Summer Dreaming for the College-Bound Senior

Enchantment and daydreaming--  unlikely themes for college-bound seniors.

But I’ve been thinking a lot lately about dreaming and college applications.  Whether you’re hiking in the Maine wilderness,  playing ball at camp, or riding the Long Island surf, take some time this summer to dream. Your passions, interests, and imagination will do a lot to put your application ahead of the pack.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Use your phone to record interesting events, new/special friends you meet, “found” items at the ballpark, or at the beach. You’d be surprised how these snaps will serve you with rich details for your college essay once you get home. 

Keep notes on a PC. . .

or take along a small notebook (3x5 will do), and jot down funny, surprising conversations, or moments that revealed something new to you.  Summer fun can be awkward and fresh, silly or serious, or all of the above.

Explore virtually the colleges on your “list”

Look up virtual tours of colleges that match your special interests. (A new art museum, music facilities, internships, research labs, international student dorm).  Then do further research about the school online.  What kinds of majors do they offer?  What kind of student are they looking for?  This will be invaluable for writing about why you are choosing a particular school.

Go to  http://www.youvisit.com/collegesList.php

Next step: from dreaming to brainstorming

If you’d like a preview of the all-new 2013-14 Common Application Essay  – go to

https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/EssayAnnouncementFinal.pdf.

You really can do it! Here's how. Start with brainstorming techniques, or cluster diagrams to get your ideas flowing in graphical format.  See  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/cloud/ for other ideas.

Keep these graphic brainstorms until August/Sept. when you could boldly draft a first version.

Visualize--- your college visit and interview

Before you head out to your college visits this summer, do some research –spend time on each school’s website, read about schools on College Prowler’s web site. When you get to the campus, many parents have recommended that it’s most valuable to mingle casually with students from the college to find out what the college is really like.  (www.collegeprowler.com).  If you’re going for an interview, visualize yourself prepared and relaxed at the interview. Always remember to smile when you greet and thank the interviewer. And don’t forget to send a “Thank you” email afterwards.

An exciting summer lies ahead for seniors, and enchanted dreaming puts you ahead of the crowd.

Theresa Michna, M.A. has been a History Adjunct at Pace University and at Manhattanville College.  She has coached hundreds of students for the SAT/ACT/GRE.  Ninety-three percent of her students gained admittance to their top three choices.  Visit her at www.TheresaMichna.com, or send your questions to Michna.theresa@gmail.com.