if you’re wondering to yourself, where should i volunteer? you’re in luck—we’ve created a quiz to help you decide!

take the quiz below and then read on to learn how to choose where to volunteer your time.

take the quiz!

table of contents

• do you want to work with people?
• are you passionate about a cause?
• what are your strengths?
• where do you like to spend time?
• final word

do you want to work with people?

one of the biggest factors to consider when weighing different volunteer opportunities is whether you would like to spend your time chatting with people or not. if your preference is to minimize your human interactions in any given day, then find a volunteer opportunity where you can work alone, such as sorting books at the library or walking dogs at your local animal shelter.

on the other hand, if you wake up every day ready to chat, then share your social skills at a hospital or school. you probably won’t be happy sorting through mail in a backroom in an office.

whether you prefer the company of people or dogs is totally fine—no judgment here! the most important thing is to be true to yourself and choose the volunteer opportunity where you’ll be most comfortable, and therefore, most effective.

are you passionate about a cause?

the next big consideration is whether you are passionate about a particular cause. do you get outraged when someone throws something in the trash that could have been composted? do you have a history of rescuing baby birds? pay attention to these strong feelings and past actions.

if you have such passionate feelings about a specific issue, find organizations that are working on those important matters. then, find out how you can help support the cause. the most effective volunteers are those who truly care about their work and are dedicated to the cause. so, follow your heart to find your best volunteer opportunity!

if you don’t have a particular passion at the moment, don’t despair. there are loads of other ways to find a volunteer opportunity that’s meant for you, such as volunteering in a field where you might want to have a career someday.

another great way to discover the perfect volunteer opportunity for you is to contemplate what you’re good at doing. so, let’s talk a little bit about strengths.

what are your strengths?

another great way to decide where you should volunteer is to make a list of your strengths. by reviewing what you excel at, you can decide where best to share your talents. think back on past jobs or internships and write down what you did well and what you enjoyed. did you love chatting up strangers at the receptionist desk? did you find it thrilling to help fellow students in class when they struggled?

your reflections will help guide you to decide where you can share your unique strengths and qualities. if people often tell you that you’re good at explaining things, consider teaching or tutoring with a local nonprofit. alternately, if you find that you love cheering people up who are feeling down, consider volunteering at a hospital or nursing home.

no matter what your strengths are there is a place in need of them. so, get out there and start sharing your unique skills!

where do you like to spend time?

one final deliberation is to think about where you choose to spend your free time. if you often find yourself at the art museum or library, these places might be the perfect place to share your talents. alternately, if the thought of a museum immediately makes you sleepy, set your sights elsewhere—maybe coaching youth soccer is a better match for you!

another option, especially if you love to spend time outdoors, is to volunteer at a local or national park. you can give back by helping to repair trails or greeting folks as they enter the park. it’s a great way to get some sun, see some wildlife, and give back all at the same time.

final word

volunteering is a chance for you to give back to the community and strengthen your college application. finding the right volunteer opportunity requires the consideration of many factors. you’ll need to think about your strengths, the places you prefer to spend time, and the why behind your volunteering, such as getting into your dream school. once you’ve determined your passions and strengths, and where you enjoy spending time, you’ll be able to choose the place to volunteer that’s a perfect fit for you!

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wondering what size college you should choose? well, you’re in luck. we’ve developed a what size college should i apply to? quiz to help you decide whether you’re best suited for a small, medium, or large college.

first, take the what size college should i apply to quiz, and then read on to learn about how school size will affect your college experience and what school size best suits your personality. this is an important decision, but we’ve laid out all the crucial factors here to help you decide.

take the quiz!

table of contents

• do you want lots of variety?
• do you mind walking a lot?
• are you looking for personal attention?
• have you scheduled school visits?
• takeaway

do you want lots of variety?

if you’re hoping to meet lots of different kinds of people and have the chance to join different interest groups and hobbies every semester, then you should be looking at medium to large colleges. these campuses tend to have more variety in extracurriculars, classes, and people due to the large student body and diverse professional staff.

on the other hand, if you’re hoping to make a close group of friends with similar interests and take classes with them, you should probably focus your school search on small colleges. you’ll feel right at home knowing your way around campus after the first few days and being able to meet friends for dinner at a small number of dining rooms. if you’re looking for a close-knit community in a more intimate setting, focus your search on small colleges.

do you mind walking a lot?

although it may seem like not a big deal, large schools can mean a lot of walking. if you’re not interested in logging miles every day to get to and from class, you may want to consider a smaller college where your dorm, class, and the gym are minutes apart.

as a texan studying in wisconsin, i learned very quickly that long walks in the snow and ice are very different than long walks under the texas sun. be sure to consider the climate where the school is located when making your decision (and get snow boots if you need to!).

are you looking for personal attention?

if you’d prefer a lot of individual attention and assistance picking your classes, understanding the requirements of your major, and handling all other school-related tasks, a small or medium college might be the best fit for you. you’re more likely to have an advisor who knows your goals and can assist you with deciding which courses and professors might be best for you.

also, you’ll get more help with handling your course load and staying on track to graduate on time. so, if you often struggle with keeping track of details and managing course requirements, a smaller college would likely suit you best.

in contrast, at large campuses with student bodies over 20,000, you can’t expect a lot of personalized attention. instead, you’ll be expected to navigate the bureaucracy of the administrative system on your own. think about whether you’d like the challenge of handling these things by yourself.

additionally, you’ll likely have a good deal of classes taught by grad students, so take some time to consider whether that would work for you. if you’re looking to only be taught by an expert in a small group setting, a large college probably isn’t for you.

have you scheduled school visits?

finally, while considering all of the questions presented here will help you think about whether you’d prefer a large or small college, one of the best ways to put together your college list is to visit a variety of schools.

venture onto large campuses and see how you feel lost in a crowd of people. invigorated or overwhelmed? next, take a stroll through a small campus and consider how you feel. do you feel tucked in a cozy place or like you need something more to explore?

wandering through campus and sitting in on classes is a great way to get a feel for how a college will be. don’t forget to ask your guide or current students about their experiences so far. talking to students and asking questions on your visit is crucial to understanding the culture of a campus. so, be sure to speak up on your tour and get your questions answered!

takeaway

if you’re still not sure, try taking the what size college should i apply to? quiz one more time. think carefully about each of your responses in light of the information above and see if you get a different answer than before. if so, take some time to write out the pros and cons of each size college and don’t hesitate to read more tips on finding the right school for you. college is four years of your life—take the time to make the choice that’s best for you!

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want to join the fighting illini? who wouldn’t? with a beautiful campus located only a few hours from chicago, the university of illinois at urbana-champaign is a great school with a lot to offer.

did you know that:

• the university of illinois-urbana champaign was recently ranked 13th for best public university in the u.s, with the 6th best engineering program.
• the student to faculty ratio is 20:1, and 40% of classes have twenty students or less.
• among the alumni and faculty, there are 25 nobel prize winners and 28 pulitzer prize winners.

in addition to these impressive stats, the university of illinois also places great importance on the student experience. all freshman are required to live on campus, which helps foster a collegial environment and makes it easier for students to transition to life on campus. there’s also a lot of love for all things sports, so get ready to cheer at football, volleyball, basketball games and more!

now that you’re even more excited to join the fighting illini, let’s look at what it takes to get accepted to the university of illinois.

university of illinois admissions data

while the admissions committee at the university of illinois takes a holistic approach when reviewing candidates, there are still average gpa and test scores for admitted students. here’s a snapshot of some key university of illinois admissions stats:

*starting in fall 2019, university of illinois urbana champaign began offering free tuition to in-state students whose family income is $61,000 or below.

let’s take a closer look at the gpa requirements for incoming freshman.

university of illinois gpa

the gpa range provided above is based on an unweighted 4.0 scale, so be sure to keep that in mind when considering your gpa and your chances. while it’s helpful to know that the gpa range is between 3.45 and 3.92, this doesn’t mean that if your gpa is below a 3.45 you can’t get in the university of illinois. these numbers represent the middle range, which means that 25% of admitted students have a gpa below a 3.45.

it’s also worth pointing out that gpa minimums vary by major, so your gpa might be competitive for the major that you want to apply to. for example, the gpa range for the college of fine and applied arts starts at 3.23, and the college of media’s range starts at 3.30.

don’t know your gpa? you can calculate it here and see how you competitive you are!

university of illinois act and sat scores

while test scores aren’t everything, they are an important part of your university of illinois application. here’s a quick overview of the university of illinois sat scores and act scores to help you see where you stand.

at the university of illinois, students apply to the particular major that they want to study, so you should review the average sat and act scores for your major to see how competitive you’ll be.

if your scores aren’t quite as high as you would like them to be, don’t be discouraged. there is more to your application, and the university of illinois – urbana champaign is looking for more than just test scores.

university of illinois freshman profile

who exactly are the fighting illini? the incoming freshman class of 2023 is the most diverse student group to date, and 24.7% are first-generation college students. while the number of students of students from other countries is lower than in past years, the number of countries represented increased from 36 to 40.

now that you have a sense of the incoming students, let’s take a further look at the other parts of your application to see how you can impress the university of illinois admissions committee and be one of the incoming freshmen soon!

how to get into the university of illinois

the university of illinois admissions committee is dedicated to taking a comprehensive view of applicants. they look not only at test scores, but also at the difficulty of classes taken in high school, extracurriculars, and any honors or awards received.

make sure you’ve taken the required coursework. the school recommends four years in all of the following subjects (and taking the most advanced classes available), but requires a minimum of the following:

• english: 4 years
• math: 3-3.5 years
• social sciences: 2 years
• lab sciences: 2 years
• foreign language: 2 years
• electives: 2 years

when you apply to u of i, you will apply directly to the major you are interested in studying. this means that the admissions committee will be looking to see if you are prepared for a particular course of study. so, if you still have time, be sure to take the most advanced classes in the area of study that most interests you. you can also apply for your second choice major to increase your chances of admission.

along with solid test scores, you’ll want to make sure that you have a strong, well-rounded application to be competitive. here is a quick and comprehensive list of what you need to apply:

• official results of your act or sat, and advanced placement scores
• official high school transcripts or record of academic achievement in secondary school
• response to the essay question
• indication of your desired major and an alternative program*
• a $50 application fee

*depending on the major you apply to, you may have additional application requirements. for example, students interested in dance, music, or theater are required to audition or interview. review the admission requirements for each major carefully to ensure you submit everything you need to.

final word of advice: make sure that each part of your application is as strong as it can be. take time to carefully craft your essays to demonstrate what makes you unique and the perfect fit for the university of illinois.

since the university of illinois accepts students for particular majors, make sure your application demonstrates your passion for that area of study. show how your coursework and extracurricular activities have strengthened your passion for that academic field and how they will help you be successful.

university of illinois faq

does the university of illinois require teacher recommendations?
nope! in fact, ui doesn’t even accept them. however, that doesn’t mean that you won’t need recommendations for other applications, so definitely ask teachers early!

does the university of illinois require the sat essay?
good news! the university of illinois-urbana champaign admissions does not require the sat essay (or the act essay, for that matter). be careful, though—if you’re applying to other universities, they may require it, and you don’t want to have to take the exam twice just for that reason!

how many undergraduates get to participate in research?
research is a top priority at the university of illinois, and 68% of undergraduates are able to assist with this important research.

how many students are from out of state?
the university of illinois welcomes out-of-state students. these students make up 26% of undergraduate students.

what gpa do i need to be able to transfer?
in general, at least a 3.0 gpa is needed to transfer, but there are some majors that accept lower gpas. for example, the school of social work and the school of education accept students with a minimum gpa of 2.5.

the takeaway

the university of illinois is one of the top-ranked public universities in the country. with a diverse student body, and a strong sense of community and school spirit, it’s no surprise that so many students want to attend this great university. make sure you are competitive by getting the best sat or act score that you can.

from all of us here at magoosh, good luck getting into your dream school!

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if you’re feeling burned out from school, you’re probably wondering should i take a gap year? or if you’re itching to travel or experience something new, you’re likely asking yourself the same question.

to help you decide if taking a gap year is right for you, we’ve created a super helpful quiz. take the quiz below and then read on to learn more about how to make the decision that’s right for you!

take the quiz!

table of contents

• why take a gap year?
• ideas for your gap year
• can you afford a gap year?
• do you have support for a gap year?
• gap year: pros and cons
• takeaway

why take a gap year?

there are lots of reasons to take a gap year. some students are just burned out after intense years of school and extracurriculars and stressing about good sat scores. others are just interested in seeing a bit of the world before jumping into more years of studying.

if you haven’t already, sit down and really think about why you’re interested in taking a gap year. are you looking to do some self-exploration? do you want to see another part of the world? or are you just unsure of your next step?

if you’re considering a gap year, you should have a clear sense of what you want to do during your time off. let’s look at some potential ways you can spend your gap year from serving your community at home to venturing abroad.

ideas for your gap year

now that you have a sense of why you want to take a gap year, you can narrow down what you want to do during your time away from school. if you’re looking for a new experience or to learn about a new culture, explore options to work abroad. there are often lots of opportunities for students to work as nannies, teachers, or tutors all over the world from paris to peru!

alternately, if you’re interested in a year of service, you should research all the different nonprofits that offer volunteer opportunities domestically or abroad. for example, americorps offers volunteer opportunities where you can receive a stipend and financial aid in exchange for giving back to your community.

can you afford a gap year?

one of the biggest things to consider when deciding to take a gap year is your financial support. depending on what you want to do during your gap year, you may need a good deal of support from family or friends. alternately, if you’re looking to work abroad, you may just need some start up funds and emergency savings. before you take the leap, consider how much money you’ll need to do what you want to do during your gap year.

you should also think about any potential impacts to your student financial aid. if you’re already completed your fafsa, you may need to reapply next year before you start school.

do you have support for a gap year?

in addition to financial support, you should consider whether you have the support of your family, friends, and teachers for taking a gap year. while others’ opinions shouldn’t dictate what you do, you should consider the viewpoints of those you trust. family and friends who know you well can help you see whether a gap year would work with your personality and your hopes and ambitions.

on the flip side, however, don’t let anyone get you down if your heart is set on taking a gap year. be confident in your dream. set out a clear plan, your expectations for your gap year, and then show the naysayers how solid your vision is. they’ll be helping you pack your bags in no time!

gap year: pros and cons

time for a quick recap of the pros and cons of taking a gap year. feel free to grab a sheet of paper and make your own pros and cons list – sometimes there’s no better way to make a decision than by seeing the options on paper.

gap year pros:

1. extra time to think about what you want to study in college.
2. time and space to recharge.
3. opportunity to experience new places and cultures.
4. chance to save some money before college.

gap year cons:

1. lose momentum with your studies.
2. start college and graduate at different times than your high school friends.
3. may have to reapply for schools and financial aid.

again, take some time to think about any pros or cons specific to your situation – planning to room with your best friend? feeling exhausted after a grueling year of classes and varsity sports? and don’t forget to enlist your friends for help—they may think of things you overlooked!

takeaway

still wondering should i take a gap year? well, ultimately, the decision lies with you. carefully evaluate your answers to the questions (and quiz!) above. if you take the time to make the right choice for you, you can’t go wrong. best of luck on your next adventure – whether that’s college or hiking the andes!

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interested in joining the fighting irish for stellar academics, global opportunities, a focus on service…and of course, great football? with a beautiful campus and lots of school pride, the university of notre dame is the top choice for many students. no doubt you’re already familiar with a few reasons why notre dame is such a popular choice, but let’s take a look at a few more:

• notre dame was recently ranked 11th for best undergraduate teaching.
• the median starting salary of a notre dame alum is $65,300, which shows the caliber of students graduating and the solid job opportunities available to them.
• the fighting irish, especially the football team, are a source of pride among the student body and make up a large part of the activities for students.

 
not surprisingly, notre dame is a highly competitive school with an acceptance rate under 20%. we’ll talk more about how to get into notre dame, but first let’s look at why admissions officers say it all comes to down to being a notre dame “fit.”

are you a good fit for notre dame?

notre dame is a unique school for many reasons. since you’d be there for four years of your life, it’s important to think about how you would fit in with the student body and culture of the university.

notre dame is a catholic university that strongly emphasizes faith and service as part of its mission. while you don’t have to be catholic to attend, you should consider whether you would like attending a faith-based university.

in addition to its basis in the catholic faith, notre dame has five pillars that embody the spirit of the notre dame education. these principles are mind, heart, zeal, family, and hope.

much like with the faith consideration above, you should spend some time thinking about whether your personal values align with these principles and if you would like them to guide your undergraduate education. also, keep these in mind when writing your admission essays—you’ll definitely want to weave these principles in throughout your application!

finally, notre dame’s mission is to be a “powerful force for good in the world.” does this speak to your personal mission in life? if so, and you love division i athletics, challenging academics, and a scenic campus, keep reading to find out how to get into notre dame.

freshman profile

so who is the typical fighting irish freshman? the class of 2023 is diverse with students from all 50 states and 82 different countries. accepted students were also very active, with 50% participating in music, drama, fine arts, or dance and 47% captaining a varsity sports team. and they’re a super smart bunch as you’ll see in the sat and act scores reported below.

one more notable statistic about notre dame students is that 48% receive need-based aid scholarships, showing the university’s commitment to helping its students.

notre dame admissions data

here’s a snapshot of some key notre dame admissions stats from the 2018-2019 cycle:

notre dame act and notre dame sat scores

there’s no way around it, really good scores are crucial to getting into notre dame. keep in mind that it’s currently ranked as the 15th best university in the country!

here’s a quick overview of the notre dame sat scores from the 2018-2019 cycle:

notre dame also accepts act scores; here are their most recent numbers:

while notre dame doesn’t require any minimum scores to apply, the ranges above let you know where you stand compared with other applicants. if you’re in the ranges above, then notre dame is definitely within reach for you, especially if the other parts of your application are strong.

however, don’t be discouraged if your scores aren’t as high as you’d like. there is more to your application, and notre dame prides itself on having a diverse student body. let’s take a look at what else the admissions committee is looking for in addition to strong standardized test scores.

university of notre dame gpa average

the university of notre dame does not officially report the average gpa of accepted students, but it’s safe to say the average gpa is mostly likely a 4.0. why it is safe to assume the average gpa is so high? well, 89% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their class, while 98% were in the top 25% of their class. this means you’ll need to get the highest gpa possible to ensure you are ranked at the top of your class. if you’re gpa isn’t as high as you need, you’ll need to focus on bringing up your act and sat scores to be more competitive.

faq

is an in-person interview part of the application process?
no, the university of notre dame does not conduct interviews as part of the admissions process, so be sure to tell your story and demonstrate how awesome you are through the writing supplement and test scores.

does the university of notre dame prefer the act or sat?
the university of notre dame accepts both the act and sat and does not have a preference for one test over the other. just be sure to get the highest score you can on whichever test you decide to take!

are transfer students accepted?
yes, the university of notre dame welcomes transfer students but the application process is highly competitive. transfer students are accepted into a particular college and major, so you should complete courses similar to notre dame’s first year classes to increase your chances of acceptance.

what is the notre dame admissions process?

along with good test scores, you’ll want to make sure that you complete a thorough and competitive application for admission. here is a quick and comprehensive list of what you’ll need for the notre dame admissions process:

as you’re putting together all of these pieces of your application, be sure to keep in mind the evaluation criteria that the notre dame adcom will use to assess candidates. in particular, they’re looking for stellar academic performance and “passions” (aka extracurricular activities).

final word of advice: make sure that your academic strengths shine in your application by demonstrating a range of high-level classes. and if you’re only a freshman or sophomore in high school and notre dame is your dream school, make smart choices now to ensure that you are challenging yourself and getting the highest gpa you can.

the takeaway

notre dame is a highly competitive university, so you need to make sure you get the highest gpa and sat or act score you can. in addition to strong academics, the adcom wants to see passionate students who have a desire to be of service in the world.

given the selective admissions process, you’ll need to prepare, prepare, prepare for your tests ahead of time.

from all of us here at magoosh, good luck getting into your dream school!

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