Writing the College Essay

Here is a link to one admissions officer's advice on writing the college application essay.

Writing the Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert

The best essays are crafted not from a formula for success but by a voice that is practiced. Those who are willing to take a risk, to focus on that part of the world that matters to them and to show the passion and the practice it takes to write about it well, will help their chances of admission through their essay.

Included are short excerpts of bad, good and risky writing.  Take a look and then think about your own essay drafts!

Whittier College

I thought I'd try and highlight some of the smaller private liberal colleges here in California from time to time.  One such college is Whittier College, in the city of Whittier.  It is a four-year residential college with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1300 students.  Tuition runs about $35,000 and there are scholarships and financial aid available.  According to Cappex's profile of the school, their admit rate is about 72%, with the middle 50% SAT verbal scores ranging between 470-580 and SAT math between 470-590.  ACT composite scores range between 19-25 for the middle 50%.  They are a member of the Common App and the fee to apply is $50.

To help facilitate a smooth transition to college life they have what they call LLCs:

Entering Whittier College, all first-year students are assigned to a Living-Learning Community (LLC) in one of three designated residence halls: Johnson, Stauffer, or Ball Hall. Typically, an LLC will consist of about 15 students who, as a group, live together as roommates and/or in rooms in close proximity, and are co-enrolled in two classes together: a Freshman Writing Seminar (FWS) and another "linked" course. The purpose of the LLC is to engender an immediate connection between smaller groups of entering students to ease the transition to college life, beginning with a common academic grounding and growing to include social activities and events.

If you have a school you would like to see profiled here let me know!

More Tuition Increases for UC/CSU schools?

I was reading the Ventura County Star this morning and happened upon this article: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jul/10/tuition-may-go-up-again-at-state-universities/

CSU is considering raising fall 2011 tuition by 12 percent — an additional $588 a year. The board of trustees will vote on the proposal Tuesday. If the increase is approved, annual tuition will be $5,472, not including fees or room and board.

UC could raise tuition for this fall by 9.6 percent — an additional $1,068 a year. That would boost annual tuition to $12,192, not including fees or room and board. The UC board of regents is set to vote on the increase Thursday.

 Both of these state options are still inexpensive relative to many private colleges and universities, but to see the UC tuition over $12,000 is sobering.

A reminder that the UC system has the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan for low-income families.  You can read more about that here: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/financial-aid/grants/blue-gold/index.html.

UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan will cover your educational and student services fees if you are a California resident whose family earns less than $80,000 a year and you qualify for financial aid — and that's just for starters. Blue + Gold students with sufficient financial need can qualify for even more grant aid to help reduce the cost of attending.