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How to Write a Winning College Application Essay
Have you heard the story about the student who got into Harvard, Yale and six other prestigious universities by sending in a blank sheet of paper in response to the college essay prompt “Define courage”? The student simply wrote at the top of the otherwise empty page: “This is what courage means to me.” 
Feeling tempted to pull such a stunt? Well, don’t. That’s the stuff of urban legends. With the right attitude and preparation, you won’t need to resort to such risky endeavors anyway.
Here are some tips to make your essay shine:
--Remember your reader, Mr. and Ms. Admissions Officer
Before you think about how to approach your subject, you need to consider (translate: take pity on) your reader. During the busy admissions season, these employees spend nearly all day and night reading college essays. After a while, the writing starts to sound the same. It can seem as if everyone wants to make the world a better place. Your job is to stand out from the crowd. But that doesn’t mean making things up or trying to be obnoxiously funny. You need to write an interesting – but also honest and reflective essay.
--Put the essay in its place
Keep in mind that the admissions officers who read your essay will be looking at your whole application package. So rather than repeating information about what you’ve done – the admissions board can get that from your list of activities – show them who you are. The essay is your chance...

We get dozens of calls every day around the country for students looking for help with the ASVAB.  With the current job market, we are seeing a lot of young people trying to...

College Admissions:  Simplified
There are several college admissions myths which should be exposed before you apply. These myths often scare certain students from applying to the best schools. Never limit yourself from applying to top colleges because you believe these things:
(10) Applicants are pre-screened.
Whether using the common application or a school-specific application, college admission offices have enough staff members to read your entire application. After all, you pay an application fee for a reason and colleges want to make sure you get your fair chance. However, if your application is incomplete or missing crucial components (essays, transcripts, or supplements) this might explain why it is rejected, or pre-screened out, before it reaches the full committee.
(9) You must choose your major and stick to it.
When you apply to college, admissions officers know your major is bound to change. In fact, many admissions offices have reported that the majority of their students change their major by the end of their freshman year. Don't worry about choosing your major. Pick a department or major where you have a genuine interest, and be open-minded to changing it once you're enrolled.
(8) You must apply early decision or early action.
Yes, applying early decision or early action shows a student is committed to a particular college. But you do not have to apply early to be accepted, even to top colleges. In fact, if you're deferred in the early decision or early application...

The Common Application - Admissions
The Common Application is geared towards helping a student find and apply to universities online. Currently they have over 300 colleges and universities to apply to including Ivy League schools such as Yale, Harvard, Cornell, Princeton and others. In order for a college or university to become a member of the Common Application, they have to meet certain criteria. Some of those criteria include offering undergraduate degrees, maintaining non-profit status, and being in good standing with NACAC (National Association for College Admissions). The college or university must be accredited. A major requirement is that they must include all of the following in their admission process and evaluation:
 

An untimed graded paper or essay of at least 250 words.
A college recommendation from a school teacher or counselor. This can be a letter or on a form that allows for a lot of personal comments and remarks.
Have a process that allows for student diversity.

Before you start, however, be sure that your computer meets their specifications or you will run into trouble. You must be using IE 5.0 or greater or one of the following browsers - Safari, Firefox or Netscape 8. In addition, your browser must be java enabled.
Now that you know the technical requirements, let's look at how to fill out the...

Admissions Experts
One question we are sometimes asked is, why should I use an admissions expert?
Of course we could answer this question by giving you statistics, like 95% of our Ivy League graduates were accepted into an Ivy League school. Or, we could tell you that 100% of those who used our admissions experts were accepted into one of their top choices for colleges. We could give you all kinds of stats that prove the value of using an expert over applying yourself.
Instead though, let’s talk about some of the other reasons you should consider using an admissions expert.

Experience at Work for You – When you use an admissions expert you get experienced admissions consultants on your side. This experience alone will help you to ensure that your application stands out from the other ten thousand applications your choice of college receives this year.
In-depth Student Analysis – An admissions expert doesn’t just look at your application. They can provide...

How Top Test Prep Helps Students Applying to Private Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools
Let’s face it; the prospect of applying to a new school is often daunting. Whether it’s a private school, an undergraduate college, or a graduate school, both parents and children alike often worry when faced with the task. For parents their child’s acceptance can mean the difference between a prosperous future for their child or a rocky start. For the student, being scrutinized by their own academics and community activities is both uncomfortable and worrisome while they wait for the acceptance letter. The prospect at hand is daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
The admissions experts at Top Test Prep can help with every aspect of the application process. Right from high school planning, through to receiving that sought-after acceptance letter their...

The Admissions Essay - Common Applications and More
The admission essay is an important part of any college application. Some schools do give more weight to the essay than others, but all admissions officers do base their decision off of the essay to some degree. Even if you have a high GPA, the essay provides an easy way for you to distinguish yourself from the other thousand applicants who have similar grades and activities listed on their application. Ensuring you write an admissions essay that works will help to increase your chances of being accepted.
To help you out, we have put together this easy list of do’s and don’ts for writing your admission essay. Following this simple list will help to ensure that you to get it right the first time.
Things to Do when Writing Your Admissions Essay
There are a few simple ideas you can use to help you get the essay right on your first attempt. Here are four things you should do:
·         Brainstorm for ideas before you write. Choose the idea that best fits you, and on a topic that you feel will be unique to the other...

Choosing a College
Choosing a college can truly be a daunting task. With close to 5,000 traditional colleges and universities across the country, there are a lot of choices. When choosing a college there are a few things that you can consider to make the process go smoothly and reduce the stress of the whole process.
To begin with, make a list of potential colleges. The big list should include every college that you might be willing to attend. Once you have a list, narrow it down by taking the time to consider all of the following.
1.    Location – Does the location of the school matter to you? If so consider whether or not each college on your list fits your needs.
2.    Degree Programs – Obviously degree programs matter. In this case you don’t just want to look at undergraduate degrees. If you did decide to further your education with a Masters or a Doctorate, does the school...

College Admissions: Made Simple
When it comes to applying for college your application is a major component to getting accepted. Your grades and academic history obviously factor into the equation, but since the application itself is what the admissions officers see first, caution must be taken to ensure you get it right the first time.
Luckily ensuring your application is everything it should be isn’t difficult. To help you get started we have put together this guide to 10 things to check before you submit any college application or common application.
Before you Submit
1.    Follow Directions Carefully – One of the most common errors applicants make is simply not following the directions on the application. As you begin filling out your app, be sure that you follow the directions thoroughly.
2.    Write Legibly (if you handwrite) – The first thing that will be noticed is the way that you write. If your handwriting tends to be messy, try printing, or even type the document(s) on a computer. The application...

It's admission season! Now, the choice is yours; how do you finally decide which school you want to go to? You wrote the essays, filled in the applications, got your letters of recommendation and transcripts; you visited, toured, interviewed and researched. And now it's the big moment; you have to choose just one school.So how do you know? Well, first of all, this is a big decision - but it's not the kind of big decision that's totally irreversible. If you do end up choosing a school that isn't a fit, you can always transfer later. While transferring isn't ideal, it's also not the end of the world; thousands of students do it every year. So do your best to make a good choice, but don't stress too hard about it.Second, remember that this isn't a fairy tale; you'll probably do just great at whichever school you choose! There isn't a one-and-only right choice here; you probably have a bunch of right choices, and wherever you go, you're looking at four years of fun and...