CLW 2019 Tell your story College Admissions Workshop

CLW 2019: Tell your story College Admissions Workshop Diep hoang, Class of 2023, Computer Science & Cognitive science Phoebe Dang, Class of 2020, Computer Science Rice University Vietnamese Student Association’s 17 th Annual College Leadership Workshop October 19 TH, 2019

What can you do now? ● Speak with college counselor ● Consider potential paths e. g. premed, prelaw, academia, industry, engineering, humanities ● Build experiences e. g. extracurriculars, volunteering, sports, hobbies, leadership Makes for better essays ● Maintain GPA, transcript, test prep GPA: upward trend Tests: can take multiple times, superscore

What’s the difference between a ‘university’ and a ‘college’? ● Usually though: 2 -year vs. 4 -year ● Associates degree vs. bachelor's degree ● It is NOT a negative to go to 2 -year college: ○ Financial reasons ○ Not sure what you want to do ○ Not sure where you want to go

TL; d. R Choose SOME SCHOOLS TOUR COLLEGES APPLY!

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR! ❏ GET OFF TO A GOOD START BY GETTING GOOD GRADES EARLY ON AND TAKE CHALLENGING CLASSES! ❏ Begin to volunteer around your community and get involved within your high school -Genuinely become involved in activities you are passionate about ❏ Establish a good relationship with your teachers and counselors

Junior YEAR ❏ THINK ABOUT SCHOOLS YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ❏ TAKE THE PSAT/NMSQT ❏ TAKE THE SAT/ACT EARLY ENOUGH* ❏ KEEP UP YOUR GRADES AND TAKE LEADERSHIP ROLES IN CLUBS ❏ RESEARCH AND VISIT SCHOOLS ❏ MEET WITH COUNSELOR

Senior Year ❏ MEET WITH COUNSELOR ❏ ASK TEACHERS FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTERS EARLY! ❏ RETAKE SAT/ACT IF NEEDED ($$$) ❏ SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONS ❏ SEND OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ❏ APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS ❏ SEND MID-YEAR REPORTS

The Application Process 1. 2. 3. 4. School requirements and due dates SAT, ACT, subject tests (SAT IIs), writing portions Common. App, Apply. Texas, Quest. Bridge, Coalition Make a timeline

EARLY DECISION VS. EARLY ACTION ● EARLY DECISION IS BINDING ○ CONSIDER FINANCES ○ DEMONSTRATES INTEREST ● DEFERRAL NOT BINDING ● EARLY ACTION IS NOT BINDING ● RESTRICTED EARLY ACTION?

CHOOSING A SCHOOL ● Financial ○ Public vs. private ○ Need-blind? Scholarships? ● Type ○ 2 vs. 4 -year ○ Liberal arts vs. Universities ● Available majors ● Selectivity ○ GPA ○ Test scores (SAT/ACT) ● Environment ○ Weather ○ Distance (in-state, out of state) ○ Social ■ Size ■ Greek LIFE ○ Surroundings (URBAN? RURAL? ) ● Prestige and reputation ● AP/IB CREDIT POLICIES

Which major should I choose? Do I need to be set on a major? ● No! It’s perfectly okay to be undecided ● Keep in mind your path ○ e. g. premed, prelaw, industry, service, business, GRAD SCHOOL ○ Help narrow school choices ● What topics did you enjoy in high school?

YOUR LIST OF SCHOOLS ● ● REACHES Target SAFETIES CONSIDER FINANCES

MY DECISIONS ARE IN. . . NOW WHAT? ● ● ● Deferred (ED/EA) WAITLIST (RD) FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS HOUSING DEPOSITS NOTIFY SCHOOLS

Small tips : ) ● Interviews can only help ● ACT vs. SAT (+SAT Subject Tests) ○ No harm in retaking ○ For act: can retake parts of the test ● Use a spreadsheet to stay organized ● Get everyone to proof your essays ○ Reuse them! ● Use all your resources

Have more Questions? Email vsa. clw@gmail. com!