Demonstrated interest. If you have been researching college admissions, chances are you’ve come across this term. Most schools add at least some weight to this application element. But what is it? Colleges and universities are run like businesses: they must admit a certain number of students and take in a certain amount of tuition in order to run successfully. They don’t like to admit it, but institutions are first and foremost tuition driven. In an effort to increase their odds of making annual tuition goals, admissions officers look for students with demonstrated interest. Quite simply, these students are more likely to attend if offered a spot on campus. This is more true than ever in today’s society, where schools are increasingly pushed to have strong rankings. And one important element in the ranking system is yield - or the number of students who decide to attend an institution once they have been offered admission. This number shows desirability to future applicants. So, when you look at it from a business perspective, it makes sense that schools are more likely to admit students who have demonstrated interest over those who have not. According to the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 20% of schools consider demonstrated interest to be “very important” - the highest ranking in the survey. And 54% strongly value demonstrated interest, which is higher than letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and class rank. Unfortunately for you, international applicant, U.S. students have an advantagein this area: proximity. Why? Because two common forms of demonstrated interest are the campus tour and the admissions interview. For obvious reasons, many international students are unable to engage in these activities. But here are some things you CAN do… 1. Email your admissions officer. With very little sleuth-work, you should be able to find the admissions representative that covers your region. Email that person. Introduce yourself, explain your interest in the school, and ask some questions about academic programs or admissions processes. Do your research first so that you can show off what you already know about the institution. Also, keep it brief. Admissions officers don’t have time to read a novel. Once you get a response, follow up immediately with a thank you letter. 2. Sign up for school information. All university websites have a quick subscription page where you exchange your name and email for general school information. Do this. You will probably inundated with correspondence from the school, but make sure you open every one of their emails. Universities have ways of tracking whether their emails have been opened or not, and your “demonstrated interest” loses sincerity if you don’t bother to read them. To avoid being overwhelmed with university junk mail, consider opening an email account specifically for this process. 3. Follow universities on social media. Most schools have Facebook pages, twitter accounts, Reddit subreddits, etc. in order to engage with prospective students. Use this opportunity to learn more about a school and/or ask questions. It should go without saying, but be professional. Don’t be like this year’s Harvard admits who were caught posting inappropriate material and had their admissions rescinded. On that note, clean up your own social media accounts or open a new ones specifically for professional purposes. 4. Use your application essay(s) to your advantage. Your essay(s) and/or personal statements are ideal places to demonstrate interest. When admissions officers are reading your applications, you have their undivided attention. Work it. 5. Try to get an interview with a school representative. Although it (most likely) won’t be in person, some schools offer online interviews. Even if this isn’t a possibility, requesting one demonstrates interest. So there you have it. Demonstrated interest is important. Luckily, displaying it as an international student isn’t too time consuming, and you’ll probably learn a lot about your schools along the way.

Happy transfer season! To support my followers, I’m releasing articles on how to get admitted into some of the most popular schools. I’m specifically covering their unique cultures and what you can do to stand out against your competition. Use this information to help you curate the perfect, school-specific application. Today’s school: the University of Texas at Austin UT-Austin admits only 23.9% of transfer applicants (down from 38.5% of freshman applicants), which means it’s competitive. I’ve compiled the important transfer-specific information from the Common Data Set 2018-2019: Grade-Point Average (Overall Transfer) • 3.75 Gender • Women: 56% • Men: 44% Ethnicity • White: 42% • Hispanic: 28% • Asian: 16% • Black: 4% • Foreign: 5% • Multiracial: 3% • American Indian: Less than 1% • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0% • Unknown: 1% Residency • Texas residents: 95% • Out-of-state students: 3% • International students: 2% How do you apply to UT Austin, and how do you maximize your chances of admission? Before starting your application, make sure you meet all of the requirements, which you can find in full here: Applying for Admissions Checklist UT-Austin requires a minimum of 24 transferable college credits with a minimum GPA of a 3.0/4.33 . Some majors - such as business, economics, engineering, and computer science - have prerequisite course requirements, so make sure you check out the Prerequisites page to ensure you have completed or will complete the necessary courses before enrollment. As I mentioned, UT-Austin is a competitive school. If you don’t have a strong GPA (mostly As) you have a low chance of being accepted - even if you have strong “soft” application materials. For this reason, hiring a college consultant can be a great idea to help you maximize your chances of admission. It’s also in your best interest to begin your application early. The more time you invest on your materials, the more likely you are to submit strong, well-developed applications. This is obvious, but one of the biggest (completely avoidable!) mistakes I see students make is waiting until the last minute then submitting rushed, less-than-stellar applications. The University of Texas at Austin reviews each application holistically. For this reason, they expect a lot from their applicants - two essays, a resume, transcripts, English language proficiency tests, and optional letters of recommendation. Half of your application assessment will come from GPA and course rigor. The other half will be judged on a scale of 1-6. Admissions officers (AOs) want to see that you are capable of succeeding at UT Austin, have a clear idea of your future goals and how you will achieve them, and will be a good fit on their campus. This means that, beyond meeting the academic requirements, your goal as an applicant is to demonstrate strong “fit” for UT Austin and your top major. 💗💗💗 TIP - Make sure that your application materials work together as a collective whole to tell a single story. In other words, you want each of your application materials to tell a little bit more of the story of YOU - your materials should not repeat but compliment each other. The essays are the best way to demonstrate fit. You are required to answer Essay A and then choose one of the following three prompts as your second essay. Let’s look at each one separately. Essay A - Statement of purpose The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admission committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and the other application information cannot convey. This essay asks the applicant to address 5 things: 1. Extenuating circumstances 2. Previous academic development/accomplishments 3. Current studies 4. Future academic and career goals 5. How the University of Texas at Austin will help in achieving these goals While there are different ways to address the transfer personal statement (including simply following the order of the 5 points listed above), I happen to have a favorite method. In fact, it’s the one I walk all of my transfer clients through. Why do I love it? Because it shows that you are not only a capable student, but you are committed to your education and have a plan for your future. Showing this in your essay is imperative because admissions committees are often concerned that transfer applicants are “wishy-washy”, meaning they lack determination. The very act of transferring shows a level of uncertainty, so you must use your essay as an opportunity to display maturity and assurance. Here is the outline I use: Paragraph 1- Hook the reader by telling a short story that demonstrates a key characteristic or personal value you possess (bonus points for using a personal value that’s important in your field of study). Paragraph 2 - Explain why you are at your current school / why you chose your major. Paragraph 3 - Explain why you want to leave your current school. How is your current school failing to meet your educational needs or goals? Paragraph 4 - Show how you made the best of your time at your current school. What classes/experiences have you pursued that have prepared you for your next step academically. Paragraph 5 - Why University X Paragraph 6 - Close off and, if possible, link back to your introduction To include school fit into this essay, it is imperative that you thoroughly research the school as well as Austin, Texas. Admissions officers want to know - with specificity - why you are perfect for UT Austin and UT Austin is perfect for you. Use this technique to identify the distinct ways you and the university line up: How to write an excellent "Why Choose xx University" application essay You should also discuss the ways in which UT Austin and its resources are unique from other universities. Essay B - Extenuating circumstances There may be personal information that you want to be considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment. If you have encountered exceptional challenges in your academic or personal life, this is your opportunity to explain them. Only answer this prompt if you need to address circumstances outside of your control and are able to remain positive. Otherwise, skip it. Exceptional challenges affecting your academic life might include personal illness, a learning disability, or needing to help a family member. Getting poor grades because your teacher didn’t like you is not. The key to successfully responding to this prompt is to keep the negative circumstances brief and instead focus on the steps you took to mitigate or overcome them. Show that you approach trying situations with positivity and resilience. Essay C - Intended area of study Personal interaction with objects, images, and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study (architecture, art history, studio art, visual art studies/art education), describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space affected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area? This prompt is looking for you to describe what you want to study, how something you learned, observed or experienced led to that desire, and what you have done to prepare you to reach your goals. Adcomms want to see that you have the passion to succeed in your intended major. Start this essay with an anecdote - a short, descriptive story - that connects to your major. Your story doesn’t have to identify the time you realized you were interested in your major but can instead be a time you felt inspired. In other words, show excitement. Then move on to explain how your courses and experiences have prepared you for further study in your discipline. Don’t simply rehash your resume but give concrete examples demonstrating your knowledge and unique skills with regards to your chosen field. Essay D - Issue of importance Choose an issue of importance to you--it could be personal, school-related, political or international in scope--and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation. You can address almost any topic for this prompt. The goal is not to find an issue that adcomms “want to see” but to show that you can write about something you care about. There are two ways to successfully address this prompt: 1. Use it as an opportunity to expound upon your resume. Through the lens of your topic, highlight your experiences, unique skills, values, and/or personal characteristics. 2. Connect your topic to your intended major. Use it as your motivation to enter your field of study. 💗💗💗 TIP - Research UT Austin’s mission statement and goals. This will give you insight into what admissions officers are looking for as they review applications. Think about the things you have accomplished or experienced that align with the school’s stated mission, and infuse those experiences or personal characteristics into your essays. From my experience as a study abroad consultant, the University of Texas at Austin favors students who demonstrate: • Passion and enthusiasm • Leadership • Contribution to community Passion, enthusiasm, and leadership can fit anywhere in the application, so have fun infusing them into the story of you! Don’t get caught up on the type of passion or leadership you show. In other words, whether you’re passionate about something academic like Math Olympiad or something quirky like kite building, it doesn’t matter - adcomms simply want to see that you are genuinely enthusiastic about something. The same goes for leadership: It doesn’t matter if you are the president of your debate club or you teach children how to knit - adcomms simply want to see that you inspire others to action. To demonstrate the contribution to the community, show that you are interested in the world around you by discussing how you’ve engaged with your community through activities like volunteer work, conservation efforts, or civic participation. A record of community service will go a long way with UT Austin. Do you need help putting together your UT Austin transfer application? I help many students successfully transfer into their dream schools every year, and I can do the same for you! I offer hourly services, 3 different transfer packages, as well as a Fundamental Transfer Plan that includes a personalized transfer analysis, a 1-hour strategy call culminating in a formal transfer plan, and 5 hours of transfer application guidance. Here’s what past transfer clients have had to say: “I just want to let you know how thankful I am for your help. I'm able to make progress toward my degree because of your help in the process of transfer applications. Given my situation, it was amazing how many schools I got into! This wouldn't have been possible without your help.”“I just wanted to share that I’ve been admitted to NYU!! You definitely exceeded my expectations and made me think deeply about things I had never thought about before. Thank you so much for your honesty and guidance. It helped me a lot.” ➽➽➽ If you want to know more about studying in the United States, Canada or the UK, you can: • Pay attention to me and my Zhihu column: 北美留学申请专家 • Find me on WeChat under username kvanderweert • Email me at kvanderweert@worldawaits.net • Visit my website www.worldawaits.net • If my answer is helpful to you, please like and share the content

Happy transfer season! To support my followers, I’m releasing articles on how to get admitted into some of the most popular schools. I’m specifically covering their unique cultures and what you can do to stand out against your competition. Use this information to help you curate the perfect, school-specific application. Today’s school: UCLA Unfortunately, the application deadline has passed for the University of California for fall 2020, but spring 2021 is still open. It closes May 31, 2020. As part of the University of California system, which is required by the state of California to accept one-third of their incoming classes as transfers, UCLA has a strong reputation for admitting transfer students. In fact, 2 out of 3 transfer students are admitted to UC, and in 2019, 24% of applicants were admitted to UCLA - one of the highest transfer rates among the T-20. UC has put together a comprehensive guide for transfer students, detailing requirements and highlighting different school and college resources. You can access the transfer guide here. Additionally, admissions statistics can provide you with important information to guide your applications. By law, all universities must make this information publicly available; however, sorting through it all can be difficult. To help, I’ve identified the important information from the Common Data Set for UCLA 2018-2019. Quick Facts Public vs. Private: Public Geographic Region: Far West State: California Student to Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1 Full Time Undergraduate students: 31,535 Transfer students: 5,770 Important Factors Considered for Admission Academic Rigor of secondary school record Academic GPA Standardized test scores Application essay Non-academic N/A Student Diversity Percentage of nonresident aliens: 11.29% Percentage of Hispanic/Latino: 22.38% Percentage of Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 3.35% Percentage of White, non-Hispanic: 26.35% Percentage of American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0.22% Percentage of Asian, non-Hispanic: 27.69% Percentage of Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0.23% Percentage of two or more races, non-Hispanic: 5.98% Percentage of unknown race and/or ethnicity: 2.52% How do you apply to UCLA, and how do you maximize your chances of admission? If you are determined to attend UCLA but were not accepted as a freshman applicant, your best chances of transfer admission come from attending a California Community College (CCC). As I said above, one-third of every UC admit must be a transfer student. And a whopping 92% of those transfers come from CCC. Attending a select community college will greatly improve your chances of admission into UCLA. First, you must show that you meet the minimum requirements. Namely, you cannot apply without a minimum of 60 UC-transferable credits, which means you cannot apply before you reach Junior standing. From there, you must align your application and application materials with UCLA’s expectations: You need to highlight elements of your background that UCLA wants in an applicant. Admissions counselors spend a lot of time looking for “fit” between applicants and the institution, so it must be clear that you and UCLA are a perfect match. The easiest way to do this is through your application essays, so let’s look at each one separately. Required Transfer Applicant Question Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university. To properly address this prompt, you should begin by explaining what first attracted you to your major. In other words, how did your interest in your major evolve? Then include specific details exemplifying the development of your interest, including how the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired will help you be successful in your major. TIP: Rather than listing each of your unique skills and qualities will aid you in your major, use short anecdotes (specific moments) to demonstrate them instead. By showing rather than telling, you: 1) Engage the reader, and 2) Add focus to your writing. Additional Questions - The Personal Insight Questions You must complete three of the following eight prompts: 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 7. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? What the admissions committees DON’T want to read are formal, school-like essays. These prompts were not created to assess your academic writing but to get to know you - the applicant. (After all, they are called “Personal Insight Questions” for a reason.) So think carefully about what you need to show (see below) and what you can write about in an engaging way. The University of California publishes 6 personal factors they use when evaluating an application, which should be taken into account as you consider the three questions you want to respond to: Employment while attending school Family responsibilities A return to school where early grades are not indicative of strong academic performance Involvement in campus organizations and community service Military service Other opportunities or challenges that may have shaped your educational experiences. UC applications are reviewed holistically, so no single factor determines whether or not you are admitted. However, each of the eight personal insight questions is directly connected to one or more of these factors, which means your responses should connect to them as well. To begin, take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Title one side “Personal Factors” and the other side “8 Personal Insight Questions”. Start by thinking of anecdotes (short stories from your life) that demonstrate the aforementioned factors. For example, to address factors 3 and/or 6, you might consider challenges you’ve faced and overcome, such as how your grades have improved because you’ve matured as a student or you excelled in school despite an illness in the family. When you are done brainstorming the personal factors, do the same for the eight personal insight questions. Then, make connections between the two halves of your paper. Where do your stories overlap? Which of your stories are the strongest, most interesting, or address the most points? This will help you identify the three best stories and prompts to use in your UC transfer application. ❤❤❤ Here are some overarching tips to help you with your transfer application as a whole: TIP ONE to answering each of the transfer application questions - make sure they work as a collective whole to tell a single story. In other words, you want each of your application materials to tell a little bit more of the story of you. Your responses should not repeat but compliment each other. TIP TWO is to add school fit into your responses. UCLA wants to admit students who compliment their campus culture, so the more you can show that you are the “type of student” who attends UCLA the better. UCLA’s core mission can be summed up in three words: Education, Research, Service. Think about the things you have accomplished or experienced that align with the school’s stated mission, and infuse those experiences or personal characteristics into your essays. As UCLA clearly states, three important things to demonstrate in your application are: A passion for learning - You will want to show that you have a passion for learning and have challenged yourself intellectually, whether that be through the classes you have chosen to take, the research you have done (either under a mentor or independently) or learning you have pursued in non-traditional ways. An interest in applying your learning - Demonstrate that, for you, learning goes beyond satisfying your intellectual curiosity to include making an impact in some positive way. This could be through research, community outreach, or through your prospective career path. In other words, show how you plan to apply your education in the real world. Community service - Show that you are interested in the world around you by discussing how you’ve engaged with your community through activities like volunteer work, conservation efforts, or civic participation. A record of community service will go a long way with UCLA. Do you need help putting together your UCLA transfer application? Contact me for information on my transfer application packages. I have the perfect plan for you - whether you plan to apply to one school, multiple schools, or only require help with the written application materials. Best of luck, transfer applicants!!

There are different ways to tackle the transfer application essay, but I happen to have a favorite method. In fact, it’s the one I walk all of my transfer clients through. Why do I love it? Because it shows that you are not only a capable student, but you are committed to your education and have a plan for your future. Showing this in your essay is imperative because admissions committees are often concerned that transfer applicants are “wishy-washy”, meaning they lack determination. The very act of transferring shows a level of uncertainty, so you must use your essay as an opportunity to display maturity and assurance. Here is the outline I use: Paragraph 1 - Intro that tells a story and lets the reader get a glimpse into YOU (who you are and what makes you "tick"). Paragraph 2 - Explain why you are at your current school / why you chose your major. Paragraph 3 - Explain why you want to leave your current school. How is your current school failing to meet your educational needs or goals? Paragraph 4 - Show how you made the best of your time at your current school. What classes / experiences have you pursued that have prepared you for your next step academically. Paragraph 5 - Why University X Paragraph 6 - Close off and, if possible, link back to your intro. If you want assistance with your transfer application essay, or transferring in general, please reach out. I help many students successfully transfer into their dream schools every year, and I can do the same for you!

Happy transfer season! To support my followers, I’m releasing articles on how to get admitted into some of the most popular schools. I’m specifically covering their unique cultures and what you can do to stand out against your competition. Use this information to help you curate the perfect, school-specific application. Today’s school: UC Berkeley Unfortunately, the application deadline has passed for the University of California for fall 2020, but spring 20221 is still open. It closes on May 31, 2020. As part of the University of California system, which is required by the state of California to accept one-third of their incoming classes as transfers, UC Berkeley has a strong reputation for admitting transfer students. 2 out of 3 transfer students are admitted to UC, and in 2019, 22% of applicants were admitted to UC Berkeley. Though this is the lowest of the UC schools, it is still very high for a top institution. UC has put together a comprehensive guide for transfer students, detailing requirements and highlighting different school and college resources. You can access the transfer guide here. https://admissions.berkeley.edu/transfer-advising-resources Additionally, admissions statistics can provide you with important information to guide your applications. By law, all universities must make this information publicly available; however, sorting through it all can be difficult. To help, I’ve identified the important information from the Common Data Set for UC Berkeley 2018-2019. Quick Facts •Public vs. Private: Public •Geographic Region: Far West •State: California •Student to Faculty Ratio: N/A •Full Time Undergraduates: 30,845 •Transfer students: 4,495 Important Factors Considered For Admissions Academic •Rigor of secondary school record •Academic GPA •Standardized test scores •Application essay Non-academic •N/A Student Diversity •Percentage of nonresident aliens: 12.97% •Percentage of Hispanic/Latino: 15.24% •Percentage of Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 1.84% •Percentage of White, non-Hispanic: 24.87% •Percentage of American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0.09% •Percentage of Asian, non-Hispanic: 35.10% •Percentage of Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0.12% •Percentage of two or more races, non-Hispanic: 5.76% •Percentage of unknown race and/or ethnicity: 4.00% How do you apply to UC Berkeley, and how do you maximize your chances of admission? If you are determined to attend Berkeley but were not initially accepted, your best chances of transfer admission come from attending a California Community College (CCC). As I said above, one-third of every UC admit must be a transfer student. And a whopping 92% of those transfers come from CCC. Attending a select community college will greatly improve your chances of admission into UC Berkeley. First, you must show that you meet the minimum requirements. Namely, you cannot apply without a minimum of 60 UC-transferable credits, which means you cannot apply before you reach Junior standing. From there, you must align your application and application materials with Berkeley’s expectations: You need to highlight elements of your background that Berkeley wants in an applicant. Admissions counselors spend a lot of time looking for “fit” between applicants and the institution, so it must be clear that you and Berkeley are a perfect match. The easiest way to do this is through your application essays, so let’s look at each one separately. Required Transfer Applicant Question Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university. To properly address this prompt, you should begin by explaining what first attracted you to your major. In other words, how did your interest in your major evolve? Then include specific details exemplifying the development of your interest, including how the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired will help you be successful in your major. TIP: Rather than listing each of your unique skills and qualities will aid you in your major, use short anecdotes (specific moments) to demonstrate them instead. By showing rather than telling, you: 1) Engage the reader, and 2) Add focus to your writing. Additional Questions - The Personal Insight Questions You must complete three of the following eight prompts: 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 7. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? What the admissions committees DON’T want to read are formal, school-like essays. These prompts were not created to assess your academic writing but to get to know you - the applicant. (After all, they are called “Personal Insight Questions” for a reason.) So think carefully about what you need to show (see below) and what you can write about in an engaging way. The University of California publishes 6 personal factors they use when evaluating an application, which should be taken into account as you consider the three questions you want to respond to: 1. Employment while attending school2. Family responsibilities3. A return to school where early grades are not indicative of strong academic performance4. Involvement in campus organizations and community service5. Military service6. Other opportunities or challenges that may have shaped your educational experiences. UC applications are reviewed holistically, so no single factor determines whether or not you are admitted. However, each of the eight personal insight questions is directly connected to one or more of these factors, which means your responses should connect to them as well. To begin, take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Title one side “Personal Factors” and the other side “8 Personal Insight Questions”. Start by thinking of anecdotes (short stories from your life) that demonstrate the aforementioned factors. For example, to address factors 3 and/or 6, you might consider challenges you’ve faced and overcome, such as how your grades have improved because you’ve matured as a student or you excelled in school despite an illness in the family. When you are done brainstorming the personal factors, do the same for the eight personal insight questions. Then, make connections between the two halves of your paper. Where do your stories overlap? Which of your stories are the strongest, most interesting, or address the most points? This will help you identify the three best stories and prompts to use in your UC transfer application. ❤❤❤ Here are some overarching tips to help you with your transfer application as a whole: TIP ONE to answering each of the transfer application questions - make sure they work as a collective whole to tell a single story. In other words, you want each of your application materials to tell a little bit more of the story of you. Your responses should not repeat but compliment each other. TIP TWO is to add school fit into your responses. UC Berkeley wants to admit students who compliment their campus culture, so the more you can show that you are the “type of student” who attends Berkeley the better. Think about the things you have accomplished or experienced that align with the school’s stated mission, and infuse those experiences or personal characteristics into your essays. Berkeley’s mission statement is: Consistent with our founding as California’s land grant university and with the state and federal support that has contributed to our success, a commitment to egalitarian and democratic values; to research and scholarly work that serves our community, our state, our nation, and the world; to providing access for students from all backgrounds and communities; and to fostering in our students, faculty, and staff a strong ethic of public service and social justice. As such, three important things to demonstrate in your application are: • A passion for learning - You will want to show that you have a passion for learning and have challenged yourself intellectually, whether that be through the classes you have chosen to take, the research you have done (either under a mentor or independently) or learning you have pursued in non-traditional ways. • An interest in applying your learning - Demonstrate that, for you, learning goes beyond satisfying your intellectual curiosity to include making an impact in some positive way. This could be through research, community outreach, or through your prospective career path. In other words, show how you plan to apply your education in the real world. • Community service - Show that you are interested in the world around you by discussing how you’ve engaged with your community through activities like volunteer work, conservation efforts, or civic participation. A record of community service will go a long way with Berkeley. Do you need help putting together your Berkeley transfer application? Contact me for information on my transfer application packages. I have the perfect plan for you - whether you plan to apply to one school, multiple schools, or only require help with the written application materials. Best of luck, transfer applicants!! ➽➽➽ If you want to know more about studying in the United States and Canada, you can: •Pay attention to me and my column: 北美留学申请专家 •Find me on WeChat under username kvanderweert •Email me at kvanderweert@worldawaits.net •If my answer is helpful to you, please like and share the content

I am regularly contacted by high school students and their parents seeking advice on early planning for college admissions. Because advanced planning is imperative to becoming a competitive applicant, I want to share a recent (abridged) email exchange I had with the parent of an international student: Parent - My son was an honor student in middle school. I am seeking assistance on the activities I should place him in as he goes through high school. My goal is to help him prepare for a top school in the United States. I want to support his interests while encouraging activities that will enhance his chances of admission and career opportunities. Kimberly - First, thank you for reaching out. You are smart to be forward-thinking on behalf of your son and his future applications. He will most certainly benefit from early planning - not only will his high school years go by quickly, but his course load, GPA, and extracurricular involvement will be critical to his success as an applicant. To begin, I suggest that you and your son discuss his interests and current career aspirations. Encourage him to look into the clubs, activities, and projects he has access to not only in his school but in your community as well. Once you both have an idea of the extracurriculars he can join, you can work out (or work with me) to put together a strategic participation plan. As I mentioned, universities are looking for what I call “T-Shaped” applicants, so you want a plan that highlights the quality of his involvement--demonstrating depth--over the quantity of activities he decides to engage in. It is also very beneficial to find activities that align with his career aspirations, particularly as he moves closer to high school graduation, as well as leadership opportunities. After finding school and/or community clubs and organizations, your son should consider extending his interests to a larger platform. Many applicants have interests in, for example, the environment, social causes, travel, etc, but they only pursue them within their schools or local clubs. I have found, however, that those clients who proactively address their interests beyond already-established channels are viewed very favorably by universities. You son has a few options to extend his interests: 1. Found a new school club. Your son will need to work with the proper school faculty to get his idea going, recruit members, and do quite a bit of planning (meetings, activities, fundraising, outreach, etc.) which demonstrates considerable ambition, maturity, and leadership. 2. Volunteer and/or connect his school club with a community service organization. This is a way to develop leadership in a visible platform, and universities love to see an applicant with dedication to community service. 3. Advance an interest through social media. Building a community of similarly-minded individuals from around the country or around the world, publishing educational articles or blogs, and inspiring people to action shows leadership, commitment, and integrity. In all honesty, there are many avenues your son can pursue as he moves through his high school years. The important thing is to find something he is genuinely interested in and curious about -- no matter what he ends up doing exactly, these qualities will shine through and make him a desirable university applicant.

When it comes to preparing for graduate school, many students feel stressed. They wonder: “Should I take the GRE or the GMAT?”; “When do I need to start preparing my applications?”; “Are my grades strong enough to get me into my target programs?” I constantly receive messages and emails from graduate applicants expressing the stress and confusion they experience trying to navigate US admissions. In response, I am sharing the general graduate application timeline I have been using with my clients and students for a decade. I hope that it will help alleviate some students’ anxiety surrounding their upcoming applications - as Alexander Graham Bell famously said: Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. Freshman year — Summer before Junior year Be an active participant on your campus - You must develop yourself beyond your grades. One of the best ways to do this is to get involved on campus - whether through career-oriented organizations and competitions - or through extracurricular activities you are passionate about. So many students focus exclusively on their grades, which puts them at a detriment when competing against students who have spent years leading an organization or winning competitions. Add depth to your academics - So many students think that securing good grades in their college courses will be enough to get them into their top-choice programs. However, if you’re aiming for a PhD or a competitive school, you must go above-and-beyond by developing your career-oriented skills. Depending on your field of study, participate in research projects on your campus and/or abroad, or use your summers to intern in your industry. Take TOEFL and IELTS practice tests - Some people perform better on TOEFL, while others do better on IELTS. Try them both out and see which one you score higher on, then begin preparing for that one. You should expect to take your first official test in the spring of your Junior year, but if you take it earlier, that’s great too. It will be very helpful to have the test out of the way by the summer before your Senior year. The same goes for your academic standardized test: GRE/GMAT/LSAT Start your resume - In addition to career-related roles and responsibilities, include extracurricular involvement, awards, relevant coursework, skills, and interests. Putting your resume together early will help you spot areas of weakness, which you can then address while you still have time. Read - Reading will help you improve your test scores and essay writing. Fall of Junior Year Continue with the points under “Freshman year - Summer before Junior year” as necessary. Keep your grades up - If you received poor grades as a Freshman or Sophomore, it is particularly important that you raise them now. Admissions committees consider upper-classman grades to be an important predictive measure of future academic success. Ramp up your standardized test preparation - Again, it is ideal for you to be done with all your tests by the summer of your Junior year so you can focus on other application materials. Spring of Junior year Initiate the application process - Your first application will take between 100-200 hours to complete, not including standardized test preparation. By starting early, you set yourself up for success. Write down your short-term and long-term goals - Where do you see yourself in one year? Five years? Upon retirement? Knowing what you want from your life will not only guide you to the right graduate program, but your answers to these questions - being motivating factors behind your decision to attend graduate school - will be discussed at length throughout your application. Start thinking about them early. Take your standardized tests - If you did not take your standardized tests in the winter, you will need to do so in the spring. Taking the test at this point will do two things: 1) Help you develop an accurate yet comprehensive graduate program list, as you will have an idea of your target school competitiveness, and 2) Give you time to retest over the summer if you receive poor scores. Start your program list - It’s okay if you have tons of programs on your list. As you start to research schools, and as you start to explore your personal interests and goals, you will naturally narrow your list down. Think about program fit - It’s common for students to gravitate toward “Name Brand” schools, but there is a lot more to consider: Finances - Will you need aid to attend school in the United States? If so, will you qualify? Location - Really think about where you want to live for 2-6 years; it will impact your happiness more than you (probably) realize now. Do you want urban or rural? Mountains, beaches, or cornfields? Do you want to stay in an environment that is already familiar to you, or do you want to push your boundaries? Program culture - Some programs are highly individualized and competitive while others focus on cooperative learning, for example. Grades and test scores - Which programs “fit” your academic statistics? I advise my clients to be above the 50% mark for match and safety programs. Start demonstrating interest - Schools want to know that you want them. Show them you’re interested by visiting them (even if it’s just online), sign up for information and information sessions, follow them on social media, and connect with current students and professors. Many schools track applicant interest, so your efforts will (likely) be noticed. Ask teachers for letters of recommendation (LORs) - I know it’s uncommon for recommenders in China to write LORs for their students, but you should at least try. Letters that come directly from the source will be more authentic. If your recommenders don’t want to write in English, that is fine too; you will simply need to have the LORs professionally translated, then submit both copies. As a last resort, you can write them yourself and have your recommender sign them. Summer Before Senior Year Start your application essays - You should begin by free-writing -- every. single. day. Write about yourself. Write about your experiences, goals, and personal values. Explore yourself through your writing, and get comfortable with your voice. This will help you down the road when you write your application personal statements/statements of purpose in a more structured way. Narrow down your program list to 6-15 options - Make sure at least one of the schools on your list is a definite. Don’t take this lightly; it’s the most important school on your list. Continue visiting schools and demonstrating interest - This is very important because it not only shows your commitment to the programs but will help you write more convincing application essays (in particular, the Why University X portion). If necessary, send your transcripts to WES for verification. Update your resume. Begin writing Personal Statement (PS) or Statement of Purpose (SOP) - This essay is extremely important. It allows admissions committees to know you on a personal level - as more than a set of grades and test scores. Fall of Senior Year Make a graduate program spreadsheet - Keep yourself organized by recording the application requirements and due dates for all the programs you plan on applying to. Include chances of admission, notes, and opinions as well. Contact recommenders - Share your due dates with your recommenders, and explain what they can expect with regards to submitting letters on your behalf. Write each recommender a thank you note for their time. Complete your essays. Submit round one applications - For most programs, the earlier you submit, the better your chances of admission. You should plan to have at least three of your applications done by round-one deadlines. Winter of Senior Year Submit the rest of your applications - For all the school applications you were unable to submit early, make sure they are in by the final due date. There is no leniency for late applications; if you miss the due date, your application will not be reviewed. Continue to interview as requested. Breathe - All you have to do now is wait. You will probably check your email constantly, discuss admissions results on various forums, and, basically, freak yourself out. This is normal but try to avoid it. Until admissions results are fully released, things are out of your control. Write Letters of Continued Interest (LOCIs) for any programs that waitlist you. Spring of Senior Year Make your program decision - Inform all of the schools you were admitted to but don’t wish to enroll in that you will be attending a different institution. This will allow them to start moving waitlisted students into their admit pile (the sooner they can do this, the sooner another stressed-out senior student is going to receive some good news). Put your deposit down for the program you will enter in the fall. Prepare your travel documents - Make sure your passport is current, contact your school regarding your I-20, compile your financial statements, and prepare for your visa interview. Don’t worry; it should be easy, but you’ll feel more confident if everything is ready and organized early. Celebrate! ➽➽➽ Every year, my team and I work one-on-one with a select number of applicants. Students and families who work with us find that the application process is easy, successful, and life-changing. If you want assistance with your applications, or even a single requirement, let’s chat. You can contact me on WeChat at kvanderweert or via email at kvanderweert@worldawaits.net.

Students and families often come to me stumped on how to begin their transfer personal statements. Schools want to see that applicants have made an appropriate, informed decision to transfer, and that they have the academic ability and motivation to be successful at their new school. To properly demonstrate these things to admissions officers, begin by asking yourself the questions below. Your answers will inform your personal statement. Question 1: How is your current school failing to meet your academic and/or personal needs? In other words, how is it less-than-ideal? Consider: Have you decided to change majors, and your current school doesn’t offer it or isn’t strong in the discipline? Do you dislike the curriculum offered at your current school? Do you lack access to career development outside of your course offerings, such as internships, externships, career services, campus clubs and organizations, or networking opportunities? Have you outgrown your environment? Is your current school too expensive? Do you have personal circumstances influencing your decision to transfer? What are your personal values and how haven’t they been met? Did you initially feel unprepared to apply to your transfer school? Question 2: What were your expectations for your current school before you arrived? How did reality differ? Question 3: What experiences have you had that have led to where you are now? Consider (in order of importance): Experiences in your current school Experiences in high school Question 4: If you attended community college immediately after high school, why did you make this decision? Has community college met your needs up until this point and, if so, in what ways? Question 5: What specific resources and opportunities does your transfer school offer and how will they benefit you? Identify: Course offerings Professors you want to learn from Student organizations Research opportunities Experiential learning opportunities Study abroad Resources and courses outside your major that align with your personal needs and interests Resources and opportunities in or near the school’s city 💗💗💗 If you want assistance with your transfer application essay, or transferring in general, please reach out. I help many students successfully transfer into their dream schools every year, and I can do the same for you! I offer hourly services, 3 different transfer packages, as well as a Fundamental Transfer Plan that includes a personalized transfer analysis, a 1-hour strategy call culminating in a formal transfer plan, and 5 hours of transfer application guidance. Here’s what past transfer clients have had to say: “I just want to let you know how thankful I am for your help. I'm able to make progress toward my degree because of your help in the process of transfer applications. Given my situation, it was amazing how many schools I got into! This wouldn't have been possible without your help.” “I just wanted to share that I’ve been admitted to NYU!! You definitely exceeded my expectations and made me think deeply about things I had never thought about before. Thank you so much for your honesty and guidance. It helped me a lot.” Thank you for reading my post; I hope it has been helpful for you!

For those of you considering applying to schools in the United States, I’ve put together an admissions timeline for you. This is the general timeline I have been using with my clients and students for nearly a decade. Please note that my ideas and views might be different from the advice you receive from others, including those on this site. In my opinion, it is helpful to read different admissions suggestions so you can make the best decisions for yourself. My Recommended Admissions Timeline (Undergraduate) Freshman Year - Summer Before Junior Year Get involved - Be a “yes” person. If your friends want you to train for a marathon with them, say yes. If your parents want you to help more around the house, say yes. If you want to start a new hobby, say yes (to yourself). Of course, there are more direct college prep activities you can and should be doing over your summer (as you’ll see below), but getting involved with your friends, family, and personal well-being will keep you happy. By saying “yes,” you might also stumble into new opportunities and/or have experiences that will turn into an amazing application essay. Take an SAT and ACT practice test - Some people perform better on the SAT, while others do better on the ACT. Try them both out and see which one you gravitate toward and score higher on - then beginning preparing for that one. You should expect to take your first official test in the spring of your Junior year, but if you take it earlier, that’s great too. It will be very helpful to have the test out of the way by the summer before your Senior year. Ditto for TOEFL and IELTS Take SAT subject tests - If you are planning to apply to elite schools, there’s a good chance you will need to submit subject tests. Take a subject test or two that align with the classes you took during the school year, while the information is still fresh in your mind. Add depth to your top activity - Admissions committees like to see “T-shaped applicants” - applicants who have both a breadth and a depth of experience. Select your favorite activity and do more with it over the summer, while you have some free time. Start your resume - Make a list of all your extracurricular involvement since Freshman year. In addition to traditional activities, such as sports, clubs, internships, and summer research, remember that anything you do outside of school counts. This includes family responsibilities, test prep, personal projects, and hobbies. Read - Reading will help you improve your test scores and essay writing. Fall of Junior Year Continue with the points under “Summer Before Junior Year” as necessary Take the most challenging course load you can - Taking (and acing) rigorous classes tells admissions committees that you are capable of succeeding in college-level courses. While you are only evaluated through the courses offered at your high school, it looks great to add AP or college classes to your course load. You may be able to find such classes within your city or online, or you can self-study and test out. Remember, however, that grades are equally important to rigor. If you’re concerned about receiving an A in a challenging class, you will want to determine whether your GPA or rigor is more important to your application before enrolling in the course. Keep your grades up - As I mentioned, GPA is equally important to class rigor. But also, if you received poor grades as a Freshman or Sophomore, it is particularly important that you raise them now, as admissions committees consider Junior year grades to be the most predictive of college success. Get involved with your school or community - Doing so will add to your “T-shaped” profile. But you will need to stick with whatever you chose to do through Senior year so admissions committees don’t see your involvement as a cheap play to add to your activities list and resume. Ramp up your standardized test preparation - Again, it is ideal for you to be done with all your tests by the summer of your Junior year so you can focus on other application materials. Spring of Junior Year Take your standardized tests - If you did not take your standardized tests in the winter, you will need to do so in the spring. In the United States, high schools arrange for their students to take the test in April or May, though many students sign up to take the test on their own at earlier times. You should aim to do the same. Taking the test at this point will also leave you room to retest over the summer if you receive poor scores. · Start your college list - It’s okay if you have tons of schools on your list. As you start to research programs, and you as you start to explore your personal interests and goals, you will filter schools out. 3. Think about college fit - It’s common for students to gravitate toward “Name Brand” schools, but there is a lot more to consider: a）Finances - Will you need aid to attend school in the United States? If so, will you qualify? You and your parents need to hold honest discussions about college costs. I’ve seen it happen before - parents tell their children they can apply wherever they want, but when they are accepted into a high-ticket school the family can’t actually afford, the student is forced to withdraw. This is terrible for everyone involved, so talk about financial expectations early. b）Potential Major - If you don’t know what you want to study yet, that’s fine. But if you do, you definitely need to make sure your preferred school(s) not only offer your major but are equipped to offer you amazing opportunities within it. c）Location - Really think about where you want to live for 4 or more years; it will impact your happiness more than you (probably) realize now. Do you want urban or rural? Mountains, beaches, or cornfields? Do you want to stay in an environment that is already familiar to you, or do you want to push your boundaries? d ) School size - Think about how you learn best. Do you prefer small classes where you can discuss ideas with your professors and classmates? Or do you prefer lecture halls where you can remain anonymous? Do you want to attend a large state school with many course options and resources, or do you prefer a smaller school that specializes in your preferred area of study? e ) School culture - Do you want to attend a large school for the “quintessential college experience” of football, parties, and greek life? Or do you want something more quirky? Or maybe both? f ) Grades and test scores - Where do your statistics fit? I advise my clients to be above the 50% mark for match and safety schools. 4. Start demonstrating interest - Schools want to know that you want them. Show them you’re interested by visiting them (even if it’s just online), sign up for information and information sessions, follow them on social media, and connect with current students and professors. Many schools track applicant interest, so your efforts will (likely) be noticed. 5. Start a new email address that is strictly for admissions - First of all, your email needs to be professional rather than your phone number or something you made up when you were 12. Second of all, you will receive A LOT of correspondence from colleges and universities. It will help you keep everything organized if you direct it to one email that is dedicated to your admissions journey. Because colleges and universities track applicant interest, open the emails your receive, even if they’re just junk. 6. Ask teachers for letters of recommendation (LORs) - I know it’s uncommon for teachers in China to write LORs for their students, but you should at least try. Letters that come directly from teachers will be more authentic. If your teachers don’t want to write in English, that is fine too; you will simply need to have the LORs professionally translated, then submit both copies. If teachers agree to write LORs on your behalf, help them by giving them a copy of your resume and information on your goals and motivations. Summer Before Senior Year Complete anything I’ve already listed that isn’t done yet. Write like a motherf*cker - It’s time to start your application essays. You should begin by free-writing--every. single. day. Write about yourself. Write about your experiences, goals, and personal values. Explore yourself through your writing, and get comfortable with your voice. This will help you down the road when you write your application essays in a more structured way. Narrow down your school list to 6-15 options. Make sure at least one of the schools on your list is a definite. Don’t take this lightly; it’s the most important school on your list. Continue visiting schools and demonstrating interest. This is very important because it not only shows your commitment to the school(s) but will help you write more convincing application essays (in particular, the Why University X essay). Take demonstrated interest one step further - IF it’s okay to do so, contact your regional admissions officer. Introduce yourself and ask questions that aren’t readily available on the school website. Open a Common App account - Applications don’t officially open until August 1, but you can add the basics to your account early. If necessary, send your transcripts to WES for verification. Update your resume. Begin writing your primary application essay - Also called the Personal Statement (PS), this essay is extremely important. It allows admissions committees to know the applicant on a personal level - as more than a set of grades and test scores. No matter which prompt you choose, the topic is you. Focus on letting the reader in, opening up, and creating a connection. In my opinion, this is best accomplished by showing (not telling) your core value(s). Rather than reiterating facts that are in other parts of your application, use the PS to express yourself. Take care of yourself - Your senior year is going to be stressful, and you should prepare for it by engaging in healthy habits now. Exercise, meditate, listen to music and dance in your room, read books, visit with friends. It doesn’t matter what you do, but set time aside for yourself and continue to do so as application season ramps up. Fall of Senior Year Again, make sure you are on top of the points listed above. Make a college spreadsheet - Keep yourself organized by recording the application requirements and due dates for all the schools you plan on applying to. Include chance of admission, notes, and opinions as well. Contact recommenders - Share with your due dates with your recommenders, and explain what they can expect with regards to submitting letters on your behalf. Write each recommender a thank you note for their time. Complete your essays - Focus on your personal statement, then write each supplemental essay in the order of their due dates. You should also consider whether you need or want to write an Additional Information essay. Apply Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) - Whether or not you decide to apply ED is something you will have to consider carefully with your family. Applying EA, on the other hand, is absolutely something you should aim for. Statistically, your chances of admission from EA are higher, so apply early to as many schools as you can. Interview - Every school has a different way of approaching interviews. Some universities automatically sign you up for an interview, some require you to sign yourself up, sometimes interviews are optional, and some schools don’t use them at all. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the interview process for each of the schools on your list so you don’t miss this vital opportunity. Write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) - If you are deferred from EA or ED Winter of Senior Year Apply Regular Decision (RD) - For all the school applications you were unable to submit early, make sure they are in by the RD due date. There is no leniency for late applications; if you miss the due date, your application will not be reviewed. Breathe - All you have to do now is wait. You will probably check your email constantly, discuss admissions results on various forums, and, basically, freak yourself out. This is normal but try to avoid it. Until admissions results are fully released, things are out of your control. Instead, pick up those healthy habits you established over the summer and keep yourself happy. Write LOCIs for any schools you end up on the waitlist. Spring of Senior Year Make your school Decision by May 1 - Inform all of the schools you were admitted to but don’t wish to enroll in that you will be attending a different institution. This will allow them to start moving waitlisted students into their admit pile (the sooner they can do this, the sooner another stressed-out senior student is going to receive some good news). Put your deposit down for the school you will enter in the fall. Prepare your travel documents - Make sure your passport is current, contact your school regarding your I-20, compile your financial statements, and prepare for your visa interview. Don’t worry; it should be easy, but you’ll feel more confident if everything is ready and organized early. ➽➽➽ Every year, my team and I work one-on-one with a select number of applicants. Students and families who work with us find that the application process is easy, successful, and life-changing. If you want assistance with your applications, or even a single requirement, let’s chat. You can contact me on WeChat at kvanderweert or via email at kvanderweert@worldawaits.net.

Almost all colleges and universities ask applicants to submit more than a personal statement. In fact, with the University of California Personal Insight Questions, Common Application and Coalition Application personal statements, and supplemental essays, the average applicant can expect to write at least 15 essays. One of the most common supplemental essays — Why University X — asks you to explain how a school’s academic and non-academic resources align with you and your goals. For example, Tufts University directly asks: Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, ‘Why Tufts?’ (150 words) The University of Pennsylvania words it a little differently by focusing on the applicant’s interests; however, this prompt is really a Why University X: How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying. (650 words) A common mistake I see in the “Why University X” essay is a focus on the school rather than the applicant. This is a problem because, frankly, the admissions officers already know what their school has to offer; what they don’t know is how their academic and extracurricular resources will help you. As such, one of the most important things to understand about the Why University X essay is that it is just as much about you as it is about the school. The other important thing to understand about the Why University X essay is that specificity is key. Strong essays are highly-specific to the school or program and to the applicant’s academic, professional, and personal goals. To successfully make specific connections between yourself and the university, you should: Read this article for a very helpful activity as well as good and bad Why University X examples. Conduct research on the university: 1) Attend a campus visit. All schools are offering online tours and information sessions due to Covid. Take notes on the aspects that are attractive to you. 2) Follow the school on social media. Mention something that was recently posted by the university and how it’s attractive to you. 3) Read the student newspaper. Take notes on interesting happenings around campus. 4) Read the university website for information on what they are looking for in an applicant. Include personal experiences, characteristics, interests, etc. that line up with their stated preferences. 5) Read the school and program mission statements. Think about how your values, motivation, and interests overlap with theirs. 6) Find classes and professors that appeal to you. If possible, contact those professors for their syllabi. Doing so will help you describe how those classes and faculty members will help you develop academically. 7) Find campus activities, clubs, and resources that entice you and discuss how you will take advantage of them. Detail how you and the university overlap. A simple T-Chart will help you organize your ideas and reinforce the mutually-beneficial relationship you must present in your essay. Another great blog post to check out comes from Tulane University: Apps 101: The "Why College X"? Statement. Take a moment to read it. Writing application essays can be daunting, from knowing what to write and how to write it — all while balancing your academic and personal responsibilities — but World Awaits can give you an advantage thanks to the devotion we have to your success. If you’re struggling with your essays, reach out to us today. Good luck, applicants!

Often, beginning a statement of purpose (SOP) is the most challenging step. Follow these steps before you start writing to help you discover the content of your primary application essay. Step 1: Brainstorm goals Where do I want to be after graduation or after 5 years? What are my long term goals? What job will I hold ? For what company or type of company? How will this university degree help me get there? What steps do I need to take to get there? Step 2: Evaluate your profile What are my strengths and weaknesses? What challenges have I faced so far? How have I learned from them and how will I apply them in the future? Step 3: Research each university and program you plan to apply to How will they benefit my goals? How will I benefit theirs? What does the program emphasize? What types of candidates are they looking for? Step 4: Add details to each question Focus on depth Answer “why” Step 5: Write your outline Write a personal story about why you chose your discipline Include your short-term and long-term goals Explain why you want to attend that university and how it will help you achieve your goals Emphasize how you are a good fit for their program and why the university should accept you (your strengths and how you will be an ambassador of their program following graduation) Discuss any challenges you’ve faced in your academic career, how you’ve overcome them, and how they’ve prepared you for advanced studies If you’re struggling with your statement of purpose (or any other application elements), reach out to arrange a free 20 minute consultation. My team and I have decades of experience between us. We’ll help you differentiate yourself from all the other applicants applying to your target schools in the United States, Canada, or the UK and ensure you attend the program of your dreams.

Hello transfer applicants! As I’ve mentioned in recent articles and videos, I’m spending the next couple weeks discussing how to get admitted into some of the most popular schools - especially for transfer students. I’m specifically covering their unique cultures and what you can do to stand out against your competition. Use this information to help you curate the perfect, school-specific application. Today’s school: New York University. Because a lot of students transferring to NYU face unique challenges (most notably moving to large, busy, and at times overwhelming city), the university has established a support network for their new admits. Head here to request a mentor, join the transfer student association, or sign up for the weekly transfer student newsletter. How do you apply to New York University, and how do you maximize your chances of admission? First, you should know that NYU is highly competitive. The first criteria you will be evaluated on are your post-secondary grades. The average NYU transfer student in 2017 had a GPA of 3.6 and had completed 36 credits (1.5 years) at the college level. If you have not yet earned 36 credits, you will need to submit SAT or ACT scores. (Please note that different departments may have different requirements for applicants, such as a portfolio or more letters of recommendation. Be sure to check the specific requirements for your preferred major.) With a 27% admit rate in 2017, a solid application essay is also important. We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. We are particularly interested in knowing what motivated you to apply to NYU and more specifically, why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and/or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please tell us why you are interested in each of the campuses, schools, colleges, or programs to which you have applied. You may be focused or undecided, or simply open to the options within NYU’s global network; regardless, we want to understand — Why NYU? This is the “Why University X” essay. You must explain why the school is perfect for you, and why you are perfect for the school. If you are having trouble identifying how the school aligns with your goals and interests, try this trick. There are a few questions to address in this prompt. For all of them, specificity is the key to success. Below, I explain how to answer each question within the prompt, including an example from a recent transfer client I worked with. You will notice how specificity greatly improves the essay. Which campus are you interested in? Because NYU has three campuses (New York, Shanghai, and Abu Dhabi), they want to know if the location of the school attracts you and, if so, why. If the campus location isn’t a factor in your decision to apply to NYU, it’s okay to skip this question. Example First draft: I have loved NYU and New York ever since my first visit to it in 2013. I can envision living there. This answer is too general: it says nothing about the applicant’s interest in the school. Final draft: I have been drawn to NYU’s energetic campus since my first visit in 2013. Because it provides a full college experience alongside the endless possibilities that are present in the world’s most vibrant city, I don’t feel there is any other school like NYU. Having spent years in small towns, I am eager to return to New York City - the city that I most resonate with and that so fully satisfies my desire to be surrounded by diversity and opportunity. This answer adds specificity. It explains why the location is a good match for the applicant by discussing how the city and campus match the applicant’s desires. Which school or college are you interested in? NYU is made up of many different schools and colleges based on area of study. If you are applying to a school or college that is not the College of Arts and Science, the majority of your essay should be on your reasons for doing so. Which program are you interested in? This is your opportunity to explain your personal goals. Although incoming freshmen are not required to know their major, transfer applicants are. Admissions committees expect to see that transfer students are mature and have clear ideas about their academic and career futures. After all, transferring is a big decision, and adcomms want to know you have thought it through carefully. Explaining your major choice is a solid way of doing so. The reasons that you are attracted to your program at NYU are probably the same reasons other applicants are attracted to the same program. To differentiate yourself, you need to discuss how this program is unique from other schools’ programs, and then tie those differentiating factors to your personal goals. Example First draft: I want to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, and NYU has a prestigious engineering school. This answer says nothing specific about the school nor the applicant. Further, it makes the applicant look lazy because it doesn’t discuss how the school is unique. In fact, it doesn’t even use the name of the school. Final draft: Electrical engineering is a common program in many universities, but NYU Tandon’s robust Power Engineering study track makes all the difference to me. As a future electrical engineer, I am particularly interested in smart grid technology because it distributes electricity based on consumer need, self-detects and isolates malfunctioning devices, and provides cleaner energy solutions. Having interned at a power plant for two summers, I have first-hand knowledge on power generation and power delivery methods. As such, I see the economic and environmental benefits of smart grids - especially in population-dense locations. Because the NYU Power Lab focuses on this technology, it aligns perfectly with my long-term goal of expanding smart grids in my home community (and hopefully the world at large). I look forward to using the resources of the NYU Power Lab to explore smart grid concepts and applications. From courses on small-scale electrical systems to large-scale power generation, I am confident Tandon will support me in understanding all levels of electricity supply. For example, I intend to enroll in Signals and Systems, Electric Energy Conversion Systems, and Electrical Power & Machinery to develop my technical knowledge and learn innovative approaches to power generation. This response is successful for many reasons: First and foremost, the applicant explains his goals. Because of this, he is then able to make clear, concrete connections to his program, including specific courses and campus resources that interest him. The reader better understands the applicant, his motivations, and how NYU will help him. By letting the reader know about his internship at the power plant, this application also shows he has experience in the field and will, thus, be a positive contribution to any class or campus organization. Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. I’ve already written posts on how to answer this question, which you can find on my website or on Zhihu. I also offer a transfer essay writing course, which walks you through the essay from brainstorming to final draft. Contact me if you are interested. Here are some overarching tips to help you with your transfer application as a whole: TIP ONE to answering each of the transfer application questions - make sure they work as a collective whole to tell a single story. In other words, you want each of your application materials to tell a little bit more of the story of YOU - your responses should not repeat but compliment each other. If you write about wanting to attend NYU because their accounting program is stronger than the program at your current school, use the supplemental essay to do so. Or highlight your diversity by infusing it into your main transfer essay. TIP TWO is to add school fit into your responses. NYU wants to admit students who compliment their campus culture, so the more you can show that you are the “type of student” who attends the NYU the better. Research the mission statement and goals of the NYU school or program you are applying to. Think about the things you have accomplished or experienced that align with the school’s stated mission, and infuse those experiences or personal characteristics into your essays. The University of New York favors students who demonstrate: A variety of interests - academic, extracurricular, community service Potential to take advantage of campus and city resources Character and maturity to thrive in an urban environment Do you need help putting together your NYU transfer application? Contact me for information on my transfer application packages. I have the perfect plan for you - whether you plan to apply to one school, multiple schools, or only require help with the written application materials. Best of luck, transfer applicants!!