Keys to Getting Into a Top College Speaker: Jordan Tung www.EmpiricEdge.com Education Expo

Overview Introduction Key #1: Being aware of the deadlines Key #2: Acing the Essays Key #3: Distinguishing Yourself from the Pack Q&A

Introductions Speaker Jordan Tung graduated from Harvard University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Economics and a minor in Computer Science. Jordan is co-founder of his own education technology company. Jordan was a 2009 recipient of the Greater NY Chinese Dollars for Scholars scholarship

Key #1: Timeline

Junior Fall Junior Winter College search process Research colleges Think about which teachers to get your recommendations from Look into applying for summer enrichment programs

Junior Spring Junior Summer Register for SAT/ACTs Visit colleges Schedule meetings with admission officers to learn more about the schools Summer enrichment programs Construct a list of colleges: balance of Safety, Target, Reach Check for important dates Brainstorm essay topics

Senior September Senior October Finalize college list (7-9) Start your online applications Read through essay prompts and formats Create Master Calendar First draft of application essays Register for Nov SAT/ACT (if needed for ED/EA) Request for rec (if needed for ED/EA) Work on essays Create variations of essays for different prompts and supplemental essays Complete your resume Complete application for ED/EA Research financial aid and scholarships Request for rec for regular admissions Keep track: application, test scores, letters of rec, financial aid

Senior Nov Senior Dec-Jan Early Decision/Early Action deadline Final touches on essays Do not let grades slide Complete applications for regular deadlines Make sure test scores are sent out to colleges that require them Submit FAFSA (financial aid application) – can complete as early as October under new FAFSA Have mid year grades sent to colleges

Senior Feb-Mar Senior Apr If submitted FAFSA, you should receive Student Aid Report Continue to apply for scholarships Moment of truth: letters of acceptances or rejections Keep up the grades

Key #2: Acing the Essays- Mistakes to Avoid

Telling instead of showing Original: I believe that my innovative personality makes me a strong candidate for Brown University. Edited: Creator of an automatic program that opens all of the most used apps on the iPhone and President of the Robotics club, I... Power of stories Passive vs Assertive Saying vs Doing

No Overall Theme Too many things at once Assertive, hard working, ambitious, change the world, fast learning, creative…and other buzz words Jumbled vs Focused The 5 minute takeaway test

Not showing the college what you can contribute Original: I believe that my innovative personality makes me a strong candidate for Brown University. Edited: Creator of an automatic program that opens all of the most used apps on the iPhone and President of the Robotics club, I believe I can contribute meaningfully to the research in the Astrophysics department at Brown University.  Look at it from the college’s perspective How you can fit in How you can contribute

Key #3: Distinguishing Yourself from the Pack

Case Studies Melissa Jeff Above average test scores and GPA Good leadership experiences Good extracurricular activities Wants to become a chemist High average test scores and GPA Good leadership experiences Good extracurricular activities Wants to major in physics Based on the above, Jeff looks like the better candidate since the only difference is his high scores versus Melissa’s above average scores but…

1. Personal Voices Melissa Jeff Displaying her voices through stories and things she learned from Science Camp Essay on hard work from school work

2. Passion Melissa Jeff Supplemental essays about her desire to work in the chemistry department of the schools Supplemental essays about playing soccer for two years in high school- which he doesn’t plan on continuing in college

3. Holistic, Polarizing Application Melissa Jeff Everything ties together, a clear identity Fragmented pictures of himself, unfocused application Through demonstrating her personal voice and passion, Melissa presents a clear identity which boosts her to become the stronger candidate.

For More Information & Questions Jordan.Tung@EmpiricEdge.com 917.981.8011