Getting Organized

   College applications are a bit overwhelming, and sometimes it gets hard to keep track of everything you have to do. During my own college application process, I wish that I would have found a better organization tool since I found myself (more than once) scrambling to submit something just a few days before the deadline. Despite this, I've since found some tools that are very useful for getting organized. These tools are helpful not only for college applications, but anything in general.

Evernote
   Evernote is absolutely wonderful! It is a note taking device that is free to download and automatically syncs all of your notes between any device that you have (laptop, smart phone, Kindle fire, etc). In Evernote, you can create different notebooks in which to categorize information. For example, here is a screenshot of my current Evernote account:

As you can see, you can create either "stacks" of notebooks which incorporate multiple notebooks into a category, or you can create individual notebooks which have to do with certain things.

   My advice on using this tool during college applications would be to make notebooks for scholarships (in that notebook, make a note for scholarships you need to apply for and scholarships applied for), potential schools, major research, tests signed up for and scores, and a notebook that has all of your potential resume material. When used right, Evernote can really help you out!

A Physical Notebook

   Not every organization strategy has to be using fancy online tools and technology. Sometimes a simple notebook works the best. Create a colorful, fun to-do list for yourself and put it in the front of your notebook categorized by tab, then put dividers in your notebook and print off all of your completed applications and essays and put them in your notebook. In case if something goes wrong with the technology, it is always a good idea to have a hard copy of everything you do.

Post-it Notes

   Post-it notes are a surprisingly helpful reminder tool that most people feel like they don't need to use. Trust me: once you start having multiple applications to complete, you will appreciate the reminder. When you have a deadline coming up, jot down the name and deadline on a post-it note and stick it in a place that you look every day (my advice would be your bathroom mirror). This way, you will have a short reminder every morning and evening at the least.

Cappex/Zinch/Other college planning website

   I've written briefly about these websites in some others posts, but just to refresh your memory, Cappex and Zinch are two of many free online college planning services and scholarship searches. Be sure to check them out!

   College applications become a lot less stressful when you have a good system to manage them. Never underestimate the power of multiple reminders (phone alerts, post-it notes, etc) and get started early on carefully classifying your information. In the long run, getting organized can really help you to be the most efficient with your time and with your applications!

Best of luck!

The College Interview

   To be honest, I'm having a little difficulty collecting my thoughts for the SAT series, so I decided to take a break from it for a little while and talk about something else that's extremely important; college interviews.

Do all colleges have interviews and where do these interviews take place?

  No, many colleges do not require interviews as part of their admission process, but some schools such as Ivy League schools strongly suggest that you interview. Interviews may take place at the actual college, but many colleges will use alumni networks or admissions representative to bring the interview closer to you.

Okay, so there's no sample question sheet or anything. . . what should I expect?

   Unlike many high school interviews, where you'll probably receive some kind of sample questions or something, college interviews do no such thing. You can expect the normal questions like "Why do you want to attend college XYZ? What do you want to major in?" etc. Outside of these questions, though, your interviewer really wants to get to know you; they want to know why you would be a good addition to their school academically, what motivates you, and what kind of diverse thought and background can you bring to their campus. Below, I am providing some examples of the questions that I was asked in my Princeton interview this past winter:

• What other colleges have you applied to and why?
• Why did you choose Princeton over the other Ivy League schools?
• Frankly, Princeton already has an abundance of wonderful students. What do you think that you could bring to Princeton to make it even better?
• Where did you grow up? What was your family like? (Note, this is in a very general sense, nothing too overly personal that you are not comfortable with sharing.)
• Where did you go to high school? What was your favorite thing to study?
• What organizations did you participate in, both in and outside of school?
• What is your philosophy on higher education?

   This is just a general list of questions that you may be asked. As you can see, they range from academic to personal to philosophical.

What should I wear to my interview?

   Usually, whatever information sheet you receive about your interview will specify how formal your interview is. For example, I know that some take place in a coffee shop and are extremely informal. If this is the case, modest and neat is always the best policy.

   For most interviews, though, the dress is either business casual or business professional. The UGA Career Center has a great article for what this means for both men and women, so click here to visit the website. When in doubt, overdress. In the words of Oscar Wilde, "You can never be overdressed or overeducated." 

   In general, just make sure that your dress is neat, clean, and professional. Ladies, please no excessively tall heels, short skirts, or boots. Gentleman, please iron your clothes and pick out a tasteful tie.

To sum it all up, here are some closing remarks:

• Arrive early to your interview, but not obnoxiously early. Leave in plenty of time, but wait until about 15 minutes beforehand to enter the building.
• Be prepared! Know your résumé like the back of your hand.
• Do not think of your interview as just a series of questions; make it a conversation. Find a common ground that your share with your interviewer and go from there. Remember, they are trying to get to know you to see if you will be a good fit for the college, so be personable but professional.
• Finally, don't stress! It's just a formal conversation. Don't be afraid to ask questions and talk about other things besides just college.

Best of luck in your interviews! Cheers!

Claire

Early Action and Early Decision Applications

   There is a valuable option offered by many colleges called Early Action or Early Decision. Believe it or not, the subtle difference between "action" and "decision" make a huge difference on the application process.

   As it so happens, the two schools that I applied to (UGA and Princeton) each use a variation on one of the above systems for early applications. Before I go any further, let me make it clear that the system(s) used by colleges may go by many different names, but these are the general characteristics associated with each system.

The Early Action System

   A lot of schools, including the University of Georgia, have a non-binding Early Action system. In this system, an applicant may apply and submit their application by mid-October to November and receive a decision by December. 

   The application for an Early Action system may or may not be shorter than the regular application, but it usually is. The length of the Early Action application is decided on a school-by-school basis. The outcome of an Early Action application can be either acceptance, rejection, or a deferment off to the regular decision application.

   Unless combined with some of the terms found below, Early Action applications are typically non-binding. 

The Early Decision System

   The Early Decision application, on the other hand, is binding. It is like a contract that you enter in with a particular college: if you submit your application and are accepted, then you must attend that school. If you are accepted by an Early Decision school, you will typically be offered a financial aid package by that school agreed upon in your contract by you and your family.

Some Lingo You NEED to Know:

• Non-binding- your application is just like a regular application, and you can either accept or decline the school's offer of admission.

• Single Choice- if this is placed in front of an application system, it means that you are only allowed to apply to that particular school early. You may not apply to any other schools with an early decision or early action application, but you may apply to other schools with a regular application. Single choice is still non-binding unless otherwise stated. (For example, Princeton has this kind of early admission option, but allows you to apply to a PUBLIC institution as well)

• Binding- your application is like a contract; if you submit it and are accepted, you agree automatically to commit to that particular school

• Restrictive (Early Action)- you may apply to as many schools as you want Early Action, but no Early Decision applications 

Useful Websites:

• http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/early
• http://theivycoach.com/newsletter/early-action-vs.-early-decision/

Zinch: The Quick Report

   There are many scholarship and college services out there, but one of the most common is called Zinch. Zinch is a kind of linkage institution that links your profile to colleges and offers you many scholarship opportunities. A profile is free and easy to create.

 What's good about Zinch?
   Zinch's scholarship database is nearly unmatched by anyone. Hundreds of scholarships can be found with the click of a mouse, and many of them require short essays or no essays at all. Zinch also offers weekly scholarships that are fun and easy to apply for as well as scholarships from other organizations. If you're looking for a scholarship database, this is the one to use.
   Additionally, the college profiles are easy to navigate and provide useful links to that particular school's webpage. The organizer that allows you to list various schools and categorize them based on "interested," "applying," or "accepted" also helps to keep your brain straight.

 What's not so good about Zinch?
   Zinch provides access to many scholarships, but many of these are nation-wide and extremely difficult to win.
  When Zinch advertises that they have hundreds of colleges connected with them, they mean it. You will receive contact requests from TONS of schools, most of which you will not be interested in at all. Luckily, the messages will be kept to the inbox on your Zinch account (unless you choose otherwise), so it will not flood your email inbox with unwanted emails.

Tips for Success:

• Fill in as much information on your profile as you can. Don't worry- personal contact information is hidden from the general public and only visible to you, but if you're not comfortable with providing it, don't. Make sure to fill in your interests and such.
• When using the scholarship database, make sure to "like" scholarships that you are interested in to be able to find them easily.
• Apply for the weekly Zinch scholarships, but be warned that a lot of people apply and the chances of winning are slim.
• Share scholarships with your friends- if they win, you might still receive some money from Zinch.
• When applying for a scholarship, always check the website for the final say! Sometimes (not often), the information on Zinch is from the previous year and might contain old information or essay prompts.

My Personal Experience:

   Zinch features mainly large, nation-wide scholarship contests that are difficult to win. I applied for many a scholarship on Zinch, but did not have huge success. I received some minor scholarship money or items. Despite this, I often found out about local scholarships in a round about way by clicking on links provided in the Zinch scholarship database. Additionally, by applying for these scholarships, I found out about institutions that offer internships that I might be interested in in the future.

The Verdict:

   Create a Zinch account, and use it. Even if you do not get any scholarships, there is still valuable experience to be had in applying for the scholarships. The college organizer tool is useful in itself, and I recommend making an account and using this tool to help you keep track and get in touch with colleges.