I met a mom recently who banned her sixteen year old daughter from Facebook. The daughter had recently posted photos of herself getting her tongue pierced (I suspect the getting-her-tongue-pierced part was a problem in itself).
I expressed some mild surprise that she would resort to such Draconian measures and she insisted that Facebook was dangerous. "Kids are losing scholarships because of what they put on Facebook!" she said.
I don't like the idea of banning kids from social media. But the mom did have a point.
As an interviewer, I like to Google candidates before I meet them. It's a good way to get a sense for the person before I sit down to interview. Recall that as an interviewer, I don't get access to any portion of the application beforehand. Even if have the candidate bring a resume along, I need to be able to scan it quickly and start asking questions. This way, I get a bit of prep in.
I'd like to tell you that I don't let myself be prejudiced by photos of kids holding beers at parties, or dancing with their friends on furniture, or painting questionable logos on each other's stomachs. I'd like to say that.
But it's just not true. In interviews, it's the details that count: being well-dressed. Sending a thank you note. Being a good conversationalist. It all adds up to the first impression, which is what your interviewer will use when filling out your recommendation forms.
I doubt that hordes of students frequently lose scholarships or have an admission reneg'd for something that they innocently put up on Facebook. BUT what actually happens is much worse. Indiscreet social media postings can make your interviewer (or the admissions officer) prejudiced against you without realizing it. And that's scary and worrisome because a large chunk of admissions decisions are really close calls. They are based on "fit" and "feel" - it's not just what you've shown you can do, but the potential people think you have.
If they go into your app or start your interview with an image of you jumping up and down on a trampoline with a beer, it'll take a lot more to dislodge it than if they come in with nothing. Or better yet, a picture of you shaking hands with mayor of your town after winning a writing contest.
The "scared straight" message of this shouldn't be that you can't use Facebook. Just be smart about it. Keep your account private. If you want to post goofy photos, go right ahead - but keep your main profile photo something neutral. Google yourself occasionally to make sure that nothing comes up that you're embarassed about. Nothing that you wouldn't share with your grandparents or your parents' friends.
I, by the way, learned this lesson the hard way. I'll date myself here - but at one point in college I had created a Friendster profile. It was goofy and irreverent. I think I said that I wanted to meet dictators and my hobbies included belly dancing. Kind of innocuous, but not particularly smart. Fast forward four years. I'm out of college, I'm working at a investment firm. My boss asks me to step in to one of our investments and help manage it for six months. Suddenly, I have a group of twenty people reporting to me, all of whom are older. It's imperative that I command respect and cultivate a serious persona. Of course, it's just my luck that the nearly defunct Friendster suddenly opens up their database to google. Now, when you search my name, that old profile becomes the fourth or fifth hit. Embarassing!
Learn from my mistake - check. Check often. It's a good habit that will serve you well, not just through the admissions process, but beyond.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
New versus old?
A question from a student getting prep'd for her Harvard interview. She writes:
During the interview, should I discuss "new" information (things that weren't covered in-depth on my application) or reinforce what's already on the application?
Here's what I mean. My interviewer has said that they (the interviewers) do not see my Harvard application. So during the interview, should I go over things that were on my app (the topics I wrote my essays on, things I really stressed, etc.) or should I use the interview as a chance to give Harvard MORE information about myself that I couldn't fit on the app?
For example, on my Harvard application, I really stressed my volunteer work, my eBay business, and my future dreams (to create a successful charity--this sort of ties in with my volunteer work). I didn't really mention my passion for statistics and academics in general. I only briefly mentioned ballet, which I've been doing for 12 years and counting. So in my interview, should I repeat my stories about my volunteer work/eBay/future dreams or should I discuss my passion for ballet/statistics/etc?
The interview is a way for Harvard to get to know the applicant even better. So I thought perhaps it would be better for me to talk about ballet etc. because Harvard doesn't really know that part of me. If I were to talk about my eBay business in the interview, the interviewer would write that into their recommendation. However, Harvard would already know about eBay and it might become redundant.
But at the same time, I thought that maybe it would be better to reinforce my volunteer work/eBay/future dreams in the interview, since those are really what make me unique and those are the ones that have the best "stories" behind them. After all, those topics were "meaty" enough that I could write essays about them, whereas I don't think I have enough to say about ballet that I could write an essay about it.
And if you recommend a balance of both, should I talk about 50/50 old information & new information, or 70/30, etc.
This is a problem that is nice to have! This student obviously has a few different narratives about her life that she has successfully developed into what I imagine is a strong application. Rather than getting distracted by dozens of extracurriculars, she has chosen to focus on a few activities where she has excelled. This is smart. But now her problem is she has other narratives that she wasn't able to fit in. What to do?
The answer is easy, but will probably frustrate you. I recommend forgetting any sort of ratios, but instead focusing on connecting with your interviewer. You may hope that your interviewer is taking copious notes and will provide Harvard with an exact transcript of your conversation, but this is not the case. We have the option of talking about specifics:
"Jennifer shows exceptional perseverance by continuing with a demanding ballet schedule even as she excels in her academics. She has performed in half a dozens acclaimed shows and has been invited to travel to NYC to audition for a number of companies upon graduation."
But we are just as likely to write:
"Jennifer is bright and talented. She shows great commitment to activities she is passionate about, and perseveres even when it is not easy or immediately gratifying. She would be a terrific fit at Harvard. This is the kind of person I would have liked to be friends with when I was a student there. I think she can be both a leader and an inspiration to others in the student body."
See? No mention of ballet at all. But still a great recommendation. So, if you're counting on your interview to fill in the missing gaps on your application, don't. That's (kind of) the bad news. The good news, however, is that this is not the point of the interview. The point of the interview is for Harvard to get to know you as a person. So do that as best you can. Come into your interview with a few set "stories" about yourself - the Ebay business is a great one - but be flexible enough to shift gears if you need to.
Let's say your interviewer is a former ballerina herself. You really connect with her on that front - by all means, mention ballet. But do it for the right reasons - to connect with your interviewer, not because you want her to put a check mark somewhere. Also, you kind of answer your question yourself - you say there is not enough in ballet for you to write an essay about. If that's truly how you feel, then a brief secondary mention is all it deserves. Personally, I think if you've been engaged in something for twelve years, there is probaby a story there. Remember, not all stories have to be about you being successful. It sounds from your email like your "tangible" accomplishments in ballet (winning awards, being cast in shows, performing in professional troupes, are limited). So are you a ballerina despite the fact that you're not as good at it as you are at other things (like statistics?) That's a story, and frankly says something very good about you. I'll let you draw the conclusion.
You throw in "passion for academics" - honestly, this is a given. Everyone applying is passionate about academics. If there is something that sets you apart, talk about it. Otherwise, leave it alone. There was a girl years ago who was homeless while she was in high school, but was passionate enough about her academics to maintain her grades even while she slept in homeless shelters and train stations. That's a rare instance of where you may want to talk about it. You mention statistics - is there a story behind this? Have you done some work in the field that sets you apart? Are you using statistics to improve your Ebay business? (If you can combine two narratives, even better!) Dig deep inside yourself and find the reason why you love it and how that makes you different.
There is one exception to everything I've said here - if something has changed significantly between the time you applied and your interview. Have you won a Novel Prize? Did the non-profit you founded just raise ten million dollars to build schools in Afghanistan? Did you sell a script to Disney? These are over the top examples, but you get the idea. If this is the case - do find a way to talk about it. Explicitly tell your interviewer that you did not write about it on your app because it hadn't happened yet. Oh, and if it *is* something seriously huge, it may be worthwhile calling the admissions office to let them know.
During the interview, should I discuss "new" information (things that weren't covered in-depth on my application) or reinforce what's already on the application?
Here's what I mean. My interviewer has said that they (the interviewers) do not see my Harvard application. So during the interview, should I go over things that were on my app (the topics I wrote my essays on, things I really stressed, etc.) or should I use the interview as a chance to give Harvard MORE information about myself that I couldn't fit on the app?
For example, on my Harvard application, I really stressed my volunteer work, my eBay business, and my future dreams (to create a successful charity--this sort of ties in with my volunteer work). I didn't really mention my passion for statistics and academics in general. I only briefly mentioned ballet, which I've been doing for 12 years and counting. So in my interview, should I repeat my stories about my volunteer work/eBay/future dreams or should I discuss my passion for ballet/statistics/etc?
The interview is a way for Harvard to get to know the applicant even better. So I thought perhaps it would be better for me to talk about ballet etc. because Harvard doesn't really know that part of me. If I were to talk about my eBay business in the interview, the interviewer would write that into their recommendation. However, Harvard would already know about eBay and it might become redundant.
But at the same time, I thought that maybe it would be better to reinforce my volunteer work/eBay/future dreams in the interview, since those are really what make me unique and those are the ones that have the best "stories" behind them. After all, those topics were "meaty" enough that I could write essays about them, whereas I don't think I have enough to say about ballet that I could write an essay about it.
And if you recommend a balance of both, should I talk about 50/50 old information & new information, or 70/30, etc.
This is a problem that is nice to have! This student obviously has a few different narratives about her life that she has successfully developed into what I imagine is a strong application. Rather than getting distracted by dozens of extracurriculars, she has chosen to focus on a few activities where she has excelled. This is smart. But now her problem is she has other narratives that she wasn't able to fit in. What to do?
The answer is easy, but will probably frustrate you. I recommend forgetting any sort of ratios, but instead focusing on connecting with your interviewer. You may hope that your interviewer is taking copious notes and will provide Harvard with an exact transcript of your conversation, but this is not the case. We have the option of talking about specifics:
"Jennifer shows exceptional perseverance by continuing with a demanding ballet schedule even as she excels in her academics. She has performed in half a dozens acclaimed shows and has been invited to travel to NYC to audition for a number of companies upon graduation."
But we are just as likely to write:
"Jennifer is bright and talented. She shows great commitment to activities she is passionate about, and perseveres even when it is not easy or immediately gratifying. She would be a terrific fit at Harvard. This is the kind of person I would have liked to be friends with when I was a student there. I think she can be both a leader and an inspiration to others in the student body."
See? No mention of ballet at all. But still a great recommendation. So, if you're counting on your interview to fill in the missing gaps on your application, don't. That's (kind of) the bad news. The good news, however, is that this is not the point of the interview. The point of the interview is for Harvard to get to know you as a person. So do that as best you can. Come into your interview with a few set "stories" about yourself - the Ebay business is a great one - but be flexible enough to shift gears if you need to.
Let's say your interviewer is a former ballerina herself. You really connect with her on that front - by all means, mention ballet. But do it for the right reasons - to connect with your interviewer, not because you want her to put a check mark somewhere. Also, you kind of answer your question yourself - you say there is not enough in ballet for you to write an essay about. If that's truly how you feel, then a brief secondary mention is all it deserves. Personally, I think if you've been engaged in something for twelve years, there is probaby a story there. Remember, not all stories have to be about you being successful. It sounds from your email like your "tangible" accomplishments in ballet (winning awards, being cast in shows, performing in professional troupes, are limited). So are you a ballerina despite the fact that you're not as good at it as you are at other things (like statistics?) That's a story, and frankly says something very good about you. I'll let you draw the conclusion.
You throw in "passion for academics" - honestly, this is a given. Everyone applying is passionate about academics. If there is something that sets you apart, talk about it. Otherwise, leave it alone. There was a girl years ago who was homeless while she was in high school, but was passionate enough about her academics to maintain her grades even while she slept in homeless shelters and train stations. That's a rare instance of where you may want to talk about it. You mention statistics - is there a story behind this? Have you done some work in the field that sets you apart? Are you using statistics to improve your Ebay business? (If you can combine two narratives, even better!) Dig deep inside yourself and find the reason why you love it and how that makes you different.
There is one exception to everything I've said here - if something has changed significantly between the time you applied and your interview. Have you won a Novel Prize? Did the non-profit you founded just raise ten million dollars to build schools in Afghanistan? Did you sell a script to Disney? These are over the top examples, but you get the idea. If this is the case - do find a way to talk about it. Explicitly tell your interviewer that you did not write about it on your app because it hadn't happened yet. Oh, and if it *is* something seriously huge, it may be worthwhile calling the admissions office to let them know.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Summer Vacation
The summer is a great opporunity to do something enriching. Or something fun. Or something exciting.
But what should you fill your summers with if you want them to shine on your college applications?
I have two pieces of advice, one will be very very obvious, and the other, hopefully less so.
1. You should fill your summer with something you are passionate about.
2. You should find unique ways to express that passion.
Passion is really hard to fake. You can force yourself through math classes you don't want to take, you can cram history into your head until you're blue in the face, but the things that make your application stand out are the ones you are genuinely interested in.
So, first, pick what you love. Think very broadly. You don't have to love English Literature or Music Theory - if you're passionate about video games or skateboarding or fashion accessories, great. Find a way to turn that interest into a summer experience that stands out.
Let's take video games. Playing them all the time won't give you a lot to write home about. However, here are things you can do with that interest:
1. Video games and anthrology. Find a local professor who is working on researching how video games affect relationships, especially in countries with high levels of gaming like Korea or Japan. See if you can help with research or contribute to a paper. Bonus points for arranging a trip abroad that ties to your research.
2. The business of video games. Find an internship with a startup that designs and markets games.
3. The art of video games. See if you can work with a graphic designer or video game writer.
Basically what I'm getting at is this - you don't have to look for a way to subvert an interest or hobby into an academic or appropriate interest. Colleges love creativity. They also love people who are willing to go out of the realm of what "normal" high school students do.
So, find what you already love, and ask yourself - how can you go deeper? How can you learn more about it? If the answer isn't obvious, ask a parent. Or a guidance counselor, or a teacher. Or you can email me.
But what should you fill your summers with if you want them to shine on your college applications?
I have two pieces of advice, one will be very very obvious, and the other, hopefully less so.
1. You should fill your summer with something you are passionate about.
2. You should find unique ways to express that passion.
Passion is really hard to fake. You can force yourself through math classes you don't want to take, you can cram history into your head until you're blue in the face, but the things that make your application stand out are the ones you are genuinely interested in.
So, first, pick what you love. Think very broadly. You don't have to love English Literature or Music Theory - if you're passionate about video games or skateboarding or fashion accessories, great. Find a way to turn that interest into a summer experience that stands out.
Let's take video games. Playing them all the time won't give you a lot to write home about. However, here are things you can do with that interest:
1. Video games and anthrology. Find a local professor who is working on researching how video games affect relationships, especially in countries with high levels of gaming like Korea or Japan. See if you can help with research or contribute to a paper. Bonus points for arranging a trip abroad that ties to your research.
2. The business of video games. Find an internship with a startup that designs and markets games.
3. The art of video games. See if you can work with a graphic designer or video game writer.
Basically what I'm getting at is this - you don't have to look for a way to subvert an interest or hobby into an academic or appropriate interest. Colleges love creativity. They also love people who are willing to go out of the realm of what "normal" high school students do.
So, find what you already love, and ask yourself - how can you go deeper? How can you learn more about it? If the answer isn't obvious, ask a parent. Or a guidance counselor, or a teacher. Or you can email me.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Inappropriate interviews... and how to handle them
I've spent a lot of time talking about how enthusiastic most interviewers are, and what a pleasure it is to meet with high-achieving high school seniors.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Though few and far between, there are interviewers out there who use interviews in inappropriate ways. Honestly, it's sad. It's not how I'd like to represent Harvard, and I'm sure it's not how Harvard (or other colleges) want to be represented.
How do you know your interviewer is behaving inappropriately? Here are things an interviewer should not be:
- Aggressive
- Judgemental
- Confrontational
- Dismissive
- Demeaning
Where do these behaviors come from? I wish I knew. Occasionally, there are corporate interviewers who like to do "bad cop" interviews to test the candidate and see how the candidate reacts. Most of the time these are for high-pressure positions. I could debate the value of those types of interviews as well - personally, I'm not a fan - but one could argue they have their place.
But that place is NOT in college admissions.
Here are examples of things an interviewer should never do:
- attempt to critique or test a student's religious faith
- accuse the candidate of sexism, racism, classism
- question the candidate's honesty
If you have an interviewer who starts to go down this path, try to get off it right away. Stand your ground, and if you need to, walk away from the interview. I'm a personal believer in valuing your personal integrity, and I don't think it's worth compromising that even for a college interview.
What if the interviewer is just having a bad day and has said the wrong thing? Try to diffuse it as much as possible. For example, if you've gotten onto the subject of religion and your interviewer is busy questioning the Mormon church, of which you are a proud member, you can throw in a neutral statement like, "We all have our beliefs. That's one of the things I really enjoy about Harvard - that there is such a vibrant and diverse religious community on campus." Then move on to another topic - about how you value diversity, or other things you like about your school of choice.
What if this doesn't work? Make a judgement call. If your interviewer is making you feel uncomfortable, just end the interview. Trust me. Learning to stand up for yourself is a skill that will serve you well in life and it is worth learning early.
What about the aftermath? Discuss the interview with someone objective, like a teacher or guidance counselor. If you felt like the interviewer was just unfriendly or minimally engaged that's one thing - if you felt personally discriminated against, put down, or otherwise treated inappropriately, deal with it right away. Don't wait until you find out your application status. Contact the admissions office or have someone do it on your behalf, and share (politely) what it was that concerned you about the interview.
The admissions office will appreciate this, because especially with alumni interviewers, there is little oversight, minimal (if any) training, and no real feedback on performance. It would be nice if there were a survey that candidates could fill out. At the end of the day, the admissions folks don't want you to be uncomfortable, intimidated or unhappy any more than you do.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Though few and far between, there are interviewers out there who use interviews in inappropriate ways. Honestly, it's sad. It's not how I'd like to represent Harvard, and I'm sure it's not how Harvard (or other colleges) want to be represented.
How do you know your interviewer is behaving inappropriately? Here are things an interviewer should not be:
- Aggressive
- Judgemental
- Confrontational
- Dismissive
- Demeaning
Where do these behaviors come from? I wish I knew. Occasionally, there are corporate interviewers who like to do "bad cop" interviews to test the candidate and see how the candidate reacts. Most of the time these are for high-pressure positions. I could debate the value of those types of interviews as well - personally, I'm not a fan - but one could argue they have their place.
But that place is NOT in college admissions.
Here are examples of things an interviewer should never do:
- attempt to critique or test a student's religious faith
- accuse the candidate of sexism, racism, classism
- question the candidate's honesty
If you have an interviewer who starts to go down this path, try to get off it right away. Stand your ground, and if you need to, walk away from the interview. I'm a personal believer in valuing your personal integrity, and I don't think it's worth compromising that even for a college interview.
What if the interviewer is just having a bad day and has said the wrong thing? Try to diffuse it as much as possible. For example, if you've gotten onto the subject of religion and your interviewer is busy questioning the Mormon church, of which you are a proud member, you can throw in a neutral statement like, "We all have our beliefs. That's one of the things I really enjoy about Harvard - that there is such a vibrant and diverse religious community on campus." Then move on to another topic - about how you value diversity, or other things you like about your school of choice.
What if this doesn't work? Make a judgement call. If your interviewer is making you feel uncomfortable, just end the interview. Trust me. Learning to stand up for yourself is a skill that will serve you well in life and it is worth learning early.
What about the aftermath? Discuss the interview with someone objective, like a teacher or guidance counselor. If you felt like the interviewer was just unfriendly or minimally engaged that's one thing - if you felt personally discriminated against, put down, or otherwise treated inappropriately, deal with it right away. Don't wait until you find out your application status. Contact the admissions office or have someone do it on your behalf, and share (politely) what it was that concerned you about the interview.
The admissions office will appreciate this, because especially with alumni interviewers, there is little oversight, minimal (if any) training, and no real feedback on performance. It would be nice if there were a survey that candidates could fill out. At the end of the day, the admissions folks don't want you to be uncomfortable, intimidated or unhappy any more than you do.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Public versus Private
There is always a lot of speculation about what helps a college application most. Is it four years at a prestigious prep school? A hard-won success story from a troubled inner-city campus? A standout application from a regular public school?
The truth is that all of the above can get you into Harvard. It's not the school, it's the student. The question parents should be asking, as they look down the windy road of college prep, is where will their child perform the best?
I was a product of public schools - private was not an option - but we lived in a nice enough neighborhood, and I remember picking my high school (out of a set of four options) based on the number of AP courses they offered. In talking to a mom of a friend - who had scrimped and saved to send both her daughters to a prestigious all girl academy from 8th grade onward - I discovered she thought quite the opposite.
"I don't think my girls would have done as well at public schools," she said. "They really needed the individual attention and were able to thrive and develop there." They both ended up with multiple ivy-league acceptances and graduated from Stanford and Brown, respectively.
The net is that there is no "best" alternative, and it is never one-size-fits all. In order to make the decision, you need to understand who your child is, ultimately what it is they want.
Here's how you win at a public school:
Your child is self-motivated. He is able to make the most of any situation and does NOT need a competitive environment in order to succeed. He is more motivated by being the top student than by having a cohort of equally talented peers. He is able to create opportunities where they don't exist and stands out as someone teachers would be attracted to and want to help.
If this describes your child - or, alternately, if you are willing to put in the time to help your child fit this mold - then a normal public school may be a good fit. He would make his application stronger by demonstrating excellence even in an environment that does not naturally foster it. He would need to be proactive about creating the same types of opportunities that may exist naturally at private schools - summer internships, advanced courses, etc.
Here's how to win at a private school:
Your child thrives in competitive environments and performs best when she sees her peers setting a good example for her. She needs individual attention from educators. She does not naturally think of creating opportunties for herself, but if they are put in front of her she puts forth considerable effort towards performing well.
If this describes your child, she may get lost at a public school. A private school with an involved staff that encourages excellence and gives individual attention may help her perform better than she would otherwise.
Is it easier to get into Harvard (or some other Ivy) from a private or public school? At the end of the day it's a hard question to ask because your child will be different based on his experiences at one or the other. All things being equal, if you have the exact same track record, it is probably easier coming from an underperforming public school than a stellar private school. But the thing is, all things will never be equal.
The truth is that all of the above can get you into Harvard. It's not the school, it's the student. The question parents should be asking, as they look down the windy road of college prep, is where will their child perform the best?
I was a product of public schools - private was not an option - but we lived in a nice enough neighborhood, and I remember picking my high school (out of a set of four options) based on the number of AP courses they offered. In talking to a mom of a friend - who had scrimped and saved to send both her daughters to a prestigious all girl academy from 8th grade onward - I discovered she thought quite the opposite.
"I don't think my girls would have done as well at public schools," she said. "They really needed the individual attention and were able to thrive and develop there." They both ended up with multiple ivy-league acceptances and graduated from Stanford and Brown, respectively.
The net is that there is no "best" alternative, and it is never one-size-fits all. In order to make the decision, you need to understand who your child is, ultimately what it is they want.
Here's how you win at a public school:
Your child is self-motivated. He is able to make the most of any situation and does NOT need a competitive environment in order to succeed. He is more motivated by being the top student than by having a cohort of equally talented peers. He is able to create opportunities where they don't exist and stands out as someone teachers would be attracted to and want to help.
If this describes your child - or, alternately, if you are willing to put in the time to help your child fit this mold - then a normal public school may be a good fit. He would make his application stronger by demonstrating excellence even in an environment that does not naturally foster it. He would need to be proactive about creating the same types of opportunities that may exist naturally at private schools - summer internships, advanced courses, etc.
Here's how to win at a private school:
Your child thrives in competitive environments and performs best when she sees her peers setting a good example for her. She needs individual attention from educators. She does not naturally think of creating opportunties for herself, but if they are put in front of her she puts forth considerable effort towards performing well.
If this describes your child, she may get lost at a public school. A private school with an involved staff that encourages excellence and gives individual attention may help her perform better than she would otherwise.
Is it easier to get into Harvard (or some other Ivy) from a private or public school? At the end of the day it's a hard question to ask because your child will be different based on his experiences at one or the other. All things being equal, if you have the exact same track record, it is probably easier coming from an underperforming public school than a stellar private school. But the thing is, all things will never be equal.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Teacher recommendations
I had a question recently about lining up college recommendations from a student planning on applying next fall.
First, let me say, this is a GREAT time to be thinking about it. An even better time would have been last year.
Teacher recs can really serve to validate your record in the eyes of the university. Good grades and a long list of extracurriculars are the basics, but the icing on the cake is having an educator put your record in some sort of perspective. Having a teacher who knows you well tell the college that you are the most dedicated debator she's ever taught, or most compassionate student body president means a lot.
How do you get a rec that really stands out?
1. Plan for it early.
It's always best to get a recommendation from somone who has known you longer. If you have the option, try to stick to the same teacher for a few years in a row. Or, take their class and also join an extracurricular they chair. Build a personal relationship with a teacher you think may be helpful as a mentor.
2. Place more emphasis on the content than the title.
Focus on what your recommenders will say rather than who they are at the school. It's better to a have a wildly enthusiastic letter from an assistant teacher than a single paragraph from your high school principal. As a rule, people you've worked with closely for longer periods of time are more likely to have wonderful things to say about you.
3. Be honest with your recommenders.
Is there something you want mentioned? Let's say you got a poor Physics grade your junior year but made up for it by studying your butt off and getting a 5 on the AP Exam. Ask your Physics teacher to address the subject of your improvement and hard work in the recommendation.
4. Do your research.
Ask around, preferably early on. Find out which teachers tend to write good recommendations. If some teachers share the recommendations with students, that's a good thing to know as well.
Bottom line: don't go scrambling at the last minute. At the start of your junior year you should have a few ideas for people to ask, by the end of it, you should have a clear list.
First, let me say, this is a GREAT time to be thinking about it. An even better time would have been last year.
Teacher recs can really serve to validate your record in the eyes of the university. Good grades and a long list of extracurriculars are the basics, but the icing on the cake is having an educator put your record in some sort of perspective. Having a teacher who knows you well tell the college that you are the most dedicated debator she's ever taught, or most compassionate student body president means a lot.
How do you get a rec that really stands out?
1. Plan for it early.
It's always best to get a recommendation from somone who has known you longer. If you have the option, try to stick to the same teacher for a few years in a row. Or, take their class and also join an extracurricular they chair. Build a personal relationship with a teacher you think may be helpful as a mentor.
2. Place more emphasis on the content than the title.
Focus on what your recommenders will say rather than who they are at the school. It's better to a have a wildly enthusiastic letter from an assistant teacher than a single paragraph from your high school principal. As a rule, people you've worked with closely for longer periods of time are more likely to have wonderful things to say about you.
3. Be honest with your recommenders.
Is there something you want mentioned? Let's say you got a poor Physics grade your junior year but made up for it by studying your butt off and getting a 5 on the AP Exam. Ask your Physics teacher to address the subject of your improvement and hard work in the recommendation.
4. Do your research.
Ask around, preferably early on. Find out which teachers tend to write good recommendations. If some teachers share the recommendations with students, that's a good thing to know as well.
Bottom line: don't go scrambling at the last minute. At the start of your junior year you should have a few ideas for people to ask, by the end of it, you should have a clear list.
Friday, January 14, 2011
What do you mean, practice?
It's easy to say, practice for your interview. But what in the world are you really practicing? And how can you tell you're getting better?
At first practice seems like a paradox here because the best interviews are the ones that are honest and genuine. But at the same time, it's hard to be honest and genuine unless you practice. Why is this?
I remember when I started interviewing for jobs out of college, I was terrible. I hadn't practiced, assuming that I was an intelligent, confident young woman and I'd do just fine. I didn't. I had no specific story to tell. When talking about myself my answers were disorganized and rambling. I eventually learned to interview mainly through trial and error, which meant going on a lot of interviews and not getting the job. Eventually, though, I got better... not in the least due to the help of a roommate who made me sit on her bed at 2 a.m. in the morning and mock interview until she was satisfied with my answers.
It's better not to go about using my trial-and-error method for your college interviews. For starters, you don't have twenty college interviews to waste. So, if you're smart, you'll do it beforehand.
How?
Step 1. Figure out your story. What is a story, exactly? It's the narrative you have chosen to present about your life. Try reading an article about any famous person - and you'll see how the journalist does it. Focus your story around your greatest accomplishments and your areas of personal relevance. Try telling different stories, and ask someone (a parent, a teacher, a friend) to listen to you talk and decide which one sounds best.
For instance: Your uncle bought an overpriced house. As the market crashed, the bank foreclosed on his property. His financial problems inspired you to research predatory lending. You helped him with his personal situation, and then you wrote a paper about it. You won a regional competition, and then enrolled in an advanced economics course at your community college. Now you think you may want to become an economist.
Step 2. Refine your story. Go over your resume with a fine-tooth comb and try to pull out anything else relevant. Maybe you won a debate tournament by giving a speech about the financial rights and responsibilities of citizens. Perhaps you had a summer internship with a real estate agent. Make a list of anything else relevant that you can work in to bolster your story.
Step 3. Pick some sub-stories to include. Your resume will be long and impressive, and you won't want to talk about everything, unless you're asked. Focus on things that are more impressive and more involved. Are you chair of your high school Cancer Society? Did you organize your team's entry into the Science Olympiad? Be prepared to talk about those experiences in a meaningful way. What did you learn from them? Why were they so valuable to you?
Step 4. Practice telling your story even if it's not asked directly. For a good list of interview questions, skim this site. Try to answer every question by incorporating some bit of your story... if the question is about your biggest obstacle, talk how devastated you felt when you heard your uncle was losing his house... and then describe what you did about it. If you're asked what recent current event has impacted your studies - you can talk about exactly the same thing. See? If you are prepared with a set of talking points you want to get across, it almost doesn't matter what the question is, because you have an answer ready for it.
If all of this feels forced and artificial, practice more. You will know when you are happy with your story, because it will feel genuine and you will be excited to tell it.
I love interviews because they help you get to know yourself better. And that's something we could all use more of.
At first practice seems like a paradox here because the best interviews are the ones that are honest and genuine. But at the same time, it's hard to be honest and genuine unless you practice. Why is this?
I remember when I started interviewing for jobs out of college, I was terrible. I hadn't practiced, assuming that I was an intelligent, confident young woman and I'd do just fine. I didn't. I had no specific story to tell. When talking about myself my answers were disorganized and rambling. I eventually learned to interview mainly through trial and error, which meant going on a lot of interviews and not getting the job. Eventually, though, I got better... not in the least due to the help of a roommate who made me sit on her bed at 2 a.m. in the morning and mock interview until she was satisfied with my answers.
It's better not to go about using my trial-and-error method for your college interviews. For starters, you don't have twenty college interviews to waste. So, if you're smart, you'll do it beforehand.
How?
Step 1. Figure out your story. What is a story, exactly? It's the narrative you have chosen to present about your life. Try reading an article about any famous person - and you'll see how the journalist does it. Focus your story around your greatest accomplishments and your areas of personal relevance. Try telling different stories, and ask someone (a parent, a teacher, a friend) to listen to you talk and decide which one sounds best.
For instance: Your uncle bought an overpriced house. As the market crashed, the bank foreclosed on his property. His financial problems inspired you to research predatory lending. You helped him with his personal situation, and then you wrote a paper about it. You won a regional competition, and then enrolled in an advanced economics course at your community college. Now you think you may want to become an economist.
Step 2. Refine your story. Go over your resume with a fine-tooth comb and try to pull out anything else relevant. Maybe you won a debate tournament by giving a speech about the financial rights and responsibilities of citizens. Perhaps you had a summer internship with a real estate agent. Make a list of anything else relevant that you can work in to bolster your story.
Step 3. Pick some sub-stories to include. Your resume will be long and impressive, and you won't want to talk about everything, unless you're asked. Focus on things that are more impressive and more involved. Are you chair of your high school Cancer Society? Did you organize your team's entry into the Science Olympiad? Be prepared to talk about those experiences in a meaningful way. What did you learn from them? Why were they so valuable to you?
Step 4. Practice telling your story even if it's not asked directly. For a good list of interview questions, skim this site. Try to answer every question by incorporating some bit of your story... if the question is about your biggest obstacle, talk how devastated you felt when you heard your uncle was losing his house... and then describe what you did about it. If you're asked what recent current event has impacted your studies - you can talk about exactly the same thing. See? If you are prepared with a set of talking points you want to get across, it almost doesn't matter what the question is, because you have an answer ready for it.
If all of this feels forced and artificial, practice more. You will know when you are happy with your story, because it will feel genuine and you will be excited to tell it.
I love interviews because they help you get to know yourself better. And that's something we could all use more of.
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