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Archive for September, 2009

Will I get caught lying on my college application?

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Dear Babs,

Can I get caught lying on my college application? My extracurricular activities are looking pretty grim. I was on the yearbook committee for two years, and I ran track for three. I did debate club all four years, but I never got a role. I was thinking of saying that I did all of my activities all four years, and “making myself” editor of the yearbook. Do admissions officers really check up on that kind of stuff?

-Sneaky Sara

—

Dear Sneaky,

Uh, yes. Not to mention that lying on your application is wrong.

Moral lecture aside, the truth is that college admissions officers don’t have time to check up on every fact. But if a lie is small enough to not get caught, in all honesty it’s small enough to not make a difference on your college application. Not to mention that if you do get caught, you’ll be automatically rejected: no wait list, no transferring. And remember, your guidance counselor will be submitting a letter summarizing your academic AND extracurricular achievements along with your application. If those facts don’t line up, it’s a giant red flag for the folks at admissions.

You need to ask yourself: is it even worth it? Adding a couple years of participation, or a title like “editor” isn’t going to make or break your college application. If your GPA is sub-par, or your SATs don’t cut it, editor or president of this and that won’t help you come admissions decisions time.

Rather than risk getting flat-out rejected, why don’t you be honest, keep your integrity, and give it your best.

Good luck!

Babs

Got a question for Babs? Email her at dearbabs@campuscompare.com.

You can publish Bab’s on your school newspaper or blogroll at http://www.campuscompare.com/college-resources/dear-babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
09.22.09
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College Admissions Essay: What’s Your Mom Got to Do With It?

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Dear Babs,

I’m starting to work on my college admissions essay, and I’m concerned. Should I get my mom to look it over? I know some of my friends had their parents practically write their essay and college application, but is that right? I don’t want to cheat, but if everyone else is doing it, I don’t want my essay to suck.

-Authorial Alex

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Dear Alex,

Go with your gut instinct. If having your parents write your essay for you seems wrong, it probably is! College admissions officers are looking for your voice, not your mom or dad’s. And want to know a little-known-secret? There’s no guarantee your parents can write better than you can. Unless your mom is a professional essayist, her version is probably going to be on par with yours. You do, after all, take an English class 5 times a week. Compare your experience to writing essays to that of your parents. I guarantee a student is going to have more of a knack for it than an adult who works as an office manager, writing up reports and presentations.

I’ve read some of these ghost-written essays before, and let me tell you, they are rarely any good. They are often stiff and dull. What college admissions officers really look for in an essay is an authentic voice and above all enthusiasm. There is no way your mom is going to get as excited about your track meets, choir practice, or soup-kitchen volunteer work as you do.

Don’t take this to mean that she shouldn’t look it over. Every author needs an editor! Have her check your essay for coherency (make sure it makes sense), cohesiveness (make sure it has a theme, and doesn’t jump around too much), and spelling/grammar. Have her make comments and suggestions. Then decide which ones you want to keep.

When it comes to college admissions essays and college applications, there’s nothing wrong with a second opinion, just make sure that the first one is yours!

Good luck!
-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, parents
09.16.09
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International Students and the College Search

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Dear Babs,

I’m from Kenya with a High School Diploma, and some college-level courses under my belt. Journalism is my passion and I’m starting my college search in the U.S. because I believe the colleges and universities over there will provide me with a good foundation towards becoming a good journalist. Any advice on good and affordable schools, requirements for application for international students and financial aid?

-Collegiate in Kenya

—

Dear C.K.,

Why yes, I can give you some advice on international students and the college search, college applications and journalism school. That is, after all, what advice columnists are for. :)

There are many great Journalism schools in the U.S.: Columbia University, Syracuse University: Newhouse School of Communications, University of Wisconsin: Madison, Northwestern University, and USC in California. University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill, has developed a really excellent international journalism program that you might find interesting. All of these schools are great all-around, as well as having world-renowned journalism programs.

Normally, when a student tells me they are looking for a more affordable school, I urge them to apply to a state school over private schools. However, as an international student, you will not be eligible for the reduced in-state tuition. This means that you will have to pay an international-rate tuition for most state schools, which is equivalent to that of a private school (around 30-40,000 USD a year). Not only will you have to pay top dollar, but it is very difficult to receive financial aid as an international student. The Global Student Loan Corporation is one of the few loan companies that offers student loans to non-U.S. citizens. Other than that, your best bet is to try and get funding from your own country’s government and banks.

As for international college applications, the main difference that you will find between applications in the U.S. and abroad is the reliance on the SATs. You must take the SATs in order to apply to most schools in the states. Check the College Board online to find a location to take the test. You will also be required to write an admissions essay, and since Journalism relies heavily on writing, it better be good. If your English is a bit shaky, get a friend or teacher to review it for you. Depending on the school, they may have special requirements for international students, or for journalism students, so do your research thoroughly.

As an international student, there’s going to be a lot of paperwork ahead for your college search, so take your time, look at each school’s website thoroughly, and make sure you have met all the requirements.
Good luck!
-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, Financial Aid
09.10.09
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