By Kim Duckworth · By Kim Duckworth . Your Bridge to Academic Success ©Scottsdale Education Center 2015 Introduction • Kim Duckworth ... • Update resume • Start to focus on

Your Bridge to Academic Success

©Scottsdale Education Center 2015

By Kim Duckworth



Introduction

• Kim Duckworth

• Owner, Scottsdale Education Center and College Coach

• 3 Daughters

• SEC- Provides academic Services to over 1300 students annually

• High School – College Preparatory focus

• 16 years, 35 tutors

• College Coach – Stanford, Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Barrett Honors College, USC, UCLA, Cal, Penn, etc.



Agenda

• Think like a Director of Admissions

• GPA vs test scores vs non-academic profile

• The application

– Common Application

– Consistency of story- Positioning

– Essay, Essay, Essay

– Timing – ED vs. EA vs. Regular

• Common Mistakes Students/Parents Make

• Questions



College Director of Admissions

• 1,000s of applications

• Ensure success – “Greatest indicator of success in college is evidenced success in rigorous classes in high school” GPA

• Create Diverse Community

• Leaders- DO something to improve the community. “Not just walk on water but freeze it so others can walk with you”

• Academic Curiosity- What did you do outside of the classroom to demonstrate academic vitality?

• Genuine/Fit

• Community Outreach

• Sustained, Demonstrated passion – elite schools

• Donate to University after Graduation



Factors for Admission-GPA vs. test scores

vs non academic profile

• GPA and Rigor of Study RULES…….except in talent based schools for arts, theatre, music….then it is audition/portfolio

– “GPA and Rigor of study - First thing but not only thing they look at”

• STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES plus SAT Subject Tests (if required) – Juniors – Special -Transition year for SAT- Three admission test options

• OLD SAT through January/NEW SAT starting in March/ACT for Juniors 2015/2016

• If in ALG2 now may want to consider NEW SAT or ACT due to math core knowledge issues

• Over the past 5 years more students in US have taken the ACT than the SAT

– Elite schools may have Subject test requirements – two or three- often Math and Science – can be Department specific

• May want to take after specific AP class when topic ready even if not a junior/senior

• Can be used for admissions, class placement or as a data point



Factors for Admission-GPA vs. test scores

vs non academic profile

• Residency – University of California System – 1 to 6% Out of State- except Berkeley (21%),

UCLA (19%), Merced (Wiche Wue)

– California State Schools- 1 to 3 % - Out of State

– USC -43%, Georgetown – 99%, Notre Dame- 93%, USD- 42%, USF- 25%

• Leadership

• Application Essay – YOUR STORY – only YOU can write

• Legacy





Freshman Year

• Get great grades

• Visit colleges

• Explore interests

– Sports, chess, debate, music, etc.

• Take PSAT/PLAN

• Do something amazing with your summer

• Start to become proficient at something

• Resume





















Sophomore Year

• Get great grades – stretch yourself

• Take PSAT/PLAN

– 3 to 4 hour testing

• Continue to visit colleges

• Take AP tests in May or SAT Subject tests (if applicable)

• Update resume

• Start to focus on what makes your heart fly…if unknown keep

exploring

• Start to develop leadership profile

• Think about certifications

• Do something double amazing with your summer



Junior Year

• Yikes….Hardest year

• Get great grades in rigorous classes

• Visit schools and start defining list of attributes you want for

college …needs to have, nice to have, deal breakers

• Start test prep for PSAT/SAT/ACT

• Lead/Create something

• Take PSAT and SAT or ACT twice in your Jr. Year

• Start to know who you are and what you are good at

• Register for NCAA Clearinghouse if athlete

• Triple amazing Summer





Senior Year

• GRADES STILL COUNT

• Take ACT/SAT/Subject tests AGAIN ……if needed

• Complete applications

– Essay is important…don’t plan on writing/completing it in one night

– Three words……you, best friend, parent, sibling

– Have parent review

– Have English teacher review

– Who are you? Your voice. Opening line examples

• Get letters of recommendation completed early

• Consider Early Admissions/ Early Acceptance deadlines

• Observe Scholarship and Financial Aid deadlines

• Mid-term reports are often required

• Senioritis- Not allowed





Essay Wisdom- WHO ARE YOU?

– Demonstrate…..don’t just tell

• I love nature vs “In high school I slept over 325 days in a tent”

• I want to help people vs “Last summer I drove over 300 miles delivering meals to senior citizens in Guatemala”

– Dimension….something you don’t see anywhere else in the application – Was there an epiphany moment?

– Don’t be fluffy …..too big picture …be specific

• High heeled shoes …Columbia

• Shoe laces …University of Colorado

• Peacock with wire rimmed glasses…..Columbia

• Science Olympiad competition experiment…..Yale

– Be genuine...use your voice…..but not too informal

– Don’t try to write what you think they want to hear

– Answer the prompt



• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful

they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like

you, then please share your story.

• The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an

incident or time when you experienced the failure. How did it affect you, and what

did you learn from the experience?

• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?

Would you make the same decision again?

• Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an

intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of

personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what

steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your

transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Common App Essay Questions



Application Wisdom –Common

Mistakes Students Make

• Spell check …and read out loud to someone – The Barrett Story

• Don’t repeat yourself

• Don’t write a one-size-fits-all essay for supplements

• READ DIRECTIONS….and FOLLOW THEM….. 650 means 650

• Don’t skip “optional” essays

• Read “recommended” as “required”

• Don’t wait until the last minute to hit submit or miss a deadline

• Quality over Quantity with extra curricular activities

• Check College requirements….especially Foreign Language/Science

• MAKE SURE YOUR APPLICATION TELLS A CONSISTENT STORY

- If pre-med, then……

- If communications major, then……

• You take the lead ….not parents

• Don’t underestimate who you are or what you have done.



Mistakes Parents Often Make

• Don’t Forget to Breathe - They will get to college-

Don’t project your fears – They have enough of their

own

• Don’t be afraid to talk about financial parameters

• Do not….repeat….Do not write the essay for them

• Keep updated on timeliness but resist

helicoptering… “Trust but verify”



Parents

• Help them visit schools and help them think

about what they really need/want

• Help them see themselves as others see them

– Gracious and humble mixed with a touch of

BOLD

– 3 words

• Help them remember they are more than just a

number …..more than GPA and test score



Finally

• Research, Research, Research

• Know Deadlines – They are earlier than you think

• Put your best foot forward – the first time

• Be prepared



GO ! GO! GO!

Go ! Go! Go!

Kim Duckworth

[email protected]

www.sectutoring.com

480 538-0828

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.sectutoring.com/















Documents

By Kim Duckworth · By Kim Duckworth . Your Bridge to Academic Success ©Scottsdale Education Center 2015 Introduction • Kim Duckworth ... • Update resume • Start to focus on