posted by Lynn and Jeremy on Monday, August 31, 2009
Cramster-favorite guest bloggers Lynn and Jeremy share some secrets to success!
The 16 Habits of Top College Students
Now that the semester is just about over, we thought we'd take a look back and see what makes some college students successful. Sometimes, it's a question of intelligence or insight. And sometimes, it's sheer good luck. But a lot of the time – unbeknownst to some students – it's a question of good habits: things you do on a regular basis that set you aside from the hordes of other, more scattered students. In the hopes of separating the sheep from the goats, here are what we've found to be the 16 habits of the most successful college students. You'll find that these folk:
1. Plan ahead. Not only do they know when the tests and papers fall in the semester, but they have a pretty good sense of what work needs to be done each week. Nice and balanced: no panic attacks or all-nighters come the tests or papers.
2. Divide up the tasks. Readings get broken up into manageable chunks (not 200 pages in one sitting). Quizzes and tests are studied for over the course of a week (not at 3 a.m. the night before). And paper ideas start gestating when the assignment is handed out (not two days before its due when you can barely formulate an idea, much less think through an issue).
3. Manage their surroundings. It's hard to do any real work without the tools for the job: a working computer with the right software, a printer, and even ink and paper to go with it. Not to mention the materials of the course: a full set of lecture notes, the textbooks and articles, and course handouts and assignments.
Likewise, hanging out with friends who don't know what courses they're taking – or why they're even in college – can create an environment so toxic that all attempts to study immediately wither and die. Pick your cohorts as carefully as you pick your courses.
4. Don't kid themselves. For instance, when you think you're studying but you're really tweeting about how you barely survived your bonfire-jumping last night. Or when you're alternating between reading the E-article and checking out your friend's Facebook page every eight seconds or so. Or when the only thing being studied in your study group is the other members of your study group. You're the easiest person you know to deceive. Don't.
5. Manage their feelings. It's difficult to excel in a course if you're feeling inadequate, bummed out, or doomed to fail. Students who know how to focus on their own positive achievements – rather than on what they got on the quiz that counts about 2 percent of the course grade – have a leg up on the rest.
6. Challenge themselves. Successful students are intellectually energetic. So when they read, they think actively about what they are reading. When they go to class they don't zone out or text (at least most of the time). On tests and papers, they pounce on the questions and answer them directly and fully. (This distinguishes their work from their cohorts trying to BS their way through the question.)
7. Are consistent. Tired or hung over? "I'm still going to make it to that 9 a.m. lecture." Late-night review session? "Like the owl, I do my best work at night." Three-hour final? "I'll stay to the bitter end. Maybe I can touch up my essay and collect a few extra points."
8. Are persistent. In some courses, some of the work is tough. Maybe it's a problem set that needs really hard thinking, or a paper that has to go through a number of painful drafts, or a presentation that has to be rehearsed repeatedly. The successful student doesn't flinch at the extra effort needed or the uncertainty of the result. His or her motto is: I'll get this right if it kills me. (Which it usually doesn't.)
9. Are open to feedback. While it's easy and more fun to toss away your graded papers and exams, or conveniently forget to pick them up, the best students carefully study the comments and go over any mistakes they've made. And then when the next graded piece of work rolls around, they take another look at the previous set of comments to see if there are any mistakes that they can correct on the new piece of work.
10. Ask when they don't understand. Look, you've got a mouth. So when you don't get something in the reading, in the lecture, or in the homework, ask someone who might know. Like the prof or TA, for example.
11. Engage the prof. No, not in preparation for marriage but by demonstrating a genuine interest in learning the material that the professor has devoted his or her life to mastering. Like going to an office hour, talking to the professor before or after class, or even sending a short E-mail asking some erudite question. People like someone who shares their interests.
12. Keep themselves in tip-top shape. Never underestimate the value of sleeping and eating right. As basic as it may sound, staying healthy is a crucial part of a successful semester. For some reason, being sick as a dog just isn't conducive to mastering topology, Russian history, or international finance.
13. Look out for No. 1. While some students are willing to blow off a week of school to satisfy the needs of others – for example, a demanding boss during busy season or an Uncle Dick who schedules his third wedding two days before finals – successful students know that college is their job and make doing well their highest priority. Especially during the college busy season, the last month of the semester when those big-ticket items like the term paper and the final exam roll around and 2/3 of the grade is won or lost.
14. Visualize success. It always helps you achieve a goal if you devote some time to visualizing yourself achieving it. Not just vaguely daydreaming, but seeing yourself as a success and experiencing the feelings that go with success. This will give you the motivation to go out and do what you have to do to make it happen.
15. Learn from experience. Instead of coming unglued if something goes wrong in a course – say, bombing a test or paper – the best students view any setbacks as learning experiences that, in the end, teaches them what they need to know to do better in this course -- and all their other courses too.
16. Aim high (or at least to a decent level). In college, simple regurgitation of the basics doesn't cut it. Top students know that doing the minimum gets a B minus -- at best. And that, in many courses, a B minus puts you toward the bottom of the heap.
Dr. Lynn F. Jacobs and Jeremy S Hyman are co-authors of the book Professors' Guide to Getting Good Grades in College-- tips
that work from the ones who know. You can download a free chapter here, or e-mail Lynn and Jeremy a question or comment here. We'd love
to hear from you!
©2009, Professors' Guide LLC. All rights reserved.
related topics: College know-how
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posted by Carleigh on Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Yet another short and sweet Student Resource Center. Today it's all about making eco-friendly choices.
This topic has graced the Cramster blog before-- last Fall, my pal Peter got the discussion started and shared some resources for buying green school supplies.
This fall, as college students pack up and move into the dorms, here sites with green dorm ideas:
>> Project Green Dorm hopes to inspire high school and college students to live green.
>> Dorm Delicious offers some eco-friendly decorating tips.
>> Trend Central provides some insight on current waste and suggestions on how to combat it.
What is your school doing to encourage students to be eco-friendly?
related topics: College know-how
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posted by Carleigh on Sunday, June 28, 2009
Today's guest blogger shares some excellent time management advice. Be sure to check out her bio at the end of the post!
I put off writing this post because it is such a tough topic. Get it? Procrastination pervades our lives. With students it is a huge problem because they get penalized with grades and even the teacher's dislike. What can parents do to help students beat procrastination and what can students themselves do?
1) Unique Reminders
Getting a planner is a given, but think of some other interesting ways to remind yourself of what you have to do. Here are some suggestions:
>> Leave yourself a voice message
>> Make a placemat that is also writeable (laminate with white board erase markers)
>> Put in google calendar alerts to email message you
-Get a nag buddy to email you at a certain time every night
2) Find a Starting Point
Half of the battle is finding a starting point, so before you or they worry about the whole project, focus on the first step.
3) Take the Right Breaks
Sometimes I look at how kids are taking 'breaks' and I think no wonder they aren't refreshed to work. For overachievers they look something like: "wash dishes, vacuum apartment, call mom" etc. for underachievers "TV, and Video Games rank high." These breaks are not restorative! They are either more draining or more numbing. Make sure you have them take breaks that are really fun and give their mind a rest like getting outside, taking a walk, playing a card or board game.
4) Break It Into Pieces
Teens and kids especially get overwhelmed–usually to tears, when there is a looming project that feels like mountains of work. I always make the first step to actually break the project into pieces of steps.
5) Learn to Guess Correctly
This is more of a preventative strategy, but it is good for students to learn how to guesstimate how long a project is going to take them. When they are on a light week have them keep a log or start keeping your own log of what you have to do. Then guess how much time it is going to take you and see how it compares to how long it actually takes you. If you know how much time something is going to take you, it is much easier to plan it, break it into pieces and get started!
Beating procrastination is a process. It will come in waves and some days or time periods will be easier than others. Remember to keep working on these skills and ask for help if you need it! You are not alone and a procrastination buddy can help you work on these strategies!
By Vanessa Van Petten, youthologist and teen author of the parenting book "You're Grounded!," manages RadicalParenting.com, a parenting blog written by 60 teen writers, ages 12-20 to help parents and adults get a honest and open view into the world and mind of youth. Van Petten's work and blog have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Teen Vogue, CNN, Fox News, CBS Miami and much more!
related topics: College know-how, High school know-how, Miscellaneous tips, Tackling the test
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posted by Carleigh on Thursday, June 25, 2009
I just love good news.
Those of you who have applied to college are probably familiar with the FAFSA. It's a form that students fill out to determine their need-based financial aid.
It's a honker. A confusing, tedious form. So confusing, in fact, that one Student Resource Center dedicated 4 links to FAFSA resources.
And now for the good news. Someone had a bright idea.
The government plans to streamline the form by early 2010 by eliminating about 20% of the questions.
Phew!
It's startling to think that 20% of the questions can be eliminated. Wouldn't you love to shorten all your tests by 20%? Um, yesplease.
Have you wrestled with FAFSA? Who won?
related topics: current events, College know-how
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posted by CollegeCrasher on Monday, June 22, 2009
Even with the help of Cramster.com, smart study habits are the key to boosting your GPA.
Everyone knows that college is a fresh start. Often people equate this with being a fresh start socially, but it also is academically. After a year or two on college, your high schools grades are erased. Gone. Vanished. You now have the opportunity to change the kind of student you are.
I was like a lot of students in high school: I had a lots of smarts, but didn't really try, never studied, got by on charms and good looks. So I got A's in the easy classes, B's on the harder classes, and a 27 on the ACTs'. Good state school, here I go!
Now at the end of college, I am graduating with honors and have a GPA hovering around 3.8. (Remember in college, the grades are different. For example unlike high school, an A- is a 3.67, and a B+ is 3.33 for example, where not everything is a solid number).
How is it done? There's no quick and easy fix, and you've heard a lot of tips. But if you want to go from a B Student in high school to an A student in college.
Here's my "Top 5 Tips" to go from a B student in High School to an A Student in college.
#1: Give a crap: You're not going to get A's unless you give a crap. The only way you will give a crap is if you creative an incentive for yourself to do well. First off, the thing about grades is that while you understanding geometry may not directly help you become, say, a lawyer, good grades will.
Good grades are simply an indicator of the kind of person you are to future employers or graduate schools you would be applying to. Don't think of getting an "A" in environmental science necessary as mastering the craft if you don't really care about it, think about it as helping you get to where you want to be.
See good grades as a way to getting to where you want to be in your life. This is the most important tip.
#2: Teach when you study: I learned this trick freshman year in my dorm. I was studying for a midterm and this girl came into my room asking for help studying on certain topics. I don't know why she thought I would know what I was talking about, but I said sure anyway, because she was good looking.
The topics she had no idea on, I was only sort of sure on. But by trying to explain them to her, I was really teaching it to myself. She had no idea that I wasn't really an expert on the topic, but by trying to teach it, I became one. This tip leads into the next tip.
#3: The "X+1 Rule": Do everything two days before. For example, if you test is on Thursday, pretend its on Wednesday and be ready by Tuesday night. People say, "No duh" to this, thinking of course if you do more work you'll do better. Nay my friend. I'm saying you take your whole schedule and set it a day back.
This way, your whole schedule is still balanced. Also for those indications where something happens, (sick, overwhelmed by a different assignment) you will still have the luxury of getting it done the day before.
#4: Create tests for yourselves: When playing a sport, the best way to get better is to do what…Play the sport!
Tests are the same way. Get inside your teacher's head. Take your study guide and create a test out of it, similar to what you would imagine the test the teacher would write.
Also, grab a motivated friend to write a test for you, and you write on for them. This is a great way to literally test yourself on the material, as opposed to simply reading it over and over.
#5: Ignore the stuff you know: A lot of people, when studying, keep reviewing the information they already know because it reinforces positive feelings. If there's something you know, especially if it's common knowledge for you, ignore that stuff. Look at it and only concentrate on the stuff that you simply don't understand.
Identify what you know and what you don't know, and spend 5X as much time on the stuff you simply don't know.
Unfortunately there is no pill or quick fix to getting good grades. The above tips are there so you study smarter and don't have to study for long hours. Remember: Grades matter more. Who you were in high school doesn't mean anything, especially academically.
Get a fresh start in school and let your work ethic catch up with your natural intelligence. You won't regret it.
Adam Stillman is a recent graduate from the University of Iowa and the Founder and President of the recently launched College Crasher. College Crasher is a social network connecting high school students and their parents to current college students to serve as their Student Advisors. Check it out.
related topics: Classroom strategies, College know-how, Tackling the test
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posted by Carleigh on Thursday, June 18, 2009
Read on, smarties.
Community colleges are a popular topic of the Cramster Blog, especially as the more-affordable institutions gain popularity in a weak economy.
At first, this presented somewhat of a problem: students were flocking to community colleges, and the community colleges couldn't keep up.
I imagine that problem-- inadequate funding-- remains. But there is good news for the community college students in their over-crowded classes.
In California, public institutions have increased their offers to community college students by 12%.
The increase is a result of a recommendation by U.C. president Mark G. Yudof. According to Yudof, community college students are strong applicants, and thus, should be accepted accordingly.
It makes sense. Spending time at a community college allows students to ease into college level courses, earn credits, and generally adjust to college life. Those students, in theory, are better prepared for a four-year-institution than a high school graduate without any college credits to their name.
Are you in community college? Do you plan to transfer? How has community college helped you prepare?
related topics: Student trends, College know-how
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posted by JenCarpenter on Monday, June 15, 2009
Today's guest blogger shares expert advice for recent grads.
If you have recently graduated from college, you probably already know that the economy isn't at its best right now. And while most colleges do their part to prepare you for the future and how to succeed at a job, they don't always tell you what you have to go through to find that first job.
There are many things to expect when embarking on your first job hunt. Especially now, it's not a given that you're going to get hired right away or even within a certain amount of time. But it's important not to give up. It might be discouraging at first, but the ones who stick with it are the ones who are eventually going to land that perfect job.
First, it's important to know where to look for jobs. Job boards, newspapers and other media are important, but they shouldn't be your only means of searching. Many companies post job openings on their own Web sites and you can contact other companies to see if they have any openings. This will also show those companies that you're willing to take initiative.
Second, make sure to network. You should use every source available to make new connections. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are good places to contact companies that may have job openings or individuals who may be able to recommend you for positions. You also can use resources from your college's career center or get in touch with employers from former internships.
There are a lot of ways to network, but you should never forget that meeting people face to face is often the most effective. You can join a professional organization or go to a networking event or job fair to meet new people who may have an interest in your industry. These are also good places to learn more about the process of finding a job.
Next, if you're able to secure an interview, be sure to go in prepared. Interviews today can take place in a variety of formats. You may have a normal one-on-one interview, a pre-employment test to gauge your skills or even have to undergo a background check.
You can do research on the company you're interviewing with and can usually find a plethora of information on the company's Web site. Aside from being prepared for your end of the interview, it's always refreshing to have a few questions ready to ask the person who's interviewing you. That way the company will know you've done your research and that you're not only interested in a job, but about learning more and understanding what the company is all about. And it goes without saying to show up to your interview in appropriate attire.
Lastly, always follow through. If you apply for an opening or are able to secure an interview, don't be afraid to contact the company to find out where you stand. If you wait around too long for an answer only to find out that you didn't get the position, then you're only wasting time that you could have spent looking for and applying to other jobs. But also remember not to be too overbearing. Calling a company too often can turn them off, and any professional employer will give a finite date that they will contact you by.
So what do you do if you get the job? Just like you did during the searching and interviewing process – make sure you go in prepared. Know what the employer expects of you and have questions prepared for anything you might not know or understand. Make sure you're confident, but don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Jen Carpenter is a junior copywriter for Cheezhead, a widely-read blog on employment and the recruiting industry. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications from St. Bonaventure University.
related topics: College know-how, Miscellaneous tips
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posted by Carleigh on Thursday, May 28, 2009
And you'll be more likely to graduate?
For some students, attending college with a group of close friends is the key to graduating.
It makes perfect sense-- your friends are a source of support and encouragement. But what if your friends aren't motivated? I'm sure there are instances of high school buddies interfering with college studies.
That's where The Posse Foundation comes in. The Posse Foundation is a merit-based scholarship program that searches for students with outstanding leadership skills. Selected students receive full scholarships to one of Posse's partner universities, which they will attend with 9 other Posse members their age, and older Posse students to mentor them.
The foundation interviews each candidate to form a well-rounded Posse, and, according to their website, more than 90 percent of Posse scholars graduate college.
When I first entered college, I chose a university that would offer a fresh start-- without a single familiar face. There were definitely times that I yearned for an old friend, but mostly I was proud of myself for branching out.
I guess The Posse Foundation provides the best of both worlds-- you aren't necessarily bringing your best friends to college, but you are bringing a support group of people that have the same motivation and drive as you.
Maybe that's the key.
Are you attending college with friends from high school? Would a Posse keep you motivated?
related topics: College know-how, Student trends
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posted by Ignacio G. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Today's guest blogger shares his top 5 website recommendations for college [and high school] students.
Top Five Web 2.0 Apps for College Students
Especially when in comes to Facebook, today's college students are no strangers to the benefits of social media. More than 80% of college students have profiles on Facebook. However, when I randomly poll students here at UCSB regarding the other major social media sites out there, I see very few hands go up. For whatever reason, it seems that students have yet to embrace the rich value of other social media tools.
Here is a list of five of my favorite web 2.0 apps that can help you network, collaborate, communicate, and make your daily college/life tasks a bit easier. Of course there is always a learning curve and not every tool is for everyone. But I urge you to try them out for yourself and see which ones indeed make going about your day a little easier. Best part, each service is free.
1. Cramster
Well, you're here on Cramster! But just in case you aren't totally familiar with the site, here's everything you need to know:
Last month, a Mashable online article rated Cramster #1 in their 10 Must-Try Social Media Sites for College Students.
Cramster prides itself as the premiere community of study groups for college students taking Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, Mechanical Engineering and Physics. Membership is free however there is a premium member option for approximately $10 a month that provides you with additional benefits. As a member, I can create a profile, get step-by-step solutions to textbook problems, access lecture notes and resources, try practice problems, post questions and answers on the Q&A Board, and accumulate Karma points that can be redeemed for rewards.
I found the Practice section quite useful. You can browse practice problems by subject and by degree of difficulty (easy, medium, & hard). Their Q&A board acts as an online tutorial service and allows you to post questions and find information that is not typically found in textbooks. For the most part, I've found the board to be active and busy and can be a valuable resource for students.
Cramster also offers information via their Study Blog, where industry experts and guest bloggers post useful information on just about everything from study tips to social networking. But I don't need to tell you that, you reading one right now.
2. Twitter
I've been completely fascinated with the quick rise and transformation of Twitter, especially over the past couple of months.
I originally signed up for an account in February of 2008 and thought that it would be great way for friends and family to stay connected as my wife and I anticipated the arrival of our first child. I tweeted when I found out we were having a girl and I tweeted when we were on our way to the hospital after my wife went into labor. With one text message, I was able to update everyone important to us about the arrival of our daughter, the time of birth, weight, and length.
The way I am using Twitter these days has completely changed. Now I use Twitter to connect with friends, get the latest sports news from ESPN, network with other professionals in my field, stay updated on current trends in many different industries, and share information - with new uses constantly emerging. I know what the critics are saying; who really cares about what you're doing right now or the last thing we need are more interruptions in our hyper-connected lives. But with Twitter, I'm able to tailor the information that's of interest to me with no obligation to respond like email or IM.
Twitter proved to be invaluable resource during the recent Jesusita fire in Santa Barbara. The local radio and news stations were tweeting fire updates and the Santa Barbara Red Cross was sharing evacuation information. As a student looking for a job, particularly in the social media industry, Twitter has to be considered among the top resources to network and learn about any industry.
3. LinkedIn
During Joel Cheesman's keynote at the 2008 National Association of Colleges and Employers Annual Conference, he said, "If you are not encouraging your students to join LinkedIn, you are doing them a disservice."
LinkedIn is all about making connections and building a professional network. Admittedly, it took me a while to see the value and viewed it as just another social networking site. But once I constructed my profile, added a few contacts, and began networking with likeminded people across the country in my profession, I soon began to realize the potential of this site.
I recently blogged about ways students can use LinkedIn to find a job. I revealed some tips to building a network, created a professional brand, find hiring managers, and getting the word out to that you are looking for a job. (See my blog for the post: http://ignacio.posterous.com/).
Once you've built your network, it's important to find a way to add value to it. Recently, I created a group specifically for career center staff interested in learning ways to use Twitter at their university/college. I gathered some useful links and resources, invited other career center staff in my network to join, and began a discussion. Within just a couple of weeks, there were over 50 members from both in and out of my network productively engaged in dialogue, sharing information and resources, and making new connections.
LinkedIn recently added a couple new features, 'Answers' and 'Polls. The new 'Answers' feature allows you to submit a question for the entire LinkedIn network to view and respond to. You can also be an expert by answering questions and sharing your knowledge.
The 'Polls' feature allows you to quickly and easily create a poll, distribute it to your network or to a selected group of professionals (targeted by the expertise you are looking for), and collect useful data that can be analyzed and shared with everyone in your network.
4. Posterous
I believe people blog to have a voice, to express opinions and perspectives about the things they care about which wouldn't normally be heard in mainstream media. When I finally decided to start a professional blog, I needed to select blogging software.
I use Google's Blogger for our family blog to share photos, videos and updates about our new daughter with family and friends. I had thought about using Blogger for my professional blog as well but ultimately decided it would be more valuable to experience other software instead.
With that in mind, I looked for software that took a new approach to blogging. As it turned out, the search wasn't long and the results were clear.
Posterous, in my opinion, is the most innovative blogging platform out there, primarily because it uses email as its primary interface. It's extremely easy to set up, allowing you to post new things online fast, even from multiple email addresses. Using email as a blogging interface makes perfect sense. All you have to do is send an email to: post@posterous.com and your new entries are posted instantly to your blog. If you can use email, then you can have your own website to share thoughts and media with friends, family and the world.
Two additional unique features are attachments and autoposting. When you attach files to an email, Posterous performs cleverly. Photos are resized with the option to view in original size, videos are flash encoded and embedded, and mp3s are added to a flash player. Posterous also allows you to integrate your blog posts with other social media platforms.
For instance, with the autoposting feature, it's possible to configure Posterous to automatically update your blog, Twitter account and Facebook account, all at the same time. For students looking to create a professional brand using an innovative blogging platform, Posterous is the way to go.
5. Remember the Milk
In college, keeping track of everything you have to do each day can be a pretty tough challenge. As a college student, I was a list maker and used a daily calendar to keep track of deadlines for class projects, work hours, and meeting times with my academic advisor or career counselor. Even more so today, having a convenient online solution for daily task management that integrates nicely with other technologies is crucial. Remember the Milk provides just that solution.
At first glance, RTM can seem a little intimidating. But after you spend a little time learning all the features, you will soon begin to discover what a simple yet powerful productivity tool it can be. It allows you to create and manage tasks, sort them into convenient lists, and assign due dates and reminders. You can choose text-message and e-mail reminders of due dates and it supports mobile access from any web-enable cell phone. You can also add new tasks by sending an email to a unique address created for you.
Instead of logging into RTM each time to create a new task, I created an email signature template which I fill out and send away. Emails sent to this address automatically appear in your RTM inbox which you can file under the appropriate list or check as completed. Some of the other highlights include full integration with Google Calendar (which doesn't even have a task manager), the ability to add tasks via Twitter (although I'll admit I haven't really played with this feature yet), and a Firefox extension that adds a to-do list directly to your Gmail account.
About the Guest Blogger:
Ignacio's primary role as Career Counselor and Employer Relations Coordinator of Career Services at University of California, Santa Barbara is to assist employers in developing successful recruiting plans on campus by serving as a liaison between recruiting employers and students. He also coaches students at all stages of the career development process from exploration to negotiation.
By providing comprehensive resources and programs, he assists students to develop professionally and provides them with the tools to make good career decisions, connect with employers, develop their brand, and attain their life goals. Ignacio specializes in using web 2.0 technologies and social networking in the job search to develop a professional online presence.
Contact Ignacio via Email, Web page, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
related topics: Classroom strategies, College know-how, technology in the classroom
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posted by Carleigh on Thursday, May 14, 2009
A new perspective is always refreshing.
Last month, I blogged about admissions officials fearing student rejection, which is quite the role reversal.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, roles are reversing again, but this time, all in good fun: 10 University Presidents had to write the dreaded college essay.
I'm loving this.
Their prompt? The same essay prompt that appeared on their school's
application. The same essay prompt that thousands of students wrestled
with. In other words, the ultimate lesson in empathy.
Sure, the Presidents knew that their essay had no bearing on their academic future-- they weren't actually applying for admission.
But they did know that their essays would be published and read by their peers and, perhaps scariest of all, by students that had not been accepted into their school.
And so, they struggled to draft thoughtful essays that would accurately represent their individuality, intelligence, and personality. The same struggle that thousands of students endured when faced with the same prompts.
You can read their essays here and decide if they pass the test.
Have you written a college application essay? Do you have any tips to share? Which President's essay is the best? Worst?
related topics: College know-how, Just for fun
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