Writing Your College Essay/ Personal Service

Be Self Centered

Don't Forget the Details

Write as Though You are Speaking

Share Your Essay

*Shared From "The Only Four College Essay Writing Tips You'll Ever Need" 

After completing a college application, what else is there to share with a college? Applications usually provide information about activities and your work history. The information that is provided by the application, itself, should not be included in your personal statement or essay. A personal statement gives a better understanding of who a student is beyond the constraints of the universal questions asked on most applications. Your essay or personal statement will be evaluated on content and writing style. This is also an additional opportunity for you to exhibit your writing skills. Your essay and personal statement should provide colleges with a more complete picture of who you are as an individual. What are your values, your attitudes, how do you see yourself? Do you have a particular passion for something? Check with your school counselor or with your English teacher on ways to approach your essay.

The following are sample prompts that would most likely make for quality writing pieces:

-What is your greatest achievement? Why do you consider this an achievement?

-Describe an ethical dilemma you faced and how you resolved it.

-Discuss your most rewarding nonacademic experience. This could include travel, a hobby, membership in a club or organization, a cultural activity, employment, or community service.

-Discuss some issue(s) of local, national, and international concern and their importance to you.

-Describe your interest in this university and how you are a good fit here.

Remember writing a quality piece of work does take time. You should treat the essay the same way you would treat a major English assignment. If you are putting forth the effort, energy, and time into your essay, teachers are usually more than willing to assist you with any help that you may need.

Online College Essay Resources:

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/college-essay

https://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/inside-admissions/post/the-only-four-college-essay-writing-tips-youll-ever-need/

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-write-a-college-essay

Transcripts

There are several ways that you can have your transcripts sent to colleges. Military recruiters and other post-secondary organizations will also want transcripts provided to them.

The Common Application: The Common App is an online portal where you can apply, and send all documents in one location. This should be your first attempt when applying to more than one school. www.CommonApp.org 

Parchment: Parchment provides you with the ability to request transcripts through a secure website. Transcripts requested online are sent securely to the colleges, universities, or scholarship funds you select. The student must set up a Parchment account, pay the small fee associated with the Parchment service, and request your school counselor to process your transcript through Parchment. www.Parchment.com 

Apostille (Transcripts Sent Abroad): For students continuing their education abroad please provide all of the documents listed below and send them to the following email: transcripts@hq.dodea.edu:  

1. A copy of the High School Diploma

2. A Final Transcript (Reflecting Date Of Graduation)

3. A Graduation Certification Letter (Signed by the School Principal)

4. A Letter Concerning The Purpose of the Request, The Name(s) of the Intended School(s)

5. The Country of the Requested School

6. Full Name Under Which Enrolled At Time of Attendance, Date of Birth, The Name of School, Country, Year of Graduation or Last Date of Attendance, and Signature

7.  An Email Address

8. A Daytime Telephone Number

9. The Address the Transcript/Record Should Be Mailed to

Mailing your Transcript: If your college or post-secondary program requires a hard copy of your transcript please fill out this form and return it to your Guidance Office. 

Applying for Financial Aid

Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid/how-aid-works to start the process of understanding the Financial Aid process. There you will find resources that will answer every question you may have.

The three types of federal financial aid are grants, loans, and work-study. You will submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal financial aid.

Grants

Funds are given to a student from the federal or state government or an institution that does not have to be repaid. This money is typically sent directly to the college or university. The most well-known grant program is the federal Pell Grant which is available to freshmen who demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2020-2021 school year is $6,345. College institutions also award grants to students who demonstrate financial need.

Loans

Loans are defined as money the student and/or parent is eligible to borrow for educational expenses. The money must be repaid with interest. Most financial aid packages and financial aid award letters from colleges/universities will offer families substantial loans. There are three types of loans: Subsidized Loans: The federal government will pay the interest on this student signed (no-cosign required) loan while the student is enrolled in school. Repayment usually begins within 6 months of graduation or leaving school and is usually available at the lowest interest rate of any loan. Unsubsidized Loans: The student is responsible for all accrued interest. You are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. PLUS Loans: Allows parents to borrow in their names for the education of their dependents. Unlike loans made in the student’s names, repayment begins immediately upon the receipt of the loans.

Work-Study

The student is employed part-time on campus with the earnings to be used for educational expenses. Students have to select that they want to be considered for Work-Study upon FAFSA completion. Normally, work is limited to 10-12 hours/week. Financial aid award letters from colleges are usually a combination of a grant, loans, scholarships, and/or work-study. Remember, financial aid is to be used in addition to what the family and student are able to provide. Rarely does financial aid cover the entire cost of undergraduate education.

Online Resources:

Department of Education

DOE How to Repay

DOE International Aid

FAFSA

FAFSA ID

FDIC Money Mgt.

Financial Aid Calculator