Surviving the campaign for college admissions: The college application

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In the previous installment, I talked about narrowing down the final list of schools to which you’ll apply. Now you’re ready to send for applications and fill them out. This column includes many tips as well as some do’s and don’ts. I’ve shared this information through the years, both in this column and during my reports on WCBS Newsradio 880. There’ve been some changes with the advent of the Internet and the ability to apply to some schools on line. The information applies to both “classic paper” and on-line submissions.
Picture a room with 40,000 admissions packets. That’s how many applications some schools receive. How do you make yours stand out favorably? Unless there’s an interview, you’re a piece of paper. That’s why I put so much weight on the application.
Let’s begin with another of my top ten lists, this one for filling out what’s commonly called the “Part I” or biographical information.


#1 – Ascertain whether you apply online … use the Common Application … or file a separate paper application for some of your schools.

#2 – Whichever method, photocopy it on a different color paper. This is your working copy.
#3 – Fill in the basic biographical information; you may have to research some of the dates.
#4 – Make sure that information is accurate and complete. Omit nothing.
#5 - Pay particularly attention to those pesky dates. Mistakes might be a dealbreaker and testimony to your carelessness.
#6 - Develop an activity/honors sheet. Eventually, this will become your resume. Once done, it’s done for life. You just have to modify it through the years.
#7 - Don’t complete Part I in a single setting; you don’t want to forget something important, such as a club or honor.
#8 - Beware the “days/hours” trap— when you’re asked how much time you spend at each activity. There are only 24 hours in a day. I’ve seen students be a bit “generous” with their time and the numbers don’t add up.
#9 –Periodically update your resume as you join new activities or receive new honors.
#10 – Proofread EXTREMELY carefully. Errors are evidence of your carelessness.
Now, let’s turn to the dreaded essay. I say “dreaded” because many students fear this step. Some begin writing “personal statements” in their junior year. Good idea. Hastily written essays near the deadline can lead to rejection. Coming up: some important tips worth noting.


“How do you get your essay to FAVORABLY stand out from the pack?” (I’ve heard some admissions officials immediate discard some applications because of the essay.)
At a college admissions event sponsored by WCBS several years ago, one speaker put it this way: “I don’t want to read any more dying grandparent or ‘how I’ll cure a worldwide epidemic’ essays.” Instead, colleges want to know about you as a person and what makes you special. Therefore, think about a unique interest you have or a life-changing event. Picture an admissions officer facing a stack of applications to assess. What will make yours stand out? Grab the reader with a hook that will make him or her want to read more.
Focus on that topic sentence. Then develop it wthl solid examples and vivid descriptions. Come up with a knockout closing, tying everything together, and leaving the reader saying, “Wow!”
By the way, don’t be overwhelmed by the number of essays you have to write for different colleges. List all the essays required from all of your colleges. You’ll find considerable overlap. Certain essays can be adapted and used more than once. However, make sure you answer the specific question!
Once again, another top ten list—this one compiled from admissions officials:


#1 - Focus on yourself; write in your own voice.
#2 - Write your own essay. Get help-- but this must be YOUR work.
#3 - Find that interesting “hook” or “teaser” to grab the reader’s interest.
#4 - Tell an interesting story.
#5 – Use your best writing style.
#6 - Be creative without getting carried away. One student wrote from the perspective of a plant. (Not sure about that one!)
#7 – Answer the question; it’s obvious if you recycle an essay already used.
#8 – Follow directions, particularly regarding word count.
#9 – Revise… revise… and revise some more.
#10 – Proofread EXTREMELY carefully before mailing or hitting the “send’ button.


Now, some “don’ts” for the essay.


#1 – Procrastinate. Many seniors wait until deadline time. The finished product proves it, carelessly written, rife with mistakes.
#2 – Plagiarize. Admissions officials want your original work.
#3 - Restate your resume; answer the question.
#4 – Force fit. As I said, don’t make your response to a different question fit this one.
#5 – Ignore the word count— long or short. It shows you can’t follow directions.
#6 – Overuse clichés.
#7 – Write in the passive tense; use the active instead.
#8 – Whine or complain.
#9 – Put the reader to sleep with a dull opening.
#10 – Use a humongous word— when a small one will do.


So there you have it: tips and helpful hints for the college application. It can make or break you.


Dr. Steven Kussin was a high school principal for 21 years. You can hear his “CBS on Education” reports three times a day weekdays on WCBS Newsradio 880. He is also an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and an educational consultant for school districts around the country. Contact him at sk3015@aol.com.