The clock is ticking for students planning to attend California State University or Unviersity of California in the fall of 2011. November 30th at midnight is the deadline. If you have waited until now to begin your application, you are probably feeling a bit of stress. While procrastination is rarely the best way to approach anything signifcant, if that is your reality today, I strongly recommend that you find an unofficial transcript and get going. You can still get your application in by the deadline.
The CSU application is remarkably simple. All you have to do is enter your college prep courses and the grades you've earned. Add your SAT or ACT scores, click submit, enter your credit card number to pay the application fee, and you're done. You have to apply to each of the 23 CSUs separately, but once you've completed one school's application, the next application will be pre-populated with all the information that you put on the first one. Just choose a major and you're practically finished.
The UC application is significantly more complicated, but a you can still complete it in a few hours. Along with that unofficial transcript you needed for the CSU, you'll also need to organize your high school history to begin. This includes lists of awards, leadership, activities, community service and employment. Then you'll also need to crank out two essays. (For information on those, see the previous blog.) Enter all your information, being careful with acronyms (explain them) and use description words to explain your roles within your activities. Remember, your activities are not limited to school. If you are heavily involved in an off campus sport, club or group (example a communtiy orchestra, church youth group, competitive skater, etc.) those belong on your UC application.
When working on a last-minute essay, first review the information provided on this website along with the UC website about what the UC wants to hear about in your essay. Then, start one essay by simply answering the prompt in one sentence. What do you have to say to that topic? Be sure that your one-sentence answer actually answers all the questions within the prompt. Once you are satisfied that you know what you want to say, then dress it up as an essay.
Once you've submitted an application to CSU or UC, be sure to have your SAT or ACT scores sent by the testing agency. If you are unsure if you've met the testing requirements for your school, check out the SAT information on this website. CSU and UC have DIFFERENT testing requirements. Most schools accept test scores through the December test date.
College is a place to gain the skills you need to live an independent, successful life. Don't wait another second to get started on your applicaiton.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The College Essay
The University of California Personal Statement often creates panic among college hopefuls. Just like any college essay, the purpose of the Personal Statement is to give the application depth and clarity. It's an opportunity for an applicant to show a theme on the application and demonstrate more than a long list of achievement. It's a way to take a black and white document and give it color.
One tip is for students to try to "show" rather than "tell" about their passions. Using active verbs and adjectives that weave emotion into the statement can spice up a topic.
For more information directly from the University of California office admissions, watch the video below.
One tip is for students to try to "show" rather than "tell" about their passions. Using active verbs and adjectives that weave emotion into the statement can spice up a topic.
For more information directly from the University of California office admissions, watch the video below.