New Orleans Guide to High School and Beyond 2018

ESSAY
Some schools will ask that you write an essay as part of their
application process. Do not let this stop you from applying to the
school. Use these tips to guide you through your essay writing process:
1. Read the essay topic and be sure to pay attention to the
instructions. Note if they are asking you to write one long essay or
a few short answers. Pay attention to what they are specifically asking
you to answer. Some schools may give you a topic to write about
and may include several other questions that they would like you to
answer throughout your essay. Most importantly, look to see if there
is a page or word count minimum or maximum. If for any reason you
are confused by what is being asked, then call the admissions office as
soon as possible to get clarity.
2. Once you are familiar and comfortable with the topic, begin
planning what you will write. There is no right way to begin
writing an essay. Some students prefer to make an outline of the topics
they will cover and then fill in those topics with more detail later. Other
students may prefer to just write down any thoughts that come to mind
in no particular order and organize them later. You may be a student
who just gets inspired and can write the entire essay in one sitting and
then revise and edit later. Remember, this is really your choice as long
as your finished product is your best work!
3. A common essay topic for high school applications is to discuss why
you want to attend the school or why you should be accepted into the
school. However the question is written, keep one thing in mind: this
is an opportunity to sell yourself! Be sure to include your goals
and how attending the school will help you achieve them. Also, make
a list of important attributes of the school and why you think you will
be a good match. Include what you will be able to offer the school if
they accept you. It is okay to provide information on extracurricular
activities, such as cheerleading, band or football; however, don’t let
them be the focus of your essay.
4. Once you have finished writing your essay, have someone
proofread it for grammatical errors and for content. There
are people in your life that will be more than happy to help you during
this process.
5. Whether you decide to use these tips or others, just make sure that
the final product that you turn in is YOUR BEST WORK! It is
much more meaningful if you write your own essay; therefore, schools
will be able to see that you took your time and put forth effort during
the writing process. Also, it will be a great way to get acclimated to
what will be expected of you in years to come.
INTERVIEW
Many high schools may require that students participate in an
interview with administrators and teachers. Some schools may even
require that your parents also attend the interview.
It may be a good idea to request an interview even if the school does
not require one, especially if you need to explain special circumstances
that may affect your application being accepted. Use the following
tips to help stand out from the pack:
1. Be Prepared. Before you go to the interview be sure to research
the school. Spend time on the school’s website, read their mission
statement, view their achievements, look at the clubs and team
sports they offer. Familiarize yourself as much as possible with the
school so you can ask appropriate questions during the interview.
You would not want to ask if the school has a swim team or if they
offer AP courses when you could find these things out on your own.
Think about questions where the answers are not as readily available,
such as “What is the school's diversity?” or “How many students
graduate and attend a 4-year university?” Asking questions displays
your interest in the school and it also allows you to receive answers
that will help you make your final decision.
2. Know Yourself. Refer back to your self-assessment from page
10 to decide if the school is a good match for you. Look at the factors
you marked as a 5 and 1 to see how the school compares numbers. If
you know yourself and what you are looking to get from your high
school experience, you should be able to communicate this clearly
to the interviewer.
3. Answering Questions. It is a given that you will be asked
several questions throughout the interview. Whether the question is
“What is your favorite subject?” or “Which clubs are you interested
in joining?” You want to make sure that your answers allow the
interviewer to gain more insight about you. Instead of simply
answering either “Science” or “Student Government,” explain what
interests you about science or why you would like to join the student
government.
Prepare yourself to answer tough questions and to clarify or explain
anything about your application that may have stood out. Whether
its poor grades or absences, make sure that you have prepared
yourself to answer these questions. If you discuss this topic without
having to be asked, this will show that you are not afraid to admit
your flaws and that you have a thorough knowledge of self. Be sure
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