1. Essays and Letters of Recommenation
College Admissions

2. Tips for Students – Admissions Essay
Choose a topic that will highlight you
Share your story
Be creative
Highlight areas that aren’t covered in other parts of your application
Keep your focus narrow
Don’t try to cover too many topics

3. Tips for Students – Admissions Essay
Show, don’t tell
Don’t just list facts about yourself
Give details and examples to develop your ideas
Use your own voice
Don’t try to cram in as many impressive words as you can
Don’t use overly formal language

4. Tips for Students – Admissions Essay
Ask a teacher or parent (or both!) to proofread your essay.

5. Tips for Students – Admissions Essay

6. Letter of Recommendation
According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s 2011 State of College Admissions Report, nearly two- thirds of colleges and universities attribute considerable or moderate importance to counselor and teacher recommendations in determining which academically qualified students they would choose for admission CollegeBoard.com

7. Letter of Recommendation
Those who can be most helped by a strong recommendation include:
Merit scholarship candidates at any college
Borderline admissible candidates at any college
Competitive candidates at the most selective colleges
Candidates for competitive scholarships

8. Letter of Recommendation
Student should provide the answers to the following questions when asking someone for a letter of recommendation:
What’s the letter for?
Where’s it going?
When does it need to be there?
Who else has the student asked to write for them and what are they likely to say?

9. Letter of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendations – What the student may need to provide:
Academic resume or other self assessment
Information from teachers acquainted with the student
Information from parents
Addressed/stamped envelop

10. Tip for Advisor
For all aspects of the application process, remember who owns the process!