Building Your Application
You’ve done your research, narrowed your list, and made virtual or in-person campus visits. Next up: Applications.
One piece of good news is that more than 1,000 schools now participate in the Common App https://www.commonapp.org/ so start by seeing if schools on your list participate. Submit multiple schools with just one application!
Below you’ll find information and resources about entrance exam scores, the essay and letters of recommendation – some of the more time-intensive parts of the process.
Pro tip: Many students say they wish they had started working on the essay first, so they had time to deeply consider how to best showcase their personal attributes and story.
Entrance Exams
According to FairTest, more than 2,000 four-year institutions are currently test optional, and an additional 85 institutions are test free. Does that mean you get a pass on the SAT or ACT?
Let’s do a quick start with the vocabulary of entrance exams:
Test-optional schools allow scores to be submitted but don’t require them.
Test-free schools ignore scores entirely.
Test-required schools require the SAT or ACT, or might accept either.
Check the websites of the schools you’re interested in applying to and find out what their test policies are. Keep in mind that school can tailor the test policy to their needs, so it’s important to read all of the information provided very carefully. While you’re there, you should also look for confirmation that the tests are or aren’t required to be considered for merit scholarships.
How to Find Out Which Colleges Are Test-Optional
Go to FairTest https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/ for an up-to-date list of accredited colleges and universities that do not use or de-emphasize ACT/SAT scores in their college admissions process.
If you are taking the tests, check out these free online practice and prep resources:
ACT
On the American College Testing (ACT) site. Offers free practice tests, study guides, and tips for each testing section. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html
Kaplan – a long-time, respected test-prep provider. Free half-length practice test, pop quizzes, and you can sign up for a free question of the day.
SAT
In addition to all sorts of great lessons and tools for improving your gpa, Khan Academy offers a full test-prep course.
College Board, owner of the SAT offers a practice test, a study plan builder and like ACT, a question of the day. https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice
The Essay
The application essay can be one of the more daunting parts of the application process – especially when considering the challenges of military life and how that has affected your journey to where you are today.
Remember this: as a Military Dependent student, you have unique accomplishments and valuable experiences to bring to the college of your choice. Your essay is a chance to bring them to life for application reviewers.Read on for how to showcase these assets as a part of your personal narrative and standout from other applicants.
Example one – deployments
The challenges of having a parent deployed can be an opportunity within your essay to tell application reviewers how it shaped you. What difficulties did you face? How did you persevere? Despite all of the stresses associated with deployment, did you comeback stronger? How did you do it? Or perhaps you had a set-back or two. What did you learn from it?
Example two – living overseas
Few applicants other than military kids get to live abroad. Lean into this exclusive experience and how it has prepared you for college. For example, living in different countries exposes you to diverse cultures and people who come from different backgrounds. How might that make you a great community member on your new campus?
Example three – Always being the new kid in school
How did adapting to new schools expand your interests? For example, perhaps you transferred to a new school that didn’t have the extracurricular activities you were used to. Showing how you adapted or tried new things translates into adaptability and willingness to try something new which is what college admissions committees are looking for.
Another aspect of changing schools is the challenge of making new friends. While it is hard moving every few years, can you find the value in it? Is there wisdom you can share about the ways you made frequent moves survivable?
Need Help?
Every writer benefits from perspective. Tap a teacher, mentor or your counselor for help in shaping and editing your work. Anytime help is also available at Tutor.com And it’s free! https://www.tutor.com/subjects/essay-writing
Closing Cheer
A big piece of college success is how well students can embrace the adventure of learning new things, living with a variety of people and perspectives, and using these experiences to build and shape their adult lives. You have almost two decades of experience that prepares you to thrive that non-military applicants do not. Go write!
Letters of Recommendation
An outstanding reference is an important factor in the overall impression your application materials make on an admissions committee or scholarship panel.
In the competitive world of college admissions and scholarship awards, you don’t want to leave this step to the last minute. Start early to select the most appropriate nominators and give them the proper background from which to prepare their comments.
Provide a copy of your application resume and anything else that will help your recommender reflect the fullest picture of you they can draw from their perspective.
7 tips to help you stand out.
1. Make great choices
Approach teachers or others who know you well and can speak to what makes you unique. You’re looking for someone who can, through a description of their experiences of you, tell an admissions committee why you would be a successful addition to the freshman class.
2. Outline The Story You Want Your Application To Tell
Don’t be shy about telling the person who is preparing the recommendation exactly why you’ve asked them to do so. You might say something like, “Over the last three years, I’ve taken three of your courses. I thought you would be a good person to describe my abilities in the classroom.” To a community nominator, “Volunteering at your agency has been an important part of my life and I want you to help College ABC understand this side of me.”
3. Tie Things Up
If a college you’re interested in boasts about their community engagement programs, you’ll want to tap a recommender who can highlight your previous experience in the community. If you plan to be a business major, you may want to choose someone who can show you to be a person who is entrepreneurial and of high ethical standards. Prospective education majors will want nominators to highlight their reflections on observing you in a teaching or helping setting.
4. Two Birds…
There are no rules against using general letters for several applications as long as it they are addressed broadly rather than to a specific school or scholarship.
5. Substance Over Flash
Never choose a recommender on the basis of a flashy or important-sounding position or title. Chances are you’ll get a generic letter which is a costly missed opportunity for you. Committees receive hundreds of these letters and recognize the tactic. Show them who you are through the eyes of someone who knows you well.
6. No, You Can’t Have It By Tomorrow
It takes time to craft an exceptional letter so ask your recommenders as soon as you can. Be sure to tell the writer when you need the letter and how it will be handled i.e. submitted on-line, given to you, mailed or emailed directly etc.
7. Big Finish
Write a thank you note to each and every person who prepares a recommendation for you. Letters of recommendation take a great deal of time and recognizing this makes you a ‘class act.’ A brief but gracious, handwritten acknowledgement is sufficient.