THE STUDENT’S PART OF THE APPLICATION

Personal Factual Information

In the first part of the application, the student is asked a series of background questions about his education and his family. This information gives admissions counselors some understanding of the school, home environment, and the nature and extent of the student’s academic and non-academic opportunities.

Next, the student is often asked to specify the general areas of study that will be pursued in college: liberal arts, business, engineering, etc. There is always an undecided option, and for some students this may be the appropriate response. Some colleges will handle applications differently if the student identifies a particularly competitive interest area.

Colleges are also interested in the student’s non-academic interests and activities in and out of school. Colleges often try to build a freshmen class that includes a variety of talents and backgrounds. Because space on the application may be insufficient, students are urged to create a resume of activities, volunteer work and employment. A sample resume is included in the appendix. As every admissions counselor will acknowledge, it is not the number of activities, but the quality of participation that counts.

Personal Essays

Up to this point the application will require only short responses and data. Many applications will require one essay and, in some cases, several. The essay is a very important part of the application, and to be effective the student will need to do the hard, time-consuming work to maximize this portion of the application.

There are two purposes for the college essay. First, it provides the admissions office with an indication of the student’s writing ability. Can the student put

together a sentence, a paragraph, an entire statement? Because writing is so crucial to academic success, colleges are extremely interested in evidence of this ability.

A second reason for the personal essay is that it provides the opportunity for the college to get beyond student grades, test scores, and resumes to learn about the student as a person. Although essay questions vary from one college to another there is an underlying similarity to most of them.

In short, most are asking the student to answer the statement: “Tell me something about you that I cannot learn elsewhere in the application.” This is the opportunity to tell the college about you and to present yourself as an individual who would bring freshness of vision and viewpoint to the college that would enhance the quality of its academic and social life.

Examples of Essay Questions From Common Application

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.

Writing the College Essay

Consider the audience. A college admissions counselor may read 30 to 50 essays in one sitting, so make it interesting and unique.

Answer the question!

Tell a story that only you can tell. The essay must be your own expression of who you are and what is important to you. Talk about yourself. Do not recite a laundry list of your accomplishments. An essay about walking the dog, if written well, may be as suitable a topic as marching for civil rights.

Be yourself. Do not try to write what you think the college wants to hear. What they really want to know is who you are.

Make certain that the essay is well constructed. Strive for memorable detail to support generalities. Be specific rather than general. Reflect on the meaning of your story.

Remember the importance of the first sentence in grabbing the reader’s interest.

Save your essay on a computer so that you can print other copies when needed.

Spelling and grammar matter! Do not make a poor impression by turning out a sloppy or inaccurate document.

After completing the rough draft, get the opinion of a teacher, advisor, parent or counselor about your essay. Listen closely to constructive criticism before submitting the final draft.

The length of the essay may be specified by the college, but 250-650 words are standard. Observe the recommended guidelines.

Supplementary support: If the student has a highly developed talent (artistic, athletic, musical, or scholarly), he should consider sending materials to explain and document it. Copies of this information should be directed to the appropriate campus department to enlist support for the student’s candidacy.

THE SCHOOL’S PART OFTHE APPLICATION PROCESS

What Your Guidance Counselor Will Do…

The guidance counselor will complete and submit the Common Application secondary school reports online using Naviance. Those that cannot be submitted electronically will be sent by mail.

In addition to completing this form, the counselor will prepare a guidance recommendation, which will be sent to every college or university to which the student will apply. This recommendation generally addresses the following areas:

The counselor comments on the student’s program and achievement. In this section the counselor shares those abilities, habits and skills that have contributed to academic success and notes improvements or other trends.

The counselor will focus on the student’s contribution to the school and community.

The counselor prepares a description of the student’s character and personality, supported by specific examples, if possible. If there have been unusual or extenuating circumstances that may have affected the student’s record, these are explained.

The counselor makes a summary statement and an overall recommendation of the student.

The Transcript

The school will send official transcripts to the colleges that your son informs us that he is applying.

The transcript is the record of the student’s academic work through his junior year. It lists all the courses taken and the grades and credits earned.

The transcript will not list the extracurricular activities that the student has participated in at Xavier, however it will list academic honors and awards.

The School Profile

With every transcript the school also sends a School Profile. This document includes a brief description of the Xavier High School programs, graduation requirements, grading and rankings systems and a description of special programs.

Teacher Recommendations

Teacher recommendations are another very important part of the school’s contribution to the student’s application. These are read closely by admissions officers. Teacher comments provide support for other data received and help to form a picture of the student and his academic and personal strengths.

Below are some guidelines for selecting teachers:

Ask teachers who have recently taught you and who you feel really know you well as a student and a person.

Follow the instructions of the college, as many will ask for a recommendation from an English teacher. An aspiring engineer ought to have a recommendation from a math or science teacher as well.

Do not confine your choices only to those teachers who rewarded you with an outstanding evaluation in their course. Other teachers can comment on your motivation, your dedication, and your attitude.

In some cases a college may not require teacher recommendations. It may be a good idea to send one anyway. Check with your counselor.

If there is a special area (athletics, fine arts, etc.) in which you have excelled, a letter of recommendation from the teacher or coach in that area may be beneficial.

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