Tips to Becoming a Competitive Applicant for NCSSM

BeyondDreams

4 Jan 202109:57

Summary

TLDRThe transcript from a video discusses the importance of standing out in college applications, emphasizing that grades and statistics are not the sole differentiators. The speakers highlight the significance of personal essays, suggesting that applicants should share unique experiences or traits that set them apart. They encourage creativity and personalization in writing, advising applicants to reflect on what excites them and to express their genuine interests, not just academic achievements. The conversation also reveals that the School of Science and Math values a well-rounded application, including a strong humanities department, indicating that a diverse range of interests is appreciated.

Takeaways

📚 Grades and statistics are not the only factors that set you apart from other applicants; personal essays play a crucial role in showcasing individuality.
💡 It's essential to write about unique experiences or personal traits that distinguish you from other applicants, rather than common activities or achievements.
📝 Personalize your essays by incorporating your writing style, humor, and creativity to make them engaging and reflective of your personality.
🍣 Use anecdotes or relatable stories to illustrate your points and connect with the reader on a personal level, as exemplified by the sushi essay analogy.
🌟 Highlight your passions and interests that drive you, whether they are academic or personal, to show what genuinely excites and motivates you.
🤔 Reflect on your 'spark' – the thing that makes you happy and eager to learn, which can be a significant aspect of your application narrative.
📖 Don't be afraid to discuss non-STEM interests and experiences; a well-rounded application that includes humanities and other passions is valued.
😅 Writing about personal experiences can be uncomfortable, but it's an opportunity to show depth and allow admissions officers to truly understand who you are.
🏆 While academic achievements are important, the application should have substance beyond just grades and awards; it should tell a story about you as a person.
🏫 The school values a diverse range of interests and offers a wide variety of courses, including a strong emphasis on humanities, indicating that STEM is not the sole focus.

Q & A

What is the key aspect that can set an applicant apart from others according to the speaker?
-The speaker emphasizes that while grades and statistics are important, they are not the only factors that can set an applicant apart. The most significant aspect is what the applicant writes about in their essays, particularly how they can express their unique experiences and qualities that distinguish them from others.
Why are essays considered important in the application process as per the transcript?
-Essays are crucial because they allow the admissions committee to understand what makes the applicant special and why they should be admitted over other candidates. They provide insight into the applicant's personality, experiences, and passions, which are not reflected in grades or test scores alone.
What type of content should an applicant avoid in their essays according to the speaker?
-The speaker advises against writing about common experiences that many other applicants might share, such as attending a popular coding camp. Instead, applicants should focus on unique experiences or aspects that are specific to them and set them apart.
How can an applicant make their essays more personalized and engaging?
-The speaker suggests making essays more personalized by incorporating one's own writing style, being creative, and not being afraid to include humor or anecdotes. They also recommend starting with an engaging anecdote to capture the reader's interest.
What is the significance of the 'tell us your story' essay prompt mentioned in the transcript?
-The 'tell us your story' essay prompt is significant because it allows applicants to share a piece of their life that has shaped who they are. It helps the admissions committee understand the applicant's background, passions, and what excites them about learning and engaging with the world.
Why should an applicant not focus solely on STEM-related experiences in their essays?
-The speaker points out that while the school is a School of Science and Math, it values a well-rounded application. Applicants should not only focus on STEM experiences because the school seeks to understand the whole person, including their interests, passions, and personality outside of STEM fields.
What advice does the speaker give regarding the difficulty of writing introspective essays?
-The speaker acknowledges that writing introspective essays can be uncomfortable and challenging. However, they emphasize that if done well, it can greatly help the admissions committee get to know the applicant on a deeper level, which is extremely important for the application.
How does the speaker describe the importance of the humanities department at the School of Science and Math?
-The speaker highlights that contrary to common assumptions, the humanities department is the largest at the School of Science and Math. This indicates that the school values a broad educational experience and encourages students to explore various fields beyond just science and math.
What is the speaker's perspective on the variety of courses offered at the School of Science and Math?
-The speaker appreciates the wide variety of courses offered at the school, noting that it's not just limited to science and math. They mention that many students enjoy humanities and social studies classes, suggesting that the school provides a diverse educational experience.
Why is it important for applicants to show they are more than just their academic achievements, according to the speaker?
-The speaker stresses that while academic achievements are important, the application should have substance beyond that. Applicants need to demonstrate their personality, interests, and what makes them unique as individuals, not just as academically successful students.

Outlines

00:00

📝 The Impact of Personal Essays in College Applications

The speaker emphasizes the importance of personal essays in college applications, suggesting that while grades and statistics are crucial, they are not the sole differentiating factor among applicants. The speaker advises applicants to write about unique experiences or qualities that set them apart from others. They also stress the significance of being genuine and creative in essays, using personal anecdotes to illustrate points and making the content engaging. The speaker shares a personal example of relating the experience of trying new foods to the desire to attend a specific college, highlighting the need to showcase individuality and passion.

05:01

🌟 Showcasing Individuality and Passion in College Applications

The speaker discusses the importance of selecting events or experiences that genuinely spark interest and reflect one's personality when applying to colleges. They mention that while academic achievements are important, focusing solely on STEM subjects is not necessary, even when applying to a STEM-focused school. The speaker encourages applicants to be authentic and not to fabricate their interests to fit the college's profile. They also highlight the value of self-reflection and the discomfort that may come with it, suggesting that a well-crafted, introspective essay can greatly assist the admissions process. The speaker concludes by noting that the application should go beyond grades and achievements to demonstrate substance and a well-rounded personality.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Statistics

Statistics in the context of the video refers to numerical data such as grades and scores that students often use to demonstrate their academic prowess. However, the speaker suggests that having high statistics alone is not sufficient to distinguish oneself among competitors. The video emphasizes that while statistics are important, they are common among many applicants, and thus, other factors like personal essays are crucial in setting one apart.

💡Essays

Essays are a key component of college applications, allowing students to express their thoughts, experiences, and personalities beyond mere grades and test scores. In the video, the speaker highlights the importance of writing essays that are unique and personal, as they can reveal aspects of an applicant that set them apart from others. The speaker also advises applicants to write about experiences that are not commonly shared, to showcase their individuality.

💡Personalized

Personalized in this context means tailoring the application and essays to reflect the individuality of the applicant. The speaker encourages applicants to inject their personality into their essays, suggesting that this can be achieved by using a personal writing style, incorporating humor, and starting with anecdotes. This approach helps admissions officers to get to know the applicant beyond their academic achievements.

💡Anecdote

An anecdote is a short, interesting story about a specific event or incident. In the video, the speaker mentions starting an essay with an anecdote as a way to make the application more engaging and personal. This technique is used to draw the reader in and provide a glimpse into the applicant's life and experiences, making the essay memorable and distinctive.

💡STEM

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The video discusses the importance of STEM interests in applications to a school specializing in these fields. However, it also stresses that applicants should not focus solely on STEM aspects but should also showcase their interests and achievements in other areas, such as humanities, to present a well-rounded profile.

💡Extracurriculars

Extracurricular activities are pursuits outside of the regular academic curriculum that can provide insight into a student's interests, passions, and commitment. The video script mentions extracurriculars as a way to demonstrate a student's involvement in activities beyond the classroom, which can help differentiate them from other applicants.

💡Humanities

Humanities refers to the study of human culture through disciplines like literature, history, and philosophy. The speaker in the video points out that even though the school is known for science and math, the humanities department is the largest, indicating that a well-rounded education is valued. This suggests that applicants should not neglect to express their interests in the humanities.

💡Passion

Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion or feeling. In the context of the video, the speaker encourages applicants to write about what they are passionate about, as this can help admissions officers understand what truly motivates and excites the applicant. Passion can be demonstrated through various activities, not just academic ones, and is seen as a key factor in an applicant's story.

💡Well-rounded

Being well-rounded means having a balance of skills, interests, and experiences. The video emphasizes the importance of applicants presenting themselves as more than just their academic achievements. It suggests that admissions officers are looking for individuals who have a diverse set of interests and experiences, which can be showcased through essays and extracurricular activities.

💡Discovery Day

Discovery Day, as mentioned in the video, is likely an event where prospective students visit the school to learn more about the institution. The speaker uses this term to highlight that applicants will notice the diversity of panelists' backgrounds and careers, indicating that the school prepares students for a wide range of future paths, not just in STEM fields.

Highlights

Statistics and grades aren't the only things that can set you apart from other applicants.

Essays are a key aspect that can make your application stand out.

Discussing what makes you special or why you should be admitted over others is crucial in essays.

Avoid writing about common experiences; instead, focus on what's unique to you.

Personalize your essays to reflect your individuality and interests.

Incorporate humor and creativity in your writing to make your essays memorable.

Start your essays with an anecdote to engage the reader.

Showcase your personality and what makes you excited about learning in your essays.

Reflect on your passions and interests to craft a compelling personal narrative.

Don't be afraid to discuss non-academic interests that define your personality.

Admissions officers want to see a well-rounded individual, not just academic achievements.

Writing about personal growth and self-reflection can be challenging but is valuable for the application.

The application should demonstrate substance beyond grades and achievements.

Good teacher recommendations are also important to support your application.

Even though it's a school of science and math, the humanities department is the largest, indicating a well-rounded education.

Many alumni have pursued diverse careers outside of STEM, showing the broad impact of the school's education.

During the discovery day, you'll notice that many panelists come from varied backgrounds, emphasizing the school's diverse focus.