this very moment (though be sure to privilege your more recent academic and personal developments unless there really is something remarkable about your early experiences with medicine). In contrast, you might stick to one personal narrative that really captures the breadth and depth of your relationship to medicine. Or you might trace your academic and intellectual journey and your developing fascination with your specialty as you progressed to the very point of your application. No matter what route you take, choose the one that’s best for your unique story.

3. Include Lots of Details
There’s one thing that can turn any essay, no matter how straightforward and professional, from a bland affair into something that pops off the page: Details. Sure, this can mean the sensual details your writing teachers back in elementary school always talked about, like what you smelled and saw when you came upon that formative car accident that first awoke your doctoring instincts. But it can also mean expanding on statements by giving specifics.

For example, rather than saying, “I have always enjoyed taking care of people” and leaving it at that, we’ll get a much better sense of who you are, what kind of doctor you’ll be and what you believe in if you say something like, “I have always enjoyed taking care of people, from my grandmother, who was ill with MS for most of my childhood, to my nieces and nephews, whose aches and pains can be solved with a bandaid and a hug.” You might even want to go deeper from here, but even just including these two little details on their own makes this statement specific to you and separates you from the pool of candidates.

4. Avoid These Don’ts
Don’t stop at the generic level. If you want to be a doctor, the committee can assume that you enjoy medicine. Again, use your details to show us the whys and hows of these statements.

Don’t insult other specialties. You might have considered becoming an ophthalmologist and then realized you hated it. That’s good info for you to know, but don’t dismiss the entire discipline as you discuss your personal journey.

Don’t sound too negative. We want to hear your personal story, but if you’ve still got unresolved issues to discuss (don’t we all?) your residency personal statement is not the place. Keep it focused on your journey and where you’re headed next.

Don’t forget to discuss what you feel you can contribute both to the field. Committees are looking for willing students and colleagues.

5. Check Out These Samples
The best way to learn is by example. Take a good read of these residency personal statement samples at MedFools for a little creative inspiration.

Need more help from there? Check out our more extensive guide to ERAs and contact us today for helping getting into the residency of your dreams!

Leah Kaminsky is the founder and head writing specialist at Just Start Applications. She’s been writing since before she was born (that’s right, it’s possible!) and has over a decade of experience helping students and business people tell their stories using their authentic voice. Check out her full bio and contact us today for help getting into the college, graduate school or medical school of your choice.

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Apr 25 2013

What does a Spring Admission Offer Mean for You? Posted By Admin in Education comments

If you are one of a growing number of students who have received an offer of Spring Admission from a college, you probably have some questions: What does a Spring offer actually mean for you? And what on earth are you supposed to do for those few unscheduled months in the Fall?  Don’t worry – you might be confused, but you are certainly not alone out there in there your confusion (or your Spring Admission).

Accepting or declining an offer of Spring Admission is a personal decision, but before making that decision, it’s best to give it a good think. Below, we explain what a spring offer means and give some tips for how to make the best of it.

Congratulations on Your Spring Admission to Your Dream College!:

Essentially, schools that offer delayed admission are playing a numbers game. They have a spot for you – just not right this very second. Instead, in offering certain students a later admission date, they hope to maximize the number of students that are enrolled, without overloading the system. Fall semesters are notoriously packed with students, making it more difficult to make room for newbies like you. On the other hand, student numbers on campus drop in spring as students go on leave, transfer, or study abroad; this means of course that there is more room for you!

Being offered a later admission date isn’t a bad thing; it doesn’t mean you aren’t “really” accepted or that they don’t “really” want you. But there are a number of questions that you should explore before making a decision:

*How will a later entrance date impact your progress through/towards your major? For example, if a certain required class for the Engineering major is only offered each fall quarter, you might have to wait to really get going on these crucial courses. Be safe and talk to an advisor who has expertise in your major/field of interest.

*Does the school have programs to help you integrate with regular start students? A lot of friendship and bonding happens that first Fall semester in the dorms and in freshman experience groups. If you have concerns about finding your way into a friend group, do some research and see what types of resources your school offers to help Spring starters feel acclimated and included.

*Does entering in the Spring mean anything for financial aid or scholarships? Consider speaking to the financial aid office about this or contacting the administrators of any external scholarships you have been offered. If there are any wrinkles on the horizon, you’ll want to know about them asap so you can be proactive about coming up with a solution.

Maximizing your Time:
If everything checks out and the worst thing about starting college in the Spring is that you’ll have a few more months living at home, well then, that might not be so bad. However, since this will likely be the first time you have had this much unstructured time, it will pay to make some plans so that you don’t spend months sitting in the basement, playing video games, and eating Doritos by yourself:

*Take classes at a community college: This is a very cost effective way to get some of those entry level classes out of the way. It’ll also keep your brain sharp before school starts in Spring. (Make sure that your school will accept transfer credits if you intend to transfer these credits over, however.)

*Save for a Rainy Day: Now that you don’t have to go to high school for six hours a day, this should free you up to earn some money. It helps to earmark the money you earn for certain expenses or events. It’s much harder to spend money from the “Summer vacation in Hawaii” fund than it is to spend unallocated money.

*Go on a Trip: There’s no saying you have to stay homebound for the whole Fall semester. If you’ve always wanted to go somewhere but have never had the time, now might be it! (Money and time permitting, of course.)

*Find an Internship or Volunteer Opportunity: Having these few months free is a perfect time to explore career options through an internship or volunteer gig. In certain cases, you may be able to get credit for the hours you log this Fall, so check in with your school.

Most importantly, make sure you have enough information to make a fully informed decision before you accept or pass. Receiving a delayed offer of admission can be disappointing for those who want to get started right away, but it can also provide lots of opportunities to hit the ground running. And hey...congratulations! An offer is an offer and we all know Spring is the best season of the year anyway.

Jamie Oldham is a college admissions coach for Just Start Applications, and a pretty great gal, too. While her interests are varied (she does have a higher degree in Liberal Arts, after all), one of her great life's passions is helping students and parents through the admissions process, doling out great college and graduate school admissions tips along the way. Check out her full bio here and contact us today to get her on your team.

 

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Apr 22 2013

Springtime is Idea Time Posted By Leah Kaminsky in Education comments

Whoa! I just looked at the calendar and it appears that we’re almost done with April. For Texans like me, that means those months of idyllic, 60 and 70 degree temperatures are about to be replaced with BLAZING HEAT. For others around the world, this time of year means getting to take advantage of the blissful weather central Texas is about to lose.

But no matter where you live, if you’re a high school junior, the appearance of May should mean something different altogether: ideas, ideas, ideas.

Specifically, ideas for your college application personal statement.

I know, I know, you’ve got half a year or more before you’ve got to turn them in, but for a high schooler with a busy life, that’s no time at all. And let’s be honest: When are you ever going to have more time to concentrate on your college apps than during summer break? Sure, you’ve got camps to counsel and someone will have to cover your shifts at the burger shack, but that’s better than trying to cram time for your apps in between your soccer coach yelling at you and your math teacher pushing you and your SAT coach shaking that head and your parents lecturing you about getting higher grades.

Our advice? Start brainstorming now and be ready to go in the summertime so you can whip out those essays in no time and get back to getting your tan on.

How to start? Let’s list ‘er out.

1) Ask a friend to describe you. This will at least get your mind brewing with qualities you might want to emphasize.

2) Get your parents to tell you about their favorite memories of you. This, too, will help you think of compelling stories that will make your application essay pop.

3) Interview yourself. Pretend you’re about to interview the world’s most fascinating person (which you are!). Write down a bunch of questions like the ones you’d see in a magazine. Then ask yourself instead.

4) Take a look at what other successful applicants are doing. No matter how good of a writer you are, you probably don’t know all that you can do with the application essay form. I highly recommend reading a book like Fiske Real College Essays That Work to see all there is to do and perhaps get a little inspiration for an essay of your own.

5) Start playing around with ideas. The more time you spend trying out one essay idea and then another and another, the more likely you’ll be to find the form and story that works for you.

The best stories, after all, don’t just waltz through the door. They take time to steep first in your subconscious and then on the page. The earlier you’ll find one that really excites you, the sooner you’ll get to figuring out just what to do with those college essay ideas in the first place.

So, juniors, start brainstorming your college essay ideas now and you’ll be super excited by the time you’re ready to hit submit. And don’t hesitate to contact us if you need a little help along the way!

Leah Kaminsky is the founder and head writing specialist at Just Start Applications. She’s been writing since before she was born (that’s right, it’s possible!) and has over a decade of experience helping students and business people tell their stories using their authentic voice. Check out her full bio and contact us today for help getting into the college, graduate school or medical school of your choice.

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Apr 18 2013

What Waitlisting Really Means Posted By Admin in Education comments

There is no gentle way to say this: Getting waitlisted at a college you really want to go to sucks. After all, nobody likes being second choice. But while it can feel really terrible to be waitlisted, having a plan can make you feel better if you find yourself in this unenviable position. Here is our no-nonsense guide to facing the Waitlist:

1. Understand What Being Waitlisted Actually Means: You know that being put on a waitlist means that while the college is unable to make you an offer of admission now, they haven’t entirely ruled your application out. Colleges maintain a waitlist to ensure that they will reach their target number of students entering in the Fall. As they to get a clearer picture of how many students will accept their offers, they may begin to open up spots on the waitlist. The hard truth is that being waitlisted does not mean that you are likely to be accepted at a later time. You might well be accepted, but it is not a great decision to pin all your hopes on this happening.

2. Get All the Information: Colleges need to give you a final decision by August 1. However, by the time they let you know, you will have typically already accepted another offer. Our best piece of advice here is to collect all the information possible so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not you want to actively pursue being admitted to this school or just let it go. The admissions office should be able to give you this information. Here’s what to ask:

*How many people are on the waitlist before me?
*What were the chief obstacles to my being admitted? Is there any way I can improve my chances of being admitted?
*Last year, how many people on the waitlist received an offer of admission?
*How will a late offer of admission impact my housing and financial aid options?

3. Make a Plan: If you decide you really, really want to make a bid to get off the waitlist, you need a plan. Begging won’t help! Neither will sending cookies, brownies, or flowers. Have a candid conversation with your guidance counselor or college coach and have them help you draft a letter to the head of admissions stating that if you are offered admission, you will definitely accept. In the meantime, make sure you keep those grades up and address any trouble areas that the admissions office has highlighted for you.

***
But here is the thing: If you decide that you want to cut-and-run from the whole waitlist process (which is completely understandable), try to stay positive! Just because a school waitlisted you doesn’t mean they are too good for you. Think about it this way: THEY are missing out! Learn everything you can about your second choice school. Go visit again if that’s possible so you can get excited. This school really wants you...it’s might be a match made in heaven! You were their first choice, and that’s pretty great. 

Jamie Oldham is a college admissions coach for Just Start Applications, and a pretty great gal, too. While her interests are varied (she does have a higher degree in Liberal Arts, after all), one of her great life's passions is helping students and parents through the admissions process, doling out great college and graduate school admissions tips along the way. Check out her full bio and contact us today to get her on your team.

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Apr 17 2013

When and How to Introduce Yourself to Your College Roommate Posted By Leah Kaminsky in Education comments

Whether you’ve just been admitted to your top choice college or you’ve known since December where you’re headed in the fall, one of the biggest topics on your mind may be, “Who will my roommate be, and how will we get along?” Sure, there are several months yet before you’ll officially be paired with your freshman year significant other, but college dorm rooms are small places, and no one could blame you for being a little preemptively curious about the person with whom you’ll be sharing your *cough* closet-sized *cough* living space.

So, what should you do when that fateful name is emailed or mailed your way? Why, take a browse through this guide to Not Totally Scaring Off Your Roommate From the Very First, “Hello.”

1. Wait a Day

Yes, we know, you’ve waited with bated breath to meet this person, and it would be so easy to just fire off a quick text message. But give your roommate-to-be a chance to process the news rather than jumping on the chance to connect the moment you know the mystery roommate’s identity. This will help show your roommate that you respect their space even before you’re actually sharing one.

That said, don’t wait too long, either, as you want to have a little time to get to know each other before making the big dorm room leap. A week should be fine and a month is pushing it, but mostly do what feels right to you.

2. Choose a Medium

Back in the day, a phone call or a letter (remember those?) were the only ways to make that initial contact. Today, however, both of those would seem a little too formal, and a phone call in particular is jumping the gun. Despite what information your college has given you, there’s very little you actually know about this person, and we all know how difficult forced conversations with strangers can be.

Instead, stick to a medium like Facebook or email for those initial conversations. The phone will still be waiting for you should you decide to move it up a level after a few good exchanges.

3. Keep it Casual

Yes, yes, email is fine, but just what does one say to the person with whom they’re about to share the next 7 to 9 months of their life?

“Hey,” is a good start. And maybe, “How’s it going?” Another good technique is to ask questions, like, “What high school did you attend?” and “What majors are you thinking about?” Or, keep it even more casual by asking about their favorite books, TV shows or video games. Remember, your roommate-to-be is in the same boat as you, just trying to figure this whole thing out, and they’ll likely be thankful that you’re posing questions rather than judging you for your exact choices. And who knows? You just might find some common ground.

4. Make Plans

As the move-in date gets nearer, you might want to think out who is going to bring what. Is someone going to bring plates? A microwave? A TV? Posters? This is all important stuff to work out. But again, don’t get all camp counselor with a checklist immediately. Wait until you have an actual relationship established before moving into the business side of things.

5. Explore Campus Together

Hooray! You’ve developed a basic relationship with your roommate and now it’s time to move in and start bonding. Once arriving on campus, one of the best ways to get to know each other without awkward conversation is to head out and explore. Or, dive first into orientation activities, whether you actually enjoy them or find them a good target for your acerbic wit.

For many people, college roommates and those who occupy your freshman floor will be your best friends for life. But even when they’re not, having a pleasant and fun relationship with them is key. Start with a good introduction, and you’ll be well on your way to a great freshman year!

Leah Kaminsky is the founder and head writing specialist at Just Start Applications. She’s been writing since before she was born (that’s right, it’s possible!) and has over a decade of experience helping students and business people tell their stories using their authentic voice. Check out her full bio and contact us today for help getting into the college, graduate school or medical school of your choice.

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Apr 11 2013

High School Seniors: Your April College Admissions Checklist Posted By Leah Kaminsky in Education comments

Hey, seniors! It’s April. Depending on where you live, the crocuses may be starting to peek out and you may be starting to think about whether or not tomorrow could be a good day to wear shorts to school. But, before you engage fully in the epic shorts-or-not debate of 2013 (or, if you live in the Midwest, start digging out from beneath 14-inch snowdrifts) take a moment to glance at our checklist for April to make sure you are staying on top of this whole college search thing that you’ve been obsessing over since junior year:

Write Thank You Notes: It may seem strange to put this at the top of our list, but really, it is just good karma to thank people who have done a nice turn for you. These folks include teachers who wrote letters for you and advised you, guidance counselors, and any kind-hearted alums who may have taken the time to chat with you about Hofstra or Georgetown or Harvey Mudd or etc. and etc. and etc.

Take it from me: As a person who has written A LOT of letters of recommendation in my day, I can count on two hands the number of times I have received a formal letter of thanks. I definitely can’t remember many of the students that I have written letters for, but I remember all of the ones who were class acts and took the time to really say thanks. Be the class act you are and get out that stationary that your aunt bought you for your thirteenth birthday! She knew you’d find a use for it someday... 

Bite the Bullet and Make a Decision: Last week I wrote a post for all you hemmers and hawwers out there who were sitting on multiple acceptance offers, paralyzed with indecision. Now it’s a week later. Are you any closer to knowing where you are going to college? Get on this! You need time to revel in knowing that you are going to University of Awesome before you get there and classes start. Reminder: You need to inform most colleges by May 1 of your decision. Don’t panic...but that is soon.

Speaking of which, uh...

Inform ALL Colleges of Your Decision: This might seem like it shouldn’t warrant its own category here, but it really does: Say you have been accepted into three great schools. Great School 1 wins your heart. Well then, don’t keep Schools 2 and 3 waiting!There are students on waiting lists who haven’t been able to take a deep breath for months and have worn out the paths to their mailboxes. Help them get off the waiting list!

Don’t Ignore Envelopes or Emails: I know, I know, you have never received so much mail in your life! You get letters from schools you have never heard of, in places you didn’t know existed. And frankly, you are only used to receiving birthday cards in the mail, so you are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of paper. Understood.

But sometimes really important things come in the mail or into your inbox. Don’t miss them. Wouldn’t you be mad at yourself if you missed a crucial housing deadline and ended up in some dorm specially designed for people who hate fun?? Additionally, you might miss something important about financial aid or registering for classes or signing up for some awesome backpacking orientation trip. Deal with your mail and all will be well!

We’ll be back with another checklist for you seniors in May. And good luck with the shorts decision!

Jamie Oldham is a college admissions coach for Just Start Applications, and a pretty great gal, too. While her interests are varied (she does have a higher degree in Liberal Arts, after all), one of her great life's passions is helping students and parents through the admissions process, doling out great college and graduate school admissions tips along the way. Check out her full bio and contact us today to get her on your team.

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Apr 4 2013

Decision Time: Choosing Between Several Acceptance Offers (Or, Lucky You!) Posted By Admin in Education comments

Seniors, are you in the enviable position of having been accepted to multiple schools? If yes, first: You are so awesome! And second, how will you ever decide between all the schools showering you with acceptance offer love?

This is a big decision, but before you start totally freaking out and chewing on your nails again, take a deep breath and RELAX...we have some great tips here to help you decide which college to choose when you’ve got options. However, please remember: There is not just ONE college that is right for you. There IS no perfect answer. That is sort of what makes life fun, right? Okay, now read on!

Gut Instinct: Sometimes, something just feels like the right choice. You might never be able to put your finger on why X College feels so much more RIGHT to you than Y University, but those mysterious feelings are often our (highly developed) instincts telling us something important.

When I first stepped foot (tire, actually, not foot) at Bennington, where I ended up going to college, I had this almost eerie feeling of rightness settle over me. This was before I even made it up the very long driveway to the campus, but it stayed with me even after the visit was over. That doesn’t mean that I never had moments there when I was unhappy or wished I was moviestar aristocrat who didn’t have to go to college, but I always knew that Bennington was a really good choice. I went with my instincts, even though there were other options on the table that were also tempting.

Solicit Advice: No college senior is an island! (Which is lucky for you, because imagine sharing a dorm room with an island. No thanks.) Ask people where they think you should go to college. You don’t necessarily have to take this advice, but it makes sense to get as many different points-of-view as possible before you make a big decision like this. People to ask include: MOM (obvs), Dad, friends, teachers, guidance counselor, coaches, any alums that you know from the school, current students at the school. Again, asking for advice doesn’t bind you to the answer -- think of it as information-gathering to allow you to make a fully informed decision!

Develop a Checklist: Pick five things or experiences that you cannot live without in your college. Here’s an example:

1. Must be diverse.
2. Should allow me to major in neuropsych.
3. Must allow me to bring a car to campus.
4. Needs to have small faculty/student ratio.
5. Food should be tasty and/or dorms should be posh.

If one school trounces another in this fierce checklist competition of yours, then the school that meets more of your demands might be the way to go. If it is a tie, well then...see Tip 1, re: that gut of yours.

Consider the Financial Aid Aspect: In an ideal world, you wouldn’t have to think about the money piece of this equation. You would only have to think about your future happiness and success. BUT, in an ideal world, Twix Bars would have negative calories and Two and a Half Men would never have existed. This is, sadly, not the world we are living in.

That might just be my ideal world I was describing, but you get my drift: the money piece matters. If one school is offering you a merit scholarship or some other significant form of aid and the other isn’t, that could really tip the scales.

What rules, tips, or tricks did you use to choose one college over another? Let us know in the comments section! 

Jamie Oldham is a college admissions coach for Just Start Applications, and a pretty great gal, too. While her interests are varied (she does have a higher degree in Liberal Arts, after all), one of her great life's passions is helping students and parents through the admissions process, doling out great college and graduate school admissions tips along the way. Check out her full bio and contact us today to get her on your team.

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Apr 2 2013

Fighting the College Admissions Jealousy Monster Posted By Leah Kaminsky comments (5)

By now, the mailman has circled your neighborhood many a time, dropping off admissions packets and rejection letters with as much casualty as a stack of sporting good catalogs (or, “Fungi Magazine,” if you’re like my botanist grandmother). He or she has also visited the homes of your friends, delivering good and bad news with a cheerful smile.

Now, bear with me as I go out on a limb here, but I’ve got a hunch that a certain one of your friends (who will go unnamed) might have gotten more positive news than negative. And that they’ve bragged about their successes or, worst yet, not bragged a bit, choosing instead to be exceedingly nice, therefore making everyone else feel all the worse for feeling even the slightest bit jealous.

And let’s face it: jealousy just, well, sucks. It rears out of nowhere and then eats you up inside, making you intensely dislike someone who, on the whole and in normal situations, you intensely love. And when it comes to college admissions, watching a friend get into higher ranked schools than you also comes with a sense of failure and disappointment in yourself. And anger. A lot of anger.

I’m just going to say something, right here, right now. If you’re feeling jealous of a friend who got into all of the “cool” schools, there’s only one diagnosis for you: A normal human being. What you choose to do with that jealousy will determine both the course of your friendship with this person, as well as your ability to handle adversity further down the line. Let’s take a look at a few techniques for handling the Jealousy Monster.

1. Embrace It
It’s been said so many times it’s a cliche, but the only way to solve a problem is to admit that you have one first. This does not mean texting all of your friends and saying something like, “I heard Chloe only got into Yale because her dad has connections there.” Rather, be honest to yourself about what you’re feeling. If you need to write a really nasty journal entry to get those feelings out, do it (...and then possibly tear it up before Chloe can find it). Select a few trusted people to confide in, whether your parents, a sibling, or a trusted aunt. A friend might be okay, too, but make sure the friend is someone who won’t blab everywhere or feel like you’re putting them in an awkward situation.

If the target of your college jealousy is a good friend and someone with whom you have a mature and open relationship, you might also want to confide in them, as tough as it may be. This can mean saying something as simple as, “I’m really proud of you for getting into Yale, Chloe. However, I have to say it’s been hard for me, since I didn’t get in myself, to listen to you talk about it. In order to best support you and keep our relationship healthy, I’m wondering if we could just talk about it a little less for my own sake.” If Chloe is a good friend, she’ll understand.

2. Make the Most of What You’ve Got
We know how much not getting into your first choice schools stings. We also know how annoying it is when an adult chirps at you to, “Make lemons out of lemonade.”

But eventually there comes a time where validating your emotions becomes wallowing, and that’s when a pivot forward is in order. Chances are, you still got into a bunch of great schools, some of which have offered you financial aid you wouldn’t have gotten at your top choice institutions. With a little research, you may also find a whole host of awesome extracurricular activities that suit you just fine, or an honors program that will challenge you just as much as your reach school.

Here’s the little secret no college marketing materials will ever tell you: College is what you make of it. Sure, Chloe got into Yale, but she won’t have a good time there if she doesn’t know how to ask professors for help and spends all of her time cramming in her dorm room rather than participating in activities on campus. You may have to work a tiny bit harder to land your first job, but not if you’re very active and do well in school, and then knock it out of the park once you’re there.

College is just the first step. Keep on doing the best you can wherever you land, and you’ll do fine in life. Believe us. We know.

3. Look Forward to Grad School
Still caught up on your friend’s acceptance to a prestigious school? Not that we’re advocating “getting even” or “catching up,” but the truth is that if you do well in a good college, many of those more prestigious schools will want you as you specialize for grad school. Really.

4. Finally: Stop Facebooking
Yes, it is oh so tempting to log onto Facebook when you’re already comparing your life to your friend’s. But take this as a life lesson: Facebook stalking will only hurt you. That’s as true now as it will be when you’re comparing careers/family/big life accomplishments ten years down the road. You’re not Chloe. You’re you, and you’re going to have a great time at college. So stop browsing through all of those photos of Chloe looking really pretty and smart and successful, and go out into the world and make awesome opportunities for yours.

Have you ever dealt with the jealousy monster? What have you done to tame it? Let us know in the comments below!

Leah Kaminsky is the founder and head writing specialist at Just Start Applications. She’s been writing since before she was born (that’s right, it’s possible!) and has over a decade of experience helping students and business people tell their stories using their authentic voice. Check out her full bio and contact us today for help getting into the college, graduate school or medical school of your choice.

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