1) crashcourse

john green’s “crashcourse” us/world history youtube series

this series is fantastic if you’re looking for a learning source that won’t put you to sleep. i actually studied for my ap us history exam by watching the entire series. yes. that’s right. all __ episodes. all 48 episodes. all nine hours. i am not sure i can recommend this method, but i can say that i got a 5 and that john green’s voice echoed in my mind as i bubbled in my scantron. not only does john green have tons of resources for us history, but he’s also great for world history and “big history,” or the history of everything. check him out!

2. smithsonian history explorer

smithsonian history explorer

the website’s not the most intuitive, but the information here can be extremely helpful for anyone looking to interact digitally with history. you can examine artifacts up close and watch videos on the same material you’ve been reading about in your textbook. watch the cotton gin in action or hear the great jazz composers for yourself! this can be a fun, easy supplement for learning, especially if textbook learning isn’t the best way for information to stick in your head.

3) old maps online

old maps online

you know that feeling you get when you’re alone, and you’re sipping your coffee, and you’re contemplating life’s intricacies, and you realize you really want to see an old map? it’s a pretty common feeling. really. the old maps online portal is just the place to find, like, really old maps. you can gain access to high-quality historical maps from libraries around the world…and if you happen to have an old map lying around, you can add to the database yourself!

4) digital history

digital history

this is an awesome resource for quick summaries of events in us history. this interactive timeline spans from the first native-americans to the 21st century. there are short summaries of important supreme court cases (a must-have if you’re studying for the ap test), printable quizzes on each unit, writing guides, digital stories, and even historic music. pretty cool stuff.

5) library of congress

library of congress

the library of congress sounds very far away from your us history classroom, but in reality, it’s super relevant and has tons of helpful resources. there are tons of neat little bits of history like original speeches and letters, old newspapers, maps, and film. this can be especially convenient if you’re working on a research project and are in need of primary resources.

6) ourdocuments.gov

ourdocuments.gov

this website is pretty simple and straightforward. it lists 100 milestone documents in us history from the national archives. not only can you see pictures of these original documents, but you can also read detailed summaries about each document and download the transcripts. the summaries can also link to further resources–convenient if you’re conducting research for a paper or project.

7) usa 20th century history game – free

usa 20th century history game – free

unlike the previous items in this list, this one is an app. usa 20th century history game is a game…about…usa 20th  century history. this one’s just a fun app to download if you want to brush up on when events happened. the app’s major focus is the specific dates of events (something you might find useful during exams). you can test yourself on four levels (easy, core, hard, and advanced), and for some reason the app’s mascot is a turkey. obviously the better version of angry birds.

8) khan academy

khan academy

khan academy started out primarily as a math resource, but it’s since grown to include lots of subjects in the humanities, including history. subjects include american civics, ancient and medieval history, the renaissance and reformation, the enlightenment, the revolution, and the 20th century. the videos are super informative and easy to understand–check it out!

9) wolfram alpha

wolfram alpha

you might associate wolfram alpha with math and science, but surprisingly, it’s equally relevant with history. you can find the data range associated with a particular historical period and even compare different historical periods. you can compute the modern worth of a certain amount of money centuries ago. you can look up specific historic figures and battles and events–and while you won’t get any emotional context, you sure will get the numbers.

10) american revolution interactive timeline – free

american revolution interactive timeline – free

this is actually a really awesome app. designed by the museum of the american revolution, the app is basically an interactive timeline of the revolutionary war. you can learn about specific events, as well as detailed information about the artwork, weapons, clothing, objects, and manuscripts from the museum’s collection. the graphics are beautiful, and the videos and podcasts are pretty engaging. the app is also “award-winning,” apparently, which must mean something good. except when it comes to bieber and stuff.

the post ten revolutionary digital history resources appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

anyways! here is a list of eight powerpoint alternatives sure to make your big presentation a hit!
 

1) prezi

this is one of the more popular powerpoint alternatives, this is a dynamic presentation software that’s beautiful to look at and fairly easy to customize! (oh no, i’m starting to sound like a commercial again… )

prezi is cloud-based, syncable across all your devices, and it already has 50 million users! all of its presentations involve a lot of motion–zooming in, sliding sideways, etc–so it’s easy to keep your audience engaged. plus, the blank template basically allows you endless possibilities as far as design goes.
 

2) slidedog

this is a seamless presentation software which can really keep your classmates on their toes! slidedog is different from other presentation-makers because it’s basically a playlist of your digital media. it’s not exactly a slideshow-maker, but you can integrate previous prezi or powerpoint files into your slidedog playlist–plus any other files you want to include. you can even have your classmates follow along on their own tablets or computers–and have them respond to polls, etc.
 

3) animoto

this is a different take on presentations–instead of a traditional slideshow, animoto lets you create an engaging video slideshow for your next project! this one’s pretty cool–and it can still be pretty flexible. it’s technically a video, but that doesn’t mean you can’t talk during your presentation. you can pre-record your voice for your slideshow (using a separate program) or mute the volume and talk live. there are tons of sample presentations on the website, and they’re all beautiful.  it’s also an app, so you can work on this on your phone or tablet!
 

4) wevideo

yet another video creation website that can help you make some dynamic presentations! wevideo is pretty easy to use and employs a storyboard-style development process which is easy for beginners to use. better yet–if you’re working on a group project, wevideo has a collaboration feature, so your friends can pitch in. let’s just hope you don’t end up like this poor girl.

5) canva

canva is kind of like a renaissance man–er, website. it’s a little bit of everything. you can create flyers, posters, graphics, etc–but for the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on its presentation-creating software. it’s amazingly simple to design clean, visually-pleasing slideshows with this website. you can collaborate with anyone, anywhere–and design across platforms on its app.
 

6) powtoon

powtoon is really, really awesome. this is another video presentation website, but the difference here is that you can customize fun animations into your video. you can animate  figures to talk and present an idea… you can literally make your bullet points pop and move and captivate your audience. the options are endless. the result is a nifty, engaging video that you can have lots of fun with. there are over 11 million powtoons created so far, so they’re obviously doing something right–try it out!
 

7) haiku deck

haiku deck is an absolutely gorgeous and easy-to-use presentation maker! really painless and especially useful if you’re in a rush and don’t have time to learn and use something more complex. making presentations on this site is actually–dare i say–fun? you can work on either your computer or ipad; select from tons of eye-catching images; and browse through the gallery to get inspired by other presentations.
 

8) projeqt

okay, this one is a really cool find. using projeqt, you can make non-linear presentations by connecting live tweets, blog feeds, youtube videos, audio notes, etc. you can weave together multiple presentations and customize this across multiple platforms. it’s pretty easy to use, and it’ll definitely make you stand out, as opposed to a typical powerpoint presentation.
 

takeaway

part of really setting yourself apart in the classroom (and eventually in the workforce!) is constantly seeking newer and better ways to accomplish a task. if you really want to get that “a” while flooring your teacher in your next presentation, trying one of these out (or something else new) might serve you well!

did it work out well for you? let us know in the comments! we’d love to hear your success stories.

the post rock your school presentation: best alternatives to powerpoint appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

unfortunately, mastering your focus is something that often takes a lifetime of effort…well, most of us don’t have a lifetime (or even a day) to finish our (most likely procrastinated) work. so, while you won’t ever be able to have 100% control over your focus, you can definitely learn how to work around pesky attention spans to get your work done.

follow these tips for the next time you have to get down to business.
 

1) get rid of the distractions

the most obvious step? get rid of all those pesky distractions! turn off your phone. shut your door. tell your friends not to chat you up for “x” amount of time.

don’t wander into the dark abyss of the internet. if you do have to use the internet for certain parts of your studying, lump all of those parts towards the end of your study session. create a checklist on what exactly you need to look up on the internet and cross off each task as you go. this will help prevent you from time-consuming social media sites like facebook and twitter.

in any case, don’t become this guy.

2) create a reward system

positive reinforcement, yeah! set a solid reward for every landmark that you make while studying. for example, after every two pages read, treat yourself to a chocolate! if you can’t trust yourself not to cheat, ask a family member to withhold all the delicious chocolatey goodies in the house. or, if you want to avoid gaining five pounds, snack on something healthy and delicious instead like….like…uh…i’m not the best person to turn to on these kinds of decisions…

3) study well-rested

pretty self-explanatory. no use studying while you’re still half-asleep! not only will you be a lot less productive, but you’ll remember less and you’ll get distracted more!

if you’re feeling a bit tired, get up and move around a bit…or take a short nap. in any case, you’ll be so much more efficient with an rested, alert head on your shoulders, no matter how pressed for time you are.
 

4) create a punishment system

it’s not as bad as it sounds.

for those of you who don’t respond as well to positive reinforcement…negative reinforcement could work for you, too! seriously, it’s not terrifying and can actually be pretty useful–though it should probably be used for more desperate situations.

if you’re really attached to your money, perhaps sacrifice a certain amount of money to be at stake. have a trusted family member check up on you every hour or so. if they see that certain tasks have not been completed, have them take a certain amount of the money. again, this sounds a bit extreme, but if you’re the type that will only work when something you care about is at risk, this could be effective. (god, that sounded so creepy.)

the “money” could be swapped out for candy or dish-washing duty or anything else that matters to you. (just as long as you aren’t trading siblings!)
 

5) study with an timer

hey, this one actually works pretty well! if you’re crunched for time and have to plow through some mandatory reading, keep a timer going. if you’re reading a textbook, for example, challenge yourself to finish each page within 2-3 minutes. that’s 50 pages in less than 2 hours. keep a timer to stay on track. the app seconds is perfect for this–you can set it so that it counts down from 2 minutes…the added pressure of seeing the time slip away will pressure you to stay focused.

6) take short breaks

everyone needs to relax occasionally!

and that doesn’t just apply to kitties getting a shoulder rub! when you’re studying, don’t tire yourself out. take short breaks for a more effective study session. the pomodoro technique–where you work in 25-minute chunks, followed by 5-minute breaks (and 15-minute breaks every hour)–is especially effective.

a warning, however: don’t take so many breaks that you lose focus. keep your breaks short and sweet. if you over-use them, you can quickly slide into procrastination.
 

takeaway

you’re not completely at the mercy of your attention span! when you employ these tips, you can get done studying quickly and way more effectively.

so, get going!

the post how to master your focus appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

there are dozens and dozens of majors to choose from. so…how do you know which one is for you? try out these tips to narrow down your search and help you on the way!

1) what are your career prospects?

this is the the most obvious step, but–what are you career prospects? a huge differentiation to make is whether you are solely pursuing your interests or whether you’re looking for a purely practical career option. are you looking more for something that will purely satisfy your interests or something that will make you the most money? of course, these can often be the same thing. it’s all a matter of balance.

career choice is extremely complicated, however, and often it’s difficult to get an idea of what you want to do in your life until after college–and after you’ve explored many of your interests. because so many people are unsure of their future careers, oftentimes a better question to ask is…

2) what are you passionate about?

ah, the dreaded question. but it’s absolutely what you want to ask yourself when you’re deciding on a major! knowing what you’re interested in doesn’t have to be all that specific, either. what classes are your favorite? what do you do in your free time? knowing where your true interests lie can help guide you toward a major that you might want to consider.

of course, major choice isn’t always about what you’re most interested in, but there are plenty of people who–not knowing what they’d like to do as a career–simply choose a major that they’ll enjoy. who knows? you might find a promising career path after taking a few classes that you love.

take a look at this list of common college majors to get an idea of the huge variety of options you can choose from.

3) talk to friends and family

this one sounds obvious, but it’s actually so helpful! don’t be afraid to ask friends and family about their opinions on future major choices. adults especially who have already been through the process can be especially helpful with their own past experiences.

don’t be afraid to reach out and ask, “hey, i’m confused about what i should major in. any advice?”

4) try some of these online quizzes!

sounds trivial, but there are so many online tools out there that can be incredibly helpful when looking into major choice.

majors

• mymajors is one of the most specialized tools available–geared towards finding you a major you’ll love!
• majorfinder provides you with an extremely detailed analysis of your strengths and interests–and what career would be the best fit. although i already know what my major will be, i took the test–and the majors it listed were all majors i’d considered in my past…and the #1 choice they gave me was the one i’d already selected!

careers

• shobia career finder – a great tool to narrowing down your career search.
• what career is right for me? – the website name speaks for itself. full and comprehensive guide to finding a career that will fit your interests and goals well.
• career test center actually uses personality typing to match you up with a compatible career.

5) if all else fails, apply undecided!

according to research by the university of laverne, 50-70% of undergraduates switch their majors at least once–and colleges know this. don’t feel pressured to choose one if you really feel like you’re not ready for a commitment.

that sounded like a line from a chick flick.

anyways! there is not disadvantage in admissions if you choose the “undeclared/undecided” box. of course, admissions officers might like it if they can get an idea of what you want for your future–but applying without a major will never be the ultimate deciding factor in your decision. the only way it might hurt you is if there is a special program/school at the school for your future major. if you apply without a major, you wouldn’t be admitted to that program–though you would still have a chance at being admitted to the school.

takeaway

there are dozens upon dozens of potential majors out there! no matter how much you worry, there will always be one that will fit you and your future well…so don’t stress about it! in any case, applying undecided is not something to fear or be ashamed of. don’t feel pressured to choose a major you don’t really want–just to fill it out on your application!

good luck, and happy hunting!

the post i don’t know what to major in! appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

there were definitely a few tears. as well as…an embarrassing amount on stanford-related youtube channels to unsubscribe from.

i admit i ate a little more ice cream than was necessary.

okay, a lot more.

um, yeah. basically. but here’s the thing! it’s been a week, and i’m feeling fine. i’m refocusing, i’m right here writing this article, and i’m even consuming normal levels of ice cream.

for those of you who have been rejected by a college early, you might recognize the feelings after that fateful day: dejection, shock that a dream has barred its doors to you forever, insecurity that you might not just be good enough for any college

but those feelings are normal…and your life is far from over! there are tons of healthy ways to handle rejection. don’t let yourself sink into a pool of endless misery. you’re worth way more than that. so…if decision day didn’t work out the way you’d wanted it to, take heart and follow these tips to handle rejection!

1) don’t take it personally.

a college’s decision not to accept you is not a reflection of yourself. these colleges are receiving thousands and thousands and tens of thousands of applications—way, way more than they have space to accept. these days, colleges are receiving way more applications than they’ve ever had before—mainly because the common app has made it fast and convenient for kids to apply to ten or more schools at once.

this is not an evaluation of how worthy you are as a person. this is a matter of schools just not having enough beds to house every qualified applicant. this is even more relevant if you applied to a college that is ranked in the top 25.

many of the elite colleges are huge “crapshoots.” in other words, it’s a gamble. when acceptance rates start dropping below 20%, who gets in and who doesn’t becomes more and more unpredictable. you could do everything in your power to be the best person you can be and still be rejected just because the admissions officer reading your application was having a bad day. some of the best applicants can get rejected, while less qualified applicants can be accepted. the admissions process can almost seem like a lottery—based on factors beyond your control like luck and chance.

so please, please, please do not think you are any less of a person because of a decision some group of adults made at a table thousands of miles away.

2) be happy that you tried.

this may sound trite, but it’s all too true. you should be proud that you got rejected because at least you tried. you stepped beyond your comfort zone and tackled an application that probably scared you beyond belief. you tried your best and you tried something new. you dared to leap for the moon. and hey—you may not have reached it, but as the old saying goes, you could’ve landed among the stars instead.

it is much better to be someone who tries and fails rather than a person who is too scared to try and fails by default. as h. jackson brown jr. once wrote, “twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”

3) use this as a lesson to improve

take this rejection as a great opportunity to reflect upon your application, see where it can be improved, and move on to better and greater things! look over your essays again. seeing them anew after these past few months could warrant some changes you’d never thought of before. have them go through a few rounds of reading by close friends or family members. look at your list of extracurriculars and add anything new. see if they can be worded a bit differently.

especially if you were rejected early decision, this isn’t a chance shared by many others. once you leap into the regular decision process, you are different from other applicants in that you are now a veteran. you’ve been through the process before. you have a bit more experience, and the whole ride—the whole ordeal of waiting and opening letters—will seem a lot less scary the second time around. be grateful for this opportunity!

4) maybe it wasn’t meant to be.

just as the title says. there are tons of stories out there about people getting rejected from their prestigious “dream schools” only to go to a different school and realize they would not have been as happy if things had gone right the first time.

try making a list of the reasons why your (ex) dream school may not have been your best fit. if you’re not completely over your rejection, it’ll help you move on. take this rejection as good luck. for me at least, it wasn’t until after my stanford rejection that i realized how much of a better fit other schools would have been—especially for my career path.

5) you are not alone

as a mid-90’s michael jackson once said…you are not alone! you are one among tens of thousands of high schoolers who were rejected. it’s not as if everyone was accepted, and the admissions committee singled out your application and decided you were lame. (unless! unless…maddi slowly backs out of the room as the truth of her rejection letter descends upon her.)

in fact, there are tons of people at your school who were also likely rejected. heck, you probably have parents and other family members who also have had experience with rejection. that said, it’s wise to..

6) talk it out!

talking with someone about your frustration, your fears, and your worries can be surprisingly helpful! at the risk of sounding like your therapist, it’s much easier to deal with your feelings when you’re talking about them aloud. friends and family members who have experience with rejection in the past—or maybe even now, if they’re your age and also dealing with college—can help more than you can imagine.

it might seem embarrassing, but talking it out is not nearly so intimidating as it sounds. there’s no shame in just, you know, letting it g—

i am so sorry. i had to.

7) eat it out! work it out! live fully and breathe.

and, alas! the most important tip of all. just move on! eat some of your favorite food, maybe try exercising some of that stress away. live fully because this really is your only life (unless you believe in reincarnation, which is a whole different story…but anyways). college does not define you. sure, a nice one can look pretty on your resume, but ultimately, the institution you attend will not determine your success in life. that’s up to you! your drive. your will to succeed. the whole purpose of life is to be happy. just remember that. true happiness is never going to be determined by what college you go to!

so just breathe…and move on! finish your other apps and don’t stress out. you’re going to be just fine.

the post how to handle college rejections appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

this gif sums up emotions fairly well:

but as the year goes on and spring seems just around the corner, you might think: how important are my grades, really?

especially for early action applicants, the pressure to do well in school lessens considerably after an acceptance. suddenly, first semester grades may seem irrelevant. suddenly, you’re falling asleep on classes. suddenly, you’re booking trips to fiji in the middle of january. suddenly—

alright, here’s the real deal:

first semester senior grades vary in importance from person to person. they are not as important as, say, junior year grades, but they’re still worth caring about.

the midyear report

many colleges ask for something called the midyear report. “what is the midyear report?” you ask, as you recline on your pile of tardy notices. 

this is a transcript of your first semester grades sent out by your school counselor! many colleges require it, but there are also many institutions which do not. on the common app, you can check which schools actually require a midyear report under the “school forms required” section. for all other colleges, you can just visit their website!

just a warning, though: don’t feel safe just because your college doesn’t require a midyear report. many high schools have policies which require that counselors send off midyear reports to all colleges you are applying to…even if the institution does not require it!

context, context, context!

so what is the actual purpose of the midyear report? colleges don’t want to see you slacking off senior year! as mentioned before, these grades will vary in importance depending on the context of the application. take a look at these three applicants, for example:

since joanna has had an upward trend so far—despite bad freshman year grades—colleges will be paying additional attention to her first semester senior year grades. because trends of improvement are so important in admissions, it’s extra important to concentrate during the first semester of senior year if you had spotty grades as an underclassmen. this will prove that you’re academically competitive, regardless of your past.

darwin has had a fairly consistent record, so the midyear report isn’t as important in his application. this does not mean first semester grades are pointless and he can go book that flight to fiji, however! if a college—and especially a more prestigious institution—requires the midyear report, chances are they will be looking at your grades. in darwin’s case, however, unless this semester’s grades are extreme outliers, his midyear report won’t hold nearly as much weight as joanna’s.

theodore’s midyear report will also be more important in his application. like joanna, theodore’s grades show a pattern of change…but theodore’s isn’t as positive. in his case, the midyear report will be important for admissions officers because it’ll determine if his performance junior year was a small slip-up or part of a larger trend.

obviously, these three characters don’t come close to encompassing every possible applicant scenario, but you get the idea! there is no concrete answer to “how important are my first semester senior grades?” everyone’s file will be different.

a good rule to live by is this: just try your best!

alright, alright. it’s groan-inducing for a lot of seniors, i know! after all, isn’t senior year supposed to be fun?

still, though you should enjoy your last moments of high school, don’t relax so much that you totally forget about your grades.

allowing your academic performance to suffer can lead to a rescindment of your acceptance—or even academic probation for your freshman year of college. that would just…well, that would suck.

if you’re looking for ways to boost your grades, the video below offers some tips, even if your goal isn’t to get straight a’s.

so, hang in there! don’t automatically fall into paranoia because your first semester grades aren’t perfect, but don’t give up on school, either!

enjoy the holiday season!

the post first semester senior grades: how important are they? appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

well, okay. maybe not.

why is eating right so important anyways?

according to recent studies, eating unhealthily is linked to a 66% risk of productivity loss! and according to the world health organization, your productivity levels raise by 20% on average with adequate nutrition. the nutrients you intake via consumption will ultimately be absorbed into your bloodstream and help power your mind.

especially on the day of a big test, this is vital to remember. you are no different than an athlete on the day of his or her big race. your muscles need nutrients to work at their optimum performance, whether this performance is physical and mental.

basically, what you eat is broken down into glucose, which helps fuel much of your mental functions. certain foods help release this glucose into the bloodstream quicker than others, while others help release the glucose at a slower, more optimal rate. if glucose is released too quickly, eventually your blood glucose level will be too low, and you won’t be able to concentrate well. therefore, the food that you eat and the ways in which it helps facilitate this is vital to your productivity! according to brain researcher leigh gibson, “the brain works best with about 25 grams of glucose circulating in the bloodstream — about the amount found in a banana.”

glucose isn’t the only important source of energy, either. tons of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients work together to fuel your body. your job is to pick out the types of food which will deliver them the best.

pick up the right habits

eating isn’t just in the food itself. having healthy eating habits also have a lot to do with your brain’s performance and productivity.

you want to regulate your glucose levels, so try not to binge eat. it’s hard to resist not devouring an entire pizza when you’re being bombarded by stress, but this could be counterproductive and actually increase your stress!

instead, graze slowly all throughout the day. this can be extremely vital on days (especially weekends before big tests) when you’re stuck at home and have to study for large periods of time.

also, check those portions! by reducing the size of your plate and being less full, you can become significantly more productive. you spend less time eating unnecessary amounts of food, while avoiding the discomfort and subsequent lethargy of overeating.

surprisingly, you may find that food on a smaller plate will fill you up more than the same portion on a bigger plate. in fact, there’s a whole movement dedicated to encouraging people everywhere to eat from smaller plates. check it out.

eat the right food!

there are tons of foods out there that have the right nutrients to optimize brain power and mental performance! the kinds of food you should indulge in are often high in antioxidants, low in fat, and high in other nutrients. foods like salmon and other fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, for example, while sunflower seeds are great to chew on to maintain energy.

others are filled with vitamins, protein, and minerals like iron. some even help relieve muscle tension, ease stress, and speed up your metabolism.

check out this list of foods which are guaranteed to be optimal for your mental performance! if you incorporate some of them into your daily diet, you can significantly improve your focus and productivity. not to mention, you’ll be healthier for it.

berries

• blueberries
• raspberries
• strawberries

fruits

• watermelon
• papaya
• tomatoes
• figs
• raisins

nuts

• almonds
• cashews
• pistachios

veggies

• avocados
• olives
• carrots
• eggplant
• garlic
• dark, leafy greens

dairy

• eggs
• dark chocolate
• yogurt

seeds

• sunflower seeds
• pumpkin seeds
• sesame seeds

other

• brown rice and other whole grains
• oily fish
• green tea
• cheese
• popcorn (not buttered)

stay away from overly sugary, caloric foods. they will increase drowsiness! these foods are often the most tempting…

…but if you establish a routine of healthy eating habits and choices, they’ll be much easier to resist.

good luck and happy eating!

the post food for thought: maximizing mental performance through your diet appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

recently, lots of my friends have been changing their names on facebook. the names are usually puns on their real names—sometimes outrageous and usually hilarious—but they’re all part of a larger tradition that has rocked high school seniors across the country for the past few years. at the start of their senior year, many kids change their names to throw admissions officers off their digital trail.

it works, of course—at least for facebook—but is it justified? are we all just being paranoid or do admissions officers really check up on our facebook, twitter, and vine accounts? and does this affect our chances at that dream school?

this is an area of admissions which gets blurry.

officially—as in written on fancy paper and stuff—checking applicants’ social media accounts is not part of the admissions process. there have been tons of admissions officers and deans of admission who have attested to this.

at the same time, though, in a survey conducted by kaplan test prep, 27% of admissions officers claimed to check google and 26% checked facebook while reviewing students’ college applications. and get this: 35% of these officers found material that negatively affected their view on a student. this percentage has actually increased significantly from last year’s 12%.

so, basically, there are more admissions officers checking your social media—and more admissions officers finding negative material on this social media—than ever before. many admissions officers even receive anonymous tips about improper student activity online! this could range from everything from plagiarism to substance abuse to cyberbullying.

at the same time, though, this practice varies from school to school—and from admissions officer to admissions officer. many officers will only consider checking if there’s something suspicious in your records or application; if you’ve posted something dubious on the university’s own social media; or if other students or parents have reported a disturbing post. schools that receive massive amounts of applications in particular are less apt to investigate. it’s not something overly commonplace.

so, what can i do?

it’s best to play it safe in any case. though there’s a good chance no one will be leafing through your posts, you never know. make your accounts private, take on a pseudonym, untag telltale pictures of yourself, or best of all, just don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your family to see. (or for that matter, don’t do anything you wouldn’t want your family to know.)

turn the odds in your favor

while the chances of an admissions officer finding your social media are very real, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing! turn these accounts into digital records of your passions, your interests, of who you are. rather than choosing to post “bro dat rager was gr8 haha got so wasted #yoloswag” (truly a shining example of humankind’s rise to greatness), maybe you could post something that showcases your…uh…less “#yoloswag” side. this does not mean you should completely change your digital profile into a fake, contrived personification of yourself.

…just no.

there are, however, lots of opportunities to really display your passions! finding links to an applicant’s band website or nonprofit page through social media would be a lot more flattering to an admissions officer than finding pictures of their latest beer pong accomplishments.

takeaway

so where do we differentiate myth from reality? yes, the hype is real: social media is used to an extent in admissions. but this isn’t true for every college, nor for every admissions officer, so there’s no need to be paranoid. just practice caution, and try to turn this into a perk!

it really can be a half glass full.

the post college admissions and social media: myth vs. reality appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

ah, the dreaded interview. this is arguably one of the most notorious parts of the college application process. it sounds scary: a stranger asking you questions and judging you on all your life decisions…but, really, it doesn’t have to be! the so-called dreaded interview can be extremely manageable, so long as you plan well and follow some basic tips. follow along and learn how to rock that interview.

so, do i have to interview?

here’s the thing: the great majority of colleges do not require an interview. many public universities and private colleges don’t even offer interviews–or only interview in certain geographical regions.

so, before you start stressing out about the interview process, make sure to check out your schools and their interview policies!

should i interview?

if your school does give you the option of an interview, you should definitely try it out! this is a great way to show your passion and interest to the colleges you’re applying to, and it allows some insight into your actual personality beyond mere test scores. unless you have extremely terrible people skills, this could work very well for you–especially if you’re a borderline case, in which acceptance and rejection are equally likely scenarios. glowing notes from your interview could very well be the tipping factor.

pre-interview

this is one of the most important parts of the interview: preparation! before your interview, keep these in mind.

• become an expert

○ schools are little attention freaks. in your interview, they will expect you to know your homework. make sure to research any school you’re interviewing for (or actually, any school in general now that i think about it). this will help you tremendously if they ask school-specific questions, and it will look all the more impressive if they know you’re interested enough to do your research.

• familiarize yourself with the questions

○ this one is huge. review some of the most frequently asked questions and make sure you know how to answer them. this doesn’t mean memorization; this means comprehension. know why you’re applying and how to describe yourself. the more comfortable you are with these questions, the less stressful your interview will be!

• prepare some questions to ask

○ it’s best if you come prepared with some questions to ask the interviewer! make sure you’re not asking common-sense questions, though, or questions you can answer by browsing through the college website! this will not work in your favor. rather, ask those questions that aren’t as easy to google. keep them specific. a student who comes prepared with good questions will look a lot more impressive than one who arrives empty-handed. it shows your dedication to the school.

• save the date!

○ don’t miss the date! make sure to save the day on your calendar and schedule anything else around it. don’t plan anything exhaustive or time-consuming the day before and leave the hours before your appointment open just in case.

• schedule wisely.

○ each time you interview, you’ll become a little better at it. it’s best, therefore, to schedule interviews for your top schools after you’ve already had some experience.if you want, you could schedule interviews for schools you aren’t even interested in just to get the practice!

• practice, practice, practice

○ …and practice some more! get a parent, friend, teacher, or counselor to ask you some of the most common interview questions (listed below for your convenience). set up a mock interview, and have them give you constructive criticism. there’s nothing like an outsider’s perspective to see your strengths and weaknesses.

common interview questions

• why do you want to attend our college?
• what can you contribute to our college campus?
• what three adjectives best describe you?
• what are your strengths and weaknesses?
• what activities do you find most rewarding?
• what is your favorite book?
• what do you want to do after graduating from college?
• who in your life has most influenced me?
• why do you want to major in ____?

the interview

• dress to impress!

○ dress in formal business attire. in other words, dress as you would in any formal job interview. if you come in khaki’s, you’ll make the impression that you don’t care much about the school. girls: don’t wear too much makeup, and guys: keep those pants off the ground! though you can wear whatever you want in day-to-day life, overly casual clothing won’t do much to boost your college app.

• bring any necessary documents

○ sometimes, you’ll need official documents such as test scores or your high school transcript. if this is the case, make sure you don’t forget! forgetting important documents during your interview will only cast a negative impression.

• don’t bring your parents

○ though mom and pop might want to tag along on this new milestone in your life, please…don’t. some colleges prohibit parents from attending the interview altogether, but in any case, it is wise to come alone. you are the one applying to colleges. not your parents. arriving alone will prove that you’re independent enough to handle this without parental support.

• arrive on time

○ leave your home well in advance of your interview! have everything prepared the night before, so you’re not scrambling right before you leave the door. this includes preparing your outfit and necessary documents. it’s better to arrive a little early than to keep your interviewer waiting.

• be aware of body language

○ don’t keep checking the clock. don’t slouch. keep your eyes on the interviewer to show you are interested. body language is powerful, and if you’re conveying an air of boredom or standoffishness, the interviewer will notice. in this case, your admissions officer might receive some less-than-praiseful notes that would work against your favor!

• be yourself

○ this is easier said than done, but really: don’t try to be someone you’re not! interviewers are oftentimes experienced: they’ll  know how to differentiate between sugarcoated fluff and genuine sincerity. you want a college that’s best for you, not some artificial persona of yours.

• don’t be shy

○ try to be a little bit more outgoing–at least for the hour or so that you’ll be interviewing. this may sound like it contradicts the previous tip, but “not being shy” does not mean “completely reject who you are.” just try to be more open to conversation. this is an interview, after all, and terse, uninviting answers won’t get you anywhere. even if you are naturally shy, try to bring out the parts of you that like to talk–the part of you that emerges when you’re surrounded by your friends, for example. there’s no reason to feel all nervous and tongue-tied. sometimes interviews are important; sometimes they’re just ways to confirm information. either way, they won’t make or break your life.

• don’t restate your application info

○ the interviewer doesn’t need to know your test scores! what interests you? what are your passions? the entire purpose of the interview is to evaluate things that cannot be evaluated on paper. besides, bringing up tests and all of your stats will only make you seem like a robot with no personality.

• ask questions

○ you prepared them (hopefully). now go ask them! your interviewer should be a semi-expert in the school: someone who works there or has studied there (or both!). don’t be afraid to get this information. you might not get it anywhere else.

after the interview

• keep any contact information you receive from the interviewer.  you might want to keep in touch! if you get along well, this is a perfect resource for any more questions or for someone to advocate for you in admissions.
• send a thank-you note! there’s nothing like getting some acknowledgement for hard work.
• eat a big bowl of ice cream and relax. you did it!

takeaway

getting interviewed isn’t half so scary as everyone makes it out to be. so, don’t worry, seriously! while your interview might become a tipping factor in admissions, quite often, it honestly doesn’t make too significant of a difference. rather, many times, it’s just a way to confirm the information you included on your application.

also, make sure to keep these interview skills beyond high school! you’ll be using them for the rest of your life as you apply for volunteer gigs, internships, and eventually, a career. good luck.

the post how to conquer your college interview appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

where is your college application going? a lot of the stress that comes with the college application process is the unfamiliarity of all. believe it or not, there isn’t a college admission god who judges your application and crushes all your dreams. neither is it as simple as one person stamping “accept” or “reject” over the entirety of your life work.

the process is actually a bit more complex and meaningful than you would think. though private schools of course differ from public schools, which in turn vary from country to country, this is a general outline of where your application will be traveling and why you shouldn’t be freaking out.

in general

your application will go first to your regional admissions officer. this officer will read over your application before presenting to an admissions team, consisting of a dean or vice president of admissions, managers, assistant directors, admission officers, and other staff.

the breakdown

1) admissions officers

many admissions officers are teachers, counselors, or alumni. they’re normal people!

admissions officers often go through about 30-40 applicants a day. in other words, they’re going to become bored! they go through hundreds and hundreds of these things in a year, and while they normally sift through applications from their region, they also sometimes review applications from overburdened regions

they look through your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and demographic background.

in general, because officers are assigned to a region, it isn’t a bad idea to start a conversation with one if he or she visits your school. these people go through an insane amount of transcripts, personal statements, and boring sludge. it’ll work in your favor if they can match your application to your face—especially if you made a positive impact on them.

here’s an interesting look into the admissions process from the viewpoint of a few admissions officers.

2) interview

interviews are conducted in the fall and are often conducted by alumni. they’ll be familiar with your application, and they are oftentimes alumni…they can even members of the admissions committee in some cases! your interviewer’s thoughts about you will become yet another part of your application. (keep an eye out for an upcoming post on how to rock that interview!)

3) application committee

applications also go to admissions committees. again, the process here varies from school to school, but generally, admissions officers present disputable applicants to the committee, which votes whether to deny, accept, or waitlist an individual. this prevents one individual’s bias from completely impacting a decision.

in a committee, admissions officers often advocate for their favorite applicants, and the group discusses individual cases at depth, exploring all facets of a student’s application.

in fact, admission officers often discuss individual cases at length, delving deep into a student’s educational and personal background and exploring the traits that set him or her apart. sometimes, schools will read your application before they receive all the necessary materials—like teacher recommendations. in this case, they may re-evaluate your application and decision later.

sometimes, multiple readers comb through a file. sometimes, only one. again, this depends on the school!

try watching this very enlightening video on the whole admissions committee experience–at amherst university in particular.

and here is another great video about the entire admissions process in general– this one from brandeis university. this one talks about both the admissions officers themselves and the admissions committee. very interesting, actually.

takeaway

it’s heartening to see that all the work you’re doing isn’t just going to some heartless machine. real people are reading these. what goes on behind doors in the world of college admissions doesn’t have to be so scary!

good luck on your college applications, seniors! if you’re feeling stressed, watch this amazing video of the most daring french bulldog in the world leaping off a couch into his loyal human’s arms.

if he can make that leap of faith, you can submit a college app.

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