Rising seniors: Get Ahead This Summer!

As the academic year draws to a close, rising seniors are contemplating ways to make the most of their downtime, delve deeper into their college search, and simultaneously savor the carefree days of summer.

Every student's journey is unique, but it's important to have a strong and structured plan in place, no matter what their individual focus may be. As summer approaches and the planning begins, here are some helpful tips to help rising seniors get the most out of their summer and guide them toward success:

Volunteer or intern: Engaging in volunteer work or an internship within a desired field is an advantageous way to acquire valuable experience and cultivate new skill sets.

Get a job: A summer job not only provides valuable work experience that looks good on a resume, but it also helps to broaden horizons.

Prepare for standardized tests: If your child plans to take the SAT or ACT in the fall, they should use the summer to prepare and take practice tests.

Work on a resume: To save time in the fall, rising seniors should make the most of the summer months by dedicating time to refining their resumes to include work experience, leadership roles, community service commitments, accolades, etc.

Explore extracurricular activities: The summer provides an excellent opportunity to explore new extracurricular pursuits, such as joining a sports team or taking up a new hobby.

Start tracking activities and achievements: The activities log is an important but time-consuming part of the Common Application. The summer provides the perfect opportunity for students to reflect on their activities and accomplishments since freshman year and organize them in a spreadsheet. This will save time when submitting applications in the fall.

Visit colleges: If your child is still unsure about which schools to apply to, visiting college campuses during the summer is a helpful way to narrow down options and start finalizing the school list. It’s also fun to spend one-on-one time with your child, so get those playlists and snacks ready for the open road!

Get a head start on the Common App essay: One of the most important pieces of advice we give our students is to begin working on the Common App essay before the demanding workload of senior year begins. Check out our recent blog, It's College Essay Season: Let's Get It Done!, for detailed information. In the meantime, here are some suggestions for crafting a solid first draft:

• Break the piece down into manageable chunks

• Generate ideas through brainstorming

• Take it step-by-step to make it less overwhelming

• Write rough drafts

• Take breaks to refresh the mind

• Seek out constructive feedback and encouragement

• Reach out for additional assistance if necessary

KQ: a Helping Hand

If your rising senior is in need of help with their Personal Statement this summer - or any aspect of the college admissions process - KQ is here to lend a hand. Please contact us via email or phone to schedule a consultation. 

Written By Verona Keating & Jacquie Quigley | Co-founders | Keating Quigley Educational Consultants

It’s College Essay Season: Let’s Get It Done!

Hands up if you have a high school junior at home who is about to embark on their college essay journey and is furiously contemplating what to write!

While this can be a daunting process for many, at KQ, we remind our college applicants that this critical piece of writing is an opportunity to showcase their individual personalities and potential, have some fun - and stand out from the crowd. That is why we advise students to invest time in crafting a solid and memorable essay that reflects the essence of who they are. 

Getting started… 

Here are seven helpful tips for students preparing to pen an effective college essay:

1.  Be genuine and original: Colleges want to understand the applicant's personality. We, therefore, encourage students to write about topics they are passionate about and reflect their personalities, interests, and values.

2. Use a strong hook: Whether it is a personal anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a quote, we urge students to begin their essays with a strong ‘hook’ that grabs the reader's attention from the get-go and draws them in. 

3. Show, don't tell: Instead of simply ‘telling’ the reader about them; we counsel students to use descriptive language and vivid details to showcase personal experiences and emotions. 

4. Be specific: We cannot stress enough the importance of illustrating individual strengths. However, we always tell students to provide concrete examples and details to support arguments and reinforce their thesis or story.

5. Stay focused: Going off on tangents is a major 'no-no,' so we caution students to be concise, stay focused, stick to the topic, and avoid getting sidetracked.

6. Edit and revise: Producing a piece that flows well and is free of errors is paramount, so we drive home the need to edit and modify the essay multiple times. We also recommend students have someone read it to provide objective feedback.

7. Be vulnerable: Above all, we encourage students to be unafraid of letting their voice and personality shine through.

Elements to Include

When it comes to structure, student should be mindful to include the following components in their college essay:

• Introduction: Begin with a strong hook that grabs the reader's attention and provides context for the rest of the essay.

• Personal story or anecdote: Share a personal story or anecdote related to the topic or theme to help the reader connect personally.

• Reflection: Reflect on a personal experience or story to explain how it has influenced or shaped the writer.

• Personality traits and values: Discuss individual personality traits and values that are important and how they relate to the topic or theme of the essay.

• Accomplishments and achievements: Highlight some accomplishments demonstrating strengths and potential. Don’t be afraid to brag (within reason)!

• Goals and aspirations: Discuss future goals and aspirations and how they relate to the topic or theme.

• Conclusion: Wrap up with a firm conclusion that makes a strong impression on the reader and leaves them wanting more.

Lastly

To summarize, we constantly remind students that the key to turning out a strong college essay is to:

• Dig deep, stay focused and don’t lose sight of the theme.

• Find a voice: be authentic by bringing personal experiences to life.

• Always demonstrate growth.

• Use descriptive language: provide vivid details.

• Solicit opinion: ask trusted people to provide feedback.

KQ is here to guide you!

So, if your student is looking for guidance with their college essay, email or call us. Our College Essay Specialist, Anne Connerty, has many years of expertise behind her, and is always happy to help!

Written By Keating Quigley | Educational Consultants