College Applications

Four Year College vs. Community College

If college is an option you're considering after high school, it's important to understand the difference between a university/college and a community college. Universities and four-year colleges typically offer bachelor's degrees and a wide range of academic programs, with opportunities for research, internships, and a more traditional campus experience. They can be larger institutions, with more extracurricular activities and specialized programs. On the other hand, community colleges offer two-year programs that lead to associate degrees or certificates, often with a focus on more affordable, hands-on learning. Many students start at community colleges to save on tuition costs before transferring to a four-year university to complete their degree. Both options can lead to success, so it's important to consider your academic and financial goals when deciding which path is right for you.

College Planning

Here are some important sites in the college planning process.

• Questions to Ask College Representatives

Brag Sheet

During your junior and senior years, you will complete a brag sheet, a tool designed to help you highlight your achievements, both academic and extracurricular, throughout your high school career. The questions on the brag sheet will allow you to share key accomplishments, leadership roles, community involvement, and other experiences that have shaped your high school journey. This information will be invaluable as we write personalized, compelling letters of recommendation to support your college applications. By thoroughly reflecting on your four years in high school, you ensure that we can showcase your unique strengths and qualities to prospective colleges. 

Letter of Recommendations

When requesting letters of recommendation for college, it’s best to ask at least two teachers from core or academic classes, such as English, Math, Science, History, or Foreign Language. Be sure to provide them with at least two full weeks’ notice to give them ample time to craft a thoughtful letter. Additionally, share a completed brag sheet with them, which highlights your accomplishments, goals, and interests, to help them write a personalized and compelling recommendation. 

College Admission Interviews

College admission interviews are an opportunity for applicants to showcase their personality, interests, and enthusiasm for the school beyond what’s on their application. These interviews can be conducted in person, virtually, or by alumni, and they often provide a chance to discuss your academic goals, extracurricular activities, and how you would contribute to the campus community. Preparation is key—research the college, review common interview questions, and practice your responses to feel confident. Dress professionally, bring thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer, and remember to express genuine interest in the school. After the interview, a thank-you note is a great way to leave a positive impression. 

• The College Interview: The Basics

• How to Nail Your College Interview

The College Essay

What admissions officers look for..

• YOU: The person behind the GPA, the test scores, the extracurricular activities, and even the mailing address; the you that you have not revealed in the rest of your application.

• SURPRISE:  An unexpected angle on your topic--even if the experience you're writing about is ordinary.

• GENUINENESS:  Writing as yourself, without pretension and without taking yourself too seriously; relying on your own vocabulary rather than the thesaurus or the words your parents think you should use.

• THOUGHTFULNESS:  Thinking about your experience and its meaning, to yourself or to others (or both); showing through your reflections that you are a person on whom nothing is lost.

Things to Avoid in your Essay

• A lot of big words that are meant to impress - make sure to use your OWN voice!

• Sloppiness, mechanical errors (spelling, punctuation), obvious professional input, reference to an incorrect institution - PROOFREAD your essay and have multiple people read it!

• Cliches

• Merely putting your activity lists into prose form--and thereby missing a chance to tell us something new and different about your self

• Bland, impersonal writing

• Doom-and-gloom essays

College Essay Resources