Blog posts on college admissions by Arjun Seth
Critical Reading, Critical Thinking, and Critical Writing For International University and College Admissions
This Summer 2012 Program gives participants the opportunity to develop language and communication skills. As a result, students will be more confident in their comprehension and expression of ideas, concepts and opinions, which will help them in life, prep for college admissions and academics in the future. A personalized and interactive teaching methodology is used.
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From May 21- June 16, 2012
8:00- 11:00 a.m.
At Mt. Carmel Junior School (Anand Niketan)
We will meet on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays for four weeks.
In the week prior to May 21, students have a reading and writing assignment which they can send the instructor over the internet.
“Sayonara” party on June 18.
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Curriculum
Critical Reading
Students will read a variety of book excerpts, magazine articles, newspaper clippings, poetry, and yes, SAT Prep materials.
Readings include The India Idea, National Geographic magazine, The Economist, poetry by Maya Angelou, short stories by O. Henry, and speeches that have shaped nations. SAT Prep guides provide examples of challenging readings and strategies to answer different types of questions like extended reasoning, vocabulary-in-context and literal comprehension.
Critical Thinking
Students will keep a log of their reading and insights into new vocabulary. Strategies for understanding new and unexplored ideas will be discussed. By working individually and in groups, and by interacting with the instructor online, students learn to logically develop positions on a variety of topics. They then support and defend those positions by using examples, statistics and quotations.
Critical Writing
A large part of the program is writing. In sessions together, strategies and techniques for writing essays for standardized exams and essays for college and university admissions will be discussed. Students will be expected to write at home in between classes.
We will look at grammar and vocabulary, sentences and paragraphs, and overall structure and style. Patterns of development include comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and expanding definitions. Expository and creative writing will be encouraged. References will be given to sidestep the pitfalls of plagiarism and poor referencing.
Each student will write and rewrite three essays, including a college-admission type personal essay.
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Instructor: Randall Livingston
Randall Livingston, Chicago-born, completed his B.Sc. from the University of Illinois, his MA. (International and Comparative Education) from the University of California (Los Angeles), and his teaching certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from William Carey International University in Pasadena, CA.
He has taught English writing courses at the American Culture and Language Program, California State University (Los Angeles), Kwansei Gakuin University (Kobe, Japan), and the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (New Delhi).
In India, he was a research scholar with the American Institute of Indian Studies and has an MA (Sociology) from Jamia Millia Islamia. He currently lives in New Delhi and is involved in teaching, testing and training in communications, including written and spoken English.
Instructor: randalliman@yahoo.com Mob: +919999650026
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For more information
Arjun, arjunseth72@gmail.com, Mob: +919910722667
Sharmila, sblivo@gmail.com, Mob: +919811725980
For registration forms and payment details please download the form below:
Registration Form Writing Workshop
Sahil Chaudhry comments on his commonapp short answer on MUN
Model UN had been my métier for over three years now. But I came in for a shock when I was asked to audition for the right to represent my new school in MUN conferences. As I auditioned in the school auditorium with 300 other 'amateurs', I was humbled. But I made it. Within a year, I was the Chairperson of the Special Committee on Armed Conflict at a Model UN conference in Western India, chairing a committee of college students even though I was only in grade 11 then. Model UN is the ideal combination of research, debate, discussion and negotiation; all things love! I attribute my keen interest in politics and world affairs to Model UN. I returned to the capacity filled school auditorium earlier this summer, this time as the school MUN "prodigy", to recruit juniors who're expected to carry on the legacy of enlightenment and triumph.
Why did you choose to write on this topic?
I wrote on this topic because this particular activity is what I was the most involved with. I had been participating in Model UN conferences since grade 9, and thus an involvement of 4 years showed great commitment. Also, I had won almost each conference I participated in, so this was one of my more decorated activities in terms of achievements too.
Which other activities did you do while in High School that you could have written about?
I could have probably not focused on Model UN and written about debating at large. Otherwise, I had considered writing about SQCC- Student Quality Control Circles, another set of activities I had been committed to, as well as won a few awards in. However, my involvement in the same ended as soon as I switched schools (after grade 10), and so it probably made little sense write about something which wasn’t so recent. Lastly, I could have written about this UN conference I had been selected to attend, I was the youngest to be chosen and this is an achievement which is certainly very unique and something I’m really proud of; I however decided against writing my essay on this since writing one of my two mandatory essays on just one very specific achievement would have taken away the attention from the other parts of my attention.
Which parts of the short answer do you like?
I like how I’ve described the activity’s benefits to me apart from whatever awards I’ve won, how it helped me on a personal level- in adjusting to my new school and in gaining recognition there.
Looking back how would write this differently?
Though one of the shortest, I think this remains one of my best essays. However, there are two things, which if given a chance I’d like to change-
1. The word ‘métier’ almost clearly stands out as a thesaurus word. Yes, guilty as charged, I would have perhaps replaced it with a simpler sounding word and kept it in sync with the light tone of the essay, or that of any of my other essays.
2. Also, I regret not being able to talk about specific awards I won and positions I held during the several of MUN conferences I attended. This is perhaps due to the extremely small word limit. However, because I could/did not mention specific Best Delegate awards and other related awards, each as an individual honor on the CommonApp Awards and Honors section, I should have probably tried mentioning some of those in this essay; since right now, I realize, probably not one of those ~10 awards has been detailed anywhere in my application.
Nikita Sachdeva University of Chicago '15 comments on her commonapp short answer
I have always believed that the odor of food is instrumental in determining its taste. And my nose, which has assisted me at baking, functions better than all my other senses. The knack for baking has given me the free hand to experiment with ingredients, focus on details and treat my pals to home baked cakes. I enjoy the mingling of multicolored raw materials, I cherish the intermediate stage involving the rough and smooth mixtures and I am left anxious by the heat coming out of the oven; all for the final satiation of the perfect taste. On one hand, baking has injected the art of multitasking in me. While on the other, it has taught me to keep beating the batter in the bowl until the resulting, steaming hot dish satisfies my taste buds. While baking I hunt for perfection. Yes, when I bake, "I can smell the taste."
Why did you choose to write on this topic?
Initially I had written about teaching underprivileged kids. But then I switched to this topic, because I thought I could write it in a more expressive way. Baking has always been fun for me and I was able to put this across through my short answer.
Which other activities did you do while in High School that you could have written about?
I could have written about dance, visit to an old age home, debating or teaching in Tammana.
Which parts of the short answer do you like?
I think I like the end the most.
Looking back how would write this differently?
I guess I would have added some more details about what all I have learned from baking.
Which parts would you change?
I would change the beginning. I would change the wording and try to make it interesting.
Expert speak
In my previous three articles I had written about things college admissions committees at selective colleges in the US look for in candidates. We had discussed academics, extra-curricular activities and the importance of submitting thoughtful writing samples. This article covers interviews with a few American admissions counselors I had conducted recently.
I met with Oren Ridenour a High School Counselor at the American Embassy School, New Delhi earlier this week and he shared interesting views regarding college admissions. Elaborating about the mistakes students make while applying Ridenour says, "Often kids don't think out of the box; they apply to the same schools all their friends are applying to and forget that there are so many schools out there that are wonderful and could be a great fit, but they just aren't on their radar. Another problem is students applying to very competitive schools for which they have little chance of admission. It is often difficult for students to see their achievements and test scores in a realistic manner. Another mistake students often make is not writing a personal statement that truly reflects who they are; they often try to be someone they aren't and that becomes apparent to the admissions person who is reading the app. Students need to realize that their essay or personal statement is the one true way an admissions person thousands of miles away gets a real snapshot of the student."
I interviewed Victoria Romero Director of Admissions, Claremont McKenna College, Los Angeles (www.cmc.edu) during her visit to New Delhi last week and asked her what she wished parents should know about the college search and application process. Here's her response. "While meeting with families in India we notice how college and career choices are very often dictated by parents. At times the child is sidelined in the decision making process. Kids in the US tend to be more proactive and parents respect their involvement and decisions about college and career choices. It's time parents in India learn to coach their kids to take ownership of the process."
Answering the same question says Ridenour "What is important for parents to realize is that it is the child who is applying for college, not the parents. I worry when I hear parents say, "We are applying to X, Y and Z colleges." Parents meet with counselors often during this process and we encourage this. We know how stressful this period can be and we know that meeting with us helps parent feel confident and more in control. These meetings also provide a "reality" check for them and how their son or daughter is doing. But our mantra to parents is always, "Let your child take control of the process."
I met with Oren Ridenour a High School Counselor at the American Embassy School, New Delhi earlier this week and he shared interesting views regarding college admissions. Elaborating about the mistakes students make while applying Ridenour says, "Often kids don't think out of the box; they apply to the same schools all their friends are applying to and forget that there are so many schools out there that are wonderful and could be a great fit, but they just aren't on their radar. Another problem is students applying to very competitive schools for which they have little chance of admission. It is often difficult for students to see their achievements and test scores in a realistic manner. Another mistake students often make is not writing a personal statement that truly reflects who they are; they often try to be someone they aren't and that becomes apparent to the admissions person who is reading the app. Students need to realize that their essay or personal statement is the one true way an admissions person thousands of miles away gets a real snapshot of the student."
I interviewed Victoria Romero Director of Admissions, Claremont McKenna College, Los Angeles (www.cmc.edu) during her visit to New Delhi last week and asked her what she wished parents should know about the college search and application process. Here's her response. "While meeting with families in India we notice how college and career choices are very often dictated by parents. At times the child is sidelined in the decision making process. Kids in the US tend to be more proactive and parents respect their involvement and decisions about college and career choices. It's time parents in India learn to coach their kids to take ownership of the process."
Answering the same question says Ridenour "What is important for parents to realize is that it is the child who is applying for college, not the parents. I worry when I hear parents say, "We are applying to X, Y and Z colleges." Parents meet with counselors often during this process and we encourage this. We know how stressful this period can be and we know that meeting with us helps parent feel confident and more in control. These meetings also provide a "reality" check for them and how their son or daughter is doing. But our mantra to parents is always, "Let your child take control of the process."
Tips on getting effective recommendation letters, essay writing and interview prep
Letter of Recommendations
You should approach teachers who know you personally. A good letter of recommendation validates the student’s academic interests, learning preferences and achievements but more importantly shares stories that highlight his or her personality and character traits. Recommendation letters should be professional, honest and well-balanced review of the student. Go prepared with a copy of your resume and list of colleges when you meet with teachers. Discuss things you liked in his or her class. List the topics that you enjoyed the most or found most challenging and remind them of any additional co- curricular work you have done related to that subject. It is not enough if your teacher mentions a general statement about you. The letter needs to be specific and reveal something substantive about the teacher’s personal relationship with you.
Personal Essays
Colleges require personal essays from students and very often the quality of these writing samples make or break the student's admissions. Students who spend time thoughtfully planning and writing their essays are usually rewarded in the process. The topic choices provided in the Common Application are so varied because colleges do not want students to feel forced to write on one topic but give them the freedom to express themselves by choosing any topic of their choice. There are no rules that define a good personal essay. However, you must be wary of the common mistakes. Big Picture mistakes in essays:
• Trying to cleverly disguise a list of all activities and interests into an essay. This is fine for the statement of purpose for UK applications, but literally drives US admission officers up the wall.
• The first part of an essay is usually the student just trying to figure out what they are going to write about. You can almost always immediately cut out the first paragraph or reword it to something much more efficient.
• Is there a main point to the essay? What is it? Has it been introduced in the beginning somewhere? Has it been adequately addressed without going on a meandering path to the resolution at the end?
• Way too long! A good size for application essay is around 600 words. While bigger may fit in the field, best is to get it to about 600-700 words.
Interviews
College Admission Officers visit India and you should request for an interview with them if possible. Alternatively many colleges arrange interviews with alumni and you should go prepared to meet with them if given a chance. You need to get a good feel for the school, it’s offerings and it’s strength, one of the keys will be to show them how into the school you are! Be able to describe what you are looking for in your undergraduate school. You should have thoroughly read the website links of some of the more recent activities at the school you are interviewing with. See if any faculty really interests you and take the initiative to talk about them. Have stories about something you are proud about. Be prepared to have questions and to be confident to articulate your successes and your failures. Be able to articulate what you feel you would individually bring/contribute to the specific college. Be able to articulate how you could add a new cultural and global dimension to the college.
You should approach teachers who know you personally. A good letter of recommendation validates the student’s academic interests, learning preferences and achievements but more importantly shares stories that highlight his or her personality and character traits. Recommendation letters should be professional, honest and well-balanced review of the student. Go prepared with a copy of your resume and list of colleges when you meet with teachers. Discuss things you liked in his or her class. List the topics that you enjoyed the most or found most challenging and remind them of any additional co- curricular work you have done related to that subject. It is not enough if your teacher mentions a general statement about you. The letter needs to be specific and reveal something substantive about the teacher’s personal relationship with you.
Personal Essays
Colleges require personal essays from students and very often the quality of these writing samples make or break the student's admissions. Students who spend time thoughtfully planning and writing their essays are usually rewarded in the process. The topic choices provided in the Common Application are so varied because colleges do not want students to feel forced to write on one topic but give them the freedom to express themselves by choosing any topic of their choice. There are no rules that define a good personal essay. However, you must be wary of the common mistakes. Big Picture mistakes in essays:
• Trying to cleverly disguise a list of all activities and interests into an essay. This is fine for the statement of purpose for UK applications, but literally drives US admission officers up the wall.
• The first part of an essay is usually the student just trying to figure out what they are going to write about. You can almost always immediately cut out the first paragraph or reword it to something much more efficient.
• Is there a main point to the essay? What is it? Has it been introduced in the beginning somewhere? Has it been adequately addressed without going on a meandering path to the resolution at the end?
• Way too long! A good size for application essay is around 600 words. While bigger may fit in the field, best is to get it to about 600-700 words.
Interviews
College Admission Officers visit India and you should request for an interview with them if possible. Alternatively many colleges arrange interviews with alumni and you should go prepared to meet with them if given a chance. You need to get a good feel for the school, it’s offerings and it’s strength, one of the keys will be to show them how into the school you are! Be able to describe what you are looking for in your undergraduate school. You should have thoroughly read the website links of some of the more recent activities at the school you are interviewing with. See if any faculty really interests you and take the initiative to talk about them. Have stories about something you are proud about. Be prepared to have questions and to be confident to articulate your successes and your failures. Be able to articulate what you feel you would individually bring/contribute to the specific college. Be able to articulate how you could add a new cultural and global dimension to the college.
Follow your passions
College admissions officers read your resume, recommendations and essays to form an opinion on how you will contribute to the academic and residential life on campus. Be passionate and express yourself. Remember, deeper your interest in activities, the more impressive your profile will be.
Every year highly selective colleges receive applications from academically gifted students far in excess of their required class size. These students have high GPA or high school rank along with SAT scores in the top 25 percentile. Not all make it to the final cut. So if you think you are a mathematics wizard who solves tough calculus problems while your mother feeds you dinner, rethink your priorities. Free up time and get involved in activities that inspire you and project you’re candidature holistically. If you have to free up time to follow your passion, do so early in Grade 9 or Grade 10 and build on your strengths over the years.
Describing the monotony of his weekly schedule, says Karmanaya Agarwal (First year student at University of Illinois www.uiuc.edu), “Once my family decided that the US will be our preferred destination, I quit IIT Entrance preparatory classes and started focusing on working for the school’s computer science club and participating in regional and national quiz competitions. However I am grateful that the high level of science and math preparation in those classes helped me improve my grades in school.”
Community service and volunteering are common activities that most high school students participate in. However, Arjun Chhabra (freshmen in Cornell University www.cornell.edu) took his interest to another level. He moved to Washington D.C in grade 10 when his father joined the diplomatic mission. He continued working with Chintan when he came back to India for the summer. Chintan is a non-profit organization that empowers the marginalized community of rag pickers who live in despicable conditions in and around the various landfills in Delhi. On his return to America he helped raise funds for Chintan by organizing samosa drives in his high school.
Internship and volunteering activities often help students identify their strengths and interests. Divya Balaji (first year student at Yale University www.yale.edu) worked with the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust over summer. Says Balaji “Assisting a team of herpetologist, observing behavior of Siamese crocodile families, cleaning tortoise pens and assisting in the day to day running of the organization, I discovered my passion for environmental science. My common application essay captured this and I think was instrumental in my admissions.”
Sometimes life-changing experiences can urge you to follow a new path, says Rhea Kohli (a student of Sarah Lawrence College www.slc.edu) “A dear friend lost his life in a car accident. He was a victim of rash driving of another student who was driving under the influence of alcohol. I knew I couldn't get my friend back but by setting up Student Against Drunken Driving I have dedicated the majority of my free time to raise awareness about this issue.”
If you are talented in a Performance or Visual Arts, go ahead and send your art supplement along with your college application. Yashaswini Singh a sophomore at Bryn Mawr College listed her piano grades and showcased her participation at the Grade 8 Toppers concert held at India Habitat Center that was attended by the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Likewise athletes like Shantanu Garg from Doon school sent his athletic supplement along with his tennis coach’s evaluation. Winning prestigious national tournaments and being involved in leadership, distinguished him from others. He was admitted to Claremont McKenna College, Carleton College and Vassar College. Says Garg, “I was the PT instructor for Jaipur House and this additional leadership role at Doon School defined my personal brand. Our efforts were rewarded when Jaipur House won awards for all drills during our Annual Sports Day after a gap of fifteen years.”
College admissions officers read your resume, recommendations and essays to form an opinion on how you will contribute to the academic and residential life on campus. Be passionate and express yourself. Remember, deeper your interest in activities, the more impressive your profile will be.
To read the full article in HT go to the epaper http://bit.ly/cXR9W2
Describing the monotony of his weekly schedule, says Karmanaya Agarwal (First year student at University of Illinois www.uiuc.edu), “Once my family decided that the US will be our preferred destination, I quit IIT Entrance preparatory classes and started focusing on working for the school’s computer science club and participating in regional and national quiz competitions. However I am grateful that the high level of science and math preparation in those classes helped me improve my grades in school.”
Community service and volunteering are common activities that most high school students participate in. However, Arjun Chhabra (freshmen in Cornell University www.cornell.edu) took his interest to another level. He moved to Washington D.C in grade 10 when his father joined the diplomatic mission. He continued working with Chintan when he came back to India for the summer. Chintan is a non-profit organization that empowers the marginalized community of rag pickers who live in despicable conditions in and around the various landfills in Delhi. On his return to America he helped raise funds for Chintan by organizing samosa drives in his high school.
Internship and volunteering activities often help students identify their strengths and interests. Divya Balaji (first year student at Yale University www.yale.edu) worked with the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust over summer. Says Balaji “Assisting a team of herpetologist, observing behavior of Siamese crocodile families, cleaning tortoise pens and assisting in the day to day running of the organization, I discovered my passion for environmental science. My common application essay captured this and I think was instrumental in my admissions.”
Sometimes life-changing experiences can urge you to follow a new path, says Rhea Kohli (a student of Sarah Lawrence College www.slc.edu) “A dear friend lost his life in a car accident. He was a victim of rash driving of another student who was driving under the influence of alcohol. I knew I couldn't get my friend back but by setting up Student Against Drunken Driving I have dedicated the majority of my free time to raise awareness about this issue.”
If you are talented in a Performance or Visual Arts, go ahead and send your art supplement along with your college application. Yashaswini Singh a sophomore at Bryn Mawr College listed her piano grades and showcased her participation at the Grade 8 Toppers concert held at India Habitat Center that was attended by the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Likewise athletes like Shantanu Garg from Doon school sent his athletic supplement along with his tennis coach’s evaluation. Winning prestigious national tournaments and being involved in leadership, distinguished him from others. He was admitted to Claremont McKenna College, Carleton College and Vassar College. Says Garg, “I was the PT instructor for Jaipur House and this additional leadership role at Doon School defined my personal brand. Our efforts were rewarded when Jaipur House won awards for all drills during our Annual Sports Day after a gap of fifteen years.”
College admissions officers read your resume, recommendations and essays to form an opinion on how you will contribute to the academic and residential life on campus. Be passionate and express yourself. Remember, deeper your interest in activities, the more impressive your profile will be.
To read the full article in HT go to the epaper http://bit.ly/cXR9W2
How is the Oxford University, UK experience different from a liberal arts college in the US like Swarthmore?
Rahul Garg is a Swarthmore College student who was currently on a year long program at Oxford University. Here are his answers to the questions I had posted.
If I had to choose 1 for an undergraduate experience, then definitely Swarthmore. Here are my reasons:
1) The US College campus life experience is inimitable. I grew up, formed close friendships and had (and am having) a lot of fun.
2) Educationally, good US colleges are great at the undergraduate level- the pedagogic structure, with great lecturers, flexible courses, continual assessment, project work, seminars, and personal interaction with professors (Swarthmore particularly) is extremely fruitful at the introductory and intermediate level.
However, Oxford provided one with the opposite experience of the tutorial system, which was great for studying political science and like subjects. Also, Oxford puts you in touch with several important people or organizations in the real-world (e.g. in think tanks, etc.) and has great lectures year- round. In addition, the social life is more relaxing. While in the US one has the standard week-weekend system of ‘work hard from Sun-Thurs and party hard Fri and Saturday’, at Oxford you’d work in the morning and during the day, and go out for something every other evening (e.g. the biggest ‘night’ at Oxford was Wednesdays).
Get advice from seniors about the application process
I caught up with some students who have made it to universities in the US and video interviewed them. I asked them what they would do differently about the application process if they were to approach it again. Their suggestions were great and I hope you too find these useful. I've compiled some of the interesting responses.
To read the full article, go to http://bit.ly/9PQLNQ
To read the full article, go to http://bit.ly/9PQLNQ
Shantanu Garg (CMC '14) shares tips on writing the Common App short answer
For 75 years students at Doon have been waking up at 6:00 am everyday for Physical Training, a prestigious tradition, practicing rigorous drills in search of perfection, while wishing for 1 more hour of sleep. We had not won in 15 years, but I, as a PT leader of Jaipur House, was determined to change that. So I designed a non-traditional formation. Not only did I change the exercises, but also the various technical structures to create an outline of an eagles wing (the symbol of our House). I remember our PT in-charge's words – "Shantanu, this will never work, it is too risky." But the risk paid off. The judges were mesmerized by our performance and we won all the trophies that day.
Why did you choose to write on this topic?
While brainstorming for this activity essay, I wanted to write about an activity that would add substantially to the profile that I was trying to establish. Now I believe that the whole application process is about showcasing a profile to your colleges that would make you the best fit student for them or at least bring out personal characteristic that you want your college to be aware of. I felt that my leadership profile was the one that could get me into the colleges that I was applying to and therefore I choose an activity which illustrated this aspect of my personality very vividly.
Moreover I also felt that my achievement in the following activity was something rare and exemplary, something that would hopefully directly catch the admission committee’s attention. Therefore I really did not have much hesitation in choosing to write on this topic.
Which other activities did you do while in High School that you could have written about?
Well being a sportsman I could have written about a sport, mainly tennis or cricket. I could have also written about some social service projects, my mountaineering expeditions, my prefectorial duties, MUN or other smaller activities. But I decided against writing on them simply because either they were personal achievements which really did not add to my leadership profile or as leadership roles they were not as significant as my role as a P.T leader. In any case any other significant leadership roles or even individual achievements that I had, I tried to convey them in other parts of my application, for example my C.V or my personal essay or my extra attached essay.
Which parts of the short answer do you like?
I like the part where I add the personal comment of my teacher (I remember our PT in-charge's words – "Shantanu, this will never work, it is too risky.") This was actually an honest warning issued by my teacher, though I have to admit that I had to keep it short because of the brevity of the essay. I feel that it really brings out the enormity of the risk taken and the success that was achieved, making the essay more impactful.
Looking back how would write this differently? Which parts would you change?
The activity essay being a relatively very short essay, does not give one much opportunity for change. So I do not really see myself making much change, but if I could make the part where I try to explain the exercises a bit more comprehensive then I would. I wish I could also put in some more background information but again the brevity of the essay makes that almost impossible, allowing only for facts to be mentioned.