Jeannie's FYI College Admission Blog

Unusual Essay Prompts

jeanniesfyi — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:06:30 +0000

Universities across the country are releasing creative essay prompts. Students are encouraged to think critically and write on topics that are unique.

Here are a few samples of unusual prompts;

1. How do you feel about Wednesday? (University of Chicago, 2002)

2. What outrages you? (Wake Forest, 2009)

3. Write a haiku, limerick, or short poem that best represents you. (NYU, 2009)

4. In the year 2050, a movie is being made of your life. Please tell us the name of your movie and briefly summarize the story line. (NYU, 2009)

5. What is college for? (Hampshire College, 2009)

6. Are we alone? (Tufts, 2009)

7. Make a bold prediction about something in the year 2020 that no one else has made a bold prediction about. (University of Virginia, 1999)

8. Write a short story using one of the following titles: a.) House of Cards, b.)The Poor Sport, c.) Drama at the Prom, d.) Election Night, 2044, e.) The Getaway. (Tufts, 2009)

9. How did you get caught? (Or not caught, as the case may be.) (Chicago, 2009)

10. You have just completed your 300-page autobiography. Please submit Page 217. (UPenn, 2009)

Tips on Narrowing Your College List

jeanniesfyi — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:09:12 +0000

By now perhaps you have completed lots of college research, conducted visits and have a college list that may be too long. Below is a list of things you should consider during your college search and criteria to review that will assist you in narrowing your list

Academic Programs: After you explore the various programs, focus on the ones of most interest. Look at faculty, course offerings, special events and opportunities. Communicate with existing students or graduates. Choose a program that is comfortable for you academically. A challenging curriculum is good but you want to make sure you have a healthy academic and social balance.

Class size, online courses and teachers: Larger universities often have great numbers in lecture courses plus various sections taught by teacher assistants (TA’s) who may be grading you. If you prefer smaller classes where professors are teaching, you may want to select a smaller college. Large and small colleges offer online courses. If you do this, you’ll have to discipline yourself and realize your interaction with others may be limited. Online courses can give a motivated student more flexibility.

The Campus: Know what types of facilities are important to you. Are state of the art computer labs a priority? What about research opportunities, science labs or art studios? If you are a musician, what is the orchestra like and how good is the equipment? Be careful on websites or if visiting as colleges will market their schools and show you the best. Ask lots of questions and explore. Focus on the amenities that really matter to you.

Types of Diversity: Colleges generally list information about their diverse populations on their websites. This would include, ethnicity, geographic, religious, socio-economic, first generation and academic diversities. If these are important factors to you, do the homework and learn about the population at colleges

Paying for College: There are many ways to get money for college whether from the college itself, the government or private corporations. Colleges may offer scholarships where no application is offered. You can check by contacting the financial aid office of the institution or calling them. Do not worry about the money prior to applying. If you are interested in that college, do apply, as you may not know what money you can obtain until after you are admitted.

The Dorms: Learn about the housing at colleges. How many years are you required to live on campus? What kind of facilities do the dorms have? Where are the dorms in relationship to classes? Learn if housing at that college is guaranteed. Some colleges have specialized dorms that focus on culture, special needs or language. If the Greek system is important to you, check out fraternities and sororities.

Counseling & Health Services: It may be important for you to have backup should you incur any difficulties. Is tutoring available? What if you are homesick or having difficulty adjusting? You should have counselors that can assist you. Health programs vary at colleges and the fee may be attached to your tuition. You may need to be your own advocate at larger universities. Smaller colleges may have a more available support staff.

Retention Rate: A good question on visits or at college fairs is to ask what their retention rate is. What percentage of students who begin as freshmen graduate from that college?

Best of luck and get in touch with any additional questions:

info@college-connections.com

More On Writing College Essays

jeanniesfyi — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:49:44 +0000

Many students seem to hit a wall and claim writer’s block when it comes to writing their college essays. For many, this is a new style of writing and something that is not learned in high school. Most students are told not to write in the first person and written assignments are generally three to five pages long. College essays are first person, self- reflective and have limited word or character count. So, naturally students feel doubt and need support and guidance.

Colleges do not want students to feel the stress, but merely want them to reveal more information about themselves. In that way, the college admission officers can gain more insight. The most difficult thing admission officers face is measuring the student’s character. The essay is a way to let them know who you are.

The essay is an opportunity for the student to stand out and tell their unique story. Simple slice of life stories are often the most compelling. It’s important for students to discuss their passions, how they have applied what they have learned and what they hope to accomplish.

It’s essential to start early. Perhaps making some journal entries, doing some free writing or brainstorming topic ideas may help begin the writing process. Students should use their voice and not try to impress by using multi-syllabic words they would not use in conversation. If students do choose to write about something from their activity resume, they need to go into depth and present a new angle. Don’t repeat what admission officers have already seen. Share your essay with someone whether parent, counselor or friend. Additional input can be valuable. Do read some sample essays but do not use any topic from previous years, originality is key. Try to enjoy writing and include your sense of humor. Admission officers like to see a social and academic balance. They need to know you can adapt well, live with people and be a team player on campus. Make editing the last stop before your final draft. Do not repeat what is elsewhere on the application. Continually present different sides of yourself and demonstrate depth and continuity.

For additional tips and guidance contact: info@college-connections.com

Visit us at: www.college-connections.com

Top 10 things Families Should Pay Attention To In The Application Process

jeanniesfyi — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:46:21 +0000

2. Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend. Don’t give up; keep doing your best. Slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all As in less challenging courses.

3. Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT). These should be consistent with high school performance. Pick one of these tests, prepare for it and get a score that accurately reflects your ability. A good score can help you qualify for scholarships too.

4. Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative. Depth, not breadth, of experience is most important. Quality not quantity!

5. Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselor that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character traits, and an interest in learning. Give your teachers time to write good letters for you. Make it easy for them to help you. They’re very busy! Respect their time. Request that they serve as a reference at least six weeks before the recommendation is due. Provide them with information about your accomplishments so they can include specific information in your letter.

6. A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values and goals. The application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal. It should demonstrate careful and well-constructed writing. If a college requires an essay you can be sure they’re going to use it in their admissions decisions. Your essay is your last chance to show your value to the college.

7. Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting and well-rounded student body. Colleges are less interested in well-rounded students and more interested in students who are outstanding in one or two things. Actually, colleges prefer ‘pointy’ students to ‘well-rounded’ students.

8. Demonstrated leadership in activities. Colleges want people who will arrive prepared and willing to take leadership of student activities and events.

9. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity through reading, school and leisure pursuits, and more. Let them know about books you’re reading, concerts or art exhibits you’re attending, lectures you’ve gone to in the community. Public libraries are great places to find these opportunities.

10. Demonstrated enthusiasm, often exhibited by campus visits and an interview, showing an interest toward attending the college. Some ways you can show the college that you’re interested in them even if you can’t visit campus: find out who your admissions counselor is and call and email him/her with questions you have, check their website frequently and tell them about activities on campus that sound exciting to you, let them know about any new accomplishments you’ve achieved since you sent in your application.

This list researched and compiled by myself along with colleagues from the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)

Distance Counseling Works

jeanniesfyi — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:27:34 +0000

By Jeannie Borin M.Ed.

Isn’t it true that when admission officers evaluate student applications they

really don’t know the students applying to their universities? Other than an

interview that some colleges offer, acceptance decisions are based on

transcripts and recommendations, but more importantly, a written

document that is generally submitted online, the college application.

In order for students to portray themselves in the best light, their GPA’s,

test scores, resumes, essays and recommendations must paint the best

possible picture. College Connections works with students and families

nationally and internationally. We have counselors based in various cities

in the U.S. and do see students face to face when possible. However, the

demand for college admissions guidance is so widespread that to

accommodate more students, distance counseling is necessary.

Our college experts guide students through their admissions process on

the telephone, through email, via fax and use Skype. Online learning and

education is successful and growing rapidly. Students are at ease with the

distance format. Between personal web pages, social media, texts and

emails, online communication is a comfort zone for most people and many

students prefer communicating online.

Electronic communication is the way:

• Most university applications continue to go paperless within the next

few years

• Online college applications, passwords, pin numbers, and secret

questions to login are standard.

• Numerous professors post assignments, readings, lectures and

syllabi online

• Colleges send out admission decisions online and high schools are

using programs where students receive online reports

• Face to face college counseling meetings are generally conducted in

front of a computer.

It is likely that college applications will become even more distinct in the

coming years. Video uploads are now a recent addition to college

applications and some colleges conduct interviews via Skype. Our college

consultants guide our students to present applications that are unique,

simultaneously exploring creative possibilities in photo uploads, displaying

computer graphic skills, musical backgrounds and links to personal pages.

Many of our high school, transfer and graduate students have such busy

schedules, that they prefer connecting with their College Connections

counselor online rather than face to face. Amid homework, jobs, athletic

activities and other extracurriculars, students generally like communicating

with their questions and input online.

By the time our students submit their college applications, our counselors

have a strong feeling for who they are having worked with them to extract

their strengths. If our college counselors can get a clear, honest and

accurate picture of our students from their college applications

without face to face meetings, then it is likely that admissions officers will as well.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS STRATEGY

jeanniesfyi — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:44:02 +0000

With the number of college applications on the rise and acceptance rates on the decline, gaining admission to selective universities is becoming increasingly competitive. Many families feel the stress of the college process with some universities accepting fewer than 7%.

Those applying to selective colleges need as much guidance as possible.

It’s important to remember that admission officers read thousands of

applications and are impressed with those students that can differentiate

themselves from the crowd

Here’s how to stand out on your apps:

Although a challenging curriculum, strong GPA and stellar test scores (for

schools that require test scores) are essential, other sections of the college

application are increasingly important.

- Select essay topics that are unique. Present yourself as a diversified individual. Do not repeat what is elsewhere on your application. The essay is an opportunity to let admission officers know another side of you. Make sure your writing is character driven. Find a “slice of life” story that belongs just to you. Topics can be as simple as a family meal, your part time job or about a distinctive hobby. Steer clear of typical topics such as family trips, a sick relative or a community service project.

- Many colleges ask the “Why?” question – Why are you a good match for that college. Make sure that short essay is about you and not the university. After all, they know about their college. Admission officers want to learn as much about you as possible. Research specifics about the college that cannot be found anywhere else and connect these details to your interests.

- Show that you have initiated groups, organizations and programs in your hometown. Take action in your community. It’s not necessary to participate in expensive abroad programs and rebuild neighborhoods in third world countries

- Learn the different ways to apply to the colleges on your list whether it is an Early Decision Plan or Rolling Admissions. You may be at an advantage if you apply early. If you do apply to a binding Early Decision Program, do visit the college first to make sure it is the one for you.

- Be careful what you post online. With social media so prevalent, it is easy for admission officers to learn things about you on the Internet. If you don’t want information you post on the front of a national newspaper, then don’t put it online. Do post interesting things about yourself. Artists can post portfolio items and musicians use You Tube. URL’s are not difficult to create. Even science projects are fun to put online.

- Keep a detailed timeline calendar during your college process and pace yourself. Summer is a great time to write your college essays and get a jump-start on your process. The Common Application, which now hosts over 400 colleges, will be launched online on August 1^st. You could finalize your resume and several required essays prior to the start of school in the fall. Getting an early start assures you of completing careful and well thought out applications

Los Angeles Magazine 2010 California College Guide

jeanniesfyi — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:56:09 +0000

“GET-TING”

Getting into the college you want is a two- or three-year journey that

requires self-reflection, research, consistent action, and making careful,

informed choices. You can’t do this alone, and you don’t have to. Whether

you’re at the beginning of this adventure or close to the end, here three

experts in college admissions from the Los Angeles area offer their

wisdom and advice for reaching a successful outcome.

Know Yourself

Before you even think about colleges, take time to identify your

strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, and preferences. “We

spend a lot of time with our 10th graders helping them to know

themselves, which isn’t easy for teenagers,” says Canh Oxelson,

upper school dean of college admissions at Harvard-Westlake

School. “The better they know themselves, the easier it will be to come up with

a list of schools that will be a good match.” Do you need a lot of

one-on-one time with teachers? Then UCLA might not be for you. Do you

love playing football? At a smaller college you might start, but at USC

you might never see the light of day, says Oxelson. “But then again, it

might be important for a student to be part of that USC tradition.

Maybe you already know that your learning style is best suited to

a small classroom environment,” he says, “or that you’re fine with

being anonymous in a 250-person lecture hall.” These preferences

should all play a part in finding the right college for you.

Do Extracurricular Activities That You Like

College admissions officers look at the whole picture of a student’s

life, and extracurricular activities give them a glimpse into who you

are. Some kids try to pick an activity they think will be attractive

to those officers, but this is a mistake, says Oxelson. “If you pick

an activity you really want to do, you’re more likely to distinguish

yourself than if you choose one because you’ve heard that’s what

your neighbor is doing.”

“We’re not looking for a long laundry list of experiences,” says

Rosa Pimentel, associate director of undergraduate admissions at

UCLA, “but we do look at a few experiences over time that show

some development, show where they started demonstrating

some leadership.” Whether it’s starting a singing club or working

at a homeless shelter, choose an activity that is fun and interesting,

and that you can stick with for a year or more.

“It’s impressive when you can stay focused,” says Jeannie Borin, M.Ed., President and

founder of College Connections (www.college-connections.com), a consulting service

in Los Angeles. One of Borin’s clients, a teenage girl who liked photography,

also had an interest in doing community service. Borin suggested she exhibit

her photography in a school, then donate the money from the sales of the photos

to a local charity. “This way she was connecting her interests with

the community,” says Borin.

Be Smart About AP Courses

Taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses will look good on your

record, but be realistic about whether or not you can do well in them.

“There are students who can handle one advanced class, but not

four or five,” says Oxelson. “We want students to make a choice

based on what they can reasonably handle. This is different for every

kid and every subject area.”

“The number one criterion colleges look for is a challenging

curriculum,” says Borin. “But I don’t recommend taking an AP

class if a student can’t do well. Sometimes, regular or honors

courses can have a more inspiring curriculum and can include more

problem solving and inquiry.”

Still, there can be a great sense of achievement in doing well in an

advanced class. “Advanced Placement classes challenge students,

and can make them feel good about themselves,” says Pimentel.

“Some students worry about protecting their grade point average,

and to a degree that’s important. But most colleges and universities

are not going to look only at AP courses, but other factors, too.”

Take the SAT or ACT More Than Once

In order to become familiar with the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)

or ACT (American College Testing), plan on taking it several times,

suggests Pimentel. Doing this will help reduce the stress and anxiety

most students feel about it.

Formally preparing for the test is a good idea, too. “You wouldn’t

show up at a marathon without practice,” Borin points out. But, she

adds, if you employ a tutoring company, choose wisely. “You want a

company that uses actual test questions and where the tutors have

firsthand experience in taking the tests themselves,” she says.

“Ninety percent of our kids do some kind of test prep,” says

Oxelson. “We advise students to take the test more than once,

depending on how they do, and how well their scores work with

schools they want to get into.”

Remember, test scores aren’t everything. In fact, many colleges

have decided to make them optional, and their admissions directors

focus instead on essays and extracurricular activities.

Assemble Your List

Once you’ve toured and researched lots of colleges, it’s time to narrow the list. Don’t

assume that the bigger colleges and universities are the best options

for you. “Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA, and USC are competitive

and selective,” says Borin. “But there are smaller private schools in California

that are fantastic and that families might not know as much about,

such as Chapman, Occidental, LMU, and Pepperdine.”

How many colleges should you apply to? “We recommend

applying to eight to twelve, if chosen wisely,” says Oxelson. Once

you begin the application process, stay on top of gathering the

necessary pieces. Every college and university has different

requirements—be sure you are clear about what, where, and when to

send in all the parts of your applications. “Don’t miss those details,”

advises Pimentel. “Find out exactly what the requirements are.”

Parents: Stay on the Sidelines

The whole family should be part of the college application process,

but parents need to understand how to be most helpful. “Parents

can assist in planning college visits and in preparing the packets for the

applications,” says Borin. “They can find out when college reps will be

in the area so the student can go meet with them.” Parents should

never call admissions offices, nor should they fill out applications for

students or write their essays, says Borin.

“You never want the parent to be more memorable than the

child,” says Oxelson. This will happen if the parent asks all the

questions on the tours, he says. “It’s like watching your child play

soccer. You can bring your child to all the practices, provide the

orange slices, and run up and down the sidelines, but you can’t go

onto the field of play.” And, he adds: “If you get too involved, kids

can resent it.”

The parent’s role is not to push the student toward one college

or another, but to be supportive and encouraging in this important

process. “This is your child’s last year at home,” Borin says. “Make

it a positive experience.”

By Nicole Gregory

Academic Portfolio Booster and Homeschooling Program Helps College-Bound Students

jeanniesfyi — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:18:13 +0000

Are you a college-bound student who needs to improve and boost your academic portfolio / transcript? Your college counselor has been advising you to take some of the more challenging classes at school, but you can’t seem to fit them into your schedule.

Or maybe you have a class or two that you’ve taken in the past that you didn’t perform as well in, and you don’t want a college admissions director to hold that grade against you. It doesn’t represent your true academic ability.

Perhaps there is a required class, maybe in math or the sciences, which you’d rather take during the summer or on your own during the school year at your own pace? You know you can do well, but not as well as if you try to fit it in with all your other classes, extracurricular activities, and community service commitments that you have going on. It might be better if you started it as soon as things slow down, but you can’t just join the class in the middle of the semester.

The College Connections Academic Portfolio Booster Program is a unique, virtual or face to face home school tutoring program for college-bound students who wish to boost their academic portfolios / transcripts by:

Taking impressive supplemental high school classes

Retaking unsuccessful classes from the past

Completing required high school classes on their own and at their own pace

Unlike other tutoring programs, The College Connections Academic Portfolio Booster Program is designed to improve and boost a student’s academic portfolio and support their college admissions strategy. If you’re a college-bound student, here is how this program can really help:

You can take any of over 80 high school courses through accredited online virtual high schools—courses that have flexible start and end dates, fit your schedule and also your learning style.

All of these high school courses are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). All Advanced Placement courses are approved by the College Board. And all courses and diplomas have been reviewed and approved by the NCAA, and the high schools have been approved as online providers by UC “a-g”. All classes also meet or exceed California and national standards.

You need to get approval from your high school counselor or administrator to verify that you will receive credit

You can finish high school at a quicker pace, sooner than you ever thought. With this program, you don’t have to wait for the next semester to begin a class. You can begin any time of year or now, if you want. Nothing is holding you back!

You can retake unsuccessful classes from the past and improve your performance, resulting in an improved academic portfolio / transcript.

You can take Advanced Placement classes at a flexible pace or take classes not offered at your school.

You can receive individualized support and guidance to help you achieve your academic goals. You’ll receive customized help from specialized experts / Master Tutors with proven success in helping students excel in even the most challenging courses.

If you have a learning disability, you will be able to identify skills and concepts that you’re missing. You will learn one-on-one, resulting in speedier and lasting progress.

Receive comprehensive tutoring based on your academic needs and goals, no matter where you are in your studies. Relatable, relaxed, and results-proven learning environment.

Flexible 7-day a week daytime or evening scheduling and capability of working in a fun, innovative, and convenient virtual learning environment.

Here are some of the courses you can take: Algebra I, Algebra II, AP Calculus A/B/C, Geometry A/B, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics A/B, AP Language and Composition A/B , AP Literature and Composition A/B, World Literature, American Literature, British Literature, English 9, Spanish (1, 2, or 3), English 9 A/B, U.S. History, World History, AP U.S. History, and other core and elective classes.

We offer four (4) different options for completing a course. (*Note: Students can complete a semester of a course in as few as four (4) weeks or as many as 16, depending on your desired pacing.)

By College Connections Senior Educational Consultants

College Connections Senior Educational Consultants offer accelerated learning / tutoring programs and services that specialize in improving a student’s academic portfolio to rapidly enhance their college admission strategy.

Determine areas on your transcripts to improve and learn more about The Academic Portfolio Booster Program!

Contact us:

College Connections

866.348.3393

info@college-connections.com

www.college-connections.com

How to Write Your Common App Essays & What to Avoid

jeanniesfyi — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:31:49 +0000

The Common Application essay prompts are available (see below) and have not changed since last year. Although the 2010-11 application does not launch online until August 1^st, you can begin writing your essays and should. Your essays will bring authenticity to your application and allow the admission officers to learn who you are. You need to make sure this happens. So just how should you start writing your essays?

Here are some suggestions we recommend to help you write essays where you can stand out:

- Brainstorm possible topics – this could be absolutely anything – Slice of life stories can be very appealing and just as noteworthy if the writing is exceptional. It’s not necessary to write about some major event or achievement. Keep a file of life stories and don’t pay attention to any essay prompts just yet. Some of your ideas may integrate later.

- Discuss your ideas with people you know. Listen to suggestions and elaborate on your thoughts. What do others think of your topics? Which ideas are discriminating and distinguish you as a strong applicant at your dream college?

- Don’t rush – pace yourself well so that you have plenty of time to relax and write – Find a comfortable setting where your thoughts and ideas can flourish. Really like what you write about and mean it.

- Once you have completed your “Free Write” go back and look at the specific essay prompts. Some may overlap. Remember that your writing is quality over quantity so no need to write many rough drafts. Connect your topic ideas to the prompts and write a brief outline defining the paragraphs of your essay. This is where you may start to think about your opening “the grabber” and how to sustain interest. Keep track of the required word count.

Once you have your topic ideas and your general outline, you can begin writing out your rough draft. We’ve seen and reviewed countless Common App essays. Below are some things we often see and things you should try and avoid.

- Writing that does not emphasize the writer’s strengths

- Essays that make every effort to portray the writer as “perfect” and just try too hard.

- Essays that don’t reflect the writer’s passion, curiosity and inspirations.

- Contrived transitions that don’t connect

- Narratives that do not engage the reader

- Repeating what is on the activity resume

- Dull openings that quickly lose interest

- Using quotes that don’t connect or add anything to the essay

- Essays that don’t realize the intent of the prompt and don’t answer the questions asked

- Essays that look too much like everyone else’s. Common topics like an experience on a trip, overcoming an obstacle, a relationship with a close relative, winning a sporting event must remain unique with a well-told story.

- Writing what you think admission officers want to read and therefore not your true self – using a thesaurus to impress

- Too much written in the passive voice.

- Not keeping language specific – writing too generally about too many things

- Use of slang or relaxed language

Common App Essay Prompts:

Please brieﬂy elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below or on an attached sheet (150 words or fewer).

250 word minimum – Choose One

􏰁 – Evaluate a signiﬁcant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

􏰂 – Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

􏰃 – Indicate a person who has had a signiﬁcant inﬂuence on you, and describe that inﬂuence.

􏰄 – Describe a character in ﬁction, a historical ﬁgure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an inﬂuence on you, and explain that inﬂuence.

􏰅 – A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

􏰆 – Topic of your choice.

Crafting your essay takes time and lots of thought. Make sure you get the appropriate guidance. Email: info@college-connections.com or call: 866.348.3393 for any additional concerns and questions.

Good luck!!!

Get Your Faculty to Know You

jeanniesfyi — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:00:17 +0000

Our guest blogger today is Lisa Chan, Ph.D, professor and college consultant. You can read more about her here:

http://college-connections.com/counselors.htm

As many of you begin the transition to college or are existing college students, this is valuable advice from a pro!

Students are often told, “Get to know your faculty.” But, I am here to say, “Get your faculty to know you!” Think about it, it’s easy to get to know your faculty. After-all there are probably only a handful of faculty in your department. However, that handful of faculty will come across thousands of students in their career. Soon one student blends into another, and only a few truly stand out. Then again, you may ask “What’s the difference between the two?” It’s a difference in perception, which alone will change the way a conversation is approached.

So, why should you get your faculty to know you? Here are five reasons why and how.

1. How to Use Office hours

“Does my professor really want me to visit during Office Hours? Don’t they want to use that time to grade papers and to work on “other important stuff”? The truth is your professors want you to visit with them! Use this time to further explore a topic related to your course, what you hope to gain from the course or your program of study or to discuss your progress (from the very beginning). This helps your professor gain a better understanding of you outside of your participation in the classroom. Your professors are human, if they feel a connection with you they will go that extra mile to help you succeed in class, and in your overall development.

“What if I can’t make Office Hours?” Set up a mutual-time to meet with your professor. This lets your professor know that you are serious about your education, as you are willing to make time to meet with him/her

2. Active Participation

“I get really nervous speaking out in class. Can’t I just visit during Office Hours and ask all my questions?” No, you should give your voice in class so that other students can benefit from the dialogue. I realize this may be easier said than done. To help you prepare, do your homework ahead of time, think about how you would want your intellect to be stretched: How might a certain concept apply in certain situations, where can you read further on a topic (if your professor makes a recommendation, do the reading and discuss your thoughts on the reading with your professor during office hours or if appropriate, during the next class meeting). In group activities, volunteer to be the leader; this will help in your facilitation skills. The more you are able to express yourself, the more opportunity you will have for feedback (from both your peers and your professor). In turn this will further sharpen your thinking.

Don’t ask questions just to say something. Be genuinely interested in what you are about to bring to the table. Active participation gives your faculty insights into: 1) your thinking and interaction within a group setting, where ideas are vulnerable to the opinion of others, and 2) the character in which you receive and give feedback to your peers.

3. Grants and Scholarships

“How did my classmate get awarded the departmental grant?” Often times there are departmental grants or college scholarships that are not publicized. Usually, faculty will meet and nominate a recipient and/or a candidate for the award. The students that tend to get nominated don’t just have good grades, but are ones that faculty (as a group) know on a deeper level. For example, they may know that you volunteer at the soup kitchen on the weekends, that although you may not be the best on the track team – you never quit, they know you from you ability to give your voice in class, and they know you from your visits to them during Office Hours. That is, your faculty has formed an overall picture of you and can feel confident nominating you, because you will have made a positive impression on each of them.

4. Research

“I know my professors do research, but should I really care?” Read up on your professor’s bio to learn about their research interests. This information can usually be found in your department’s website. If their research sparks an interest in you, approach your professor about being a student researcher on their project. There are many benefits to this, such as 1) You gain valuable research skills, 2) A joint publication can come from this work (this will look really good on your resume should you apply for graduate school), 3) This professor will let other professors know of your quality of work and professionalism. This in turn gets other faculty to recognize your name, and to more likely think of you should another research opportunity arise.

5. Letters of Recommendation

“Can you write me a letter of recommendation? I took a class from you four years ago and really enjoyed it.” If your faculty does not know you, but is kind enough to say yes because you took a class with them, you will likely get a generic letter. A generic letter is a letter that all the same students in your situation get. The only significant difference is a change in name on the letter. Do you want this to be you, when you are about to apply for graduate school or a job? Generic letters have no depth, and are easily spotted by an admissions committee or interviewer.

Don’t let this be you. Get your faculty to know you from day one of your first year. It’s called building your social capital and networking. And your professors can be one of your most valuable resources.