As of today – August 1, 2016 – the Common Application, the UC application and the new Coalition for Access Application are open.
While they are different in some ways and have different member colleges, these applications all give students the opportunity to share their interests and leadership through describing their extra-curricular activities, and to express themselves through essays. Below are a few resources to help you get started on these applications. Keep in mind that most colleges’ application due dates are months away (read: DON’T FREAK OUT JUST YET!).
Tip: One of the ways we help reduce stress in the college application process is to help students divide up the work they have to do for the many colleges on their list, and spread it out over the next few months.
Magellan webinars and workshops:
FREE WEBINAR – Getting Started With The Common App – for high school seniors (for students, not parents): Monday, August 8, 5 pm. Please RSVP here.
Essay and application workshops at the end of August (for students in the Los Angeles area): see this post for dates, times and costs. RSVP is required.
College application resources to help you get started:
- College Essay Guy has a great post about how to make your extra-curricular activities pop.
- The UC website posted this video of what’s new with their application this year (hint: four short questions to answer instead of two long-ish essays!).
- Essay Hell has a great step-by-step guide to brainstorming the new UC essays here (click the flames above each of the 8 prompts for advice on each prompt).
- Tufts University has an excellent page that dispels many college application myths about things like applying Early Decision, optional application requirements and community service. Check it out!
Finally, there was a great article in the Washington Post last week written by a young woman who is about to start at the University of Maryland. It’s a great read for parents and students alike. Some lessons we learn during the college search and admission process the hard way. But we can learn from others’ lessons as well.
Again – our college essay and application workshops are coming up at the end of August for students in the LA area. More details here. Please also join our FREE Common App webinar next Monday! And if you need a little bit more assistance, please feel free to contact us here.