Author, Blogger, Coach
Doctoral Student UCSD
QM Scholars Program
Mother of 3!
Stop by my booth . . .
Clarifications before we begin . . .
No guarantee for admission, period.
Far more than 10 tips.
“College-bound” is broad spectrum
High School Students
Parents of K-5, Middle, & HS
Community College Transfers
CSUs, UCs, and Ivy Leaguers!
Top 10 Things Students Do To
Get Admitted!
Tip #10: Backward Design it!
“To begin with the end in mind means to start with a
clear understanding of your designation.”
—Stephen R. Covey
Habit #2, “Begin with the End in Mind”
“Pinpoint where you want to be in 1 year, 5 years, or 10
years from now, and strategically work backward from
that point.” —Quetzal Mama
Chapter 7, “Think Backwards”
Tip #9: The Big Four: Requirements!
Graduation Requirements
College Preparatory (A-G) Requirements
Private or Competitive College Requirements
Discipline-Specific (Major) Requirements
Natalie wants UC Berkeley
Mechanical Engineering . . .
Tip #8: The Big Three: Exams!
Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT)
AP or IB Exams
SAT Subject Tests
Natalie will strategize:
AP Exams: AP Physics, AP Calculus
Subject Tests: Math Level 2 & Physics
SAT Math score weighted
Tip #7: The Belly Button Rule
“Opinions are like belly buttons.
Everyone has one.”
Successful Students
Know college admissions is a complex landscape
Get the right type of help
Understand what qualifies as an “expert”
Tip #6: Kill Three Birds with One Stone
NO “Cover all Bases” Approach
NO “Passive” Approach
YES “Discipline-Specific Activities”
YES “Leadership focused Activities”
YES “Altruistic Activities”
Tip #5: The Tightrope of Grades & Rigor
Paradox: Grades are King, but . . .
Colleges Want Students who Challenge Themselves
Successful students:
Focus on courses related to intended major
Hedge their bets
Tip #4: Optimism versus Realism
Successful students:
Strategize and apply to the best colleges for them
Maximize potential financial aid offerings
Come March 30, many offers on the table
Tip #3: Putting the Funk in Perfunctory!
Perfunctory
An action
or gesture
carried out
with
minimum
effort or
reflection.
Successful students:
Strategize LORs
Strategize Standard Exams
Strategize Personal Statements
Tip #2: “Nail” the Personal Statement
Successful students:
It’s no mystery – an art and science to writing.
Every word counts: one shot to tell their story.
All things equal, the PS can give the edge.
Tip #1: Stack the Deck!
C
O L
L
E G
E
Successful students:
Know there is not one magical thing.
Cumulative effect based on many factors.
Got to “nail” each component to stack the deck.
It’s about odds, not a slam dunk.
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