That is approximately the number of college fairs we went to year that is last. 350 college fairs mean hundreds of brochures and inquiry cards handed down to tens of thousands of prospective students with countless questions. From time to time, someone can come by and surprise us with a question that is unique. But for the many part, most questions will be general. Don’t worry; we don’t expect you to stress about the next question that will make you stand out from the crowd. We don’t mind hearing the exact same concerns, so long as the questions are appropriate to you. The purpose of this blog is to help you to just take less of a passive role during these college fairs. Be proactive and have actually a plan. a game plan that is foolproof.
The Pregame Warm-Up
The best method to show effort is through doing your research prior to the college fair. (NOTE: in the event that you replace ‘college fair’ with whatever it is you’re preparing for; whether it’s an initial date, job interview, or buying a dog, you will constantly get greater results. It is simply commonly good practice.) Doing this research might stop you from asking a question like, ‘Have you got a psychology program?’ A better informed question might be, ‘I see that you have a psychology program and that tons of research is happening in that department while that is a valid question. Can you please talk to me about how to get in touch with faculty who is tangled up in research?’ That question not only shows initiative, it sets you apart. Boom! Instant connection made.
The Best Defense is a Good Offense
In terms of a college fair, an offense that is good mean various things. It could suggest discovering which universities will show up ahead of some time producing a premier ten list of which tables you must check out. It could also mean arriving early so that you maximize your own time. A college fair is just a opportunity that is great get one-on-one face time with counselors who’ll be reading your applications and advocating for you. You might get yourself a small bit more time with us if you arrive promptly. Finally, a great unpleasant move is bringing pre-printed labels together with your contact information, high school, graduation 12 months, etc. By doing so, you do not waste time filling out information cards and have now more time for asking questions. Bam! More connections made.
Rookie Move
For a few of you, these college fairs will likely be your step that is first at university search process. If that is the situation, you will probably spend most of energy brochures that are taking completing inquiry cards. That is wholly fine and is just as productive. You need to know that many schools allow you to get hold of their admission counselors directly. USC is certainly one of these schools. It is an idea that is good ask anyone behind the dining table for the company card just in case you desire to e mail us at a later time once you have actually particular concerns. Take a brochure home, do research and then email/phone us with more informed questions.
Last Pep Talk
Stay straight. Be confident. Maintain attention contact. Smile. Give a firm handshake. Dress well. Remain hydrated (you’ll be walking and speaking a complete lot). Be your very own advocate; don’t make your moms and dads do the talking for you. Be professional and friendly. Finally, make the most of time there. It’s not a time to catch up with friends or simply take freebies. Be active and have now a purpose. We have been there to help you, but fundamentally it is your responsibility how beneficial you want that time to be.
Asking for Letters of Recommendations: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Asking a teacher to compose you a letter of recommendation can be considered a task that is daunting. For starters thing, most of the right time, you will never actually see what they compose about you, generally there will be a lot of trust that adopts the process. And two, they could say no, which will make you wonder when they had been really too busy, or when they simply didn’t have sufficient good what to say about you to refill an entire page!
Here, we shall lay some tips out for requesting a letter of recommendation:
The Good:
•Ask a teacher whom you have created a connection with to write that you suggestion, whose program by which you’ve got worked extremely difficult, and/or whose subject you are passionate about. This does not necessarily need to function as the instructor of the program by which you received the greatest grade. Sometimes, the best recommendations are the people which are able to seriously convey the hard work and commitment a student has put as a class.
•Provide a resume to your recommender, transcript, and anything else that will be helpful for them to personalize your suggestion.
•Have variety in your recommenders. If you do choose to submit more than one, you should ask someone that can highlight a different aspect of your personality while we only require one letter of recommendation from an academic source for most majors at USC.
The Bad:
•Forgetting the thank you note! You recommenders spend lot of time on these letters. Don’t forget to show them that you appreciate their efforts.
•Asking your recommender a few days prior to the due date for a letter. Remember that numerous instructors (and counselors especially) could have to create many letters through the Fall months, and that leaving your request until the last minute will not make them happy.
The Ugly:
•Submitting ten letters of recommendation! Or also five, for that matter. Again, we just require one page of recommendation https://shmoop.pro/, so be careful of how many extra letters you send. Frankly, multiple letters rarely offer any information that is fresh.
Therefore remember, give your recommenders plenty of advanced warning, ask someone whose course you’ve worked hard in, be thoughtful into the true wide range of additional letters you submit, and don’t forget to show your appreciation!
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