The nice thing about infographics is that is lays out the information in a very simple to understand form. The big take away for me from this information is not that college admissions professionals sometimes look at social media. It is that this type of review has been increasing substantially in just the past few years.

As social media gets to have a stronger presence I predict that we will continue to see more and more review of it by college admissions professionals.  Can you still use social media even though you are applying to college? Of course. Just don’t be stupid about it.

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Social Media and College Admissions Infographic

The problem, however, was that the student had not yet applied to any programs. While most college applications aren’t due until the end of December or early January, BS/MD applications are mostly due between November 1 and December 1. If you don’t get your application in on time, you will not be considered.

It is obviously too late for this application season, but for those of you considering applying to BS/MD programs in future years, keep these early deadlines in mind. This is one of the many reasons that I encourage those students who are considering working with me to get an early start on the process.  9th and 10th grade are not too early.

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BS/MD Programs Early Application Deadlines

The argument for submitting all scores for a college that does not use score choice is that you need to provide the information that the college requests.  The parent’s real question was that if the student doesn’t submit all of their scores, how will the college know?

The parent is correct that if you don’t submit a test score the college will probably never know. However, there are ways that colleges may find out. Some may be by accident such as the test company mistakenly providing more than the scores you intended. More likely, is that someone who knows what you did rats you out.

This happens on occasion when a student is applying to a competitive college where others they know are also applying. To get a competitive advantage some students will use any advantage they can to try to get admitted. This includes contacting the college with any information that you may not have followed all of the rules.

If the college finds out that you did not submit all scores despite their instructions to do so, they may very well no longer consider your application. Basically, you can’t lie to the college without consequences if they find out.

Rarely is it a problem to submit all test scores. If the college requests all scores, give it to them. That way you won’t have to worry about one of your competitors trying to eliminate you as an applicant.

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Do You Need to Disclose All of Your Test Scores?

There wasn’t any startling information provided by the panel but there was some basic information provided in a format that may be helpful for those of you trying to get the best recommendations from teachers who may not write many recommendations.

The panel indicated that colleges use the teacher recommendations for two basic purposes. First, the recommendations are used to give a perspective on a student’s academic abilities, intellectually curiosity and potential for academic growth.

The second use of the teach recommendation is to share information about the student’s personal qualities and accomplishments.

Communicate the importance of these two issues to the teachers you are asking for a recommendation and you have a much greater chance of getting a strong teacher recommendation.

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Getting Strong Teacher Recommendations for College Admissions

That is what most students believe. But the reality is that this is a terrible approach to try and get accepted into a highly competitive college.

The most selective colleges want well rounded classes. They want students involved in volleyball or who play the flute or who love doing research. But the strongest students will be those that have a passion for one or two of things.

It doesn’t matter what your passion is but the more you can demonstrate it, the better. If you have a passion for the tuba, play in your local school band and orchestra, start a jazz band with some of your friends, volunteer to play the tuba at local nursing homes or help teach younger students how to play the tuba. When colleges look at your application you will be the tuba kid.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved in activities outside your passion. But, the more that a selective college can look at your application and say “this student clearly has a passion for x”, the stronger the applicant you will be.

So, what is your passion?

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The Myth of the Well Rounded Student

The problem with the increased admission to some out state universities is that it only applies to students that are able to pay for the full cost of out state tuition which in many cases, brings the cost of the out state university to the same level as a top private college. Unfortunately, like other issues related to college admissions, having money can give you more options.

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Admissions Advantage at Out State Universities

Writing a strong college essay has nothing to do with attending an expensive summer program. Rather, it is about letting the admissions office get a glimpse into who you really are.

The article does talk with another independent educational consultant who says correctly that the essay is about the student, not an activity. But the article really focuses on the summer activities.

Might a summer program lead to a story about the you behind the application? Sure. But so might a summer job, volunteering at the local homeless shelter, swimming at the local pool and an untold number of other activities.

Admissions officers are not impressed with expensive summer activities. All that establishes is that you have money.  In fact, you run the risk of sounding like every other applicant if you write about all that you learned on your summer in “pick a poor country.”

The college application essay is not an updated version of your third grade “what I did on my summer vacation.”  Instead, dig deep, and figure out something small about you that you can tell the admissions office about.

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College Essays and Summer Activities

500 words is the recommended limit but there is no strict word limit. However, the question is, do you need more than 500 words?  The Washington Post recently reprinted an excellent article by Jon Reider that argues that you don’t need more than 500 words to write a strong essay.

Your goal is to write the best essay you can. Although there may be exceptions, I agree that in the majority of cases, you should limit your essay to less than 500 words. Good writing can, and usually should be, succinct.

If your first draft is over 500 words, don’t worry. That is one of the purposes of the editing process.

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What Is the Word Limit on the Common App Personal Statement?

Colleges are not going to make you verify, even if you could, your activities or your volunteer activities. They are simply interested in what you did, what years in high school you did each activity, the number of weeks each year you did the activity and how many hours per week.

So does that mean you can just make things up? NO. Application officers are not stupid. They see thousands of applications each year. They get to be very good at sniffing out those students who are exaggerating their activities. If they suspect you are lying they may call your guidance counselor to confirm your involvement in school activities. They may call the business where you say you volunteered to confirm that you are an active volunteer.  But they don’t have the time, or interest, to do this for every student.

Be your self and get involved in activities and volunteering that truly interest you. Then report on those activities on your college application. If you do, college admissions officers will see the real you. And that is what you need to do to be the best candidate for a college.

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How Do You Verify Your Activities?

Harvard made the same decision today to add single choice early action for next year.

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Princeton Starts Single Choice Early Action