Unit 6 College Is an SOP Away Extension Activity

Activity Two: Having a College Interview Activity One: Letters of Recommendation

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

If the school which you prefer to enter asks for letters of recommendation, do you know how to get them?

Below are some tips to help you.

First: Selecting the right people to recommend you.

Ask yourself the following questions: Do they know you well enough? How much credibility are they likely to hold with the university? Are they likely to give you a positive recommendation?

Second: make sure they are willing to do so.

No one enjoys writing recommendations. So, you can’t depend on someone who isn’t too sure he/she’d like to recommend you.

Third: Make sure they know what you want to do.

The persons recommending you are often busy people, so you may want to give them a note to make sure that they know what you want to do.

Fourth: Well preparation will make things getting smooth.

Each of the persons recommending you deserves a copy of your resume. Along with that, give them the original recommendation form and a copy too. In this copy, give them points that you’d like covered in their write-up. If the form asks them to list an incident where you displayed leadership skills, it’d make it easier for them if you have provided them with a few incidents that you think would be suitable.

Let them do the descriptive part. Your job is to make sure they remember a few relevant incidents. You could even attach a note saying that you’d rather they talk about your pet project, etc.

Fifth: give the persons recommending you sufficient time to write your recommendation.

Remember these tips, and you will get perfect recommendation letters you desire!

Having a College Interview

Regard yourself as being attending a college interview, how will you response to the interviewer’s questions?

Click on the answer you will probably response to the question and see if you can get a good impression!

Question: Tell me about yourself. Well, I was born in Taipei county, but we moved to Taipei city when I was three. I have a dog and like to swimWell, I was born in Taipei county, but we moved to Taipei city when I was three. I have a dog and like to swim Last year in school, I played on the basketball and soccer team. It kept me busy, but I learned to manage my time. I’m also involved in volunteering with my sister’s Girl Scout troop. That’s been a great experience in learning how to work as a team with other leaders plus plan activities.Last year in school, I played on the basketball and soccer team. It kept me busy, but I learned to manage my time. I’m also involved in volunteering with my sister’s Girl Scout troop. That’s been a great experience in learning how to work as a team with other leaders plus plan activities.

Boring! That answer doesn’t tell the interviewer anything about you that relates to the college you are applying. You need to use every opportunity to show that you are a smart, hard working potential student!

Well done! See what you’ve just done? You’ve shown the interviewer you are involved in positive activities, work as a volunteer and know the importance of teamwork. Who wouldn’t want to have you as their student?

Question: How would your teachers describe you? Oh, I guess they’d say I was an OK student.Oh, I guess they’d say I was an OK student. My teachers would tell you I work hard to get my assignments in on time and I’m not afraid to ask for help if I need it. They’d also tell you I try to be friendly to shy kids in my class.My teachers would tell you I work hard to get my assignments in on time and I’m not afraid to ask for help if I need it. They’d also tell you I try to be friendly to shy kids in my class.

Not good! If you are just an OK student, why should the college accepts you as its student?

Good answer!

Question: Tell me about a time you had a problem and how you solved it. My parents and I don’t always get along. I usually yell and then go to my room for a few hours.My parents and I don’t always get along. I usually yell and then go to my room for a few hours. There was a boy at school that really bothered me. He bumped into me and would slam my locker shut when he walked by. He’d also say sarcastic things to me. I talked to a teacher about it and she offered to be a mediator. She brought both of us into her class and basically let me tell the boy I wanted him to stop being a bully. I confronted him in a strong way. The situation is much better now.There was a boy at school that really bothered me. He bumped into me and would slam my locker shut when he walked by. He’d also say sarcastic things to me. I talked to a teacher about it and she offered to be a mediator. She brought both of us into her class and basically let me tell the boy I wanted him to stop being a bully. I confronted him in a strong way. The situation is much better now.

Not good! You didn’t show the interviewer about how you solve the problem, and at the same time, you are telling them that you have a bad temper and you don’t have any EQ!

Good! At least you show that you could face with difficulties calmly and have the courage to solve it.

Question: What do you like best about school? I really like hanging out with my friends.I really like hanging out with my friends. I especially like working on projects together with my friends. I just got done being in charge of decorating for our school dance. I organized my friends and we worked together to set up the gym with a Hawaiian theme. I also like participating in school events like sports teams and student governmentI especially like working on projects together with my friends. I just got done being in charge of decorating for our school dance. I organized my friends and we worked together to set up the gym with a Hawaiian theme. I also like participating in school events like sports teams and student government

Not good! Hanging out with friends will not make you stand out from others!

Good! You show the interviewer that you like to do researches and you are an active student.

Well, got the idea? Practice makes perfect!