🍦Starting a “passion project” (Dec 2)

Break is almost up, so we decided to chill out too, and have a shorter lineup today. Here’s the lineup today:

1. Info Zone Week Ahead: A fun and full week coming up!

2. Scoops Exclusive: Part 3/3 of our Conversation with Mr. Mcghee

TRIVIA
Guess the university from all these movies

🌟 This university’s campus and facilities have been used as filming locations for Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Jay Leno's Garage, Man of Steel (at OVRO), Beverly Hills Cop, The X-Files, The West Wing, Legally Blonde, Entourage, Greek, and Mission: Impossible. Think you know the school? Find out if you’re right at the bottom of today’s newsletter.

INFO ZONE
This week (starting today) is full of info sessions. Attend one, trust me they are good!

Here’s some upcoming school virtual information sessions. These are great opportunities to learn more about school’s programs to determine if the school is a right fit for you. It’s also great to learn more about the school’s vibe and possibly what admissions officers are looking for. All the times listed are below are already converted into Pacific.

Penn Admissions Virtual Information Session - Monday, December 2, 2024 at 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM

USC First-Year Admission Information Session - Monday, December 2, 2024 at 3:30 PM until 4:30 PM

Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Webinar - Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

Yale Virtual Student Forum - Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM PM

Columbia University Info Session - Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:00 AM until 8:00 AM

Rice Virtual Admission Information Session - Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

DAILY DEEP DIVE
Emory University

I’ve never heard of Emory—what is it?

Emory University is a highly respected private research school located in Atlanta, Georgia, known for its strong academic programs, especially in fields like business, pre-med, public health, and the humanities. With close ties to major healthcare institutions like the CDC, Emory provides unique opportunities for students to engage in real-world research, particularly in health sciences. The university is selective, with an acceptance rate of around 11%, and offers small class sizes that foster close connections between students and professors.

Ok, now I’m interested. Tell me more about what the Emory University needs in their application?

Emory University is a competitive school, with an acceptance rate of around 11%, so it’s important to put together a strong application. Here’s a breakdown of the specifics for Emory’s application requirements:

1. Essays: Emory requires one personal statement, along with short-answer prompts:

   1. Academic Interests Essay: This essay is about your academic interests and why Emory is a good fit for you in terms of the areas you want to explore. It’s a short response of 150 words, so you’ll need to be specific about what departments, courses, or research opportunities excite you at Emory and how they align with your goals.

   2. “Getting to Know You” Essay: This essay gives you a choice of six prompts, each designed to reveal more about your personality, experiences, and aspirations. You’ll need to choose one and write a 150-word response. Some examples of prompts include reflecting on a cultural awareness experience, describing a community you’ve impacted, or sharing how you envision flourishing at Emory. You should select the prompt that allows you to showcase something new and meaningful about yourself.

2. Letters of Recommendation: They require two letters of recommendation—one from a teacher and another from a counselor.

3. Test Scores: SAT/ACT scores are optional, though submitting strong scores can strengthen your application. The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1490, and the ACT average is approximately 33.

4. GPA: Emory typically looks for a GPA of about 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale, though the school is more holistic in its review, considering extracurriculars and personal qualities alongside academic performance .

This combination of competitive academics and a comprehensive review of your application materials means your essays and recommendations play a crucial role.

What are they looking for in those two essays? What type of student and personality are they looking for?

Essay 1: Academic Interests

This essay seeks to understand your academic passions and how they connect to Emory’s offerings. Admissions wants students who have specific goals and are excited about leveraging Emory’s resources to achieve them. You should:

• Highlight your academic interests and explain why they matter to you.

• Connect these interests to Emory-specific opportunities, such as programs, research initiatives, or faculty.

• Show a forward-looking mindset by explaining how studying at Emory could help you grow intellectually and contribute to your field.

Essay 2: Getting to know you, choose a prompt

For this essay, you choose one of six prompts, each targeting a different aspect of your personality and values. This essay is about revealing your personal qualities, such as creativity, cultural awareness, or community-building skills. For instance:

• The question about a book or piece of art allows you to showcase your unique tastes and what resonates deeply with you.

• The cultural awareness or community-building prompts focus on your empathy, adaptability, and impact on others.

• Reflecting on Emory’s mission of service or its emphasis on flourishing highlights your alignment with their values of contributing meaningfully to society  .

In both essays, Emory values authenticity, self-awareness, and a willingness to engage deeply with their community. The goal is to highlight how you will thrive in and contribute to Emory’s academically rigorous and service-oriented environment.

LINK LOUNGE
ICYMI: Who doesn’t love scholarships?

Gallery Collection Greeting Card Scholarship - win $10,000 by designing a birthday, holiday, or general purpose greeting card

UC PIQ Guide - the official UC guide to writing strong PIQs

(NEW) Peterson's Scholarship Search - find the best scholarships for you out of over 1.9 million scholarships and grants

(NEW) Stamps Scholars - win up to $360,000 in total scholarships at partner schools

ADMISSION BLUEPRINT
Starting a “passion project” (for juniors and younger)

🎨 Starting a “Passion Project”

Ever wondered what makes an application stand out in a sea of stellar GPAs and test scores? Enter the passion project—your personal way to showcase what drives you beyond the classroom. Here’s the scoop on what a passion project is, how to start one, and why it could be your secret admissions weapon.

💡 What is a passion project?

A passion project is a self-initiated endeavor that reflects your interests, creativity, and dedication. It’s your chance to take something you love—whether it’s coding, art, social activism, or even baking—and create something impactful out of it. Think: building an app for mental health, organizing a local art show, or starting a community garden.

📍 Why start a passion project?

1. ✨ Authenticity: Colleges love seeing applicants who genuinely care about something and take initiative to act on it.

2. 📈 Skill Building: You’ll develop leadership, time management, and specialized skills in your area of interest.

3. 🌟 Differentiation: A unique project can set you apart by telling admissions officers, “This is who I am, and here’s what I care about.”

4. 🎯 Impact: A meaningful project can genuinely help others or make a difference in your community, and that’s a story worth sharing in essays and interviews.

🚀 How to start your own passion project:

1. 🧠 Brainstorm: Think about what excites you. What’s an issue you’d love to solve or a topic you can’t stop talking about?

2. 📋 Plan: Set realistic goals, define what “success” looks like, and map out steps to get there.

3. 👥 Get Support: Find collaborators, mentors, or resources in your community. Even a few helping hands can make a huge difference.

4. 📣 Launch: Whether it’s a blog, a YouTube channel, or an on-ground initiative, get your project out there! Social media is your best friend for spreading the word.

📌 Admissions Angle:

Admissions officers aren’t looking for just a long list of activities—they’re looking for depth and passion. Your project can demonstrate this in a way that feels genuine. Bonus points if it ties into your intended major or career goals!

🎯 Final thoughts:

Your passion project doesn’t need to be huge to matter. Even small, consistent efforts that reflect your interests can make a big difference in both your life and your application. So go ahead—turn that idea you’ve been sitting on into something real. Who knows? It might just become your favorite accomplishment.

TRIVIA ANSWER
Looking for the answer to our fun trivia question up at the top?

Answer: CalTech

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
SUBMIT YOUR UCs AND CSUs TODAY!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

UC + CSU Deadline: December 2
December SAT: December 7

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
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