Although grades are a part of the criterion in looking for potential college freshmen, this is not the sole basis for college admissions. Apart from a student’s GPA and certificates of academic excellence, admission committee members also look for applicants who have shown compassion and dedication. These traits can only be effectively demonstrated in extracurricular activities.
Admissions committee members do not look for membership in particular organizations. The weight is put on how students have managed to balance their extracurricular activities and academics. College applicants must show this kind of personal characteristic in their college admission essays.
Students must not think that their admission essay will only stand out if they affiliate themselves in various organizations. Doing so will just create a negative effect on their application. The organizations that students should join must reflect their interests and personalities. Committee members want to identify the focus and priorities of applicants. And they can only do this if the applicants provide the needed information in their admission essay.
Be a leader, not just a member
A student who has numerous memberships in organizations might be less favored than a student who has been a leader of a few organizations. College admissions committees look for applicants who have a sense of community. But they are also in the hunt for applicants who have the ability to lead, if given the chance. This does not mean that students need to earn leadership titles. To be able to show leadership, applicants must cite particular instances in their school life that showed their eagerness to step up.
College applicants who do not have an idea of how they can effectively put their message across should consider visiting websites that offer samples of free college admission essays. There are a lot of free college admission essays that focus on the theme of leadership. Reading free college admission essays will give applicants the chance to know how they should write their admission essays.
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There are a lot of women’s colleges in the US that offer quality education to those who wish to excel in their undergraduate studies. To help you explore your options better, below is a list of the top five women’s colleges in the US, along with each school’s admission requirements.
Wellesley College
Established in 1875, Wellesley College is one of the oldest and most well-known women’s colleges in the US. Wellesley is known for being one of the first colleges to offer a computer science major and for producing highly educated women like journalist Diane Sawyer and Madeleine Albright, the very first woman to become US Secretary of State. Wellesley College offers one of the best liberal arts programs in the US, and promotes intellectual excellence and cultural understanding in their programs.
Application requirements: Common Application form (which can be filled up online) and the Wellesley College Supplement. Applicants may also request a checklist from the admissions office or download it from the Wellesley website.
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College was established in 1885 and is recognized today for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum. The college aims to instill in their students freedom of conscience and a commitment to making global contributions by aiding in their intellectual development. Bryn Mawr currently offers 36 majors and 38 minor courses, and the college provides students the option of cross-applying to Swarthmore, University of Pennsylvania, and Haverford College.
Application Requirements: Common Application and the school’s supplement, TOEFL, SAT and ACT results, personal statement, two teacher evaluations, school report, as well as mid-year and final reports.
Barnard College
Founded in 1889, Barnard College is affiliated with Columbia University but maintains an independent campus in Manhattan, New York. Barnard is known for its liberal arts curriculum and highly selective admissions process. For this reason and more, Barnard College remains as one of the most prestigious women’s colleges in the US. The college’s alumni include renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead and Jeane Kirkpatrick, the first female US Ambassador to the United Nations.
Application requirements: Common Application and Barnard Supplement, both of which can be downloaded from the school’s website. Applicants will also be required to submit official transcripts and two teacher recommendations.
Mount Holyoke
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts women’s college founded in 1893, and is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Holyoke is known for their highly competitive admissions process, and offers 49 major courses, as well as a dual-degree engineering program. Mount Holyoke College aims to prepare women for the challenges of globalization through cultural education.
Application requirements: Common Application (which can be submitted online or in hard copy) and the Mount Holyoke Supplement which lists down the other required forms, essays, and records.
Smith College
Founded in 1875, Smith College is a private liberal arts college for women located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Smith College aims for academic excellence and global readiness, and fosters leadership among the students. Notable Smith alumni include Nancy Reagan and feminist-activist lawyer Catharine MacKinnon.
Smith College applicants need to fill up the Common Application and supplement, and submit teacher recommendations, SAT and ACT scores, essays, and reports.
Note: It’s recommended for applicants to women’s colleges to check out free college admission essays to serve as their guide in writing college admission essays.
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