How to Become President of a High School Club by 12th Grade

Even if classwork and standardized tests aren't your cup of tea, there's still hope. Extracurriculars are the area where people skills wins out over book smarts. However, if everything you do in extracurriculars happens behind the scenes, it's hard to show admissions officers YOU were the mover and shaker. This week's post gives you a road map to help you get that prized leadership position.

Let's pretend you're an admissions officer. It's Friday afternoon, and you've been sitting in a cramped room all day reviewing applications. You're about to leave when your fellow admissions officer calls you over to choose between two applicants with identical GPAs and SAT scores. Their extracurricular activities lists are the following:

Applicant #1 (Procrastinating Paul):

9th Grade: Member of Model Congress

10th Grade: Member of Model Congress

11th Grade: Member of Model Congress, Member of Chamber Orchestra (2nd semester), Member of Varsity Track Team (2nd semester)

12th Grade: Member of Model Congress, Member of Chamber Orchestra, Member of Varsity Track Team



Applicant #2 (Ambitious Annie):

9th Grade: Freshman Representative of Model Congress, Member of Math Club, Treasurer of Amnesty International chapter (2nd Semester), Member of JV Track Team

10th Grade: Treasurer of Model Congress, Member of Math Club, Member of Amnesty International Chapter, Captain of JV Track team

11th Grade: Vice President of Model Congress, Member of Varsity Track team

12th Grade: President of Model Congress, Co-Captain of Varsity Track team


Who will bring more to a college - a leader or a follower? Who sounds more impressive?

You'll notice Procrastinating Paul was only involved in one activity in 9th and 10th grade. Colleges know that to be a member of a club, all you have to do is join an email list and attend a couple of meetings. It wasn't until the middle of 11th grade that he actually started doing something. It looks like Paul woke up one day and realized colleges want to see applicants with extracurriculars. Unfortunately, it was too late for him to get any leadership positions because students like Ambitious Annie already had a track record of involvement.

Whether leadership positions are determined by student voting or application, whoever does the selecting wants to see someone who's already demonstrated dedication. After all, if your peers haven't selected you, why should colleges?

Annie got an early start with extracurriculars at the beginning of high school. Within the first month, she ran for, and won, the position of freshman representative of Model Congress. She was also interested in Amnesty International, so she went to a few meetings but didn't have time to do much more first semester. However, when the sophomore who held the position of

After a sophomore who held the position of Treasurer became too busy with AP classes to fulfill his responsibilities, Annie stepped up and volunteered to be Treasurer for the rest of the year. At the end of her freshman year, she ended up running for and winning the position of Treasurer of Model Congress for sophomore year. Her track coach picked her to be captain of the JV team, so she decided not to run for treasurer of Amnesty International. However, she stayed on as a member because she's made some friends in the club.

For 11th grade, Annie won the position of Vice President of Model Congress, so she became too busy to stay in the Math Club or Amnesty International. She maintained her involvement in Varsity Track because she had won a few races and enjoyed it. Her teammates respected her and knew she was dedicated to the team's success. Given that she'd already served as JV captain in 10th grade, they picked her to be captain of the team for 12th grade.

Annie didn't let her Model Congress responsibilities slip, though. She attended Model Congress conventions throughout 9, 10, and 11th grades, bringing home several awards. She was voted President for 12th grade, and she became the first Model Congress President to host a convention at her school.

Colleges like to see dedication to a few activities rather than membership in many. It's okay to be involved in several during 9th and 10th as you figure out what your interests are. However, as time goes on, it's important to pick a few to stick with, building the relationships and skills necessary to take your involvement to the next level.

Lessons Learned:

-Run for positions as early as possible. Take some initiative and risks.

-Get involved in several activities early to determine your interests (and see where there may be opportunities for leadership).

-Do something new and interesting like organizing a conference or creating a newsletter.

-Prioritize. You won't be able to stick with every club AND keep your grades up, so pick a few activities as school gets busier in 11th and 12th grade. In 11th grade, you'll have the SATs and, potentially, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

Top 10 Ways to Boost Your SAT Score

The SAT can actually increase your college admissions chances if you plan ahead. Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of it.

1. Take it early.
If possible, take the SAT at the beginning of junior year. This way, you will be able to do the bulk of the studying for it over the summer at a more leisurely pace, and studying for the SAT will not detract from your junior-year grades. Too many high school students wait to take the SAT until the end of their junior year. However, this is generally the busiest time of the year because students are preparing for Regents and Advanced Placement Exams.

2. Learn SAT vocabulary.
Students often freak out after seeing long lists of SAT vocabulary words. However, if you begin learning the words on these lists several months before you actually look at a practice exam, you'll find that you've already done much of the necessary preparation for the Verbal section.

Here are two free computer programs that allow you to create your own flashcards: SuperMemo (PC) and Genius (Mac). The programs are adaptive - if you have trouble with a particular vocabulary word, the programs will you show that word more frequently. You can also an SAT vocab application for your iPod or smartphone.

3. Be clever.
If you can eliminate at least one choice, guess. Learn the directions by heart so that you'll save time on test day. Skip around and do what's easiest for you. The math and vocabulary questions are presented in order of difficulty, but remember that every question is worth the same amount.

4. Take a timed practice SAT.
Get used to taking a long exam. The SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes, and it's usually administered in the morning. Build your stamina by taking several practice tests. Make sure that when you take a practice exam, splice in a section from another exam to represent the experimental section. With a half hour spent bubbling in your name and address, you'll be there for about four hours (if you're lucky). Speak with a teacher or administrator and try to reserve the classroom, gym, or auditorium where you will actually be taking the exam so that you can take a practice exam there.

5. Study like it's game day.
Practice at the time of day when your exam will be, and try to study under real testing conditions. Make sure that your study area is quiet and without distractions. Silence your cell phone, put on your away message, and ask your parents to keep any siblings or pets out of the room. Try to study for at least 1-2 hours each time to get your juices flowing and to get in the zone.

6. Avoid the calculator as much as possible.
Use your calculator sparingly on the math section. You might not always need it, and it takes time to enter numbers when working rapidly. When students are rushing, they tend to have to re-enter the equation into the calculator, losing valuable time. Use your brain and guesstimate. It wouldn't hurt to brush up on the old times tables either.

7. The dreaded essay.
Remember that the essay portion of the writing section isn't looking for creativity. Make it easy for them to read. Write in script if you are able to do so legibly. Longer essays also tend to do better. More paragraph breaks. This is true for high school English class as well.

8. Exercise and eat healthy.
If you do not already exercise and eat healthy, now is the best time to start. You might feel like your brain is a machine, but it's actually organic gooky gray stuff. If you take care of it with exercise, which gets the blood flowing, and protein, which gives it energy, it'll take care of you on test day.

9. Only take it once.
Try to make the first time the only time. Don't take it first just to practice. Even though colleges only count the highest score of each section when formally calculating your strength as an applicant, colleges will see all of your scores. You probably wouldn't want a first date to see a picture of you when you first wake up in the morning. Instead, you show yourself at your best. The same goes for test scores.

10. Consider the ACT.
The what? Yes, you heard correctly -- the ACT. It's an alternative standardized test created by people who weren't too fond of the SATs. More students on the west coast take it than do east coast students, but colleges across the country now accept it instead of, or in addition to the SATs. You might actually perform better on it than you do on the SATs if it lets you play up your strengths. The ACT has an entire section devoted to science. Take a look at it to determine if it's worth trying out the ACT instead.

7 Ways to Start the College Application Process with a Bang

To sum it up in two words, plan ahead. Far too many students begin thinking about college admissions only when they actually begin the application process. Unfortunately, the beginning of senior year can be too late to turn things around. Here are 7 ways you can get a jump on the college application process and maximize your chances.

1. Keep a "brag sheet."
A "brag sheet" is a list of all your activities and hobbies. It's important to keep track of any recognition you receive so you can list it on your application. Freshman year of high school is not too early to begin compiling this list and thinking about how your academic interests and extracurriculars will come together on your application. The brag sheet and essay are the two "subjective" (interesting) criteria that admissions officers use to understand you.


2. Distinguish yourself through extracurricular activities.
Instead of joining every impressive-sounding club at your school, pick a few meaningful ones. Show a substantial contribution to your school and how that participation or leadership has influenced you. Be able to explain why you're involved in a club and the contributions you made so admissions officers know you weren't just shooting for a fancy title.


3. Look beyond your school to the community.
At top high schools, it can be difficult to gain leadership positions in school clubs when everyone else is going for the same position. If you're in this situation, I recommend you pursue your extracurricular passions outside of school. Think about ways you can engage with the "adult world." Opportunities exist through community organizations, nonprofits, and internships. Many students launch innovative fundraising campaigns for worthy causes or mobilize a group of peers to tackle a problem head-on. Teachers, parents, friends, and college counselors can help to plan and advise these endeavors.


4. Pay attention in class.
It's amazing - if you pay attention in class instead of texting, talking with friends, or napping, you'll actually be able to spend less time studying in your free time. That leaves more time for extracurriculars, SAT prep, and hanging with friends.


5. Cultivate relationships with teachers without being a suck-up.
Of course, #4 (above) is a big part of this. However, it's not enough. Teachers are people, too, which means they like to be liked. Treat them with respect, but don't be afraid to share your interests and passions with them. You might even make a joke or two during class every now and then (if appropriate). Come to extra help and find excuses to stop by and chat for a few minutes when they're on hall duty or on their off period. The other kids will never have to know, and your GPA will benefit as a result. It never hurts to befriend those in power.


6. Visit the campuses of schools that interest you.
When you visit a college, you're indicating your interest in going there. Colleges take notice of this and begin a file on you. One way colleges are ranked in "US News and World Report" is by their yield (the number of accepted students who choose to go to their college). For this reason, colleges accept the best students who are likely to choose their school upon being accepted. Convince them you're one of those people.


7. Take the SAT early, and prepare for it right the first time.
Get the SAT out of the way by studying for it the summer before junior year and taking it in the fall of junior year. This allows you to focus on your GPA, extracurriculars, and relationships with teachers.

5 Reasons Not to be Discouraged by a Low SAT Score

Every time SAT scores are sent out, I hear from many of you. Many of you will do great (congrats in advance!), but others might not do so great (congrats on having a few more months of SAT fun!).

Enough doom and gloom, right? You want to hear the good news. Here are 5 reasons that a low SAT score on can actually be a good thing.

Reason #1: You have at least a few months to study for an SAT retake.
The SAT's given several times each year: October, November, December, January, March, May and June. You'll have plenty of time to prepare, especially since you're already familiar with the exam.

Reason #2: You can still be the early bird when you submit your college application.
You can study hard and take the SAT in June or in the fall. You'll still be able to submit your application on the day colleges begin accepting them. Applying early to college gives you a better shot because more seats are available.

Reason #3: You have more time to plan your applications and future.
Being forced to retake the SAT in June or in the fall means that you'll have at least another few months to master the exam. You can still work on your personal statement, get recommendation letters, and cultivate relationships with alumni who can help you.

Reason #4: An addendum might help.
If your PSAT score (or high school entrance exam score) wasn't an accurate indicator of your high school GPA, you can submit an addendum explaining that the SAT may not accurately reflect your potential in college either.

Reason #5: I'll be there with you every step of the way.
As you study for your retake, you'll have several months of Get Into College Blog posts to read, memorize, and share with your friends. All 100% free!

5 Steps to Starting Your College Essay

"Where do I start?!" is probably the most common question students have about the college essay. It's not like anything you've written before. It's not a MySpace blog post, and it's not an essay about "Great Expectations" or "Romeo and Juliet." It's something in-between: personal AND professional. How do you toe the line? I'll cover that combination in future blog posts. For now, here are 5 tips to help you start writing the dreaded college essay.

1. Don't start at the beginning.
Write any random potential anecdotes, details, or ideas as they come to you. You can work on connecting them later. It's possible (and highly likely) you will write the most effective sentences of your essay only after a great detail of free-writing. Feel free to use any format that works for you in the brainstorming stage - it can be bullet points, an outline, or just a word or two. Your goal is just to get as much down on paper as possible.

2. Ask a friend to interview you.
Find someone you know and trust to ask you several questions about your passions, experiences, hobbies, authors, TV shows, etc. This is much more effective than the broad (and scary!) question: "What do you want to do with your life?" After having this focused interview, your "interviewer" will be able to give you extended feedback on your interests, strengths, and weaknesses. This will be helpful in figuring out your essay topic.

3. Use writing prompts.
Filling in the blanks can help you overcome writer's block. Ex. "I like ____ because it makes me feel ____." "A global issue that excites me is _____ because ______." "I enjoy learning about ____ because ______."

4. Browse your first-choice college's website.
Since you're probably passionate about your first-choice school, looking over its website may help you figure out themes to discuss in your essay. If the school specializes in business management degree programs or humanities, than you might want to tailor your essay accordingly.


5. Make a list of your passions.
You'll notice the idea of passion comes up a few times here. That's because passion is necessary for engaging writing. If you don't enjoy what you're writing, the admissions officers probably won't either. On the other hand, if you're clearly excited about whatever it is you have to discuss, it's more likely the admissions officers will be, too.

5 Ways to Win the Hearts of College Admissions Deans

Sometimes it can feel like the college admissions deans are the popular kids everyone wants to date. Here are 5 strategies to help you win the affections of your favorite admissions dean.

1. Get a well-regarded alumnus to send a letter on your behalf.
It's like having their closest friends vouch for you.

2. Apply on the day the college begins taking applications.
Be the first one to ask them to the prom and beat the competition.

3. Win the hearts of teachers and employers to get killer rec letters.
It'll make them jealous and wonder what their college is missing.

4. If they "play hard to get" and waitlist you, be persistent (but don't overdo it).
Otherwise, you're just being creepy.

5. Donate several million dollars to the college.
When all else fails, showering them with money can do the trick.

Why the SAT is Like Monopoly

Think board games and the SAT have nothing in common? At first glance, sure. However, some of the strategies that can help you win in Monopoly can also help you beat the SAT.

1. Mediterranean and Baltic almost aren't even worth buying.

It takes money to make money. It's great to study for the SAT, but only studying a few minutes each day is barely even worth your time. The SAT's an all-or-nothing deal. Go for the most expensive properties possible (spend as much time studying as possible) in order to reap the biggest reward (a high SAT score).

Similarly, it's great to buy SAT materials (properties), but if you don't study intensively (build houses or hotels on your properties), their value will always be limited. The best SAT prep books increase in value to you when you "upgrade" them by learning what they contain.


2. The more railroads you buy, the better a return you collect from each one.

Studying for the Reading Section will help you with the Writing Section, and vice-versa. The more studying you do, the more it increases the benefit of your previous studying. Things start to click.


3. Everyone begins Monopoly with the same $1500. It's how you use that money that makes all the difference.

Sure, there are a few rolls of the dice on the SAT too - you might get sick or have a noisy test center. However, everyone has the same amount of time on the SAT. It's how you use your time that makes all the difference, and you need a refined strategy in order to succeed. The time you devote to studying, the strategies you use, and your familiarity with the SAT determine how you'll do on test day.