COMMON NUTS AND BOLTS

The Common Application has 488 participating colleges and is a great way to apply to multiple schools using one application.  Visit www.commonapp.org to see the list of member universities and read more about it. The application for next year’s seniors will be available August 1. In the meantime, get familiar with the site and look at this year’s application to get an idea of what you will be filling out. Be sure to check out the School Forms section and remember you will have to “invite” your teachers and counselors to complete their parts.  Next year’s essay (250-650 words) topics, of which you will choose one,  are already available and listed below:

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.
• How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Let me know, sspears@shelbyed.k12.al.us, if you have any questions about using this great tool if it works for colleges on your list.

College Visits are a MUST DO

 Colleges love to have prospective students visit, but you need to arrange your visit ahead of time, not just drop in! Students and parents can listen to an admissions representative, take a campus tour, visit with prospective major (Engineering, etc.) or special programs (Honors College, etc.), and meet with financial aid advisors. Students can even sit in on a class, but lose the parent – send them to buy a t-shirt for you at the bookstore! Students need to remember that a college visit is the most important, beneficial tool you have to help you figure out if a certain college is the right fit for you. There is contact and other information about visiting and preview days  in “College Preview Days” listed under Categories or you can go directly to a college’s website and click on Admissions or Prospective Students.