Prepmedians Blog

Tag: Admissions

  • Juniors: How Soon Is Too Soon to Be Done with Testing?

    Juniors: How Soon Is Too Soon to Be Done with Testing?

    You Juniors Out There…

    Prepping for the SAT or the ACT over the summer has become a rite of passage of sorts for risings juniors. Once school starts again, however, the timeline can get a little unclear. What if you did pretty well on the first set of exams from September or October? Are you done? Or should you try and get a better score with all the time you have left?

    It’s pretty common to think along the lines of, “I just grinded so much over the summer… And I am pretty busy now that school is starting… I don’t want to have to think about testing anymore, can’t I be done?”. While this is a common question, the answer really depends on what your circumstances are. Obviously, we all want to be done with standardized testing as soon as possible. However, prepping early does not necessarily translate into being done early.

    For Seniors

    You want to be done with standardized testing by October. Period. Otherwise you are going to have to simultaneously deal with getting good grades, writing applications, and preparing for the tests. You’re going to burn out very quickly this way and stretching yourself so thin will inevitably lead to lower quality across the board. I don’t mean to be this harsh to the seniors out there, but you really should try and get it done before it’s too late.

    And Back to Juniors

    The situation for juniors is actually almost the exact opposite. Instead of worrying about finishing testing early, you should put thought into whether or not you would be short-changing yourself out of a higher score.

    I get it – test prep sucks and is super frustrating. You are juggling AP classes, sports practices, rehearsals, club meetings, etc. Having to think about test prep on top of all that is the last thing we all want to do. If you manage to hit a 1500/34+ early in your junior year, it’s probably worth it to step away and focus on everything else on your plate.

    In fact, if you’re scoring 1550/35+, please for your own sake be happy and move on. It’s honestly not worth it to neglect other areas for that perfect score, there really isn’t that much of a difference. If you’re taking economics, you’ll be familiar with the term “diminishing returns”. In this context, at the range of a 1550/35+ score, the benefit gained from getting a perfect score is less than the effort you put in – basically it’s not worth it.

    But if you’re like most people, your scores are probably not as good as what you can get after another few months of prep. In addition, junior year is a big step up intellectually from sophomore year, you’ll learn and grow and naturally be able to perform better on the SAT or ACT. Many students will do decently or mediocre in the early testing junior year stage, and then at the beginning improve quite significantly.

    Wrapping it up

    It’s up to you and the colleges you apply to. If your scores are within range of what they are asking for and you’re satisfied with your performance, you’re probably all set. If not, you have plenty of time throughout the year as well as the summer.

    And finally, let me recommend what I believe is the most effective, most efficient test prep resource out there – Prepmedians. Prepmedians teaches SAT and ACT test prep through sketch comedy, music, rap, and more. Check us out today!

    And lastly, we have an article on “Should I Retake the ACT/SAT?”, so check that out too!

  • Expectations vs. Reality of College Admissions

    Expectations vs. Reality of College Admissions

    As you begin to consider your college application process, you are going to be hearing a lot of details from those who have gone before you, and gathering a lot of information from various sources. Some of this information will not be accurate or helpful to you as you map out your plan for your admissions journey. You may have some preconceived notions about what the college admissions process is going to be like, and it’s important to understand the difference between your expectations of getting into a top college and the reality.

    Expectation:

    Good grades and high test scores are all that matters to get into a top college.

    Reality:

    Good grades and high test scores are certainly important. They identify you as a serious scholar and as someone who can handle the workload of a rigorous academic schedule. However, your extracurricular activities and personal interests are also of critical importance when applying to college. It is these activities that will set you apart from other applicants, and demonstrate that you have been able to achieve a balance between your academic workload and the other interests you want to pursue in life.

    Expectation:

    It is important to be involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible in order to stand out as a top candidate to get into the college of my choice.

    Reality:

    It is true that extracurricular activities are an important part of your high school experience and will be considered seriously by college admissions officers, but quantity does not measure up to quality when it comes to your life outside the classroom. Admissions officers will not be looking simply at the number of clubs, teams and societies you joined. They will be considering if you made an impact. It’s important to show a record of achievement, not just participation. Consider your interests and spend your time where your passions lie. Love music? Audition for a county or state level ensemble. Love computers and video games? Consider leading a game building or coding club. If you go where your interests take you, you will enjoy yourself and find success in those areas. And leadership outside the classroom will make you stand out to a college admissions officer.

    Expectation:

    There is only one college that is right for me, and if I don’t get accepted there, I would never find a college that fits me.

    Reality:

    There are literally hundreds of great colleges and universities to choose from, and many of them would be thrilled to have you as their student. All you need to do is be made aware of what is out there, and choose a small group that would be right for you, based on your achievements, abilities and budget. All these colleges have their own mix of characteristics and stand out in their own way. You will be able to find the right set of colleges by researching about all colleges and not just the ones you have been familiar with. Who knows? You might end up finding a college that is a hidden treasure you’ve never seen before.

    Expectation:

    Studying for test prep has to be hard and boring.

    Reality:

    Prepmedians teaches ACT/SAT content through sketch comedy and music. Using an entertaining means of studying and reviewing for standardized tests would make the process way less boring and hard. Instead it would allow you to enjoy and laugh through the preparation process.

  • How to Make the Most Out of a College Visit

    How to Make the Most Out of a College Visit

    Visiting colleges can be a fun, although time consuming, part of the selection process. Considering the many aspects that go into getting into your top-choice school, it is a step that should not be skipped. Although there is typically a standard process for a college visit, taking the time to get a real look at a school can be very worthwhile. Here are some ways to make the most of a college visit:

    Look Around the Neighborhood

    This community will be your home for the next four years, so you want to make sure it is a place that both feels safe and has all your needs. Will you have a car on campus? Many schools do not allow them in early years, making it important that you can walk or catch public transportation to places you may need to go.

    Talk to Current Students

    These are the people who are currently living where you are thinking about attending. Take a few moments to see what they have to say about classes, campus life, activities, and anything else that is important to you.

    Sit In On a Class

    Most schools will allow you to sit in on a class to give you an idea of teaching style, class size, etc. Choosing a subject in the major are considering is ideal, but a general class is good if you are not yet sure. Stay after to meet the professor and ask any questions you have.

    Take Photos/Notes

    It may seem simple, but many college visits will blend together if you visit more than a few schools. Snap some photos and take some notes so you can remind yourself of the environment when the time comes for you to make the final decision.

    Tour the School on Your Own

    Most visits include a standard tour that is meant to sell you on the campus. After this, take the time to walk around on your own and explore parts of campus you may not have seen on the scripted tour. If athletics are important to you, take time to check out the gym and fields where you may spend some of your free time.

    Sleepover

    If your plan includes living in the dorms, spending the night in one is a valuable experience. This allows you to actually understand what it feels like to live on campus in a room that may be a lot smaller than what you are used to! Overnight visits are typically easily scheduled through the admissions office. Or if you know older students attending the same college, you could stay with them overnight. That would allow you to know how a normal college life feels like and share their experiences.

    Try the Dining Hall Food

    Eat lunch in the dining hall, the place you will probably eat a lot of you meals in the first few years. Some schools have considerably better food than others and may pay more attention to dietary restrictions. It won’t be Michelin rated, but it will definitely be an experience!

    Grab a Student Newspaper

    Pick up a student newspaper while on campus which gives you an idea of activities as well as the issues that students care about at the school. It also gives you a different perspective that you may not have received during the structured tour.

    Make sure you understand that college is more than studying – it is a lifestyle change. College can be one of the most exciting and impactful experiences in a person’s life and taking the time to choose wisely can impact down the road. These tips will help you think about all of the aspects that go into a college experience.

  • Extracurricular Activities and College Admissions Part 2

    Extracurricular Activities and College Admissions Part 2

    Welcome to Extracurricular Activities and Colleges Part 2

    As you might remember from our last post (and if you don’t check it out HERE), grades and SAT scores are only one aspect of your college application. Another big part is what you do outside of the classroom, what you do in your free time – your extracurriculars. So, let’s jump right into it and start part 2 of this!

    Large, Competitive Public Universities

    Big state flagship schools like UC Berkeley, University of Virginia, or University of Michigan receive tens of thousands of applications each cycle. Due to their great reputations, applicants are not only from local areas, but from all across the country and even the world. The sheer number of people applying means that these schools must make their selection processes much more selective.

    To give an example, the University of Florida (which would count as a “large, non-competitive public university” from part one) receives nearly 30,000 applications annually, and they accept around 50%. However, nearly 200,000 students applied to UC Berkeley and only 17.5% were admitted. With so many high quality applicants vying for such a small number of spots, competitive public universities must evaluate qualitative criteria like extracirruclar activities with greater depth.

    In order to gain acceptance into these internationally-renowned public university like UMich or UNC, you’re going to need nice grades and test scores as well as significant extracurricular involvement. I know it sounds tough, and it is, but think of how many other people are applying! Typically, students admitted to these schools are involved in a number of extracurriculars and tend to hold some sort of leadership role in them.

    However, while extracurriculars have more weight for large, competitive public schools, they still do not weigh it as much as their smaller private school counterparts. These big guys (I’m referring to these large, competitive public schools – I just wanted to switch it up a bit) have literally hundreds of thousands of applications to sift through, and so it’s necessary that admissions committees use some sort of process to determine if an applicant is even worth looking deeper into. And this often takes the form of standardized test scores and grades. So while extracurricular activities certainly matter, you’re going to need to pass a basic benchmark first.

    If you’re looking to improve your ACT or SAT scores, come check out Prepmedians! We teach ACT and SAT test prep through sketch comedy, music, rap, and more. With 5 star entertainment scores, you’ll have fun while gearing up for the next test!

    Large, Competitive Schools Admissions at a Glance:

    • Generally more holistic than large, less-competitive schools
    • Tend to consider factors beyond grades and standardized test scores, but still rely on these measures to sort through applicants in order to determine who to look into further
    • Sometimes do not accept as many letters of recommendation and other supplemental materials compared to private colleges
  • Extracurricular Activities and College Admissions Part 1

    Extracurricular Activities and College Admissions Part 1

    Along with grades and SAT scores, colleges also put heavy consideration into extracurricular activities. Basically, they want to know you have a life outside of classes, school, and all that boring stuff (I’m kidding; all of that is pretty important). Students are often pressured to volunteer at the local animal shelter, become president of a club, play a varsity sport, and do anything else to demonstrate that glowing leadership quality that colleges look for in applicants.

    But how much do extracurriculars matter? Do they play the same role in every student’s application? Read on to learn more about how much extracurricular activities actually matter in a college application.

    It Depends on the School

    To be honest it really depends on the kind of school you apply to. Obviously, extracurricular activities are super important in your application, but the extent to how much they can impact your profile will rely on differences in admissions requirements, class sizes, and student populations. These factors can cause admissions committees to place differing amounts of weight on extracurriculars.

    Large and Less-Competitive Public Universities

    Unfortunately at larger public universities, extracurricular activities typically won’t have significant weight on your application (but this is good if you’re worried about not having enough extracurriculars!). Schools like this, especially state flagship schools, receive tens of thousands of applicants each year, but have extremely limited resources available to evaluate them. I can’t imagine what it would be like sitting in that office reading through piles of applications…

    Schools like this aren’t able to dedicate the time and attention to a single applicant.

    As a result, these schools tend to rely more heavily on the quantitative side of your application (think SAT or ACT scores and GPA). It’s quick and easy to evaluate numbers, and it doesn’t take as much time and energy to pore through essays and recommendations. According to CollegeVine, some schools even use computer algorithms to quickly sort applicants by GPA and test scores… Ouch right? That’s how it is sometimes, and it’s why we apply to multiple schools!

    Where Extracurriculars Actually Have Impact

    One way extracurriculars have significant impact at large public universities is actually in the merit scholarship selection process. The selection process is quite a bit more competitive and rigorous than general freshman admissions, and so these programs put greater consideration into extracurriculars. Additionally, these programs might even require supplemental application materials that ask applicants to discuss their interests and accomplishments in greater detail than they did on the Common App or freshman application.

    To Summarize:

    Admissions at Large, Non-competitive Universities

    • Grades and test scores are considered first, typically admit or reject applicants on this basis
    • Not holistic, as you can see from above (sad face)
    • Evaluates extracurriculars for merit scholarships
    • Merit scholarships are likely more intensive and holistic than general freshman admission
  • How to Tackle College Admissions?

    How to Tackle College Admissions?

    What Activities Should I Pursue to get into a Good College?

    All colleges want to see that you have passion for something and that you pursue your interests to the best of your ability. So it is probably important to, well, have passions and interests. Stop worrying about whether college admission officers will be impressed by the things you’re interested in and just go for it. The college application reflects on your best personality, not your perception of the admission officers’ best personality. You like video games? Great. Nothing gets you more excited than the new limited edition sneakers that are about to be released? Okay. Your voice enters ranges not audible by humans when you see puppies? Cool. It doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about, as long as you’re passionate about something. Regardless of how quirky your passion is, it is your own. So, show that in your applications with pride!

    What are you doing about it?

    Okay, now you’ve got a passion. That is still not enough — you have pursue your passion. You’re a painter? Blog about it, give your painting for a showcase, conduct painting lessons. You love cooking? Maybe there is a food festival coming soon or host your own community cooking show. You <3 puppies? Find a local animal rights charity or dog rescue and start volunteering (but do it passionately, don’t treat it like a chore). No matter what your passions are, find out what you love the most about your passion and pursue it in that path.

    How are you pursuing it?

    I am not saying that you should ONLY do things related to your narrow range of interests. You should focus on being involved in your school and your community (and not just to get into college, but because you enjoy it). Lots of students sample a little bit of everything, their resumes list positions in 15 different clubs each year to the point where you have to wonder if maybe they have a time traveling device to get to all those meetings. Well, they definitely don’t yet. Colleges can see that, and they know that you did this to pad your resume to impress them (and so, of course, they aren’t impressed). Find a few clubs, organizations, charities, teams, or groups that you enjoy being a part of and stick with those activities throughout high school.

    Why it matters?

    The reason you shouldn’t spread yourself out is so that you can spend time developing your interests and skills. It is not just about how broad your exposure and knowledge are, but also about how deep they are. How can you become the editor of your school newspaper if you are only in the newspaper club for a semester? How dedicated to quiz bowl can you be if you only participated for a year? Find the activities that truly interest you and pursue those activities for multiple years. Of course you can go through a trial and error process. If you are not sure what clubs you enjoy, try the ones you are interested in for a couple weeks when you start high school. Once you figure out your interests focus your time on that. The main focus of this process is for you to figure out your interests that you would enjoy for the rest of your life. Do this for yourself and not the college applications!

    When it comes to your college applications, your essay is the best place for you to put your totally awesome, unique, interesting personality on display. After you participate in activities that you enjoyed every minute of, you’ll find it so much easier to reflect and write about them in your essays. So, do things that you enjoy rather than what you think the college wants because you are the best at being yourself!