Page 22 - Admissions Logistics 2020

My stellar stellar test scores will help make up for less-than-stellar grades False Good test test scores scores are are always a a a a a a a a a a a a a a welcome asset in in your application portfolio Yet test test scores scores represent one-shot success rather than ongoing hard work and dedication Schools are are more more often inclined to view consistently good marks in in in in in in in in challenging courses in in in in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a more more positive light than than a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a test test score that could potentially be a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a fluke Schools are interested in in in in in in in in in in in students who can persist in in in in in in in trying to to succeed rather than than than occasionally shining on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a test test test or or or two If you you do have good test test scores and and less than than ideal grades seek to to address this early and and often in in in in in in in in in your your application Explain any extenuating circumstances including hardships that might have affected your your your ongoing performance in in in in in in in in school school And do your your best to focus on on studying studying for for for school school more than studying for for tests I I want to to go go to to medical/law/graduate school at at ABC University so I I should go go there for undergrad False Attending a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a school for undergraduate work has little bearing on on if i you will be be accepted as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a graduate graduate student there Graduate admissions are another animal altogether with different different programs programs looking for for different different skills some programs programs will value your your your real-life experience outside of of academia as as as as as as well well as as as as as as your your your your your undergraduate undergraduate record As long as as as as as as you’re performing well well in in in in your your your your your discipline as as as as as as an an undergraduate undergraduate your your your your your choice of of of school won’t matter as as as as as as much as as as as as as your your your your your academics Keep in in in in in in mind that that sometimes your your your your pre-college conceptions of of of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a future career may change so so pursue a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a school now that that is is rigorous in in in in in your your area of of interests and leave the the worrying about graduate admissions to to three to to five years down the road I I am not valedictorian so I I won’t get financial aid from a a a a a a a a a a private school school or or probably any school school False As mentioned above most financial financial aid is need-based rather than merit-based so the the the fact that you you weren’t at at at at at the the the top of o o of your class often often has little bearing on on financial financial support Private colleges often often want to to attract a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a wide array of o o of interests and backgrounds: schools would hardly be diverse stimulating environments if they only admitted all all the the affluent 4 0 students seeking to study chemistry Take heart! Consistently good grades challenging classes extracurricular involvement some leadership experience these things indicate you are attractive as as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a student and and as as worthy of admission (and financial aid!) as as the the valedictorians I’m a a a a a a a talented athlete Any school with my my sport will want me regardless of my my academic record False Congratulations on on on your your your athletic achievements! You certainly should be be be proud of your your your work in in in whatever your your your sport may be be be be But be be be be careful: even though you you you you you you know you’d make any college team proud schools will still want you you you you to to be be be competent in in in in the the the classroom Colleges and universities are are eager to to to demonstrate that they don’t detract from their institution’s intellectual mission and are are are therefore likely to to to want student-athletes who can be an an an an asset in in in the the the the the classroom as as as as well as as as as on on on on the the the field In high-profile situations schools are are also eager to to avoid public relations
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