College Seminar #2: Essay Writing

Our second college seminar session focused on college essay writing. Our juniors got a jump start on the short and personal essay that the Common Application asks students to complete.

The overarching goal in both essays is for the student to tell a story about a "life moment" that is 0% boring to read and 100% revealing of a positive trait.

This moment can occur in a menial job task like cleaning toilets or digging tree holes.

This moment can occur in a pre-game ritual like eating mom's favorite pasta dish and watching Michael Jordan highlight reels (that was my pre-game ritual circa 1994).

This moment can involve a post-theater performance ritual like celebrating at Red Robin by sharing a Mississippi Mud pie among fellow thespians.

This moment could come in the aftermath of missing the last second shot. Or a moment after an embarrassing gaffe, like forgetting a key line.

It can be a moment of academic vertigo after getting back the D- on the Pre-AP Chemistry test, but how you didn't allow the center to implode, but worked tirelessly to re-align the stars on the next test.

Heck this moment could involve a hobby - something you love to do when you don't have to do anything.



My 5-year old son, Silas, for example, loves to create Mii characters on the Wii. This is one of his 20+ self-made Mii characters. He's created over 100 Mii characters, including exact replicas of every family member, including grandparents and cousins, along with his favorite teachers, friends, even movie characters (he has a Mii character for each of the Chipmunks and Chipettes - no joke).

Don't be afraid to drill down into quirky, creative, outside-of-the-box things you enjoy doing. This kind of essay can pleasantly surprise a reader, shatter stereotypes, and reveal little shining gems about you that shimmer long after the reader puts your essay down.

We also tell our students to aim for the 10-80-10 rule.



It's always a balancing act when you have a 150-500 word limit.

The key then is to try to get "into" your story in the first 10% of the narrative, journey "thru" your story in the next 80%, and move "beyond" the story in the last 10% in terms of providing an elevated truth, insight, revelation (epiphany), or future possibility.

There is no silver bullet to writing THE essay. The key is to tell a story you enjoy writing. If you enjoy the writing process, most likely your reader will enjoy the finished product.

UVA Twitter Posts - Round 2

It's been about a year since I posted my favorite UVA Twitter posts.

Well our UVA Dean has been at it again, twittering like crazy these past couple months as he and his staff have read thousands of college applications.

A lot of good stuff. Some absolutely over the top tweets.

So here is my second round of favorite UVA Twitter posts.
(Bold = twitter post; lower case commentary = my short ramblings).

1. I've been reading essays about Harry Potter for 10 years & just read the best one. It can't be topped. Topic is retired. (Thank god! now you can move on to a new topic - 10 years of essays on Hunger Games)

2. Looking at a transcript with a GPA over 4.0 & C's and a D in core subjects. GPA is meaningless without context. (Some parents are shocked to learn that not every school uses a 4.0 scale. We use a 4.33 scale by the way).

3. Reading an application from a school where the top average in the graduating class is 123.6%. (Can you say massive grade inflation?)

4. Students, we're happy to talk to your (*helicopter) parents, but we really love when you contact us yourself with questions! (*my addendum to tweet)

5. Dear Florida, we really don't need elementary and middle school work on the transcript. (I wonder if all elem./junior high awards, honors, and medals for "good sportsmanship" are on there?).

6. Reading an app from a school where cheering is graded & has the same credit value as core subjects. A higher GPA with every basket toss! (To take a swipe at cheerleaders is to wake a grizzly bear mamma from her winter slumber. So no comment on this one.)

7. I don't have a preference when it comes to weighted/unweighted GPA. As long as the profile shows methodology, I'm happy (Click here to find our school profile to see how we explain our"weighted" GPA methodology).

8. If you write about a subculture that has lingo, don't use the lingo in your application essay. I'm interested, but lost! (So maybe one needs to translate the lingo for the non-native speaker?).

9. I've seen so many transcripts with straight A+ grades this year. Once upon a time, an A+ was a rarity. (At Casady this is still the case. We've had one A+ student graduate from Casady in the last 5 years.)

10. Came across a school that has a craft curriculum. Even offers Honors Crafts. Where were these courses when I was in school?!? Also; we don't really look too hard at electives. (Core classes always count - English, Math, Science, Humanities, Language).

11th Grade Parent College Survey

1. Student's Name and e-mail address

2. Parent's Name

3. Please highlight the preferences that you believe will best suit your student in a college. (More than one answer is OK) Size of undergraduate population:

4. Location of campus

5. Level of Academic Challenge and Selectivity

6. Affordability

7. Academic Programs

8. What other parameters are important to you?

9. Do you now have some specific colleges in mind for your student? If so, please list them.

10. What is your student's strongest trait? Give a recent example.

11. What teacher or coach has most inspired your student? What teacher or coach has most challenged your student?

12. Does your Junior's academic record accurately reflect his/her academic ability?If not, why not?

13. How has your child changed or grown while a student at Casady School?

14. Do you have any specific concerns about the college planning process?

15. What issues should I be sure to address in our college meeting together?

16. If your child has a learning difference/disability, please let me know what it is.

17. If your student has a learning disability, do I have permission to reference it in the school letter of recommendation? YesNo

18. Are you interested in information about financial aid? YesNo

*19. Indicate all tests your student plans to take this spring/fall: (The College Counseling Team recommends your student take the SAT and ACT at least ONCE and at least TWO Subject tests). February 11 (ACT) April 13 (ACT) June 9 (ACT) September 8 (ACT) October 27 (ACT) December 8 (ACT) March 10 (SAT) May 5 (SAT) June 2 (SAT)

20. College counselors get to submit a one-page recommendation letter to most colleges/universities. We invite you then to write a recommendation letter to schools you would submit on behalf of your son or daughter.

"Test Optional" Schools

"I'm not a good test taker," Mr. Bottomly, "are there any colleges that I can apply to where I don't have to submit test scores?"

It's a common question.

It's a common anxiety.

The good news is that there are over 750 colleges and universities that are test optional.

Test optional just means that students have the option to submit an ACT or SAT I/II score or not.

Many times colleges will allow students to substitute out a test score and in its place submit in a extra essay, graded assignment, or homemade Youtube video.

Below you will find a list of colleges/universities that many of our students have been admitted to during the selection process (even matriculated to). Many of our students have been amazed to find colleges on this list that are on the first page of the US News and World Report (not that I endorse the rankings). The common myth is that test optional schools must not be "good" schools ("good" is a blog post in-of-itself. What does "good" really mean?).

American University
Bard College
Bates College
Bennington College
Bowdoin College
Bryn Mawr
College of Holly Cross
Denison University
Depaul University
Drew University
Franklin & Marshall College
Furman University
George Mason University
Goucher College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamilton College
Hobart and Smith College
Hampshire College
Knox College
Lake Forest College
Lawrence University
Lewis and Clark College
Marist College
Mt. Holyoke
Muhlenberg College
Pitzer College
Providence College
Rollins College
Saint Leo University
Sarah Lawrence College
Sewanee (University of the South)
Smith College
Stetson University
Susquehanna University
University of Arizona
Wake Forest University
Washington and Jefferson College
Wheaton College (MA)
Wittenberg College

To see the full "test optional" list click here.

11th Grade Student College Survey (Casady College Seminar #1)

This year we have re-organized our 11th grade College Seminar to include more student-centered activities. We want our 11th grade students doing more. So in our 1st seminar session our 11th graders are filling out the survey we designed on Naviance. We will use this survey to better understand our student's preferences, expectations, dreams, and values. We also use this survey to help us (as college counselors) accomplish in our recommendation letters narration (telling their story well), synthesis (connecting the dots in terms of major themes), and distinction (elevating them from the blob of test scores and gpa numbers). After we marinate in each student's survey (and parent's survey > next post) we come up with 1) a college exploration list, 2) senior academic program (options), and 3) testing, visiting, and applying timeline for each student. Here then are some of the questions we ask each 11th grader to answer thoughtfully: You are at a "speed dating" event. You are given only enough time to answer one question: "How would you describe yourself in five words?"

6.	Complete this statement and explain why: (Think literature, movies, tv, history textbooks) "I am a lot like the fictional (or historical) character __________________________ because...

*7.	What do you like to do when you don't have to do anything?

8.	What is your strongest non-academic trait? Give a recent example of that trait in action?

*9.	If a teacher walked into your classroom and gave you a choice for your final class assessment, which of the following assessments would you choose and why: A) a scantron test B) a paper C) a project

*10.	What experience or event are you most proud of in an extracurricular activity or job during your high school years.

*11.	What has been your most challenging Casady experience?

*12.	If you had to design your own course, what would that course look like? What be the course's title?

*13.	Will you be applying for need-based financial aid?
	Yes No

*14.	Will finances or scholarships play an important part in your decision?
	Yes No

15.	List any extracurricular activities in which you would like to participate in college.

*16.

Please identify the level of importance in your college search of the following criteria with 1 being "not important" to 5 being "extremely important":

1 2 3 4 5 Close to Home Liberal Ethos Conservative Ethos Coed dorm Single Sex College Small Liberal Arts College (1,000-3,000) Mid-Size College/University (4,000-8,000) Large University (10,000>) Campus in a rural setting Campus in a suburban setting Campus in a city Cold Weather Warm Weather Greek Life Rah-Rah Sports Financial Aid Crime and Safety Number of friends also interested Leadership Opportunities Ability to change major Ability to double major Travel abroad Internships Percentage of students living on campus Roomate different (religious, political, socio-economic) Opportunities to participate in the arts Opportunities to participate in the arts Student Learning Services

*17.

Geographic Preferences. Be honest as you can about the states in which you would like to have college options. "5" equals "strong interest", "3" equates to moderate interest, and "1" equates to no interest.

1 2 3 4 5 Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Deleware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhodes Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

*18.	Are there any specific colleges or universities you are interested in at this time? If so please list below:

19.

Majors/Concentrations/Academic Interests/Careers. If you do have specific academic or major interests which you would like your college counselor to consider making up your prospective college list, go through the list below.

1 2 3 4 5 Undecided Architecture Area, Ethnic, and Gender Studies (Women's studies, African studies, Native American studies, et Biological Science (Biochemistry, Biology, Genetics, Zoology, Marine biology, Microbiology, Botany) Business (Accounting, Administration, Management, Finance, Marketing, International Business) Communications (Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, Radio and TV) Computer and Information Sciences Education (Elementary, Middle, Secondary, PE, Special Ed., Library Science) Engineering (General, Aeronautical, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environ.) English/English literature Creative Writing Health (Athletic Training, Forensice Science, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Pre-Med, Veterinary medicin Humanities (Classics, History, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Pre-Law) Languages Mathematics/Statistics Physical Sciences (Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology/Earth Science, Meteorology, Physics) Religion/Theology Social Sciences (Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Poly Sci)

*20.	Do you anticipate participating in intercollegiate athletics while attending college?
	Yes No

21.	If the answer is "Yes", list the sports and NCAA Divisional Level (Div. I, Div. II, Div. III, NAIA) in which you have interest.

*22.	Paint a word picture of your ideal college.

23.	List here any colleges which you have VISITED and indicate your level of interest:

*24.	List two 11th grade teachers you would have write a recommendation on your behalf. Why did you choose this teacher? What assignment/test/paper/project are you most proud of in that teacher's class?

*25.	Your college counselor will write a one-page recommendation to colleges on your behalf. With this in mind, what part(s) of your story do you want your college counselor to help tell to colleges?

*26.	Indicate all tests you plan to take this spring: (The College Counseling Team recommends you take the SAT and ACT at least ONCE and at least TWO Subject tests)
	Add answer choices here. Februrary 11 (ACT) April 14 (ACT) June 9 (ACT) September 8 (ACT) October 27 (ACT) December 8 (ACT) March 10 (SAT) May 5 (SAT) June 2 (SAT) Oct. TBA (SAT) November TBA (SAT)