Students will complete Andover’s in-depth Advantage College Survey prior to starting the course. Andover’s college experts will examine the survey and create a college list and note potential application strengths and weaknesses. This list will be used throughout the course to formulate ideas, to work towards to a final college list, and to address application strengths and weaknesses.
Students will bring their laptops to the course to work on essays and complete online applications. All Andover locations have wireless internet access. Students may successfully take the course if they don’t have laptop by bringing a notebook; their teacher will provide them with printed copies of the common application.
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To purchase ( $525 ):
Schedule: Find a class that fits your schedule by clicking HERE (pdf). *Note: please include the course number (e.g. #748R) in the comments section during your purchase. Course numbers can be found on the schedules. This will let us know which days/times as well as which office you would like to sign up for.
The goals of the course include:
1. College list. Starting with Andover’s list, students will work with their college admissions instructor to explore new colleges, reevaluate prior colleges, and
2. Complete one application in full (in most cases, the common app). If the student has a laptop, he/she should bring it to every class (and use our wireless internet connection). Completion of the application should be done online.
3. Complete the main application essay.
4. Complete the standard Short Answer essay (activity essay).
5. Complete at least one “Why do you want to go here?” essay (a common essay on more competitive applications).
6. Guide students through the process of evaluating and selecting colleges.
7. Help develop application strategies to maximize their chances of admission.
Program Details
12.5 hours
(These lessons are taught over 3-5 class sessions.)
Class 1
To Learn How to choose a college? What Matters? What Doesn’t? How to sort through all the stuff colleges mail to you. How colleges index your test scores and grades cutoffs. Your Real GPA and Rank.
To Review College list produced by Andover Central Office.
To Do The main essay: why you don’t want to write a “good” essay. Finding your strengths and illustrating them on a college essay. Start with writing vignettes in class.
Homework Review your college list, research the colleges (list will have college name and a list of questions), write more vignettes.
Class 2
To Learn More on how to choose a college. A review of viewbooks: what counts and what doesn’t count in college evaluation/selection. Completing the Common Application: strategy, and maximizing your strengths.
To Do Write more vignettes. Teacher will critique vignettes and choose the best 2-3 to expand (write ½ page, add details). Online completion of the Common App.
Homework Work on the main essay, more college research if needed; write down info needed to Common All (parents’ info, SSN, school info, etc)
Class 3
To Learn More on researching colleges and college choices. Interviews.
To Do Continue working on Common App. Counselor reviews Common App. Write short answer and main essay. Edit both.
Homework Complete essays and Common App.
Class 4
To Learn Digging into college course catalogues. Study aboard programs. The “Why XYZ College” essay.
To Do Finalize strategy and college list. Write the “Why XYZ College” essay.
Homework Choose two colleges and bring in info for your “Why XYZ College” essay.
Class 5
To Learn Counselor and teacher recommendations, interviews, more on visits and colleges DI ratings.
To Do Write “Why XYZ College” Essay. Finalize Fall To-Do list.