My 2023 high school grads, home for the summer, are reporting back!
“My first year at the University of South Carolina surpassed all expectations. Coming into college, I was really nervous to be 12 hours from home. USC, however, made me feel so supported right away. A lot of the amazing things I experienced in my first year I attribute to going Greek. Going through Sorority Recruitment before classes even started was definitely stressful, but I believe it was one of the best decisions I ever made. My sorority immediately gave me friendly faces around campus and in classes, and it made a large school feel much smaller. I met some of my best friends through my (now) big sister, and I even traveled to California over Spring Break to see one of their hometowns.
Something unique to South Carolina’s freshman year experience is our University 101 course, designed solely to help freshmen integrate to college. Because of the focus on friendship in this class, my peers and I got really close. Our Professor was also amazing, and invited us to her home for dinner with her family. Everywhere I went around campus I was so pleasantly surprised by the kindness and helpfulness of University staff. From peer leaders, to professors, to dining hall staff, and health center doctors, I got the sense that these people actually cared about me as a person.
Southern hospitality is no joke. The University of South Carolina’s location also contributed to how much fun I had this past year. In Columbia, the state capital, there was always something to do - whether it was going out to dinner with friends, visiting our Saturday morning street market, going shopping in our little downtown “Five Points”, or watching a sporting event, I was never bored.
Another amazing part of my freshman year was Gamecock Football. Coming from the North I had no idea what to expect with SEC Football. After a year of game days, I can safely say there is truly nothing like it. Families from all over the state pour into Columbia to cheer on our beloved Gamecocks. The energy of 80,000 people in Williams-Brice stadium is simply electric. Nothing brings our student body together quite like it. Although, I have to shout out our Women’s Basketball team for winning the national championship this year. And yes, I did jump in our school’s fountain to celebrate that.
Overall, I could not have been happier or more grateful for my first year at college. I’ll be a lifelong Gamecock and I highly encourage others to do the same. Hayden, University of South Carolina, Class of 2027
When I questioned admissions officers from Vanderbilt, Denison, Richmond, Miami, Delaware, Marist, and Gettysburg Colleges on how much--or how little attention--essays get in admissions decisions at a virtual breakout panel at the Independent Education Consultants Association Conference, we discussed the value of the Common Application essay, college-specific “Why Us?” and community/diversity supplements. While there’s a general consensus that the essay will not be the single factor that leads to admission, strong essays, written by humans, not AI, absolutely matter.
The “most-competitive” colleges value essays somewhat below rigor, GPA, and (sometimes) standardized test scores; they are at least on par with extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and other factors. For highly selective programs within a university, such as the Ross Business School at the University of Michigan, specific supplements are read carefully by a team of admissions professionals within the school. All “Why Us?” supplemental essays should be written thoughtfully, regardless of how competitive admissions is. Since the Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action, many colleges are adding supplements on community and inclusion to gauge how well students engage with others in diverse environments.
Admissions officers claim to read every essay with positive intentions to admit rather than deny. That being said, a generic essay, or one that’s trying too hard to be different, doesn’t help a student’s application. Students never have to write a boring or contrived essay once they understand the essay’s purpose and the best way to approach it.
Finally, students who are applying to college test-optionally or with scores that do not represent their true ability should focus on writing essays that truly enhance their applications. As admission grows less predictable, I encourage students to use everything in their power to craft essays that reveal the positive character traits that colleges seek to enhance their communities.
Consider these colleges...
Rhodes College: One of the Colleges that Change Lives, is consistently ranked as one of the top most beautiful colleges and one of few LAC with urban location in Memphis TN; near a golf course, zoo, concert hall, and park.
Honor Code is completely student-run.
More internships than they can fill.
Huge community service commitment.
Health professions advising for about 65% of incoming students.
Unique, year-long paid medical research at St. Jude’s 40 hours per week.
Acceptance to med school is 6X the national average.
Top music business–even though they do not offer music business as a major.
Top mock trial team.
Rollins College: Another “most beautiful campus” in Winter Park, near Orlando, is Florida's oldest college, has 3,200 students
3+2 accelerated management program.
Rollins Gateway is a unique 4 year experience for each student including internships, service, and study abroad.
Each student has a gateway advisor.
Every application is read 3 times.
Does not use AI!
University of Florida: Orlando Airport 15 minutes from campus. A top 10 university,with 60,0000 total student body/38,000 undergraduate and 97% retention rate.
Honors Village with 5 buildings.
New Meteorology major.
$1,000,000,000 research spending.
Leader in AI; every major can earn a certificate in AI.
Moving to EA deadline November 1st deadline.
Grandparent waiver is open for all FL public colleges (apply immediately after submitting the application).
Gatorade invented on campus.
University of West Virginia: Morgantown, one 20 best college towns in the country, is about one hour from Pittsburgh. 24,000 students from every state and many countries.
A1 Research institution.
Top FBI certified Forensics Science, offers a BS, MS, and Ph.D.
Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute was the first institute for studies of human memory and top trauma center.
Leading competitor in robotics, beat 103 teams in 15 countries.
WVSGC is a group of West Virginia academic institutions with industrial partners under the sponsorship of NASA.
Full law school on campus + accelerated 6 year law degree.
In-state tuition at law school.
Average 48K out of state with chance for up to 19K merit. 55% out of state.