How to Develop Leadership Skills in High School

In today's competitive admissions world, colleges look beyond grades and test scores. They’re looking for individuals who demonstrate strong leadership skills, which go beyond official titles. These skills can include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and empathy. 

Here are 5 ways students can develop leadership skills in high school: 

Join School Clubs and Organizations Early: Participating in organizations such as student government, debate team, or environmental club provides opportunities to collaborate with peers, plan events, and develop organizational and leadership skills. By joining early, you’re laying the groundwork to be chosen as an official leader once you become an upperclassman. 

Community Volunteering: Engage in volunteer work with local non-profit organizations, charities, or community events. Taking initiative in community projects demonstrates your commitment to making a difference and showcases your leadership qualities.

Sports and Team Activities: Team sports teach valuable leadership skills such as teamwork, communication, and decision-making. Captaining a sports team or leading group projects like robotics can highlight your ability to motivate and coordinate with others.

Tutoring: Offer to provide tutoring assistance to peers. This demonstrates your ability to guide and support others, reflecting your leadership capabilities.

Student Advocacy: Standing up for important causes within the school, such as environmental conservation or mental health awareness, demonstrates your advocacy skills and ability to rally support for meaningful initiatives.

While many of these options likely feel that they’re outside of your comfort zone, it’s worth the risk. As we finish up 2023, consider how you’ll become a leader in 2024.

How to Avoid Common CSS Profile Mistakes

While filling out the CSS Profile can be a complex and time-consuming process, avoiding common mistakes can make the experience smoother and increase your chances of receiving the financial assistance you need. 

If you’re completely new to the CSS Profile, this blog post I wrote in 2021 answers some FAQs and is a good place to start.  

For everyone else, let’s dive right into the common CSS Profile mistakes:

Not submitting the CSS Profile at all

Most families have heard of the FAFSA but many haven’t heard of the CSS Profile, which often means it’s not submitted. If a college requires the CSS Profile, just submitting the FAFSA means that your student won’t have a complete financial aid application. Here is the full list of colleges that currently require the CSS Profile. With the FAFSA being delayed, there are several new colleges on the list this year! 

Simply Admissions clients can also see if their colleges require a CSS Profile on the application tracker. 

Reporting parent-owned 529 plans as a student asset (even if the student is the beneficiary)

This is a very common mistake that can greatly affect the student’s financial aid eligibility. Approximately 5% of parent assets are taken into consideration when calculating the student’s aid eligibility, while 20-25% of student assets are factored in. This is true for the FAFSA as well! 

Missing Additional Documentation Requests

After submitting the CSS Profile, colleges often request additional documentation to verify the information provided. Not submitting the required documents promptly can delay the processing of your financial aid application. Stay vigilant and respond to all requests in a timely and thorough manner to avoid any delays in the financial aid decision process. These requests often come through email and/or through the applicant portal for each individual college. 

Overlooking School-Specific Requirements

Different colleges may have specific CSS Profile requirements or supplemental forms. Make sure to pay close attention to any additional forms or responses they require and submit them along with your CSS Profile to avoid application processing delays.

Forgetting to Update Changes in Circumstances

Life can change unexpectedly, affecting your financial situation. If your family experiences significant changes in income or expenses after submitting the CSS Profile, notify the financial aid offices of the colleges you’ve applied to immediately. Colleges understand that circumstances can change, and updating them promptly can help them reassess your financial aid package accordingly. This is true for colleges that only require the FAFSA too!

By avoiding these common mistakes and staying organized throughout the application process, you can increase your chances of receiving the financial support necessary to achieve your academic goals. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Navigating College Freshmen Housing: Key Questions to Ask

With college applications officially open and admission decisions beginning to roll out, many seniors are now thinking about housing. To help you navigate this often confusing process, here are some key questions to ask before you decide where and when to apply for housing. 

1. Are freshmen guaranteed housing? 

Many schools not only guarantee housing for freshmen but require most freshmen to live on campus. If that’s the case, in my opinion, there’s no real rush to apply for housing. As long as you meet the college’s deadlines in the spring, you’ll have a bed waiting for you! 

2. Can I apply for housing before being admitted? 

There are a handful of colleges where you can apply for housing once you submit your application, even before you’re admitted. The University of Florida and University of Texas Austin tend to be the most popular among our students but there are a few others. If a college does offer this, you may want to consider applying for housing early (especially if they don’t guarantee housing). 

3. Do I have to submit an enrollment deposit in order to apply for housing? 

The majority of colleges do require you to be admitted before you can apply for housing. This is where it can get a bit tricky. Students can submit as many housing deposits as they’d like but only one enrollment deposit. An enrollment deposit indicates that you are planning to enroll at the school in the fall. It also takes away your leverage when it comes to financial aid appeals. 

If a college doesn’t require an enrollment deposit for housing and you’re truly interested in the school, go ahead and submit the deposit! However, if they do require an enrollment deposit you want to put a good amount of thought into your decision - are you ready to commit to this college and their financial aid package?

4. Are There Specialized Housing Options?

Colleges usually offer specialized housing options for specific groups, such as honors students or students with particular interests. If you belong to one of these groups or have unique housing needs, inquire about specialized housing opportunities. These options may have different timelines that you need to consider. 

5. What Are the Housing Cancellation Policies?

Life can be unpredictable, and there may be situations where you need to cancel your housing assignment. Inquire about the college's cancellation policies, including deadlines and any potential financial penalties.

It’s also important to remember that colleges tend to stress the importance of applying early. While sometimes that can truly be necessary, their advice in this area often needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Remember that housing deposits (just like application fees) can be a solid income source for colleges - it’s important to be a smart consumer! 

You’re now probably thinking about where to find the answers to these questions. The college’s website is the best place to find out about their policies and deadlines. And what about after you submit a housing deposit? That’s when the fun part starts - deciding how you’ll decorate your dorm room! 

How to Choose a College as an Engineering Student

Engineering is becoming a more popular major every year. However, all engineering programs are not created equally. That’s why many colleges allow prospective students to tour their engineering school. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit the maker space, see current student projects, and ask engineering-related questions. Here are 15 questions to ask when evaluating engineering programs:

1. Is the engineering program direct admit?

2. What percentage of students within the engineering program are female and/or students of color?

3. What is the biggest academic challenge faced by engineering freshmen?

4. For students who are unsure of their specific engineering focus, what first-year exploratory options are available?

5. How easy is it to change majors within the engineering program as a current student?

6. What is the ​teaching philosophy within the engineering program? What is the ratio of theory to practice/hands-on/experiential learning? 

7. Are engineering students typically able to study abroad?

8. What types of projects have engineering students created recently? 

9. What percentage of students complete a co-op?

10. How does the college help students find co-op opportunities?

11. Can students intern and/or co-op from their hometown?

12. What percentage of undergraduate engineering students do research?

13. What type of team projects do engineering students typically participate in? 

14. What are the 4, 5, and 6-year graduation rates from the engineering program?

15. Who are some employers that have recently recruited engineering students?

Hopefully, the college’s answers to these questions will help you understand if the program is a good fit academically and socially. 

If you’re looking for more questions to ask when evaluating engineering programs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Breaking Down the 2022-2023 Admission Season

Another admissions season is in the books! Long-time blog readers know what that means: another blog post breaking down this year’s admissions landscape. If you’re interested in reading last year’s breakdown, you can find it here.

The 2022-2023 admission season brought forth several notable trends. Below are the three that I believe were ultimately felt the most by students. 

1. Increase in Part-Time Readers

Part-time readers are exactly what the name implies: outside hires that work part-time during the busy season to read applications. With the surge in application numbers, colleges have had to expand their reviewing teams to accommodate the workload. That has led to more colleges hiring more part-time readers. 

How part-time readers are utilized will vary depending on the college. Typically, they are the first ones to review a student’s application. They’re responsible for making notes summarizing the application and/or grading the application according to a rubric the admissions committee has created. The readers would then pass their assessments to the full-time admission counselors to review. 

What does this mean for students? In my opinion, it’s now more important than ever for students to present their accomplishments and stories in a concise and compelling manner, ensuring that their unique attributes shine through the application easily (no matter who’s reading it).  

2. Smaller Initial Financial Aid Packages

I was initially surprised as I observed this next trend, which I primarily saw in less selective private colleges. However, after further thought, it makes sense. The pandemic and its financial ramifications compelled institutions to reassess their budgets, leading to more conservative financial aid offers. Recently, it’s also become more common for families to request financial aid appeals, which is great! However, it means that colleges are more likely to keep their best offers in their back pockets. 

What does this mean for students? It’s becoming crucial for applicants to be proactive in communicating their financial circumstances and pursuing appeals diligently. Also, depending on the situation, it may be appropriate to keep pushing (respectfully and gently!), if you’re not happy with the initial appeal result. 

3. Misleading Statistics 

This year, tons of colleges announced record-low admission rates. Again. While I’m definitely not denying that certain colleges have become more selective recently, college selectivity shouldn’t always be taken at face value.

There are two ways that published admission rates can be misleadingly low. The first is by not including students admitted into alternative paths. For example, Northeastern University published an admit rate of 6.7% in 2022. However, my understanding is that this number does not incorporate the hundreds to thousands of students offered a spot in one of their NUin programs (where students study abroad their first semester and then assimilate into the main Northeastern Boston campus). Many other colleges, like the University of Miami, offer tons of students spring acceptance (meaning students would take the fall semester off and then begin their freshman year with many other students in the spring). 

Waitlists are the other way that admission rates can be misleading. As historical enrollment management techniques are becoming weaker predictors, many colleges are turning to huge waitlists to ensure they don’t over-enroll. That means that not only are waitlists longer than ever before, but more students are getting pulled from the waitlist than ever before. Colleges rarely incorporate these types of students into the initial admit numbers, making the college seem more selective (even if they ultimately see a lower yield).

What does this mean for students? Such omissions significantly affect the perception of acceptance rates and should be considered when researching and comparing admission statistics. While you never want to underestimate the selectivity of a college (as it could easily create an unbalanced college list), make sure you’re taking advantage of alternative path options offered by your colleges. Colleges often ask if you’re interested in these programs in the application itself and it shouldn’t just be a throwaway question. Your answers could truly impact your final admission result! 

Ultimately, the 2022-2023 admission season showcased various shifts in the college application process. At Simply Admissions, we feel that applicants need this knowledge and insight to navigate the admission process effectively. If you have questions, please contact us. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Over the last four years, we’ve seen our students navigate COVID restrictions, discover new career interests, and just simply grow into amazing young adults. They’ve all landed at fantastic colleges and we’re excited to see where they go from here!

This year, our students were admitted to 170 different colleges in 41 states and D.C. They received over $12.6 million in merit aid (not including state scholarships such as HOPE or Bright Futures). We couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments, especially during another tough admissions year.

Here is the full list of colleges our students were admitted to this year:

Agnes Scott College

Anderson University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Augusta University

Bates College

Baylor University

Belmont University

Bentley University

Berry University

Boston University

Bradley University

Brandeis University

Brown University

Bryn Mawr College

Butler University

California State University - Long Beach

Case Western University

Chapman University

Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University

College of Charleston

Colorado College

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado State University

Columbia College Chicago

Columbia University

Columbus State University

Cornell University

DePaul University

Drew University

Drexel University

Duke University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emerson College

Emory University

Evergreen State College

Fairfield University

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida International University

Florida State University

Furman University

George Washington University

Georgia College

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Southern University

Georgia State University

Grinnell College

High Point University

Hofstra University

Indiana University

Jacksonville University

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Kennesaw State University

Kent State University

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Louisiana State University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Maryland

Lynn University

Manhattanville University

Marquette University

Mercer University

Miami University

Michigan State University

Mississippi State University

Montana State University

Montclair State University

Muhlenberg College

New Jersey Institute of Technology

New York University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Occidental College

Ohio State University

Ohio University

Oregon State University

Pace University

Penn State University

Purdue University

Quinnipiac University

Reed University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Rice University

Roanoke College

Roger Williams University

Rutgers University

Saint Leo University

Samford University

San Diego State University

San Jose State University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Scripps College

Sewanee - The University of the South

Skidmore College

Smith College

Sonoma State University

Southern Methodist University

Stetson University

Susquehanna University

Syracuse University

Temple University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

Texas Tech

University of Alabama

University of Alabama - Birmingham

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of California - Davis

University of California - Irvine

University of California - Merced

University of California - Riverside

University of California - San Diego

University of California - Santa Cruz

University of California - Santa Barbara

University of Central Florida

University of Cinncinnati

University of Colorado - Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Houston

University of Illinois - Chicago

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Iowa

University of Kansas

University of Kentucky

University of Louisville

University of Maryland

University of Massachussets - Amherst

University of Miami

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri

University of Montana

University of North Alabama

University of North Carolina - Asheville

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

University of Oklahoma

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Puget Sound

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

University of Southern California

University of Tampa

University of Tennessee

University of Texas - Austin

University of Texas - Dallas

University of Utah

University of Washington - Seattle

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ursinus College

Utah State University

Vanderbilt University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Tech

Western Washington University

Wheaton College

Willamette University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

How to Appeal for More Need-Based Aid

Last month, we discussed how to appeal for more merit aid. You can see that blog post here. This month, we’re talking about how to appeal for more need-based aid. A few of the same principles apply: you want to speak with your region’s admission counselor first, be polite and respectful throughout the entire process, and follow up as needed.

There are many reasons you may qualify for a need-based aid appeal; the most common ones tend to be:

• Loss of parental employment

• Change in income and/or benefits 

• Death of a parent

• Significant medical expenses

To ask for more need-based aid, you will need to complete the following steps: 

1. Start by filling out the FAFSA (and CSS Profile, if required). 

The first step in applying for need-based aid is to fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if the college requires it). I’ve written blog posts about these forms in the past, which you can find by clicking the hyperlinks in the previous sentence. Both of these forms use prior prior year tax returns and I understand that quite a bit can happen in two years! However, even if those tax returns aren’t indicative of your family’s current financial situation, fill them out as required. That gives the colleges a solid baseline for your appeal.

2. Once you’re admitted by a college, request a professional judgment. 

After a college has admitted you and you have your initial financial aid package, email your admission counselor, explaining how the FAFSA/CSS Profile did not correctly summarize your family’s financial situation. Briefly explain your situation and ask for a professional judgment or special circumstances form - make sure to use those exact words! It basically means that the college will review extenuating circumstances and consider if they want to override what they initially awarded you.

3. Complete the professional judgment/special circumstances form.

The good news is that this form is usually fairly straightforward: they’re going to ask why you’re appealing for more need-based aid and then ask for documentation that backs up the special circumstance. The bad news is that this documentation can be difficult to obtain and/or time consuming to put together (i.e. a compilation of all medical expenses paid out of pocket in the past year). Make sure you leave enough time for yourself to fully complete the form and get a response back before May 1st (National Decision Day) - you don’t want to feel rushed or run out of time! 

Once you’ve submitted the form, it’s now time to wait and see what the college comes back with. If one college isn’t able to meet your financial needs, move on to the next one. Every college’s financial situation is unique and you want to take advantage of every opportunity available to you.

Good luck! If you have any questions about the appeal process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

How to Appeal for More Scholarships

Spring is in the air! For seniors, that means receiving final admission decisions and financial aid packages. While it’s often frustrating to realize that you did not receive the full scholarship package you had hoped for, there are steps you can take to appeal for additional scholarships from a college.

A couple of general notes before we get started:

• Since there is never a guarantee that you’ll receive more scholarships from an appeal, it’s best to go in with low expectations. 

• You can’t submit your enrollment deposit if you want to appeal for more merit aid because you would lose all of your leverage. 

• Merit aid appeals are typically more successful at less selective colleges, especially when the student is at the higher end of the applicant pool.

• While the below steps are for appealing for more merit-based aid, you can also appeal for more need-based aid. We’ll be discussing that in next month’s blog post!

Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s dive into how to actually appeal for more scholarships:

1. Compile your recent accomplishments: When appealing for more scholarships, it's important to highlight your newest accomplishments - that will help your admission counselor figure out how to fight for you! This can include your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any awards or recognition you’ve received since originally applying to the college. Provide a detailed list of your accomplishments, along with any relevant documentation, such as transcripts, certificates, or letters of recommendation.

2. Compile all of your financial aid packages: Create a spreadsheet that clearly shows the net cost for all of your colleges. Simply Admissions has a financial aid analysis template available but you could easily make your own too.

   When reviewing the spreadsheet, it’s important to focus on net cost, rather than the actual scholarship amount. Let’s use the following example to explain why:

• College A’s sticker cost is $60,000 and they award you $30,000 in scholarships.

• College B’s annual sticker cost is $50,000 and they award you a $20,000 scholarship. This means College A & College B have the same net cost.

• College C’s annual sticker cost is $50,000 and they award you $25,000 in scholarships. That means that College C’s net price is less than College B and their scholarship is the best option to use as leverage against College B (even though College A’s scholarship is technically larger). 

3. Reach out to your admission counselor: Typically, admission offices handle merit and‌ financial aid offices handle need-based aid. Regardless, I always suggest starting with the admission counselor that covers your geographic area (you can usually find that information on the college’s website). Your admission counselor has their own quotas to meet, which might benefit you. Email your admission counselor an overview of the situation, explaining. that you are requesting a merit aid appeal. Include the updates you put together during the previous two steps and ask how you should proceed. 

4. Be polite and respectful: It's important to remember that the admissions counselor is there to help you, but they also have many other students to assist. When appealing for more scholarships, avoid making demands or ultimatums. Instead, approach the process with a positive attitude and a willingness to work together to find a solution. The admission counselor you’re speaking with is answering to their supervisors; they’re often not able to 

5. Follow up: If you haven’t heard back about your request in about a week, follow up to ensure that they have received your request and ask for a status update. Be persistent, but also patient and understanding. 

6. Read between the lines: At the end of the day, colleges are a business and they want to protect their assets. Sending pressure-filled emails to families and setting seemingly arbitrary housing deadlines help deter families from appealing. Even if an admission counselor is implying the appeal won’t be successful‌ it’s still worth pushing through until you hear the final “no.” Best case scenario, the outcome will pleasantly surprise you. Worst case scenario, you’ll know that you didn’t leave any money on the table!

Appealing for more scholarships from a college can be a lengthy and challenging process, but it's worth the effort if it helps you secure more financial assistance. 

If you’re a Simply Admissions client, we’ll cover all of these steps, if applicable, during our work together. If you’re not a current client but have questions about the appeal process feel free to contact us!

How to Choose a College as a Pre-Med Student

Pursuing a career in medicine is a dream for many high school students, but the path to becoming a doctor is not an easy one. It starts with choosing the right college to lay the foundation for a successful future. As a pre-med student, you must carefully consider the factors that will help you achieve your goal. 

First, here are 5 criteria pre-med students should look for when choosing a college (besides a strong pre-med track and science curriculum).

1. Research Opportunities: Research experience is highly valued by medical schools and it's a great way for pre-med students to get hands-on experience in the field. Look for colleges that have robust research programs for undergraduate students, both in the sciences and in other areas, and that provide opportunities for students to work alongside faculty members on cutting-edge research projects.

2. Clinical Exposure: Clinical exposure is also crucial for pre-med students, as it provides them with hands-on experience in patient care and allows them to learn from experienced healthcare professionals. Look for colleges that offer clinical experiences, such as volunteering at local hospitals, participating in health fairs, and shadowing healthcare professionals.

3. Experienced Faculty: The quality of the faculty can make or break a pre-med college experience. Look for colleges that have a reputation for producing successful pre-med graduates and have a faculty with a strong track record of helping students succeed in medical school and beyond.

4. Preferred Location and Size: The location and size of the college can also impact your pre-med experience. Consider whether you prefer a big, bustling city or a smaller, more intimate community. Some pre-med students prefer larger universities with a variety of resources and opportunities, while others prefer smaller colleges where they can form close relationships with their professors and classmates. There’s no right or wrong answer - it just depends on what type of environment is right for you. If you’re happy you’ll take advantage of everything the college has to offer inside and outside the classroom, which ultimately will help make you a strong pre-med applicant. 

5. Lower Cost: Finally, the cost is an important factor to consider when applying to college for everyone but especially pre-med students. Medical school is still years away and extremely expensive; you don’t want to take on undergraduate debt if you can avoid it. Make sure you understand the financial implications of attending each college on your list and explore all available options for financing your education.

Additionally, below are 5 questions pre-med students should ask while visiting colleges to better evaluate their pre-med programs: 

1. What is the average MCAT score for pre-med students?

2. Does the college have an affiliation with a local hospital? 

3. What percentage of students are admitted to med school?

4. Do the pre-med advisors help with the med school selection & application process?

5. What percent of interested pre-med students will get a committee letter (essentially a letter of recommendation from the pre-health advising team)?

In the end, there are many factors to consider when applying to college as a pre-med student. By focusing on certain criteria and asking key questions, you can make an informed decision and choose the right college to help you achieve your goal of becoming a doctor. 

What Do Admission Counselors Look For When Reviewing Applications?

High school students and their families often ask me about what colleges are looking for when reviewing applications. While each college has its own specific criteria, here are a few key areas that most colleges consider when evaluating applicants.

1. Academics:  Your academic performance is likely going to be the most important factor in your college application. Colleges want to see that you have challenged yourself academically by taking advantage of the full range of courses your school offers. While a strong GPA is important, you must keep in mind that colleges also look at the difficulty of your course load. A 4.0 with no APs is usually not looked at as highly as a 3.8 with a hefty AP course load. Your GPA and rigor in courses related to your major will be looked at closely as well. Check out our 2022 blog post for more academic planning tips.

2. Extracurricular activities: Colleges want to see that you engage with your community and have interests outside of the classroom. Participation in extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, and community service, demonstrates your ability to manage your time, work well with others, and make a positive contribution to your community. If you have a major in mind, be sure to incorporate a few related extracurricular activities as well. When it comes to extracurriculars and leadership, focus on quality, not quantity! Check out our 2019 blog post for more tips on how to optimize the Common App activities section. 

3. Demonstrated interest:  As students apply to more colleges, more colleges are focusing on who demonstrates interest. Showing excitement about the college in your supplemental essays (and by visiting campus or opening their emails) helps the admissions counselor feel more confident in providing an acceptance in return. Check out our 2018 blog post for more information about how to demonstrate interest. 

4. Strong character and values. When you enroll at a college, you are one member of a much larger community. Admission counselors are constantly thinking about who will positively complement the existing student body as they form the incoming class. As you put together your application, make sure you’re taking into account if you’re showing how you will contribute to the college’s community. Letters of recommendation are a great way to share your character and values, which means you want to choose which teachers to write those LORs carefully. Supplemental essays are the perfect way to show how you will be a direct asset to each college. Check out our 2022 blog post about how to write a strong “Why This College” essay.

While these are some of the key areas that colleges consider, it is important to remember that each college has its own unique set of criteria and priorities. Be sure to research each college's specific requirements and consider how your strengths align with their goals and values.

How to Write Letters of Continued Interest (LOCIs)

If last year’s admission season was any indication, students are about to see plenty of deferrals (possibly followed by waitlist offers). After hearing that they’ve been deferred or waitlisted, students often ask me what’s next. Understandably, they’re not always thrilled to hear that the answer is essentially another essay. However, letters of continued interest (LOCIs) are the best way to show a college that you truly want to be part of their community.  

While LOCIs can be intimidating, the good news is that they’re actually not too difficult! Let’s break down how to tackle them: 

How should I send a college my LOCI?

First, you want to read your decision letters and make sure that you follow all of the directions. There are some schools that have their own LOCI forms or simply ask students to not write LOCIs at all. 

If you aren’t given any instructions regarding LOCIs, check the college’s website to see if the college has an admissions counselor assigned to your geographic territory. If they do, you would address the LOCI to the admissions counselor and email it to them directly. If they don’t, you’re likely able to upload the letter directly to your applicant portal. In that case, you would write the letter in Word and address it to the general admissions committee. 

What should I include? 

Start off by thanking the admissions committee for their consideration. While it’s completely understandable to be frustrated by an admission decision, you want to keep the LOCI very positive. 

Next, reinforce why you feel the college is the right fit for you. This is essentially a mini “Why Us” essay. However, you should be careful not to repeat any information if you already wrote an actual “Why Us” essay.  If the college is your absolute first choice and you are positive you would enroll immediately if admitted, this is an appropriate place to say so. 

Follow that up with any personal updates that have occurred since you initially applied. When thinking about updates, consider:

• Academics - did your GPA increase? If you’re a future math major, did you get an A in your multi-variable calculus class? 

• Test scores - do you have higher ACT/SAT scores to report? 

• Extracurriculars - did you start a new job? Were you named captain of your spring sport?

• Career-related activities - are you a future interior designer that just started an internship? Did you have an opportunity to speak with a marketing professor at the college you’re writing the LOCI for? 

• Awards - did you receive any new academic or extracurricular-related awards? Are there any updates related to the awards you already reported? For example, being named a National Merit Finalist is a great update to include!

Finish up by thanking the admissions committee again and reiterating that you’re a hopeful future [insert mascot here]. 

What should I do after sending my LOCI?

Part of what makes being deferred or waitlisted so stressful is that you don’t have any control. After sending in your LOCI, focus on what you do have control over. Visit the colleges you’ve already been admitted to, work to maintain your GPA, or simply have fun with your friends! 

How to Write a "Why This College" Essay

Why are you interested in attending Bentley University? Why do you want to study your major at Georgia Tech? If you’re a rising senior, you probably ran into one of these “Why Us” supplemental essays already (if not, one’s likely right around the corner!). 

My students often ask me what the colleges are gaining from these types of essays. The biggest benefit is that they let colleges know you truly want to go to their school - you didn’t just add the college because you saw it mentioned on your favorite TV show, or your best friend from camp’s sister went there. A well done “Why Us” essay allows the admission counselor to see that you did the research and it helps them understand why you belong at their school.     

Here are three tips & tricks to help you knock the “Why Us”  essay out of the park:

1. Specificity is the name of the game.

If asked why they’re interested in the College of Charleston, most people would probably mention the cool location, pretty campus, and maybe a great she-crab soup they tried after their tour. That essay would likely be fairly easy to write; however, it’s not going to be a strong “Why CofC” essay. 

For these essays, you want to make your responses as specific as possible. Instead of talking about CofC’s great academic programs in a general sense, mention their Grice Marine Lab where you hope to research evolutionary biology with Professor Strand. If you’re able to explain how researching evolutionary biology connects to your personal interest and/or career goals, you’ve reached ultimate personalization status! Even though it’s a “Why Us” essay, you want to make sure that the readers are still able to learn about you through your answers. 

I completely understand that it can be awkward to be so specific. You probably don’t go walking around talking about how CofC’s 7360 Crew “piqued your interest” on a daily basis. Just like anything else, it gets easier the more you practice. First focus on finding the details you want to talk about - then worry about the wording! 

2. Use the college’s mission statement as a guide. 

All colleges have a mission statement, which is basically a breakdown of what they value in their community. Muhlenberg’s mission statement, for example, highlights that they want a community of independent critical thinkers that are part of a diverse community and inclusive campus. If you were writing a “Why Muhlenberg” essay, I’d suggest essentially using this as an outline. What Muhlenberg classes or opportunities might allow you to grow as a critical thinker? How might you add to Muhlenberg’s diversity or its inclusive environment? 

While you usually don’t want to actually quote the college’s mission statement, using it as a guide will help the admissions counselors see how the school’s a fit for you. It’s also a good way to confirm that your values align well with the college’s mission! 

3. Proofread more than ever before. 

As you get the hang of these “Why Us” essays, you’ll probably start using the same type of structure for multiple applications. Maybe you’ll start off by talking about your visit, go into the more college-specific details, and finish off by referencing a unique tradition. That’s totally fine - there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel unnecessarily! However, that means that it’s more important than ever before to review each essay draft carefully. You don’t want to be writing an essay for the University of Michigan and leave an Ohio State reference in there!

How to Write a Common App Essay

Students often feel tremendous pressure when writing college essays, especially their Common App essay. It’s your opportunity to show admissions officers who you are, which can be hard to convey in only 650 words!

Here are some tips to hopefully alleviate some of that stress: 

1. Think about your key messaging. When choosing a topic, consider what’s explicitly being said and what could be found beneath the surface. What implicit messages are you sending the admissions counselors about your values or interests?

2. Start with a strong opening. The opening of your essay should hook the admissions counselor and make them want to read more. If you’re stuck, consider using one of the following options:

• Visual imagery - use tons of descriptive words 

• Randomness

  • A random fact

  • A random statement

  • A random question 

• Dialogue

3. Show, don’t tell. College essays are essentially just telling stories about yourself.  By leaning into the story, being specific, and using descriptive language you can make the reader feel like they’re right there with you. 

4. Don’t worry about the word count in the beginning. When writing the first draft, focus on putting the entire story on paper even if it means you’re way over the word count. That will allow you to see what works and take away what doesn’t. While it may seem counter-intuitive, trust us - it’s a lot easier to get to the word count you’re looking for once you have your finalized narrative. 

5. Start early. The Common App essay is likely going to be one of your most time-consuming college essays. It’s not unusual for students to write close to 10 drafts. By starting the writing process early you leave yourself time to reflect and edit, edit, edit. 

Check out our 2018 blog post for additional college essay tips!

Breaking Down the 2021-2022 Admissions Season

The 2021-2022 college admissions season achieved the unthinkable: it was somehow crazier than last year. If you’ve been part of the Simply Admissions community for a while, you may have seen our 2020-2021 admissions season M&M. While many of the reasoning and warnings mentioned in that breakdown remain true today, there are new trends coming to light as well. 

Safeties Safe No More 

This year, colleges that students had previously considered safeties or targets (such as Florida State University, Northeastern University, and College of Charleston) released very surprising admission decisions. This is presumably directly connected to students applying to more colleges but is nonetheless still shocking. Northeastern, which saw about a 20% increase in applications, jumped from an 18% acceptance rate to a 6.7% acceptance rate in one year.1 Five University of California campuses saw over 100,000 applications this year.2 

When families hear this, they usually then ask “does that mean my student should be applying to more colleges?” or “what is actually a safety now?” These are very understandable questions but it’s important to remember that while the media loves reporting on the Northeasterns and Auburns of the world, they are outliers. There are thousands of fantastic colleges out there that have not seen this dramatic fluctuation in acceptance rates and can still be considered “true safeties.” 

I am continuing to firmly stand by my suggestion that most students should apply to 8 to 11 colleges. That does come with a couple of caveats, however; the list must be balanced and the colleges must be a true fit for them. This past year, Simply Admission students have proven that standing by that recommendation was the right choice. They were accepted to, on average, 80% of the colleges they applied to. Our students had plenty of colleges to ultimately choose from without spending unnecessary hours applying to too many colleges. 

Auburn Case Study 

Let’s dive deeper into Auburn University, which saw a 68.5% increase in applications and an overall admit rate that was approximately 45% lower than last year.3 Those are crazy numbers! That being said, if you start looking at specific moves Auburn has made recently it becomes less surprising. 

Two years ago, Auburn began accepting the Common Application (previously they only accepted their own institutional application). When colleges join the Common App, they typically see a bump in applications since it becomes easier for students to apply. Auburn did see about 10,000 more applications for the Fall of 2021.4 However, at that time, they were still requiring four supplemental essays (on top of the longer Common App essay). It’s a safe assumption that the essays deterred some potential applications. 

This year, Auburn did not require any essays. I personally believe that this was a strategic decision on their part; they wanted to continue driving up the number of applications and therefore made it easier than ever for students to apply. 

Additionally, Auburn jumped on the test optional train but less than 7% of test optional applicants were actually admitted.5 Auburn also moved away from a holistic admissions process this year; they now only look at a student’s academic record and test scores. Extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation are no longer considered in their evaluation process. These policies likely contributed to both the increase in applicants and the lower acceptance rate.

When I saw these changes occur, I had a feeling that it indicated a tough year ahead. This is not to say that I knew it was going to be so extreme (I don’t think even Auburn expected it!) but I did tweak a few of my student’s admission probabilities to be a bit more conservative. While it’s easier for me to see these changes since I do this year after year, families can still dive deep on their own. When you’re visiting colleges, ask how many students applied without test scores and how many of those students they admitted (then compare that to the overall acceptance rate). As students research colleges, make sure they understand what colleges are focusing on during their evaluations and consider if it will allow them to shine. This helps ensure that students are shaping their college lists appropriately.

Enrollment Management Chaos 

The increase in the number of applications is not the only enrollment management issue colleges are dealing with currently. Many colleges overenrolled last year’s incoming class because the historical models they use to shape their policies couldn’t account for COVID’s impact. This meant there were fewer spots to begin with this year. This is likely one of the reasons for so many deferrals and longer waitlists this year: colleges were relying heavily on these enrollment management techniques in an effort to meet their goals. I expect this enrollment management frenzy to still be around next year, which is why it’s important to reinforce to students that deferrals and waitlists are now simply part of the process. They are a continuation of the admissions roller coaster and not necessarily the end of the line. 

This is another area where families can arm themselves with more data through a deep dive. Colleges publish Common Data Sets on their websites annually. The CDS provides a wealth of information including how many students were offered a spot on the waitlist, how many students accepted a place on the waitlist, and how many students were admitted off of the waitlist. This historical data provides a window into the college’s individual policies and trends, allowing students to set accurate expectations.

How to Stand Out Among 100,000 Applications  

I would say that the most important takeaway from this admissions season is that it’s becoming more important than ever to “play the game.” That means focusing on demonstrating interest (if the college tracks DI), being able to communicate why the student is a genuine fit for the college, and understanding the current admissions landscape. 

If you’re unsure what demonstrated interest means, I wrote a blog post in 2018 that explains the concept a bit more. Out of the thousands of applications colleges receive, they could often fill their incoming class multiple times over with amazing students. That’s why DI is becoming a bigger part of the equation at many colleges: they not only want to admit students with strong applications, they want to admit students with strong applications that actually will attend. Tracking demonstrated interest allows them to find the students that meet both criteria. 

When a student is deferred (or sometimes even waitlisted), DI reaches its peak level of importance. Deferred students should be focused on writing letters of continued interest that mention they’ll attend if admitted (if that is an accurate statement). 

Supplemental essays are becoming another vital part of the application at many colleges. Prompts like “Why do you want to study your major specifically at Georgia Tech?” should be answered thoughtfully. Georgia Tech is a school that doesn’t track demonstrated interest in a traditional sense but is still looking for students to show through their essays that they’ve done their research. These essays are where students can show that they have done that deep dive and explain why they will be a fit at each school. The goal is for the reader to know how the student will be able to contribute to the community by the time they finish reading the essay. 

Just like last year, I want to end the breakdown by saying please don’t stress. There are more than enough wonderful colleges eagerly waiting to admit your student!

Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Another admissions season is in the books! Our students worked so incredibly hard and we couldn’t be prouder of their results. They were admitted to 151 different colleges and received over $11 million in merit aid (not including state scholarships such as HOPE or Bright Futures). Here is the full list of colleges our students were accepted to this year:

American University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Augusta University

Baylor University

Belmont University

Berry College

Birmingham Southern College

Boston College

Boston University

Brevard College

Brown University

Butler University

Chapman University

Clemson University

College of Charleston

College of Coastal Georgia

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado State University

Columbus State University

Denison University

DePaul University

Dillard University

Drexel University

Duke University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emerson College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Flagler College

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida International University

Florida Southern University

Florida State University

Fordham University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia College

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia State University

Gonzaga University

High Point University

Indiana University

Jacksonville University

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Kennesaw State University

Kent State University

LIM College

Louisiana State University

Louisiana Tech University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago

Lynn University

Mercer University

Miami University

Michigan State University

Mississippi State University

Montana State University

Montclair State University

Mount Holyoke College

New York University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Nova Southeastern University

Occidental College

Ohio State University

Oregon State University

Pace University

Penn State University

Pratt Institute

Purdue University

Reed University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Ringling College of Art & Design

Rollins College

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

San Diego State University

San Francisco State University

San Jose State University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Sewanee - University of the South

Skidmore University

Slippery Rock University

Sonoma State University

Southern Methodist University

St. Joseph's College of Maine

St. Olaf University

Stetson University

Temple University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

Texas Tech University

Tufts University

Tulane University

Union College

University of Alabama

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of California - Berkeley

University of California - Davis

University of California - Los Angeles

University of California - Merced

University of California - Riverside

University of California - San Diego

University of California - Santa Barbara

University of Colorado - Boulder

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Houston

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Kentucky

University of Louisville

University of Maryland

University of Massachusetts - Amherst

University of Miami

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri

University of New England

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina - Charlotte

University of Northern Colorado

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

University of Southern California

University of Southern Maine

University of Tampa

University of Tennessee

University of Texas - Austin

University of Utah

University of Virginia

University of Washington - Seattle

University of West Florida

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University

Washington & Jefferson College

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Optimizing Your College Visits

Spring break is upon us and many juniors are spending their vacations visiting colleges. After two years of breaks filled with virtual tours, I’m thrilled to see this! As we get back into the groove of in person tours, I wanted to share my six tips for optimizing your college visits. 

1. Actively participate in the information session and tour 

Do you have a question about dorms, student outcomes, or maybe just the ice cream situation on campus? Now’s your time to ask! These types of questions will help you understand if the school is truly a good fit for you. 

2. Opt for guided tours and information sessions whenever possible

While self-guided tours are often more convenient, I strongly suggest registering for the “official” tours and information sessions whenever possible. These guided sessions will provide a better idea of the culture, opportunities the college provides, and what they’re looking for in an applicant.

If a self-guided tour is your only option, try pairing it with a virtual information session when you’re back home. They complement each other and will help you see the big picture.

3. Seek out additional opportunities while on campus

When you sign up for a campus visit, you may see that you can also sign up for other events. Those events may involve meeting with a professor, attending an information session that focuses on your intended major, visiting the honors college, or something completely different. I recommend signing up for as many additional opportunities as possible. They’ll help you see another side of the college, which can be invaluable!

Many colleges don’t offer these opportunities on their website but it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. You can always send a polite email to your admissions counselor or the faculty member explaining that you’ll be on campus and were hoping to set up an additional meeting. They certainly may say no (especially depending on the college’s COVID policies) but in my opinion, it’s certainly worth a try! 

4. Explore the area surrounding campus

For many people, the town or city the college is located in plays a big role in if a school is a good fit for them. If you’re one of those people make sure to plan time to explore Main Street or have a bite to eat at a local cafe. Does the area offer enough variety? Would you feel isolated after a few months or could you see yourself simply feeling at home?

5. Take time to just observe the student population

At some point during your visit, take five or ten minutes to sit on the quad or student union and just look around. Do you see faculty and students interacting? How are students interacting with each other? Could you see yourself in the mix? 

6. Write down your thoughts

While I am a huge believer in the importance of taking notes about a visit, I’ve learned that the most efficient way to take notes depends on the student. For some students, it’s best if they simply soak in the experience, waiting to digest the information before writing down their observations and thoughts. Other students seem to take in the information better by taking notes while on the tour - feel free to do whichever method works best for you! 

When taking notes, think about the following:

• What did you like? What did you dislike?

• What were the pros? What were the cons? 

• Was there anything that surprised you?

If you’re a Simply Admissions client, utilizing the college visit worksheet that’s linked to your portal can help you organize your thoughts during or post-tour. 

At the end of the day, you’re trying to figure out if each college you’re visiting is a good fit for you. These tips will help you answer that question but don’t be discouraged if you don’t know the answer after the first tour. It often requires visiting a few campuses before you gain a solid understanding of what you’re looking for. Try to sit back and enjoy the experience! 

5 Tips for Academic Planning Success

While seniors are fighting back senioritis, other high school students are starting to think about what their class schedules will look like next year. If you’re a current freshman, sophomore, or junior here are five tips for academic planning success: 

1.Consider your current major/career goals

Are you the next Freud? Then you may want to incorporate AP Psychology into your schedule. Do your plans involve majoring in business? If so, it may make sense to choose calculus over statistics. If a science-related degree is in your future, shoot for those rigorous science classes. 

This allows colleges to see that you’re challenging yourself in areas related to your intended major. It also gives them a peek into how you handle the rigorous coursework. Your experiences in those major-related classes can often come in handy when it’s time to write supplemental essays too!

2.Consider your strengths

Maybe you’re planning to apply to college as an undecided major or are currently deciding between approximately 17 very different options - that’s totally understandable! In that case, I’d suggest thinking about your strengths: where are you currently seeing the highest grades? Which classes are you enjoying the most? It probably makes sense to try to challenge yourself by moving up a level in those areas. 

3.Consider what your transcript looks like right now

When reviewing transcripts, admissions counselors often look at the student’s trajectory over the last few years. The goal is to show an upward trajectory in grades and rigor but that can be achieved in many different ways. It all depends on the student’s situation. 

Are you a current sophomore with straight As that has only taken on-level classes? It sounds like it’s time to tackle a few honors and/or AP classes. Did you have a bumpy experience in ninth grade? Don’t be afraid to stick with on-level classes and aim for stronger grades sophomore year!

4.Consider options outside of the classes your high school offers

Every high school offers a different set of classes - the majority of the time students don’t need to go beyond what’s offered. However, don’t forget that it is an option!

Perhaps you’re a budding programmer outside the classroom but your school doesn’t offer AP Computer Science. Look into taking the class at accredited online high schools instead. Even if your high school doesn’t allow outside classes to be counted towards graduation requirements, it will still be seen on your college applications. 

5.Consider what else you have on your plate

Academics is only one part of high school - when putting together your schedule think about what else you’ll have on your plate next year. Seniors, remember that writing colleges essays takes up time during the fall semester! Juniors, remember that you’ll likely be studying for the ACT/SAT during the school year. Make sure that your schoolwork won’t be overwhelming when added to your other responsibilities and that you leave time to have fun too!

This Winter Break Go For The Gold!

Simply Admissions’ career coach, Anne Shields, is guest blogging this month. While these recommendations are meant for current college students, it’s likely that high school students will find them helpful as well!

Do you strive for excellence? Cross all the Ts and dot all the Is? Would you settle for an “OK” performance? How about a “not bad?” No chance of that happening, right? If you have the rubric, you’ll check all the boxes for your best possible outcome.

All students treasure the downtime of winter break, and for good reasons. It is a time to sleep in, celebrate holidays with family, and hand out with friends. Nice, but pretty typical. If this is all you do, you’ll get an “average” outcome for your break from college.

But you aren’t a “bronze” medal kind of person. This December, consider investing some time in yourself, move beyond the crowd. Here’s the rubric to get you at a silver or gold medal. Show us what you’ve got!

Do all of these for silver medal:

__ Read for fun

__ Brainstorm summer experiences, work, or internships and come up with three viable options

__ Talk to three people about their work and how they picked their career field

__ Thank anyone who has provided any kind of recommendation for you this year

Don’t stop now! Do five more for the gold medal!

__ Make the world a bit better (walk a neighbor’s dog, pick up some trash, smile at a stranger, do

something to pay it forward)

__ Spend thirty minutes working on an unfamiliar computer skill

__ Research two fellowships/scholarships

__ Create or update your resume for a summer internship or part time job

__ Watch three YouTube videos on interviewing skills

__ Attend a local alumni event

__ Practice interviewing with a friend or family member

__ Apply to three summer experiences (jobs, academic programs, internships)

__ Create or update your LinkedIn profile

__ Talk to at least 2 more people about their work and how they picked their career field

Invest in yourself, you are worth it!

Career-opoly

Simply Admissions’ career coach, Anne Shields, is guest blogging this month with a fun exercise for current college students!

The skills and processes students learn and use for college exploration, decision making, and application will be used repeatedly during college as they explore, experiment, and finally choose one or more paths to follow post-college.  

All learning, all trying, all choices made - whether or not the results are what was hoped for or expected - matter. Some paths, decided on early, don't lead to the place one imagined. Others, seemingly unlikely, lead to exciting options never previously considered. Remember this on your journey:

• Experimenting is a good thing.

• "Failure" can hold success within it.

• Vicarious learning saves time and energy: talk to others who have adventured before you. Learn from alumni and others working in fields that interest you.

• Work smarter, not harder.

This game board provides the year-to-year landmarks to pass from one fall semester to the next.  Students using this map will learn more than can be imagined, enjoy the generosity of alumni mentors, and be confident that the path they follow will be the best ones for who they have grown to be as graduating seniors. 

Enjoy the adventures!

Do I Need to Complete the CSS Profile?

While most families know about the FAFSA, many are surprised to learn they might have to complete the CSS Profile as well. In preparation for the 2022-2023 CSS Profile (and FAFSA) opening on October 1st, I’ll be answering some CSS Profile FAQs.

What is the CSS Profile?

CSS Profile stands for College Scholarship Service Profile. The information from the CSS Profile is used to award institutional need-based aid. Since the CSS Profile is administered by the College Board, students will use their College Board account to complete the CSS Profile. 

Do I need to complete the CSS Profile?

That depends on which colleges are on your list! You can see the complete list colleges that require the CSS Profile here. 

Just like the FAFSA, even if you do not believe that you are eligible for need-based aid, there is no harm in submitting it.  Certain schools require the CSS Profile & FAFSA  to be on file for merit aid purposes as well.

How do the CSS Profile & FAFSA vary?

The differences tend to impact students most when parents are divorced. That is because the CSS Profile typically requires the non-custodial parent’s financial information. Currently, the FAFSA only requires the custodial parent’s information. 

The CSS Profile also goes into more detail about the family’s financial situation. For example, the CSS Profile asks for information regarding any businesses owned by the parent(s) and significant medical expenses. Depending on the student’s situation, additional details like this may help or hurt the student’s eligibility when it comes to need-based aid.

Lastly, while the FAFSA is free to submit there is a charge to submit the CSS Profile. It costs $25 to send to the first college and $16 for each additional college. 

When should I complete the CSS Profile? 

Every college is going to have its own priority deadline, which you can find on their website.  Simply Admissions clients will also find those priority dates on their application trackers by October 1st. 

What should I do after I complete the CSS Profile?

Once you submit the CSS Profile,  students should look at their dashboard to see if there are any next steps and/or further documentation required. Certain colleges may ask you to submit documents to the Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) or through the college’s own applicant portal. 

If you still have unanswered questions, Simply Admissions is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today!