Recommendations:
This part is pretty simple I think. Ask teachers with whom you have a good relationship, ones that hopefully have something more to write than: “Sally was a great kid in my class and always got good grades and helped others.” Also pick teachers that write well. As I said before, you’re being judged on the content of these words. In all honesty, the teacher recommendation is probably not going to have a major effect on the strength of your application, but it still does merit your attention. And don’t forget that your guidance counselor also submits a recommendation for you. You may want to ask him/her to include in that letter anything special about your high school circumstances (scheduling difficulties that prevented you from taking four years of language, special school awards you didn’t have space for on the application, etc.) Also, I think it’s a good idea to ask one math/science teacher and one humanities teacher, probably from your junior year in high school. The balancing of subjects shows that you’re well-rounded, and is even required by some schools such as MIT. And junior teachers have had you more recently and in general for more advanced classes.
Finally, please take the time to thank the teachers that wrote recommendations for you, ideally with something more personal than just an email.
Interview:
There is nothing that I could say here that hasn’t already been said by someone else on College Confidential. I know for a fact that there are entire consolidated threads devoted to tips on the subject, so I really won’t say anymore here. Just be prepared to answer some friendly questions (though some really are thought-provoking) and demonstrate why you want to go that school. Also, if possible, have some questions ready for the interviewer about the school, you don’t want the interview to be entirely one sided! For the large majority of people, the interview really isn’t going to swing your application one way or another. You’ll probably have a nice conversation with an alumnus in a coffee shot, very low-key and informal, really nothing to worry about. Of course, do take care to avoid being in the small group of applicants for which the interview is a negative on their application…
This part is pretty simple I think. Ask teachers with whom you have a good relationship, ones that hopefully have something more to write than: “Sally was a great kid in my class and always got good grades and helped others.” Also pick teachers that write well. As I said before, you’re being judged on the content of these words. In all honesty, the teacher recommendation is probably not going to have a major effect on the strength of your application, but it still does merit your attention. And don’t forget that your guidance counselor also submits a recommendation for you. You may want to ask him/her to include in that letter anything special about your high school circumstances (scheduling difficulties that prevented you from taking four years of language, special school awards you didn’t have space for on the application, etc.) Also, I think it’s a good idea to ask one math/science teacher and one humanities teacher, probably from your junior year in high school. The balancing of subjects shows that you’re well-rounded, and is even required by some schools such as MIT. And junior teachers have had you more recently and in general for more advanced classes.
Finally, please take the time to thank the teachers that wrote recommendations for you, ideally with something more personal than just an email.
Interview:
There is nothing that I could say here that hasn’t already been said by someone else on College Confidential. I know for a fact that there are entire consolidated threads devoted to tips on the subject, so I really won’t say anymore here. Just be prepared to answer some friendly questions (though some really are thought-provoking) and demonstrate why you want to go that school. Also, if possible, have some questions ready for the interviewer about the school, you don’t want the interview to be entirely one sided! For the large majority of people, the interview really isn’t going to swing your application one way or another. You’ll probably have a nice conversation with an alumnus in a coffee shot, very low-key and informal, really nothing to worry about. Of course, do take care to avoid being in the small group of applicants for which the interview is a negative on their application…
No comments:
Post a Comment