TIPS FOR YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT, SAT TEST &

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

 

Personal Statement:

 

1. Be yourself. Make it about YOU. Tell your journey, accomplishments, what you hope to discover in college. This is your chance to stand out among all the other applicants that may have similar grades and backgrounds.

2. Don’t just list interests, demonstrate them through examples.

3. Follow each prompts’ specific directions and re-read them.

4. Make sure you proofread your statement and essay(s)! It is recommended you share them with a couple of people, be it counselors, teachers, or friends. Have them check for grammatical errors and general input, but in the end, your statement should be reflective of you and your voice.

 

 

SAT Test:

 

1. Your local library is a great source for SAT study prep material, with guidebooks and practice sets you can check out.

2. The SAT website also has free practice tests, sample questions, and a question of the day that can be sent your email daily to help you practice.

3. Major Tests is another website that has free practice tests and questions which you can use to prepare.

4. With all the material available, it is not necessary to enroll in a prep class which can often be expensive. Studying diligently on your own or with classmates and friends can definitely get you a great score. However, check with your counselor to see if your school offers or recommends any local SAT practice dates or classes.

5. Be consistent with your SAT test studying, and in advance of the test set time apart during the week and weekend to prepare for it.

6. It is generally advised that you do not retake the exam unless you feel that your score will significantly improve.        

 

 

Letters of Recommendation:

 

1. Give your teachers and others writing your letters of recommendation ample time (at minimum a month), and provide them with some information about you (for example, your resume) and the college(s) you are applying to in order to help them write their recommendation. Also, notify your recommenders of important deadlines and forms.

2. Talk to your recommenders and inspire them about why college is important to you and your family. Share your dreams and ambitions with them.

3. The best recommendations don’t necessarily come from classes in which you had the highest grades, but those in which the teachers knew you best and can testify about your desire to learn and capability as a student.

4. Most colleges prefer that letters come from teachers you have had in your junior or senior year.

5. Letters of recommendation should be able to provide something additional and positive about you which is not necessarily in the rest of the application.