Five Ways to Make America's Best Colleges Notice You

Here are five ways for America's best colleges to notice you by DePauw.

1.Be a leader in the classroom.

• Take advanced courses rather than get easy A's, especially in the areas you want to study in college.


• Develop relationships with teachers so they'll give you letters of recommendation.

2.Be a leader outside the classroom.

• Find something you're passionate about and stick to it. Don't overload your resumee with 20 activities if you don't have a real interest in them.


• Develop knowledge and expertise in those activities showing your drive and focus.

3.Make your application shine.

• Proofread!!!!


• Do a first draft on a separate piece of paper.


• Your applicaion is your first impression. so make it a positive one that shows the best things about you.

4.Do more with your summers.

• Find a job that lets you do something you enjoy and lets you distinguish yourself.


• Find a project in your community.


• You will be able to talk to admission counselors about your experience so value your time.

5.Make the most of each campus visit.

• Meet with student. counselors, and professors to get the full scoop on the school.


• Take note of what each person says.


• Will the campus help you succeed and make you feel at home?

Princeton

Hey there fellow fish! Sorry it's been such a freakishly long time since I've posted. This past week was spring break, and I was lucky enough to go to Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. The Ivy seems daunting at first with gothic cathedrals and bathrooms in a dungeon, but the urban town-life and beatiful scenery transformed my views. The sand volleyball court just seemed so poignant stuck right in the middle of the campus.
Just like it's name, the school is antiquated and rich in history. Look out for my pics and a better description coming soon!

Mail

After taking the PSAT and scoring fairly well...24...all these colleges started sending me emails. at first they were pretty crappy ones that I'd never heard of, but I looked through them anyway. Then more interesting ones started rolling with offers for the 5 mistakes students make when applying and 10 secrets to standing out...so of course I want these...who doesn't. So I checked the little box to send the goods, and in about three days I started getting the letters. Well I was just so excited to open the letters and learn the secrets to winning the college admission game, but to my surprise all I got was a letter saying I was smart and that they are the best college ever...typical. Folded in with my little superficial letter that reminded me of the letter I got back from Bush when I wrote him the best letter a forth grader could write way back in 2004 was a little card with my name, address, and email on it accompanied by a business return mail envelope. At first I was annoyed with the waste of paper and waste of the mailman's time, but now it's developed into a little competition called "Whoever sends me what I want first gets my money." Although, I do have an unfair advantage considering they don't know we're playing this game...

So it's been two weeks now since the start of the mail-rush, and the stack is getting exponentially taller--went from a letter a day to five a day. I'll let you know when I finally get those secrets of success if ever.

Until then keep your head above water, and tread like an Olympian.
Lisa

Never Mind

Never mind....I'm not on hiatus. Now that I know someone is grateful I exist I guess my original purpose wasn't so stupid. I'll still be listening for those who need my help.

Next up on the list....Colorado College. My god it's beautiful there in the summer. With the big trees and green grass and the warm sun. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the beautiful campus blends in with the calm city. Rustic looking buildings and an old train that travels near by give it such a quaint feel.

The coolest thing about my visit was these cool tree sculptures made out of sticks that you could walk through. They really showed the creative and artsy side of the school.

Near the campus is the Garden of the Gods--a beautiful red rocks park that is in my opinion one of the most beautiful things about Colorado (yes I do live there). The proximity to the park and the name of the college really reminds you just how engulfed in Colorado you are.

Now...on to academics. Colorado College--not a very prestigious name right?--wrong. Don't be fooled this little dynamo is very academically rigorous. The Block Plan is an ingenious program that allows students to take one class everyday all day for just a few weeks. Smart right?

The town surrounding the campus is incredibly adorable. Colorado Springs is a tourist town in the summer months, so little shops and restaurants line the artsy streets. My dad and I had lunch at this cute little bistro/cafe thing that had really excellent food. There was this little singing duo who serenaded our lunch with their rendition of Harry Belafonte.

I loved visiting this school so much and the 45 minute ride from Denver wasn't too bad with the plains to look at.

Thanks for reading!!!