Video interview with Ansh Khanna, Loyola Marymount University, Class of 2017

In a video interview Ashna Mehta, Northwestern ´17 talks about the advantage of applying Early Decision

Advitya Khanna (Cornell ´17) talks about the challenges of the application process

What did you find most challenging about the college app process?

I must say that hitting the "complete" icon was probably the most difficult part of the College App Process. It takes heart to click on the icon; after all, it all comes down to this moment: two months of writing college essays (adding that so "hard to find" personal touch), prepping for SAT, whilst working equally hard in school, all together boil down to this moment. 

What was your SAT and Subject Tests prep strategy?

The SAT is not your normal school exam. It is tedious, exhausting, and yet deceptively simple. I say deceptively simple, because with well-directed practice, the SAT is an exam that most students can attain their "dream score". 

 My strategy was PRACTICE. Sometimes mindlessly, I must admit. (Please do not do that—first hone your skills and then move onto practice). Initially, I used Direct Hits by Larry Krieger to hone my SAT vocab for the Critical Reading Section. I practiced SAT Math sections from Dr. Chung’s (not sure if available in India)—it is very good for practice, but is definitely a lot more difficult than the real exam. I used basic grammar books for the Writing Section, to refresh my memory on basic grammar rules.

 Finally, I arrived at practice tests. I completed SAT Collegeboard Tests (most accurate) in the Blue Book, as well as the Online Course. With 10-15 practice tests under your belt, I felt confident about taking the exam.

 For SAT 2’s, I did not prep much. It was basically review from a Princeton or Barron Review Book (only because I had taken the AP exams for the respective SAT 2’s that I took).

 How did your college list change over time?

 My college list changed drastically over time. But that owes, to my school's new policy regarding college admissions. Initially, I had planned to apply to 12 universities: including most of the top tier (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, per se) universities. However, my school imposed a restriction on the number of college applications, restricting each student to six applications. This restriction forced me to change my plans. I had to cut down on the number of top tier colleges on my college lists; instead I had to add more "Safety" and "Reach" Colleges.

 What are you looking forward to the most in college?

To be honest, I have not thought about it much with ongoing exams. But, I must say that I am looking forward to taking on the challenge of adapting to a rigorous engineering curricula, while making new friends and starting a fresh life (away from school, finally!)

What major/s are you considering?

I am considering an Electrical Engineering Major at Cornell University, for reasons pertaining to my passion to incorporate technology to improve the quality of life.

What excites you about the courses you'll sign up for?

The fact that they will be incorporating the most up-to-date theories and discoveries truly excites me. I have always wanted to delve into modern research. Only learning about the discoveries that Newton had made (200 years back) at school has annoyed me. I always wanted to participate in research and with the courses (that I sign up for) I will have the opportunity to do my own research and explore new avenues that are yet to be explored.

What are your plans for summer?

Relax. I think I need a break from academics to get myself geared up for an exciting, yet challenging, academic journey at Cornell University. Oh! And brush up on my swimming (All Cornell Students must pass a swim test in order to graduate)

What advice would you give future applicants?

First and foremost, construct a plan. Then, merely stick by it. I know it sounds simple, but it can get very difficult to manage, especially while keeping up with school.

At the beginng of your junior year (11th grade) begin to chart out your rough plans. Start with a College List; discuss it with the family (taking into account your field of interest and financial backing from parents). Now, would be a good time to meet up with a college counselor. Discuss this college list with him/her and he/she should give you a good idea as to what SAT score, grades and extra curricular activities are required to be competitive for admission.

So from there, set a benchmark SAT score and begin prep in a methodical fashion. First, hone your Critical Reading, Math, Writing Skills using SAT guides published by Baron’s and Princeton’s. And sign up for the Official SAT Question of the Day and take the time to complete a question every day. This will help you get a basic idea of SAT questions before you move into intensive practice with Official College Board Tests. As soon as you think you have honed your skills move onto the intensive practice.

Now with practice (familiarity with SAT questions and format), take your first SAT in the October of your Eleventh Grade. This will give you a good amount of time to retake it, if you are not happy with your score, which is absolutely normal (you could get nervous and maybe it was just not your day — at least that is what happened in my case).

Having given the SAT, you should now think about the Degree (Career) you want to pursue in/ after college. Now, on the basis of this decision, pick two SAT subject tests that would be most applicable to the Degree you would like to pursue in college. For instance, an engineering student would pick a combination of (Math Level 2 and a Science).

The Eleventh grade should prepare you for the two exams that you have chosen to take. So, go ahead and take the exam in the May preceding 12th grade.  If you do not receive the score you desired, you still have enough time to retake the exam in coming October and November.

With SAT and Subject Tests out of the way, it is time for the more subjective part of a College Application. That is, the essays’. Think about your childhood, upbringing, values you hold and the present- day “you” and tie that in with the person you want to become. It sounds relatively simple, but I found it is SO DIFFICULT to write about oneself. So start early, take some time to think about all of this. Get a couple of drafts in. Get your teachers to edit and ask your parents if your writing reflects the true “YOU”. If not, scrap it. And write about something else. Remember, you always want to come off as yourself. Do not think that fancy words will get you into a better college. Just say what you need to say and let that reflect who you are.

Now, once you are done with the essays. You are basically done. Just fill out the application forms on time. Meet the deadlines. And push the “complete” icon, once you feel that you are done.

Remember, do not let your grades drop at school while completing the College Application. This does not settle very well with colleges. Also, remember to pursue your interests and hobbies. Continue to play football if you like to. Don’t stifle your interests just to get into prestigious colleges, because that would not work. These prestigious colleges want you to carry on with your interests.

And, most of all, relax. After all, it is your last year in school

Sakshee Chawla (Smith, ´17) looks forward to the choices at college

What are you looking forward to the most about college?

I’m looking forward to an environment that gives me the kind of freedom to discover the area of study that I enjoy most, without any kind of restrictions on the courses that I wish to study.

What did you find most challenging about the college app process?

The most challenging aspect of the college application process was to be able to write an essay within a deadline - the creative juices almost never flow when you need them to! Every college requires a minimum of one essay, while some even require four, and that one particular essay needs to be written and re-written multiple times before sending it to a college, which is an extremely challenging task.  

What was your SAT and Subject Tests prep strategy?

Honestly, I wish that the Indian schools would educate parents and students on when to give the SAT and advise them on the Subject Tests that they should give.

How did your college list change over time?

Yes, it’s only natural for your college list to change over time as you continue discovering new colleges and courses that may interest you. For me, my college list would change almost every week!

What advice would you give future applicants?

I would only advise them to be more aware and gather the right information about what tests need to be given and whether they are accepted by your colleges. I would also advise them to work on their essays in an organized manner, knowing what the next step is.

What major/s are you considering? 

I’m undecided, but I’d like to major in either Psychology, Economics or International Relations.

What are your plans for summer? 

Doing absolutely nothing!

Kushal Dalal (Princeton, ´17) on building a college list

How did your college list change over time?

My college list changed significantly through the entire application process. While rankings do give some idea about a particular college/university, one has to research in-depth and gauge the ‘fit’ of that institution – whether it meets your academic, financial and personal criteria. People do not consider things like climate and the size of the student body. But these little things add up.

One should have at least 3 ‘safety colleges/universities – institutions where the applicant has a reasonably good chance of getting in, given the criteria used for previous batches.

What did you find most challenging about the college app process?

The most challenging part of the application process was definitely essay-writing. Students in India are not used to introspective writing and/or writing so many essays at once. It took me a while to figure out the best ‘personal essay’ (Common Application) for me. It was frustrating but intellectually stimulating.

 What was your SAT and Subject Tests prep strategy?

The SAT (both reasoning and subject tests) test what we already know. So the key is to get familiar with the format of the tests. I spent a lot of time on mock tests. I identified my weak spheres and worked on improving them. While self-correcting these tests, one has to focus on the logic behind a correct answer and not just the correct answer itself.

What advice would you give future applicants?

Start the process early, especially the essay writing. Broaden your horizons – consider a wide range of colleges and not just the well-known/highly ranked ones. And above all, figure out what distinguishes you from the thousands of applicants – and centre your application on that.

What are you looking forward to the most about college?

I’m looking forward to the large variety of courses and to the entire college experience as a whole. I have lived a protected life till now and this change is both challenging and exciting.

What major/s are you considering? 

I am considering Economics as my area of concentration. Princeton offers ‘certificate courses’ instead of double majors/mionrs; I am looking at the Environmental Sciences certificate as well as the Engineering and Management Systems one.

What excites you about the courses you'll sign up for?

As I have mentioned before – the sheer variety and depth of courses. Courses which combine different areas of study (behavioural economics, for example) excite me as well.

What are your plans for summer? 

Apart from enjoying the freest days of my teenage/student life, I will take up an internship. 

Abhishek Biyani (CMC, ´17) shares his views on SAT prep

What was your SAT and Subject Tests prep strategy?

According to me the most important thing about preparation for these exams is to forget that we have the chance to take it again. Work for it, study for it, like it`s the last opportunity to do well in it.

What did you find most challenging about the college app process?

Nothing is really too difficult about the application. Everything in the the application is strenuous but nothing is really difficult in the true sense of the word.

How did your college list change over time?

 It did get a little realistic. I mean I had to understand that the Stanfords and Princetons weren't completely in my reach.

What advice would you give future applicants?

Relax, don't stress about it. But don't delay your work. Don't procrastinate. I guess that's most important.

What are you looking forward to the most about college?

Building a base and meeting all kinds of new people from across the globe.

What major/s are you considering?

Econ/Math/Psych

What excites you about the courses you'll sign up for?

 I just have an interest in Finance and Markets.

What are your plans for summer?

 Learning all about the Stock Market from my Grandfather, guitar lessons and gym. 

In a video interview Samyak Dixit (UVA ´17) talks about what he aims to get out of a US college education

Hassaan Ejaaz (U Chicago ´17) on how he chose his colleges

How did your college list change over time?
I chose colleges solely on the basis of the social and academic environment that they had to offer. I didn't factor in geographical location/climate at all. Different colleges are good at different things but I didn't apply to places where I wouldn't want to attend.

What did you find most challenging about the college app process?
I felt that the application process was very interesting and filled with dozens of learning opportunities, but juggling CBSE wasn't exactly an easy task.

What was your SAT and Subject Tests prep strategy?
Practice, practice, and practice. I did a lot of practice tests and spent an hour after every test just reviewing the mistakes that I made.

What advice would you give future applicants?
Never be too sure of yourself, or undermine yourself too much. Make sure you start working on your applications early, because you don't want to be in trouble when board examination pressure starts looming large.

What are you looking forward to the most about college?
Mostly, the depth and breadth of a liberal arts curriculum because it offers amazing opportunities for self-development and learning more and more.

What major/s are you considering?
Economics and Computer Science

What excites you about the courses you'll sign up for?
That they won't require guide books and sample papers or that you do the one markers and the four markers and six markers. I like to believe that they will focus on curiosity and inquisition more than anything else.

What are your plans for summer?
Catch up on life. Do things that I've always wanted to do. Move further down on my to-read and to-watch lists. Get an internship. Prepare for college.

Saisha Srivastava (Vassar College ´17) shares her exciting plans for this summer

What are your plans for this summer before you join Vassar?

I’m conducting a month-long dance workshop at Calcutta Blind School Behala for 50-75 students with disabilities ranging from extremely low to no vision.

I’m Regional Head for East India for the Indian International Model UN(IIMUN) , which is Asia’s largest MUN conference being held at the World Trade Center in Mumbai. This involves a lot of running around and meeting with schools and sponsors for the next few months. I will also be Chairperson of the Historic Security Council at the conference in August. I have been appointed Secretary General for IIMUN Kolkata, which is set to be held in July.

I’m conducting public speaking workshops at some schools in Calcutta till August and teaching ballet to girls aged 5-9 at Flash Fitness Dance Studio on Camac Street every week. 

I also want to learn how to cook because I won’t survive 4 years without Indian food.

What did you find most challenging about the college app process?

Editing pieces to suit the word limits without compromising what I liked about them. 
I procrastinate a lot so I had a hard time sticking to deadlines. 

What was your SAT and Subject Tests prep strategy?

I prepared for SAT for around 3 weeks and gave as many mocks as I could. I didn’t attend any classes or preparatory courses for the SAT. 

How did your college list change over time?

My college list didn’t change much over time. I figured after the application process that I may have applied to some schools that I wasn’t truly a fit for and weren’t a fit for me. But I applied there anyway. Needless to say, I didn’t get into those schools. 

What advice would you give future applicants?

In the frenzy of extracurricular activities and other achievements, remember to keep your grades solid. They are the backbone of your application. 
If you’re asking for aid, be realistic about your college list.

​What you looking forward to the most about college?

Definitely the courses. 

What major/s are you considering? 

Politics and Economics. 

What excites you about the courses you'll sign up for?

I’m looking forward to the intimate class sizes at my college, study abroad programs and some specific courses in the International Relations department. The professors in the Pol Sc department are phenomenal. I’ve been reading about them over the last few weeks. 

Vassar has an open curriculum so I’m thrilled about the opportunities for academic exploration. I’m excited about new and different perspectives on the same course through a diverse class. I also look forward to making connections between different disciplines. 

In a video interview Aditya Vijay (UPenn ´17) talks about the factors that influenced his college list