One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming the first few drafts are supposed to sound impressive.

They are not.

Early drafts exist to help you think. The strongest essays emerge slowly, usually after several rounds of reflection, restructuring, and realizing your first interpretation was not actually the interesting one.

That is normal.

Here is what the process actually looks like.

Draft 1: Get Something Ugly on the Page

Draft 1 has one job: exist.

Do not worry about sounding smart. Do not worry about structure. Do not worry about whether the essay is 鈥済ood.鈥�

Just get the story out.

Many students write best when they stop trying to write like an applicant and start talking like a human being. Use voice-to-text. Set a timer. Stream-of-consciousness it. Tell the story the way you would tell it to a friend in the car.

Your first draft will probably be:

• too long
• too literal
• and too focused on what happened

Good.

That means you have raw material to work with.

Draft 2: Fix the Structure

Now step back and ask:

• Does this essay actually flow?
• Does each paragraph build on the one before it?
• Does the ending feel earned?

Most students skip this step and immediately start polishing sentences. Big mistake.

Fix the architecture first. Pretty writing cannot save a structurally confused essay.

Drafts 3 Through 7: Push Your Thinking

This is the real work.

Stop asking:

鈥淲hat happened?鈥�

Start asking:

鈥淲hy did this actually matter?鈥� “What did I learn?” “How am I different as a result?”

This is where second-order insight starts to emerge.

What assumption did the experience challenge?
What did you realize that surprised you?
What did you misunderstand at first?
What uncomfortable truth did you discover?

The strongest essays usually become messier during this phase, not cleaner. That is a good sign. It means your thinking is evolving.

And this kind of insight rarely arrives while staring at your laptop.

It shows up:

• driving home
• lying awake at night
• replaying conversations in your head
• talking with someone who asks the question you had not considered

This is why exceptional essays take time.

Not because writing is hard.

Because thinking deeply is hard.

Draft 8: Build the Opening and Closing

Once the insight is clear, now you can focus on impact.

Your opening should pull the reader into a moment, not summarize your story.

Your conclusion should leave the admissions officer with a feeling, an insight, or an “aha,” not a recap.

And, please, please avoid a summary statement:

鈥淚n conclusion, this experience taught me鈥︹��

Please no.

The best endings feel forward-looking. Reflective. Earned.

Drafts 9 Through 15: Precision

This is where polish finally matters.

Now you tighten:

• word choice
• sentence rhythm
• clarity
• voice
• word count

Every sentence should earn its place. Every word should have meaning.

This is also the stage where grammar enters the conversation. Not before.

In our work with students applying to Ivy League and similarly selective colleges, it is completely normal to go through 15 or more drafts before the essay reaches its full potential.

That is not a reflection of weak writing ability.

It is a reflection of serious thinking.

And ultimately, that is what elite colleges are looking for in successful applicants.

Stef Mauler

Founder, 黑料大事

Elite College Essays Part I: You Are Asking the Wrong Question

Elite College Essays Part 2: Why You Can鈥檛 Write a Winning Essay in a Day

Elite College Essays Part 3: Second Order Insight

The post Elite College Essays Part 4: Your Essay Roadmap appeared first on 黑料大事.

It’s time to write your college essay. If you are like most high school students, even the ones who love to write, you will likely dread the idea of writing your college essay. It’s got to be personal and vulnerable and unlike anything you have been taught to write before. And, you probably think that, unless you have suffered an awful tragedy or saved a small village, there’s nothing special about you.

鈥淲rite your personal statement in three hours.鈥澨�

鈥淥ne session, polished draft, done.鈥�

“Failure-proof essay exercise. Fifteen questions to get to your college essay.”

Honestly? That sounds amazing.

You are busy. You are exhausted. You have supplemental essays, AP classes, applications, sports, activities, and somewhere in there, you are also supposed to 鈥渄iscover your authentic voice鈥� in 650 words.

But here is the problem.

You can write a competent college essay in a few hours.

You cannot write an exceptional one.

Not because the writing takes that long. Because the thinking does.

Since starting 黑料大事 in 2010, I have worked with thousands of students who have gained admission to the most selective colleges in the USA. I have worked with brilliant writers and mediocre writers. I have never had a student finish a successful college application essay in a day.

Here’s why: The best college essays are not written. They are discovered.

The Role of the College Essay

Most students think the essay is about storytelling.

It is not.

Your transcript already tells admissions officers whether you can handle academic work. Your recommendation letters tell them how teachers perceive you. Your activities list tells them what you have done.

The essay serves a completely different purpose.听It shows admissions officers how you think.

And that matters because selective colleges are not simply building classes full of accomplished students. They are curating a class where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. They want to know how your future classmates will benefit from your participation in the class discussion, late-night conversations in the library, or on the bus to the away football game. They are looking for students who:

• ask interesting questions,
• challenge assumptions,
• notice nuance,
• and push conversations forward.

They want students who make other students think differently.

Your essay is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are one of those students.

Not through dramatic storytelling or impressive vocabulary. Through insight.

The Difference Between High School Thinking and College Thinking

Most students stop at what I call the first-order insight. The obvious lesson. The predictable takeaway.

鈥淚 learned perseverance.鈥�
鈥淚 learned gratitude.鈥�
鈥淚 learned not to give up.鈥�

Those insights are not wrong. They are simply surface-level. Thousands of students arrive at the exact same conclusion every year. Boring. Forgettable. Denied.

The essays that stand out go one layer deeper.听They arrive at what I call second-order insight.

Second-order insight happens when you begin questioning your assumptions, complicating your original interpretation, or noticing something unexpected beneath the surface of the experience.

That is college-level thinking.

It is the difference between simply describing what happened and demonstrating intellectual maturity.

And admissions officers notice the difference immediately.

Because if you can make an admissions officer think differently about something for even thirty seconds, they know you are capable of doing the same thing in a college classroom. Interesting. Memorable. Why

Insight Takes Time

Getting to that level of insight is difficult because your first interpretation of an experience is usually not your most interesting one.

The deeper realization often arrives later, as you continue to push your thinking about your essay:

• while driving to practice,
• while brushing your teeth,
• while replaying a conversation in your head hours afterward

Strong essays require reflection. Reflection cannot be rushed.

And often, getting there requires a thinking partner who knows how to push beyond your first answer. That’s what our writing coaches are trained to do.

Sometimes the breakthrough comes from a simple question:

• Why did that moment matter to you so much?
• What assumption were you making at the time?
• What surprised you about your own reaction?
• What if the opposite interpretation were true?

That process feels less like writing and more like intellectual excavation.

And this is exactly why truly exceptional college essays are rarely finished in a single sitting.

The writing may only take a few hours. The grammar check mere minutes.

The thinking takes much longer.

But, it’s the thinking that gets you admitted.

Stef Mauler

Founder, 黑料大事

Elite College Essays Part I: You Are Asking the Wrong Question

Elite College Essays Part 3: Second Order Insight

Elite College Essays Part 4: Your Essay Roadmap

The post Elite College Essays Part 2: Why You Can’t Write a Winning Essay in a Day appeared first on 黑料大事.

Every summer, high school seniors across the country sit down and ask themselves the same question:

听What should I write my college essay about?

It feels like the right place to start. It is not.

Most of you have been trained to think about essays as assignments. There is a prompt, a word count, and a deadline. You complete the task, polish it, submit it, and move on.

But elite college admissions essays do not work that way.

The better question is this:

What role should my essay play in my overall admissions strategy?

Those two questions may sound similar. They are fundamentally different.

The first treats the essay as a standalone deliverable. A topic to select and execute. And, the 鈥減erfect topic鈥� is often the least important part of the process.

The second recognizes the essay for what it actually is: a strategic component of a much larger admissions narrative.

If you treat your college essay like an isolated assignment, admissions will only see one small piece of your whole picture. They will miss learning about what makes you special and different and about the many valuable contributions you will bring to their community. And, you will miss getting an acceptance letter.

Your essay topic should be the last decision you make, not the first. Before you write a single sentence, you should understand:

• What story does the rest of your application already tell?
• What dimensions of yourself are currently missing?
• What do you want admissions officers to understand or feel when they finish reading your file?

Once those questions are answered, your essay topic usually selects itself. Now, it鈥檚 about how you treat the topic. That鈥檚 what distinguishes a competent college essay from one that gets you admitted.

Stef Mauler

Founder, 黑料大事

Elite College Essays Part 2: Why You Can鈥檛 Write a Winning Essay in a Day

Elite College Essays Part 3: Second Order Insight

Elite College Essays Part 4: Your Essay Roadmap

The post Elite College Essays Part I: You Are Asking the Wrong Question appeared first on 黑料大事.

Summer is just around the corner, and many high school students are preparing to head off to college campuses where they will take summer courses, dive into academic interests, and get a taste of college life.

If you’re one of them, congrats! Spending part of your summer in a pre-college program is a great way to meet new people, explore new ideas, and maybe even discover a future major. But beyond the coursework and campus vibes, these programs are a golden opportunity to move the needle on your college applications, if you know how to take advantage of your time on campus.

Here鈥檚 how to make the most of your summer program:

1. Get to Know Your Instructor

Instructors aren鈥檛 just teachers; they could become valuable mentors. Show up on time, ask thoughtful questions, participate actively, and visit office hours if they鈥檙e available. Building a real connection can lead to an invitation to collaborate on future research, a glowing recommendation letter, or even a personal call to admissions on your behalf.

2. Attend a Formal Info Session and Campus Tour

Even if you鈥檙e already on campus, signing up for an official admissions info session and tour matters. Why? Many colleges track 鈥渄emonstrated interest,鈥� which can boost your 鈥渓ikelihood to attend鈥� score, which can positively influence the admissions decisions should you decide to apply. It鈥檚 also a great opportunity to meet current students and find out what college life is like from the people who are living it year-round. So, register for an official campus visit, ask good questions, and pay attention to things you can鈥檛 tell from the school website or marketing materials.

3. Visit the Admissions Office and Meet Your Regional Rep

Most colleges assign admissions officers by region, so meeting the person who will likely read your application can make a lasting impression. Stop by the admissions office and introduce yourself. A quick, friendly chat could help you stand out when your application crosses their desk.

4. Explore the Local Area

Colleges aren鈥檛 just classrooms; they鈥檙e part of a bigger community. Spend some time checking out the local town or city. Can you see yourself living there for four years? Do you feel safe? How will you get home for the holidays? Try local coffee shops, parks, and bookstores. Take public transportation if it’s available. Identify where you will get groceries. Getting a feel for the area can help you decide if a school is the right fit beyond academics.

5. Tour Nearby Colleges

If you鈥檝e got some time before or after your program, squeeze in visits to other colleges in the area, even if you don鈥檛 think you want to apply. The more colleges you visit, the more you will be able to identify what you want in a college and what you don鈥檛. Touring the campus, grabbing lunch at the student center, or sitting in on an info session can help you figure out what you want in a school, and demonstrate interest if you end up applying there later.

A summer program is more than a resume booster; it鈥檚 a chance to explore your intellectual curiosities, make connections, and show colleges you’re serious about your future. So, make it count!

Stef Mauler

College Coach

The post 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer Pre-College Program appeared first on 黑料大事.

After months of waiting, the time is finally here. Decision Day. With bated breath and butterflies flapping so strongly they threaten to fly away, we log into the University of Texas portal to learn about our admissions fate.

CAP?

What does that even mean?

As admissions to selective universities becomes increasingly competitive, universities look for opportunities to admit more amazing applicants than they can manage through traditional routes. For fall 2023, UT received a record 66,000 applications, of which nearly 12,000 were automatic admits. For applicants not automatically admitted, there will be about a 12% overall admission rate.

CAP students elect a satellite campus (UT Arlington, UTEP, etc.) to begin their education and, as long as they meet the requirements, move to Austin in second year to complete their degrees in the College of Liberal Arts.

While the CAP offer is a great option for many students, it is possible to appeal the decision and be reconsidered for direct entry. Here鈥檚 how to go about a CAP appeal:

1. Letter of Recommendation: Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, school official, or community member who can speak to the nature of the appeal, which should include compelling background. Since UT doesn鈥檛 require a letter of recommendation with the regular application, you should already have this letter done. You just need to make sure it is sent.
2. Updated Transcript: Hopefully, senioritis has not set in yet. Demonstrate your continued commitment to your academics by sending in your first semester transcript
3. Expanded Resume: If you didn鈥檛 submit UT鈥檚 expanded resume in your initial application, be sure to do it now.
4. Short Answer Essay: “Describe the new information (not already included in your original admissions application) that should be considered by the appeals committee, and why.” (500 words or fewer)

Here鈥檚 a suggested structure:

• Introduction
  • Introduce your name, high school
  • Indicate that you were disappointed by the decision to CAP but understand, given the strength of the applicant pool
  • Restate interest in UT as #1 choice
• Academics
  • Review of first semester grades (if strong)
  • Any areas of improvement?
  • Any new research projects or extra-curricular classes?听

• Testing
  • If you did not submit test scores, explain why test scores may not be indicative of academic potential (test anxiety, lack of professional test prep, etc.?)
  • If you were able to take test scores since you submitted your application, consider submitting them if they are in the middle 50%
• 听Extra-curricular Activities and Accomplishments
  • Any new activities, employment or internships?
  • Any new accomplishments with your current extra-curricular activities?
  • How are you impacting your community?
  • Any interesting plans for the summer that will be compelling?
• Why UT
  • Why do you want to study your specific major? Please reassess your major in terms of your high school transcript and popularity of the major you selected. 听If your chosen major is not consistent with strength in grades or is one of the most popular/difficult to gain admission to majors, reconsider your choice
  • How will you take advantage of the extra-curricular opportunities at UT? Be specific!听 Which clubs or activities or traditions will you participate in and how will they enhance your growth and development.听 I suggest you pick at least one that relates to your chosen course of study, one that continues an interest from high school and one that pushes you outside your comfort zone to try something new.
  • What have you done to prepare to be successful in this major? What appeals to you about the Academic opportunities at UT? Be specific!听 Which classes, professors, research opportunities, experiential learning, etc. will you take advantage of and how will these experiences help you achieve your goal (see elevator pitch/unique value proposition)听

• Conclusion
  • Reiterate your dream of becoming a Longhorn and why. If you have a family connection or personal experience at UT, say so.
  • Explain how you will contribute to UT鈥檚 community (what values or experiences will you bring with you)
  • Indicate your additional letter of reference will further elaborate on why you are a great fit for UT

听With the volume of applications, a CAP appeal is unlikely to be successful, but there is no downside. So, I say let鈥檚 give it a go!

Stef Mauler

The post UT Austin: Am I In? Am I Out? What is a CAP Anyway? appeared first on 黑料大事.

Choosing classes in high school can feel like a high-stakes game of Tetris. You’re trying to fit all the required courses into your schedule, while also trying to find time for extracurricular activities and maybe even a part-time job.听 And, if your school does arena scheduling, get prepared for the high school version of The Hunger Games, where a student’s future largely depends on quick reflexes and a steady internet connection and is often determined in six seconds flat.

It can be really tempting to take the easy route, one that is sprinkled with As and free weekends that allow sufficient time for all the other things that compete for time in a high schooler’s calendar. As an educator, I have seen many students take this route because 鈥榳hy not鈥�?

I get it. I understand why this is attractive to young people. Unfortunately, taking the easy route is detrimental to future success.

As I counsel seniors on their next steps after high school, we often consider their course load, and I am often astounded by the lack of rigor they have pursued their senior year. These are seniors who are college bound. They have taken English IV, government, and economics in the summer because, in their opinion, it is easier, and by the number of students taking this course of study I do believe they are correct. Their senior year is riddled with late arrival and early dismissal and one or two core classes. When I challenge them to take AP courses or at the very least dual credit courses, they laugh. 鈥淲hy would I want to do that? I want my senior year to be easy.鈥�

The road to success is not paved with 鈥榚asy鈥� bricks. How are students going to be ready to manage the rigor and self-control needed to be successful in university and in life? High school should be the training ground. As universities become more competitive, our students need to train harder. Yes. Train.

Students should take advantage of a full schedule of courses each semester. They should take classes that challenge them. Courses that make them uncomfortable. These classes will help them build their study and self-governing skills and stamina. In addition, a rigorous course of study enables them to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills, both of which are life skills not just skills in education. Students鈥� ability to handle rigorous courses parlays into the real world.

Do not let your students be comfortable. Challenge them. Train them for what they will encounter both in university and in the workforce. Enable your child to manage the stresses that will come.

If education is not supplying rigorous, challenging curriculum, then when will they learn how to manage challenging situations? How will they manage being accountable for the effort when it really matters?

Challenge your child to take the 鈥榟ard鈥� course or the 鈥榟ard鈥� teacher. Students will find, 鈥淣othing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.鈥� 鈥� Booker T. Washington.

Rebecca Orona

College Coach and Very Hard Worker

The post Why Rigor Matters appeared first on 黑料大事.

Demonstrated Interest

Demonstrated interest includes all the ways students show they like a school. Why do colleges care if you like them? They are the ones making the decision, right?听 Well, not exactly.

A college鈥檚 reputation is determined by many things: winning football team, cool location, or famous alumni. But, one of the top drivers of a school鈥檚 popularity is its ranking; and, one of the top drivers of a school鈥檚 ranking is yield. 听Simply put, yield is the percent of students who accept a school鈥檚 offer of admission. The higher the yield, the higher the rank, and the more popular the school becomes. A student who takes the time to invest in learning about the school demonstrates interest and gives admissions the confidence that, should the student be offered a place in the incoming class, he or she is more likely to accept which increases yield, rankings, and popularity. It creates a virtuous cycle of selectivity (and tuition dollars).

According to The National Association of College Admissions Counselors , 40% of colleges considered demonstrated interest to be of considerable or moderate importance in making admissions decisions. However, the advent of COVID in 2020 and the resulting surge in applications, made yields much less predictable. In this post-COVID world, colleges are struggling to accurately forecast the size of their class and, therefore, seem to be putting more and more emphasis on demonstrated interest.

You are likely familiar with the idea that many highly selective schools calculate an 鈥�academic index鈥� to easily compare students鈥� academic performance and competitiveness, but did you know that schools like Wake Forest have long calculated an 鈥淟TA鈥� or 鈥渓ikelihood to attend鈥� score for each applicant, as well? In these cases, a student is given a point value for each possible activity that demonstrates interest. The points are tallied and create an LTA score which, like the Academic Index, is written on the front of the student鈥檚 admission folder for easy reference. When it comes to choosing between 2 students who may look very similar, the student with the higher LTA wins.

Here are some ways you can demonstrate interest at your target schools:

• Register with the admissions mailing list
• Participate in webinars and virtual events
• Open emails AND click on the links, answer the surveys, and show them you read it
• Attend admissions visits to your school
• Visit the campus, register for (and attend) the information session and tour
• Follow them on social media
• Email admissions officers (but don鈥檛 be annoying)
• Write a strong supplemental 鈥淲hy鈥� essay that shows your understanding of the school鈥檚 culture, educational philosophy, mission, academic and extra-curricular offerings
• Apply early
• Recognize that nothing is optional (interview, video, supplemental essays, etc.)

The ultimate demonstration of interest is to apply under the school鈥檚 binding early decision deadline if they offer it. But, if you aren鈥檛 able to do that, take the time to invest in the checklist above.

Stef Mauler

College Coach

The post Do You Love Me? Do You Love Me Not? appeared first on 黑料大事.

Although Ivy League and highly selective schools have tried to deny the use of a formula to determine admissions outcomes, the truth is that they have been using such a statistical tool as an input to admissions decisions since the 1950s. The Academic Index, 鈥渙r AI,鈥� was initially developed by Ivy League schools to ensure recruited athletes maintain the academic integrity of the institution and remain STUDENT — athletes rather than ATHLETE — students.

In order to maintain academic standards, the AI for an athletic team must be within one standard deviation of the AI for the entire class. That means that an athlete with a lower AI may still be admitted, as long as there are others on the team with higher AIs so the average for the team is within the acceptable range. In order to compare athletes to non-athletes, the AI of every student is calculated and, often, is marked on the front of the admissions folder to provide an easy read of the student鈥檚 academic prowess.

So, how is this magic number calculated?

Each school calculates it a bit differently. But, it typically includes a combination of:

• Weighted Rank (if available)
• Standardized Test Score
• Unweighted GPA of core classes

Of course, the AI is simply a data point. It is a comprehensive data point that encompasses a number of academic factors, but it is one of many pieces of a candidate鈥檚 application. A student with a top AI is not a shoo-in at the most selective schools, just like a student with a lower AI is not an automatic deny. 听In addition to strong academics, successful candidates also have compelling recommendation letters, insightful essays, meaningful extra-curricular activities, and notable achievements and awards.

Stef Mauler

College Coach

The post Unpacking the Academic Index appeared first on 黑料大事.

A couple of months ago, I had a conversation with a parent of a sophomore who was concerned that her daughter had no idea where she wanted to go to college, what she wanted to study, or how to start figuring it all out.听 The only thing she knew for certain was that she definitely did NOT want to go to the same school her older sister is currently attending!听 After the mom and I shared a few commiserate chuckles over sibling rivalry, I shared the following:

• Start exploring. Gump told Forrest that life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you鈥檙e gonna get.鈥澨� The college search is sort of similar.听 You never know what鈥檚 out there until you start, so start exploring!
• Begin locally. If you are truly uncertain, you still have to start somewhere, so why not your own backyard?听 Visit the closest college to your home鈥攏o matter what type it is or how it鈥檚 ranked听 I can almost guarantee that on your first few visits you will learn more about the process than the schools themselves, so save your gas money and start nearby.
• Add variety. Schedule a visit to the closest large research university, medium-size comprehensive university, small liberal arts college, community college, etc.听 Keep in mind that these can be both public and private.听 At this point, don鈥檛 worry about price or reputation, you are just exploring.听 If you are going on a summer vacation or road trip, stop at any colleges that you might see along the way and drive around the campus.

By exploring what鈥檚 around you, things will start to fall into place.听 You may find that you like the large campus feel, or you might find that you really like a smaller more intimate campus.听 Once you know, you can then work with your family, counselor, college adviser, etc. to start building a list of schools on which to focus.

Colleges really are similar to that box of chocolates鈥攖here are so many varieties available!听 Large schools in small towns, large schools in big cities, small schools in small towns, small schools in the suburbs, small schools next to large schools in small towns or big cities, and everything in between.听 There鈥檚 usually something, or even several, for everyone.

The key is taking that first step. 听And when you first get started, don鈥檛 walk on campus and ask yourself, 鈥淚s this where I want to go to college?鈥� rather ask yourself if 鈥渢his is a college I would like to put on my list?鈥�

Good luck on your journey and may you find your own special combination that feels just right!

-Deana Ison

College Coach, Film Aficionado, and Mom of a College-bound Freshman

The post College Is Like A Box of Chocolates appeared first on 黑料大事.

Fashion legend Carolina Herrera is famous for dressing First Ladies like Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump. Herrera knows a thing or two about helping people stand out for the right reasons. 鈥淎ttention to detail is of utmost importance when you want to look good,鈥� the Venezuelan-born designer has said.

But you don鈥檛 need live in the White House to follow her advice. Right now, many high schoolers are creating resum茅s to share while asking teachers and counselors for college application recommendations. For most juniors, this is their first attempt at creating this type of professional document. The task can seem daunting.

As a hiring manager in the business world, I鈥檝e reviewed hundreds of resum茅s of potential new employees. As an MBA and undergraduate coach, I鈥檝e helped scores of applicants polish up their documents. Again and again, I tend to see the same mistakes among high schoolers putting together a resume for the first time. Some errors are about the content, while others are more cosmetic. Both matter鈥攂ut working on formatting and style can provide quick and easy wins.

Here are a few quick tips.

1. Check spelling and punctuation.

In the era before software spellchecking, people might forgive a misspelled word or two. With technology like Grammarly, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs that use AI to offer suggestions, mistakes look like apathy, like you just couldn鈥檛 be bothered. Take advantage of the tech help but also have a friend or family member (someone with an eagle鈥檚 eyes for reviewing documents) look yours over before you share.

2. Standardize the bullet point endings.

There are basically three ways to end a resum茅 bullet point. One way is with nothing, while another is with a period. The most technically correct way is to use a semicolon after each bullet except the last one for a section, which should end in a period. (Almost no one uses this method.) The key is to be consistent. Pick one method and make sure each bullet follows your rule.

听3. Format consistently.

Be cautious about your margins. They should be the same throughout the resum茅. Also, print out a hard copy of a PDF before sending one in an email. I have had students gasp when they realize the beautiful resum茅 (or so they thought) doesn鈥檛 print out their name because the top margin is too narrow.

4. Use 12-point when possible鈥攁nd never below 10-point.

Your recommender will appreciate efforts to make the process as easy as you can. That includes providing a resum茅 that鈥檚 easy on the eyes to read.

5. Avoid 鈥渃reative鈥� designs.

The use of ATS (automated tracking system) software to screen resum茅s for jobs has led to certain layout expectations. For example, dates are usually on the far-right side of the page. The more stylized you make your resum茅鈥攅ven in an attempt to show off your creativity鈥攖he harder you鈥檒l make the exercise for your recommender. Use black ink, not purple, green, or red.

Certainly, it鈥檚 important to focus on your content, too but the appearance of your resum茅 is important. Still, do your best but don鈥檛 worry about perfect. As Carolina Herrera has also been quoted saying, 鈥淧erfection does not exit. Only God is perfect.鈥�

Court Stroud

College Coach, MBA Guru, and Published Author听

The post 5 Easy Tips for a Better College Application Resum茅 appeared first on 黑料大事.