Month: September 2014

Writing Your Resume

Writing Your Resume

 

While resumes are NOT required as part of the Undergraduate Admission application process at Loyola University Chicago, I highly encourage that you submit one anyway. Resumes are a great way to show your Admission Counselor who you are outside of the classroom. Not to mention, they can also potentially help with scholarship opportunities. As many high school seniors do not have a resume of their own, here are a few suggestions for creating one:

  • Research. If you have never seen a resume yet, you can see tons of samples online or by asking your family members to share theirs. While your resume is not expected to be at the same level as your parents’, having seen a few resumes will help you to understand the purpose of creating one.
  • Don’t Forget Anything. Start working on your resume now. Just keep a running list of everything you’ve been involved with (e.g. sports, clubs, organizations, part-time jobs, volunteer work, leadership positions, internships, research, service, ministry, productions, music, art, dance, hobbies, achievements, awards, etc.) You likely will have quite a list and it can be difficult to recall it all while under the stress of filling out applications and scholarship applications, so starting now will insure you don’t miss out on anything important.
  • Be Concise! Your resume should NEVER exceed one page. While I completely understand the challenge of limiting your academic, professional, service, and extra-curricular experiences, but professionals with forty years of experience can do it, so you can, too! In order to keep it short and sweet, don’t include any experience or involvement before high school. If your resume is still too long, eliminate the experiences that are of the least importance to you or that occurred the longest ago.
  • Spell Check. Like your essay and every other aspect of your application, you will want to be sure that all spelling and grammar are exemplary.
  • Make Your Name Stand Out. Literally, make sure your name is on your resume! If you send in a resume without your name, it will be challenging for us to match it to your application. Including other items like your email or birth date can also be helpful.
  • Show off Your Style. Your resume is meant to represent YOU, so don’t be afraid to add some style or formatting to represent yourself (especially if you are interested in design or art!) However, a plain and simple bullet-ed list will perfectly suffice for your college application, as we’ll mostly be focusing on content.

Reminder: You can always email your resume to admissionforms@luc.edu or to your Admission Counselor and they can add it to your file if you’ve already submitted your application.

 

 

Write a Great College Essay

Write a Great College Essay

If you are applying to a selective or highly selective college, you’ll probably be required to write an essay or a personal statement. Chances are you’ve already started to write them. But if you haven’t, don’t panic. The essay is your chance to bring your application to life.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Read first. What is the question? How many words can you use? This is one of the biggest mistakes applicants make: submitting an essay that doesn’t answer the question or fails to stay within the guidelines.
  • Brainstorm. Think about what you want to write. If you only had a few minutes to share something unique about yourself, what would you say? Use your essay to tell admissions counselors how you stand out. Something you learned, a novel approach to a problem, or an experience that shaped who you are today—these are all things that can set you apart.
  • Stay away from the resume. Don’t use your essay to reiterate your resume by listing all of the sports, clubs, and organizations you are a part of in your school or community. Think of the essay as a great cover letter or an opportunity to tell a story.
  • Be honest. This probably goes without saying, but be truthful and passionate. Paint a picture for the reader as if he or she is there. You don’t need to use a laundry list of adjectives. Build the story by sharing something about yourself or your point of view.
  • Take a risk. Some of the best essays I have ever read started with an unusual statement. To this day I still remember an essay that began, “Old people are stinky.” The student brought to life his experience volunteering at a senior living home, where his initial bias changed due to some great chess games with a war veteran named Charlie.
  • Remember the basics. Spell check. Read your essay out loud for grammar and transitions. Use an easy-to-read font size. If you used the same essay for a different school, take the name of that school out of the essay. If you e-mail the essay or upload it to your application account, put your name and address on it. Sending something from “girllovespink@hotmail.com” doesn’t help the admission office match it to you application.

As you prepare to apply to Loyola, I hope you include a great essay that will make me walk out of my office and share it with other admission officers. Each year, we are amazed by students who take the time to tell their unique story. And we look forward to what these talented students will bring to the Loyola community in years to come.

Advice from Current Ramblers

Advice from Current Ramblers

 

The start of the Fall semester is always my favorite time of year – the campus is buzzing with energy as we welcome the students back after a quiet summer. This year the student workers of the Undergraduate Admission Office decided to share their application and college selection advice for prospective students:

Aly Crutchfield
Aly Crutchfield

“Always keep an open mind. Going to college is not only about figuring out what you want to do with your life, but also to discover new passions, friendships, and values.” – Aly Crutchfield, Freshman

Daeja Marzette
Daeja Marzette, Left.

Be yourself on your application. Focus on representing yourself honestly and highlighting your unique qualities rather than trying to show the admission counselors a “perfect” applicant.” – Daeja Marzette, Sophomore

Morgan Parker
Morgan Parker

“Think outside the box when writing your college admission essay. It is best to write your essay on a topic that you are completely passionate about rather than what you think admissions counselors will want to read.” – Morgan Parker, Sophomore

Melissa Vazquez

“Make sure to visit the colleges you’re interested in, especially during Open House events. It will help you get a feel for what the campus environment is really like, and to see if it’s the right fit for you. This also allows you to meet professors and ask questions regarding the classes you’re interested in taking.” – Melissa Vazquez, Sophomore

Vince Jones
Vince Jones

“Choosing Loyola to be your new home for the next four years is choosing a premier education that is always highly respected wherever you go in life and will be a strong beginning to a successful career.” – Vince Jones, Junior

Ally Ryder 2
Ally Ryder, Left.

“Choose a school that has clubs or activities you can see yourself getting involved in, or even starting on your own. College is the time to explore different fields and deepen your passion, so when deciding on where to go, choose a University where you can challenge yourself and see yourself grow.” – Ally Ryder, Junior

Sam Cordova
Sam Cordova

“Make it possible for yourself to study abroad in your four year plan. This opportunity will enhance your experience at any University and it will give you the ability to learn about yourself outside of the classroom.” – Samantha Cordova, Junior

Joe Sadofsky
Joe Sadofsky, Center.

“Be yourself, get involved, and don’t be too cool for school! Rambler on.” – Joe Sadofsky, Senior

 

Breaking Down Loyola’s Deadlines

Breaking Down Loyola’s Deadlines

Every school has their own set of deadlines and it can be a lot to remember. Below I have outlined all of Loyola’s major deadlines and share some helpful tips to follow throughout the process. My #1 tip: create a calendar that lists ALL of the Loyola’s deadlines (and other collegiate/scholarship deadlines) so you have all of the information in one place where it won’t get mixed up with homework assignments, exam dates, and your schedule of extra-curricular activities.

December 1st

This is the priority deadline to submit Loyola’s application.

What does this mean? You must submit your online application, your essay, one letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, all high school transcripts, and your ACT or SAT scores in order for your application to be complete. If you meet this deadline, you will automatically be considered for all of Loyola’s Merit-based Scholarships, which can go a long way in helping to pay for your collegiate experience.

Suggestion: Don’t wait to start your application! You can send in your application and supporting materials in any order so request documents & scores right away so your school or College Board has plenty of time to submit everything for you before the deadline approaches. It’s also better to get an early start because your senior year will only get busier and we near the winter season and you’ll want plenty of time to spend on your applications and essays.

February 1st

This is the general deadline to submit applications for the Honors Program, the Business Honors Program, and for specific scholarship opportunities that require specific applications or essays.

What does this mean? Many programs and scholarships will have their own deadlines, but many of them will be February 1st or early in the month.

Suggestion: Each one will have their own separate requirements and process so be sure to closely monitor everything to be sure you don’t miss the deadline!

March 1st

This is the suggested deadline to file FAFSA (or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

What does this mean? You will want to file FAFSA to insure that you receive the best possible financial aid package and don’t lose out on any financial assistance because funds could eventually run out if you file to late in the year.

Suggestion: Even if you don’t think you will receive any financial assistance, you should still apply and the results may surprise you. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible (even if this means using last year’s tax information and updating it later on in the spring). However, if you do miss the deadline, you should absolutely still apply.

May 1st

This is the national enrollment deadline when colleges and universities across the country ask students to make a final commitment to a single school.

What does this mean? This is your deadline to submit the $500 enrollment deposit to Loyola. If you miss this deadline, the class could potentially fill and close resulting in you losing your opportunity to attend Loyola.

Suggestion: Make your enrollment deposit sooner rather than later. You are able to make your deposit starting the day you are admitted and it is refundable through May 1st should you change you mind.