UPDATE - Early Decision Deadlines for Colleges with ED

Colleges with Early Decision

We'll discuss what Early Decisions are and whether you should apply for them.

If you're applying for an Early Decision, you've accomplished something rare- you know where you want to go to college. We'll provide the Deadlines and learn everything you need to know about applying early decision for your dream school.

What you need to know about Early Decision

Early Decision is an option that it's binding when it comes to applying to college. You should apply for this option if you're 100% sure you want to go to a particular school and will enroll regardless of any other acceptances or their financial aid offer. If you go in the direction of Early Decision, you'll sign a binding agreement statement to enroll. Some colleges with Early Decision require signatures. Colleges with Early Decisions require your parents and school counselor to sign the form. You can find this statement through the Common Application or a school's application form. An Early Decision may or may not have an Early Deadline. The deadlines are in November, usually the 1st or the 15th. The admission decisions are in December. Some schools offer Early Decision II. Early Decision II is still binding, but the deadline is pushed forward, usually in January. Applicants that decide on a specific college, but could benefit from a few more months to prepare their applications, should apply for this option. College applicants who apply EDII will get an admission decision earlier than usual, typically in February.

Regardless if you apply for Early Decision I or II, all ED applicants have to accept their offers and send in deposits quickly after notification, rather than waiting until May 1st, which is the national response date. If you're applying for Early Decision 1, you have to prepare an application by the November deadline. Let's look at a timeline for gathering your college application materials.

Should I move towards applying for Early Action or Regular Decision? How is it different from Regular Decision?

As an upcoming college freshman, you will have to deal with college application deadlines. Let’s discuss the difference between an Early Action (EA) and Regular Decision (RD). Early Action consists of a student that has been admitted to a school but CAN change their minds and decision on attending. Regular Decision is the original process where students apply for college. They have to go through the application process and wait on a response from the college admissions officers. If you want to go the route of Regular Decision you would go through the original application process. You can take your time and think things through.

ED vs. RD vs ED I vs ED II

If you’re a new student applying for college, you should take into account deadlines that you should follow. Below is an infographic that students need to look at before applying to their specific college.

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The Timeline for Early Decision

Students who apply for Early Decision are excited about attending their school of choice. To make it happen, you need to submit a spectacular application. Students need to prep months in advance or a year to take the SAT/ACT Test. If the Early Decision deadline is in November, then your last opportunity to take the SAT or ACT will be either September or October. You will not be able to view your scores before deciding to send them to any specific colleges. Test early and have your scores submitted by the end of your junior year. Ask your junior year teachers for recommendations at the end of your junior year; counselors included. Ask by October 1st. Before you send your transcript, give your high school a few weeks to a month's notice. Finally, you’ll have to submit a form and pay a small fee.

Work on your personal and supplemental essay over the summer before your senior year. Developing a personal essay is a process. Give yourself time to brainstorm, draft, receive feedback, and revise. Spend September and October, filling out your application, writing about your extracurricular activities, and proofreading any grammatical errors or typos. As you plan and prepare your application, you should be good to go for the Early Decision deadline.

If you're applying for Early Decision II, you'll have more available test dates to take the SAT or ACT. You can send your mid-year senior grades on the transcript. Waiting for ED II can be a good option if you're not satisfied with your academic records and test scores and you could present a stronger candidacy in January. Now that you know, the Early Decision application process, let's look at the deadlines of these popular schools. Some schools offer Early Decision II, while others don't have the second deadline.

Popular Schools that have Early Decision Deadlines

School Deadline for ED I Deadline for ED II

American University November 15th January 15th

Boston College January 1st November 1st

Boston University November 1st January 1st

Bowdoin College November 15th January 5th

Brandeis University November 1st January 1st

Brown University November 1st N/A

Colby College November 15th January 1st

Columbia University November 1st N/A

Cornell University November 1st N/A

Dartmouth College November 1st N/A

Duke University November 1st N/A

Emory University November 1st January 1st

Johns Hopkins University November 2nd January 4th

New York University November 1st January 1st

Northwestern University November 1st N/A

Pomona College November 15th January 8th

Smith College November 15th January 1st

Tufts University November 1st January 1st

University of Chicago November 2nd January 4th

University of Pennsylvania November 1st N/A

Vanderbilt University November 1st January 1st

Wesleyan University November 15th January 1st

Smaller schools offer Early Decision II so they can have greater control over the enrollment numbers. Early Decision is an option because it shows how enthusiastic and committed you are to attending. If your school offers Early Decision II and you feel that you want to wait a few more months to work on your college application, then you should wait for this deadline. No matter what, you'll find out earlier if you get admitted into your first school of choice.

It's Time to Take Action- Six College Admissions Tips for High School Freshmen

Actions High School Freshmen should take

As students begin their freshman year in high school, we suggest following these tips to get you ready for your long-term college admission plan.

Students starting high school is a big transition, but this year is particularly daunting amidst the uncertainty of the reopening of schools in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. The college admissions process is adding more stress to high school students preparing to apply to colleges and universities. Standardized exams schedules have shifted, incoming students are postponing their acceptances, faculty hiring is stagnant, and colleges are rushing to teach remotely during budget cuts. We'll be discussing actions high school students should take now in their college preparation.

Six Actions You Should Take Now

1. Plan For Your Four-Year Curriculum Early- The choices you make during your freshman year will provide the foundation through your four years of high school, especially when it comes to your course load. Likewise, the choices you make will also play a role in the college admissions process. While some schools have course progressions that can be inflexible. If a student gets off track early, it will be tough to come back by the time you apply for college. A student that doesn't participate in advanced level courses will impact the range of applied schools.

2. Design a standardized testing plan- Once you identify your high school courses, you can decide which tests to take. Even though colleges are test-optional during the pandemic, it might change as you move further along in high school. Maximize your testing chances by thinking ahead of the curb. Focus on the SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, AP Tests, and IB Tests. By 2025 the UC's will have an exam of their own. The standardized exam will be somewhat of an evaluation to see if students are ready for college.

3. Develop an at-home classroom- Taking classes online will not be the same as if you were physically at school. Designate a private, quiet space in your home to use as a workplace. Think about designing a professional backdrop and commit to making your workspace free of distractions. Choose an area with natural light and find great seating. This workspace should be a place other than your bedroom. Before you take your online class, switch out of your pajamas, and dress professionally to signal to your brain you're at school. Once in-person instruction resumes, maintain your workspace for homework if possible. Are you looking to ease tension during this time? If so, use essential oils. Using specific scents can help you relax when it comes to taking that test or studying.

4. Engage with your community- Students should couple their interests and talents with the needs and impact of their community. You should ask yourself, “what can I give back to my community?” Start venturing out of high school and engage with your community. Due to COVID-19, you won't be able to volunteer the same as in the past; however, think outside the box and take the initiative. Create a blog, play an instrument, do an at-home internship, share your talents.

5. Master Organization- Students aren't born geniuses. They need to work hard and develop a structure that works for them. Students need to hold themselves accountable. Reinvent your identity as a class scholar rather than a class clown. Try to complete tasks on time and with clarity.

6. Fill Up Your Resume with areas of interest and passion projects- Due to the pandemic, students have been unable to build their resume or perform extracurriculars to add to their college application. You might be asking yourself, should I still be active during this time? The answer is- YES. Be creative and think outside the box. Here are some ideas to get started.

These six steps for freshmen will launch your high school career with enough structure to succeed, however, you have to follow through. Any bad habits you form in the first year will typically be what will keep you from admissions into your dream college. We advise our students to put in four years of consistent persistence.

Can Parents Solve the Education Crisis by Themselves?

Educational “Pandemic” Pods

With instructional teaching on hold, parents are looking for ways to keep their kids engaged in their education. One of them is through learning or “pandemic pods”. We’ll give you insight on this new educational trend.

Parents realized the truth about the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. If it happens in person, then many families and students won't feel safe. If classes take place remotely, then the quality of education may be problematic. Parents may be unable to provide students with the level of supervision as they work from home. Desperate for a solution, parents around the country have organized homeschooling pods or Pandemic Pods, for the fall, where groups of three to ten students learn together under the tutelage of the parent(s) or a hired tutor. These pods offer parents a break from needing to be the teacher in addition to the parent.

So let’s discuss how these pods can play a role for families, how Link Educational Institute is providing parents and students with these pods in Claremont, CA, and how these pods can be efficient.

Pod Mania

Marissa Leitner, a school psychologist, and mother of three who lives in Culver City, California, is not enthusiastic about the remote learning environment. "I don't believe the Zoom experience for kindergartners is appropriate," she said. "Kids need that multimodal sensory learning."

Leitner and her brother in law, Daniel Zakowski, who also has three kids, are developing a pod involving three or four families. They are hiring a tutor during the mornings, and a college student to help out in the afternoons. Zakowski says this pandemic pod will provide kids with a predictable structure and schedule. They hope this will help the children feel anchored and safe.

In addition to hiring tutors, families are enlisting other parents to collaborate on the teaching the pod. Meredith Phillips, from Croton, New York, a mother of an eight and eleven-year-old, is hoping to assemble a pod with three other families that will rotate responsibilities. One of the dads, who owns a tech company, can teach coding, while Phillips, who's an editor, can teach reading and writing. The parents will teach "whatever they're good at or know and care about," Phillips said. Doing this will expose kids to a variety of different subjects.

Families are either pulling their students out of school altogether for the learning pods or using these pods as a supplement to their schools' online curricula. "From our perspective, it would be a complementary, rather than a replacement," says Adam Davis, a pediatrician from San Francisco. He wants to assemble a learning pod with a teacher or college student for his second grader and kindergartner in the fall. Davis added, "we're committed to our school- we're part of the Parent Teachers Association." Parents that pull their students out of school have to deal with homeschooling laws from their state.

Claremont Pandemic Pods

At Link Educational Institute, our mission is to assist students with their educational goals. This pandemic has affected families; especially, parents who have kids going to school. However, there is an alternative to this situation. Welcome to our school, in your community (or at your house) called the Claremont Pandemic Pods.

Whether elementary, middle school, or high school, they will be able to learn from our tutors in a safe, friendly, and efficient environment. Our tutors will be assigned a group of students based on the families’ needs and wants. Students' needs and wants can come from meeting with the parents. Parents can bring documents such as report cards, past work, and comments from their teachers. With that information we will match that student with the right tutor. You might be asking yourself, will guidelines be enforced due to the pandemic? The answer is YES- participants will have to follow strict social distancing guidelines. These guidelines consist of wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distancing. Our team is working diligently to make the Claremont Pandemic Pods a reality for families during this unforeseen time. To learn about the pandemic pods listen to “All Things Considered” on this audio, to hear more about all sides to this trend.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic parents have had to adapt to a new learning environment. These tips are crucial, especially for parents who have high school seniors. Families that use Pandemic Pods can work on college applications together. They can learn about the various essay applications, plus which colleges will drop the standardized testing.

How to make pods safe, and effective

One concern about pods is that families don't know how to decrease COVID risks. Saskia Popescu, Ph.D., says that pods shouldn't have more than ten kids. When you add the teacher and the students' family members in the pod, the risk of spreading the coronavirus can increase.

Likewise, families in learning pods shouldn't be socializing with people outside the pod. If this happens, individuals need to wear masks and practice social distancing, Dr. Popescu said. Families need to communicate with each other and work on taking precautions. One conversation can consist of, what should happen if a student has an emergency. Additionally, what are the collective rules on wearing masks and washing hands within the pod.

If parents are teaching in a pod, educators say there are no 100% right ways of being successful. Mordechai Levy-Eichel, an education historian at Yale University, and a father of three who was homeschooled himself says, try multiple things, see how they go. Think of it has an experiment. Focus on projects and enriching discussions, he suggested.

Should I Attend One of the Seven Sisters Colleges?

The Seven Sisters schools

If you're looking to apply to an elite liberal arts school, you’ll eventually come across the Seven Sisters schools. We will discuss with you what institutions fall in this group, and give you our thoughts and tips for admission into one of these colleges.

Are you looking to get accepted into an elite liberal arts college, but do not know the importance of the Seven Sisters colleges? Join us as we explain what the Seven Sisters colleges are, the benefits of attending one of these institutions, and review tips to get accepted into these schools.

What is the Seven Sisters’ colleges?

The Seven Sisters colleges consist of seven historically all women's colleges in the Northeastern United States:

• Barnard

• Bryn Mawr

• Mount Holyoke

• Radcliffe (Now part of Harvard)

• Smith

• Vassar

• Wellesley

The name comes from Roman Mythology, where the Seven Sisters were the seven daughters of Titan and Pleione. Between 1837 and 1889, the goal was to provide post-secondary education opportunities for women at a similar caliber to what men were getting at institutions like Harvard and Yale. Additionally, their ambition was to fill faculty and administrators positions with women. These values continue today, with at least one of the schools, Wellesley, never having a male president. Formerly, with all-male schools like Harvard and Amherst going co-ed, some women's colleges began to think about integrating. Radcliffe then decided to merge with Harvard and no longer exist as an independent undergraduate college. One of the schools, Vassar, was offered a similar partnership with Yale, however, they turned it down and decided to go co-ed on their own.

The rest of the schools remained women's colleges but, each of the remaining five non-co-ed colleges has exchange programs with nearby co-ed institutions that allow students to take classes outside of their school. The intercollegiate academic programs on campus vary widely from school to school. For example, Barnard has a close partnership with Columbia University. There's a lot of crossover between these two schools. However, while Wellesley has an exchange program with MIT, Babson, and Olin, there aren't a lot of non-Wellesley students in classes, because of distance between them.

Why should I apply to a Seven Sisters college?

1. Get an elite liberal arts education

   If you go to a Seven Sisters college, you'll get a lot of benefits which include small class sizes, great student-faculty ratios, and a strong focus on academics. You'll be encouraged to take classes outside of your school to expand on your academic horizons. The schools have partnered with nearby institutions that allow you to take classes there as well. If you want to take co-ed classes or are interested in a different learning environment, you'll get a more diverse academic experience with these partnerships.

2. A higher chance of admission

   The Seven Sisters colleges are less selective than comparable co-ed schools. Here's a list of the top five liberal arts colleges in the country and their admission rates.

   School Name Admission Rate

   Amherst 12.8%

   Bowdoin 8.9%

   Swarthmore 9.0%

   Wellesly 19.5%

   Williams 12.6%

   Wellesley can double the admissions rate of comparable colleges. Why are admission rates high? Because the pool of potential clients is cut in half since all the remaining schools (except Vassar), doesn't accept male applicants. Instead of competing against 8,000 students, you might be competing against 4,000 students, which means you'll have a higher percentage of getting accepted.

3. Form a life long network

   If you attend a Seven Sisters school, you'll gain access to a strong alumnae network that stretches beyond the individual institution you attended to include all who attended the Seven Sisters schools. Benefits include professional connections during your job searching, getting tips on housing, settling in a new location after your undergraduate or graduate terms, and connecting socially in a place where you might not know anyone.

4. Learn in a women's-centered environment

   Going to an all woman's school may be unthinkable to some or seem archaic in the 21st century. One of the most valuable features of the Seven Sisters schools is that they empower the importance of women taking leadership roles and succeeding in the world.

5. Being in an LBGTQ+ friendly environment

   The Seven Sisters schools include a robust LGBTQ+ culture on campus. This case varies from school to school, and that's not to say that they aren't socially conservative because they can tend to be. The overall environment at the schools is generally socially progressive and LGBTQ+ friendly. If this is something you don't care about, you'll still have a great experience at these institutions. If it is important to you to be in an environment where LGBTQ+ is not just safe, but celebrated, then you should consider applying to one of these institutions. If you don't want to attend a school where LBGTQ+ students and culture play a role in campus life, then it won't be a fit for you.

   Four tips to get into one of these colleges

   Now that you've learned about these schools, you might be thinking about how to get accepted. Here are four tips to get admitted into these schools.

   1. Excel in school

   You can't slack off academically. A strong GPA, test scores, and letters of recommendation are needed to get admitted. Since the alumane networks are crucial, the expectation is that if you're accepted and attend one of the schools, you'll be a part of the community. Admission officers at these institutions want to be sure you exemplify the quality of a Seven Sisters student. They don't care about your grades; they care about how you interact with teachers and students. You don't want the recommender to write something impersonal like, "Kristine was a good student who succeeded academically in my class." So find a teacher willing to take the time to write an excellent letter of recommendation.

   2. Do intensive research on the institution(s) you’re interesting in applying to

   The Seven Sisters schools have a "why" component to their application. In other words, “Why are you interested in attending our institution.” They ask this because admission officers care about your reasons for applying and wanting to be part of the community. Do your research! Do not write an essay for Vassar and expect it to work for every Seven Sisters school. Look at what makes that particular institution unique and highlight the aspects that you value in your "why" essays. Researching the school will not only increase your chances of getting accepted, but you'll also learn if the school is a fit for you.

   3. Be thrilled that you're applying to a Seven Sisters school!

   You do not want to overemphasize, but you should not shy from stating that attending a women's college is appealing to you. These schools are well aware of their history and what they stand for. Stating what you specifically value from their history and/or traditions will help your chances of influencing admissions officers. If you cannot find anything that you value at a school, then you shouldn't apply.

   4. Do not call it an “All-Girls school”

   When you begin your "why" essay, do not call these “all-girls school”; call it a women's college. It's minor, but its a useful tip to keep in mind if you're applying to any of the Seven Sisters schools. Using the term "all-girls school" demonstrates to them that you have not done much research on that college. Make sure to review all of your application materials to remove any instances of that language. This small change can create a more positive impression.

Will students get into college because of the Coronavirus?

College Acceptance

As a result of the pandemic, will it be more easy to get accepted into a school? Let’s go through some tips on how to get accepted during this new-normal.

COVID-19 has changed the college admissions process temporarily and potentially for the long-term. Will it be easier for students to get accepted into college due to these changes? There is not a concrete answer to this question, however, there are several changes to the college admissions process that will make it easier for students. We'll cover the following:

• Explaining changes to college admissions for Fall 2021

• The aspects of the admissions process analyzed for acceptance into college.

• Four tips for getting into college during Fall 2021

Let’s get started!

How has the Coronavirus pandemic has altered the admissions process?

This pandemic has altered the college admissions process for Fall 2020 in some significant ways. Several schools are extending those changes into Fall 2021. To help you get an idea, let's review the facts. The biggest challenge colleges have faced has been the decision for schools to get test-optional for the Fall 2021-2022 admissions cycle, with some colleges choosing to adopt a permanent test-optional policy. Test-optional means that a college won't require you to submit your test scores as part of the admissions process.

Another change in the college admissions process involves international students. International students planning to apply to U.S. colleges will see a significant decrease. According to Brent White, Arizona’s vice provost for global affairs is doing worst-case scenario. “The worst-case scenario is students can’t travel, they can’t get visas, they’re reluctant to come because they want to stay close to home. I think those factors are going to join together to mean that everyone is going to see significant declines in the number of international students,” he said.

Families have seen changes in their financial situation due to the Coronavirus. Many of these families are unable to send college-bound students this year. Many graduates are considering taking a gap year or enter the workforce directly after high school.

In general, these three changes could place Fall 2021 college applicants at an advantage for the admissions process. Let's look at how these changes could play as advantages.

How getting into a college might be easier to get into this year

Before we start, there is a crucial point to remember. We're making educated guesses based on the data and information we have available. Here are three ways students can get into college this year:

1. Many schools are going test-optional

   Universities have adopted a test-optional policy. University of California and Cal Tech are extending the policies into 2021 and beyond. Students who don't submit their scores should not be affected during the admissions process. In other words, at some schools, you can get accepted without submitting your test scores. How will this admission be easy? If you're applying to test-optional schools this fall, you don't have to take the SAT or ACT. You don't have to worry about whether your test scores are high enough or if your scores will prevent you from getting accepted. Keep in mind that test-optional schools may require test scores if you're applying for programs, grants, or scholarships. Make sure you do your research before you decide to skip the tests entirely.

2. Few students are applying for Fall 2021

   This decrease is because international students may find it impossible to travel to the U.S. due to global pandemic, and many students are dealing with financial hardships. If fewer students are applying to schools, admissions officers still hope to admit a new class of freshmen that is comparable in size to those of the past years, it shows that the competitiveness of many schools may decrease next year. Currently, we don't think this change will be universal. Highly competitive schools like MIT, Yale, and Harvard will likely continue to have low acceptance rates. However, state schools or smaller colleges will be less stringent in terms of the application process.

3. Schools will Accommodate students with extenuating incidents

   The fact that colleges and universities are approaching this year's college application process with an open mind is reassuring. Some colleges have chosen to be lenient with paramount aspects of the application process, like AP test scores and senior class grades, to accommodate applicants who have experienced academic issues due to the pandemic. They will be flexible about deadlines for submission of critical documents, including letters of recommendation and official transcripts. For example, the University of California has gone test-optional for 2021, and they're allowing students to start classes without a transcript on file. A transcript must be submitted sometime during the Fall semester. Schools are handling these issues differently. Be sure to check with your school for specific information.

   Four tips for applying to a school in Fall 2020

   Now that you know what college admissions will be looking at this Fall, you can adjust your application process to take advantage of these changes. Following these five tips can help you navigate this process with ease.

   Tip 1: Write Amazing Application Essays

   College application essays are paramount to your application. Essays give you a chance to show the person behind the list of accomplishments, test scores, and grades and make a case of why you will be an addition to a school's incoming class of freshmen.

   However, if you apply to schools that have chosen to go test-optional this fall, your essays become crucial. Taking away SAT/ACT scores won't hurt your chances of getting admitted. Not including them means colleges will consider other parts of your application even more closely.

   Every part of your Fall 2021 college application needs to be great- especially the essay portion. Use your essays an opportunity to advocate how will you succeed academically in creative ways, especially if other parts of your application have been affected by the Coronavirus.

   Tip 2: Ask for letters of recommendation at an earlier time

   You will likely need letters of recommendation for your applications. It’s crucial to reach out to your teachers as soon as possible. Reaching out early to your teachers' will increase the chances that they'll write thoughtful letters at your request. Like the application essays, letters of recommendation are a very critical part of your application, especially if you don't submit your test scores. If your test scores are absent, these letters can testify to your academic potential and track record as an excellent student.

   Tip 3: Provide details of your grades

   Students might be worried about how their high school will handle their final grades and GPA during the pandemic. They think that might put them at a disadvantage. Some concerns include a high school's choice to adopt a pass/fail model for Spring 2020. Students should provide a brief explanation on any part of your application that you feel as weak. For example, you might consider how your high school calculated grades during COVID-19 and how that impacted your GPA. Most schools provide additional information space that allows you to explain these circumstances. An honest response will give college admission officers a better sense of how your application has been affected by the Coronavirus.

   Tip 4: Work on the Common and Coalition App Personal statements

   Plan your statements in a way that will showcase your traits, experiences, or activities. Keep in mind that many students may write about challenges due to Covid-19. Applications (like Common App or Coalition App) have added a special COVID-19 section where you can explain how the pandemic affected your grades, extracurriculars, or other parts of your application. If your app has that space, make sure you limit your discussion of COVID-19 for that section. It's important to start these statements early so you can edit them properly.

   The team at Link Educational Institute will keep you up-to-date on any other changes we see on the horizon.

Early Releases for the 2020-2021 Supplemental Essay Prompts

2020-2021 Supplemental Essays

Looking for the newest supplemental essays? We’ve got you covered. Join us as we discuss what schools are expecting on the essay portion of your college application.

Colleges across the United States are releasing their supplemental essays in advance of the application deadlines. This will allow students to get a head start on their college applications. Applicants will need to work diligently on their essays to share information about their meaningful experiences, activities, leadership, community engagement, and intellectual experiences.

You might be asking yourself,  should I still write an essay with the pandemic going on? The answer is- YES. Admissions officers want to see that you've done your research and can make a case for why you would be a fit for that school. At Brown University, for example "admissions officers ask students to “Tell us about an interest that excites you, and how you would use our Open Curriculum to pursue it." Cornell University asks applicants to respond to an essay question that corresponds to the school to which they are applying. The University of Chicago has the most creative supplemental questions. They offer seven options for the extended supplemental essay. One irrelevant question is, "What can be divided by zero?"

Students should not slack off this summer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the essay prompts, you are not alone. Link is here to help. Work on improving your supplemental essays during this time. Here are platforms and essay prompts that students should take advantage of as they start developing their essays.

Various Application Platforms

• 2020-2021 Coalition App (App Now online)

• 2020-2021 Universal College App

• 2020-2021 Common App (launches August 1st)

Students interested in Georgetown must complete and submit the Georgetown application, which initiates an alumni interview and gives you access to the application platform. The UC Colleges use their distinct application for the nine campuses.

2020-2021 Essay Prompts

• Babson College

• Boston College

• Brown University

• Cornell University

• Duke University

• Georgetown University

• John Hopkins University

• Trinity College

• Tulane University

• University of California

• University of Chicago

• University of Colorado Boulder

• University of Georgia

• Umass Amherst

• University of Michigan

• UNC Chapel Hill

• UT Austin

• University of Vermont

• University of Virginia

• University of Washington

• University of Wisconsin

• UW- Madison

• Wake Forest

• Yale University

Link Educational Institute will continue to update this list as more supplements are released. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us. Let us assist you during this tough journey.

What College Applicants Can Expect for the 2020-2021 school year

Are you worried about standing out in the college application process?

Three hundred deans from different schools will give you insight on what to expect for the 2020-2021 school year.

Are you stressing about the college application process for your student? If so, don't worry. Valerie Strauss from the Washington Post has written an article about what the admissions deans from schools around the country want to see in the college application process. Click below to read.

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/06/29/more-than-165-college-deans-explain-what-they-want-dont-want-see-applicants-covid-19-era/  

4 Steps to get accepted into UC Berkley

Getting accepted into UC Berkley

We'll give you crucial tips on getting accepted into UC Berkley.

Getting accepted into UC Berkley can be tough. How tough is it to get into Berkley? UC Berkley received 87,394 applicants in 2019-2020. 14,668 applicants were accepted, for an acceptance rate of 16.7%. Based on these statistics, Berkley is a strongly competitive school. We'll discuss four steps to get into Berkley and how to maximize your chances of getting accepted.

1. Create an Account

   First, create an applicant account. You are filling out simple information. This step should take a few minutes to complete.

2. Finish the UC application

   Sections of the application consist of:

   Enter information about which UC school you're applying to and what you plan to major in.

   Fill out your eligibility for scholarships

   Answer demographic questions

   Fill out your academic history (the classes you took, grades you received, if they were in honors or AP, etc.)

   Fill out the information on extracurriculars and awards received.

   Report your standardized test scores if applicable.

   You have eight personal questions, and you'll need to answer four of them. Your response needs to be 350 words or less. For prompts, click here.

3. Pay your admission fees, and submit an application

   Once you finish your application, you can submit it as long as it's between November 1st and November 30th. A $70 application fee is required when you apply to any of the UC schools ($80 if you're an international student). If you apply to two schools, you'll pay a total of $140-$160.

4. Submit standardized test scores

   UC Berkley has gone "test-optional" for 2021 due to COVID-19. Test-optional means that your SAT and ACT scores won't be required, but you can submit them if you wish. Not submitting test scores won't affect them in the admissions process. UC schools (including Berkley) will be phasing out the standardized testing requirements for in-state students to drop the standardized testing requirements by 2025.  There are exceptions to this rule, especially for international, out-of-state students, and students looking to obtain scholarships. For more information about testing, changes, click here.

   How to get into Berkley

   Berkley wants top students, so make sure you have a perfect application. Berkley will look at five important categories when evaluating applications.

   Classes

   The classes you take in high school are crucial for your college application.  The classes you take in high school are crucial for your college application.  Two things admissions officers take into consideration: the courses you took and how difficult they were (aka “rigor”). Admissions officers want to make sure you've taken the classes needed as prerequisites to succeed as a college student. Remember that the A-G courses are the minimum requirements to get accepted. A-G requirements consist of a sequence of high school classes that students must complete to be admitted into a UC school. For more information, click here. Most applicants will go well beyond these requirements. Some majors, particularly math or science, recommend additional classes before you begin college.

    For instance, if you want to major in chemistry, you have to take one year of chemistry, one year of physics, four years of math, and two to three years of a foreign language. It's best to take classes you plan on majoring in. The admission officers will take a look at the rigor of your classes. If your school offers AP, Honors, or IB, you should take these classes. Take as many as you can without overloading yourself and maintaining a high GPA. Taking these classes shows you are focused on your studies and have the ability to deal with pressure. Berkley mentions they look at the "quality of your senior-year program," so don't slack off by getting “Senioritis” and taking easy classes.

   Grades

   Taking the classes that Berkley wants is not good enough; you need to do well in them. Grades and overall GPA are crucial for your Berkley application. You need to have at least a 3.0 GPA in your A-G Classes if you’re a California resident or a 3.4 GPA if you’re a non-resident. This requirement counts not only for Berkley but for any UC College in general. You can’t get a grade of C or lower in any of your classes. To give yourself the best chance of getting accepted into Berkley, you should have a GPA of 4.3 or higher. Your GPA needs to be higher than the majority of accepted students. To get a GPA of 4.3 you’ll need to get A’s in most of your classes and take advanced courses like Honors or AP.

   Test Scores

   Due to COVID-19, UC Berkley is going test-optional for students for the Fall 2021 application cycle. It will be changing its testing policies for in-state students in Fall 2022 and beyond. To learn more, click on this article. There is no SAT or ACT score to get into Berkley, but you'll want to aim high if you do have a chance of taking the exam. The score range for accepted students getting into Berkley is between 1350-1540 in 2019. The ACT is between 30 and 35. You want to aim for the higher end of this range. Berkley also requires the essay/writing section of the SAT and ACT.  Even though Berkley doesn't require any SAT Subject Tests or AP scores, having at least a few of these will strengthen your application by showing you can score well. You should submit three subject Tests or AP scores, with at least one related to what you want to major in.

   Essays

   You'll have to answer, four of the UC personal insight prompts, your responses should show:

   Who you are

   What you can contribute to the Berkley community

   What causes/topics/hobbies are important to you

   What are your intellectual interests

   Whatever your story is, this is what Berkley wants to hear, and it's the best place in your application to show them who you are. Put in the time and thought into your responses.

   Extracurriculars

   Your extracurriculars are a crucial part of your college application. Extracurriculars show your leadership skills and areas of interest. Have your extracurriculars stand out by showing admissions officers you’re passionate about them, have dedicated significant time to them, and have taken a leadership role.

   Berkley is looking for certain factors in extracurriculars such as:
   

   Talents, awards, or achievements

   Leadership experience

   Significant achievements that demonstrate a student's promise for contributing to the

   campus.

   Examples of strong extracurriculars consist of:

   Intensive study and exploration of other cultures

   Significant community service

   Participation in student government

   Any extracurricular that you're passionate about is great to include in your application. Even if you send additional materials, such as a portfolio, Berkley won't consider it, so be sure to do a good job describing your talents and accomplishments in your application. You can use the Additional Comments box in the Personal Insights section for information you feel is relevant for Berkley to know about you or your situation and does not belong in any other area. This can include personal health information, difficult situations that resulted in a lack of extracurriculars or low grade, and/or unusual grading circumstances of a school or situation.
   

How to get admitted into an Engineering School

Interested in Engineering schools?

Do you have a student that wants to major in engineering? If so, join us as we review information on how to get admitted into these schools.

If you're a student looking to major in engineering, here's one thing you should keep in mind. Engineering schools won't look at your application the way an average school does. Join the team at Link Educational Institute as we give you an insight on how to get into these schools.

Application changes to Cal Tech because of of COVID-19/Coronavirus

As you know, many colleges have temporarily stopped requesting the SAT and ACT scores. Cal Tech is now to be included amongst the schools because they want to make the admissions process as fair and equitable as possible. Test scores won't be required for the next two admissions cycles. The admissions office will focus on the rigor of classes students take and the grades they received.

SAT Math scores

Traditionally, students need to have a strong math score to get into an engineering school. A score of 800 is ideal, but getting a 700 will give you a chance to get accepted in an engineering school. The difference between 700 and 800 is substantial. MIT admits the top 0.1% or better. A score of 700 will put you in the top 8%. In summary, you should be close to getting an 800 in the math section. If you are missing fundamental math skills, then you should look at different engineering schools that are close to your score range. 

Show off your math skills

Even if you get an 800 in the math section, you won't be automatically accepted. That's because the SAT has a ceiling in math. So, if you know Pre-Calculus, you can get an 800 but students should show off more of their math skills in other ways. Students should show off more of their math skills. SAT Math IIC- this content is more advanced, and you want to do well in this portion. Take IBMath, AP Math courses or college courses to show off your math skills.

Did I mention math?

The admissions office is paramount on the math portion of the test. If you follow these things, you will be a competitive candidate for MIT and Caltech.

• Score well on a math competition. If you score well on the AIME, you will be a competitive candidate.

• Students should score well in a science or math competition. If you win a contest, then your chances increase (e.g., International Biology Olympiad). This competition includes Informatics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

• Enroll in a prestigious math/science camp like RSI.

  Programs like AIME and RSI are well-known by top colleges, and you should aim for these programs. Close relatives of these brands are not the same.

These engineering schools have admissions rates of 10% or less. A 50% admission rate is guaranteed if a student falls into that category. Students can get accepted as long as they don't get complacent and continuously challenge themselves to achieve in STEAM subjects.

Five Application Tips To Get into a UC School

How to get into a UC School

The team at Link will give you tips on submitting your UC application on time.

If you're applying to one of the UC schools, you want to make sure the application is correct. The team at Link will guide you through the process of applying for a UC school from start to finish. Learn about which documents you need to complete the application.

Crucial information about the UC Application

It's paramount to know important information about the UC application early. You need to have enough time to gather and submit your materials before the deadline.

Where to get the UC application: Get the UC application here. This application applies to all UC schools. No matter your choice, you need to complete this application.

When to submit the application: It's the student's responsibility to know when the application deadlines are.  If you miss a deadline, you won't get that far.  Here are the University of California application deadlines.

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Date Action

Aug 1st UC Application opens

October 1st FAFSA and Cal Grant verification form open for applicants.

Nov 1st- 30th Period application can be submitted online.

December Self-report December scores

Jan- Feb Submit official December test score results

Mar 1st Admissions decisions begin to be sent out.

Mar 2nd Financial Aid Applicants due

May 1st Reply date for all accepted first year students

Jul 1st Admitted students must have submitted their final high school transcript

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Based on the chart, the most important date is November 30th. You have to submit your application by this day. Admission officers have used these administrative tests for years; now, these tests have options. The University of California doesn't accept late applications. Don't miss this deadline!

How to apply to a UC school

There are five steps to apply to UC schools. The earlier you begin, the more time you'll have to complete the application before the deadline.

1. Create an account

• To apply to a UC school, you need to create an account. This step will only take a few minutes since you need to fill out simple information such as email, name, the semester you want to start, and if you're applying as a freshman or a transfer student.

• 2. Complete the UC Application

  The application consists of eight sections:

  About You

  You will answer questions such as your birth date, contact information, which languages you speak, your family's income if you are a resident of California.

  Campuses and Majors

  There are nine UC schools, and students can apply to as many as they want. Each UC school you apply to requires an application fee of $70 ($80 for international students). Here are the schools:

• UC Berkley

• UC Davis

• UC Irvine

• UC Los Angeles

• UC Merced

• UC Riverside

• UC Santa Barbara

• UC Santa Cruz

• UC San Diego

Next, select your major. If you're applying to multiple schools, you'll need to do this separately for each school since they have different majors. For instance, if you apply to the University of Los Angeles, you need to rank the colleges to see which is the best fit for you.

Academic History

You'll need to enter information about the high schools you attended, the classes you took in high school if they were honors or AP, and the grade you received. It's like entering information on your transcript.

Test Scores

Test scores can still be reviewed and submitted even though they are test-optional. UC schools accept SAT and ACT scores, but you don't need to take the optional essay section. You can also report your SAT Subject Test, AP, and IB scores. If you're an international student, you can submit any scores of international exams you took.

Activities and Awards

You'll discuss the activities you participated in outside of the classroom. Here are six categories:

1. Coursework other than A-G

2. Educational Preparation Programs

3. Awards and Honors

4. Extracurricular activites

5. Volunteer and community service

6. Work experience

   For each category, you can add up to five classes, activities, jobs, awards, etc.

   Scholarships and Programs

   You'll select eligibility for different scholarship opportunities, such as ethnicity, career plans, and work experience. There are ten categories with multiple characteristics. You can choose only once. You can also apply for the Educational Opportunity Program in this section.

   Personal Insights

   You'll answer personal statement questions. There are eight questions, and you have to answer only four of them. The response needs to be 350 words or less. Write your essays in a word document to make it easier to review them, then paste it into the application.

   Here's the essay prompts:

   1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

   2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

   3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

   4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

   5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

   6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

   7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

   8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

      3. Submit your application and pay fees

      Once you finished each section of the application, you can submit it, if it's between November 1st and November 30th. When you apply, you'll need to enter some demographic information and your state of legal residence. The application will be submitted once you pay the fee.

      4. Submit Your Standardized Test Scores (optional)

      If you decide to take the tests and submit those scores, you'll submit your test scores when you fill out your application, but you also need to send official score reports.

      5. Complete Additional Materials (optional)

      Some students won't need to submit additional materials, but some will. It depends on the college and major. Some students won't need to submit additional materials, but some will. It depends on the college and major. For instance, students majoring in arts will have to submit a portfolio