August 9, 2024; Nuts & Bolts; Bill: 148
NOTE: Bill, the title and picture is in your honor. I marveled at your ability to name and use so many tools and gadgets. Oh, because of you, I learned how to align my bike tire spokes, detect rubbing on a Tension Meter & Wheel. I actually went into a CYCLIST in Newport Beach, CA, brought a huge bunch of Sunflowers, and asked to be taught how to do this. And...they taught me! VOILA!
BACKSTORY
When Bill's children were applying for college, we talked endlessly about process, what to do, how to know what to do, what to say, what not to say, how much say to have. Bill wanted the best for his (2) beautiful children. He wanted EVERYTHING for them. And we worked together to create the packets, get the recommendations, talk through all the money matters (financial aid and scholarships); making calls to people we both knew to call in a chit, working hard with the kids to get their packets prepared with care and stress-free. Both his children attended/attend great schools. Both his children know they were loved; know that Bill was invested in learning about the process. Bill!
WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
So, when I am working with students, Bill's voice is often present because he was the "intimate" voice of MOST parents. He gave me a gift when he shared his worries; when he asked questions; when he allowed me to witness his insistence on ensuring his kids were in the running for getting what THEY needed and WANTED in a college experience. He invited me to be a part of that process with his kids, and in so doing, I knew I needed to obtain REALLY solid, well constructed answers for him (for me) because unless the information satisfied him and made sense, it was "back to the 'ol drawing board."
Yesterday, I attended (2) separate 1/2 day long workshops on college counseling / essay writing / and the In's & Out's of the college application process, (and because of Bill), I will share with you some of the MOST important information you and your children need to know about the college admissions process (in terms of writing essays and completing the application with confidence and full understanding). I share this with your kids when we are working together, but I don't always get a chance to answer all the questions parents have. I hope some of this info will quell the fear, anchor their journey alongside their child, and for those working with me, trust that I'll get your child where they need to be. Here goes:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
There are a few CRITICALLY important aspects that need to be discussed IN DEPTH with students in order for a student to understand WHY they are crafting this essay/supplementals/ HOW to begin/WHAT is expected from them as they write; and WHICH style (Narrative vs. Montage) to choose as part of their application packet.
Most colleges/universities/Dean's of Colleges/admissions officers/Admissions Teams look for the following in the college essay:
SKILLS
QUALITIES
VALUES
INTERESTS
VULNERABILITY
THEME
CONNECTIONS
INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY
These representatives of schools are seeking what is referred to as NUTRIENTS of an essay that they also seek to find a student's ACTIVITIES LIST, and their ADDITIONAL INFORMATION sections which require specific instruction, too. Most students actually do not know for what those sections are truly intended. But they exist for very specific reasons.
They are seeking to find out the questions you have about life, the world, the bigger picture of how one lives.
They seek to find the connections and themes in your essay that highlight who YOU ARE.
They hope to see that 10% of your essay is your topic being introduced/used as a platform for which you'll tell a unique, thoughtful, intellectually curious story that ONLY YOU could write. NOTE: One thing I often have students do is select a sentence, say sentence 5, and ask, "Could anyone have written this sentence, or is it specific, unique, to YOU?"
They seek to know that a student is not writing to recap their accomplishments, but to share aspects of themselves that will highlight and showcase HOW they will be an asset to the college/university that they hope to attend. NOTE: Like my mentor Molly Pearson often says, "When we are engaged in a transactional relationship/agreement, it's akin to going on a date. Both parties are interviewing each other, assessing whether or not it's a good match." This goes for students applying to colleges, too. It's a date. Do you want a second date, or is it, 'meh?" You will continue to find out which schools are the best fit for you as you explore YOURSELF, figure out what YOU LOVE, and what you WANT MORE OF, and WHICH schools "check all the boxes." It's not immediate. It's an unfolding....just like a date.
The Supplemental Essays cannot be written until students have explored all that I just explained about writing the Personal Essay. The Personal Essay is considered the "SUPER ESSAY" in the college world, meaning that it is the basis from which many other essays are developed and from which a student identifies a theme, connectors to stories, the "DNA" of parts of who they are.
Students need time to create a living/breathing document that can be revised, and honed (as they grow through this process) and edited to meet the criteria for specific questions to be answered.
There is so much more, but this is a taste of what a student will be engaged with in their sessions with me. They leave feeling empowered. I believe they trust me. And ALL of them land at a school that is JUST RIGHT FOR BABY BEAR!
Here's to every student who dares to dream. You've got a story to tell. You've got much to share. You've got oodles of potential and a fascinating journey ahead of you. CARPE DIEM!
