Strategize
Your application tells a story.
3
Your application tells a story.
What do colleges learn about you without your essay? Review the following categories.
Academic Record
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academic courses
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level of academic rigor
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grades in academic courses
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GPA
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class rank
Test Scores
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ACT / SAT
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Advanced Placement
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International Baccalaureate
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TOEFL or IELTS
Activities+
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clubs
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employment
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internship
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academic enrichment
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leadership initiatives
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independent projects
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sports
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arts
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student government
-
civic engagement
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research
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community
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volunteer
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hobbies, passions
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honor societies
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family commitments
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awards
Letters of Recommendation
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teacher
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counselor
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coach
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relevant professionals
Supporting Material
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portfolio
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audition
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specific program eligibility
Demographic Background
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geographic
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economic status
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ethnicity
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gender
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First Generation
Personal Objectives
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prospective major
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academic interests
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potential career path
Assignment #6
Directions. Note elements of your application based on these categories. This information provides context for your essay.
Review. Now that you've done the creative groundwork, it’s time to choose the
Common App Prompt that supports the story you want to tell.