2012 college night volunteers - Tulare County Office of Education

TULARE COUNTY COLLEGE NIGHTwww.tcoe.org/collegenightWHAT WE LOOK FORThe first question most parents and students ask when looking at college applications is, “What are they lookingfor in a student?” This section of “What We Look For,” obtained from a major East Coast university, is an excellentanswer to this question. It is applicable not only to this particular university, but to most other competitive universitiesand colleges. As you read this summary, ask yourself how you would do in each of these areas.What you’ve done: We want to know what your accomplishments have been throughout high school. We look to seethat you’ve pursued a college preparatory curriculum and that you’ve chal lenged yourself with honors courses, advancedplacement coursework, or meaningful electives when possible. Your grades are the most important indicationof your achievement. And, we’re inter ested in what you’re doing now. We will review your senior year performanceas well.What you’re like: We’re interest in knowing what you’re like on a personal level. By reading your personal statement,the college essay, we get a taste of your goals, interests, and values. Also, you may have a personal interviewwith a member of the Admissions Committee in the fall, either on campus or in selected cities across the country.Whether you have a special talent: Any university programs have a talent component to them, and we need toknow you have the skills, creativity, and motivation for success. Talent will be evaluated by faculty members in thechosen discipline and shared with the Admissions Commit tee.Where you’ve attended: Through our contact with guidance counselors and high school visits in the fall, theAdmissions Committee understands how schools may differ from one another in relation to curriculum, gradingpolicies, overall quality of students, etc. We review closely your high school’s profile to put in context your courseselection and grades. By better understanding where you’ve attended high school, we can best judge your secondaryschool performance.What others think: We look to a recommendation from your guidance counselor to help us get a sense of you as aperson, your capabilities and personality.Good student, good character: We want students who on a personal level are honest and have demonstrated integrityand good citizenship. This demonstration of one’s character is exhibited in many ways throughout your applicationfor admission.What you do after class: We want to know what you do outside the classroom. We review your extracurricularactivities to understand not merely their relation to what major you wish to study or career you plan to pursue, butalso how they illustrate your organizational and leadership skills. We like to see that you’ll be able to manage yourtime and achieve academically in college while being involved meaningfully in other activities.70