College+Preparation

====In order to be accepted to MNU this fall, you must complete a college search grid and then submit a PERFECT essay. Admission will be based on your completion of an admission essay or personal statement of 250 words. Essays must be perfect (100 points) or they will not be accepted (0 points). Late essays will NOT earn the 100 points. One letter grade will be deducted for each day the essay is turned in past the due date. If your college requires an essay, answer their prompt with requirements. If your college does NOT require an essay, write a personal statement of 250 words OR write one of the sample scholarship essays. __**College Grid and Admission Essay are both Due**__ __**on September 23, 2011.**__====
 *  Mrs. Nahra’s University **

=1. College Preparation= =[|College Search Grid] > Open a new tab in your browser> Sign in to Google Docs > Go back to this page, click on College Search Grid > Click FILE > Make a copy= Use the [|US Colleges & Universities site on OCIS]  for help in completing the grid. If you can't find the information there, go to the school's actual website. You will be able to edit your new College Search Grid

[|2. Sample College Essay Questions] Generally, there are three types of questions: The "you," the "why us," and the "creative." Here are tips and actual sample questions for each type. Don't assume that the questions are currently being used by a college (most colleges adjust questions annually).
 * What Do Colleges Want to Know? **

Many colleges ask for an essay that boils down to, "Tell us about yourself." The school just wants to know you better and see how you'll introduce yourself. For example:
 * The "You" Question **
 * "Please complete a one-page personal statement and submit it with your application." (James Madison University)
 * "How would you describe yourself as a human being? What quality do you like best in yourself and what do you like least? What quality would you most like to see flourish and which would you like to see wither?" (Bates College)
 * [|More sample "You" questions from The College Board]

This direct question offers a chance to reveal your personality, insight, and commitment. The danger is that it's open-ended, so you need to focus. Find just one or two things that will reveal your best qualities, and avoid the urge to spill everything.
 * Your Approach **

Some schools ask for an essay about your choice of a school or career. They're looking for information about your goals, and about how serious your commitment is to this particular school. For example:
 * <span style="color: #ba7a00; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14px;">The "Why Us" Question **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Why is UVM a good college choice for you?" (University of Vermont)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Please tell us about your career goals and any plans you may have for graduate study." (Westfield State College)
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|More sample "Why Us" questions from The College Board]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The focus is provided: Why did you choose this school or path? This should be pretty clear to you, since you probably went through some kind of selection process. Make sure you know your subject well. For example, if you say you want to attend Carleton College to major in agriculture, the school will be able to tell how carefully you've chosen (Carleton doesn't have an agriculture major).
 * <span style="color: #ba7a00; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12px;">Your Approach **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Some colleges evaluate you through your choice of some tangential item: a national issue, a famous person, what you would put in a time capsule, a photograph. Here the school is looking at your creativity and the breadth of your knowledge and education. For example:
 * <span style="color: #ba7a00; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14px;">The "Creative" Question **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Do you believe there's a generation gap? Describe the differences between your generation and others." (Denison University)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence." (Common Application)
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|More sample "Creative" questions from The College Board]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Again, you have something to react to, a way to show yourself and write about your real views. Just don't forget the importance of writing an informed essay. For example, don't write about a fantasy lunch with a famous writer and get the titles of her novels wrong. Also, when thinking about how creative to get, use common sense. Being creative to the point of wacky is a risk you may not want to take.
 * <span style="color: #ba7a00; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12px;">Your approach **