🍦 Today's Scoops Sep 4: What's the point of "Additional Information"

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

2. Admissions Blueprint: All about the “Additional Information” section

3. Learning More: Navigating college fairs

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Pasadena, California
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 982 
📊 Acceptance Rate: 2.7%
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1550/35
💸 Tuition: $60,864
📅 Admission Options: November 1 (REA), January 3 (RD)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Chemistry (#1), Engineering (#4), Physics (#3), Computer Science (#13) (US News)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Computer Science (33%), Engineering (30%), Physical Sciences (20%) (US News)

The California Institute of Technology, commonly known as Caltech, is a small but mighty powerhouse in the world of science and engineering. Located in Pasadena, California, Caltech is renowned for its rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and close-knit community.

Some pros:

🔬 Research Focus: Caltech places a strong emphasis on research, offering students the opportunity to work alongside world-class faculty on cutting-edge projects. From physics to planetary science, research is woven into the fabric of the undergraduate experience.

🚀 Home of JPL: Caltech manages NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which was founded by Caltech faculty and students in the 1930s. JPL is a leader in space exploration, responsible for sending rovers to Mars and probes to the outer reaches of our solar system.

📚 Small Class Sizes: With a low student-to-faculty ratio, Caltech offers an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention from professors and engage in meaningful academic discussions.

🎯 Focused Curriculum: Caltech’s curriculum is rigorous and specialized, catering to students with a strong interest in STEM fields. This focused approach helps students gain deep expertise in their chosen disciplines.

🏆 Prestigious Faculty: The faculty at Caltech includes numerous Nobel laureates, Fields Medalists, and Turing Award winners, providing students with access to some of the brightest minds in the world.

Some cons:

😓 Intense Workload: Caltech is known for its challenging coursework and demanding academic environment, which can be overwhelming for some students. The institute’s rigorous expectations require a strong commitment to studies.

🏙️ Small Campus: The campus is small compared to other top universities, and some students may find the social scene limited. However, the tight-knit community can be a positive for those who prefer close connections.

🌡️ Limited Non-STEM Opportunities: While Caltech excels in science and engineering, students looking for a broad liberal arts education or a wide range of extracurricular activities outside of STEM might find options limited.

💡 Specialized Focus: Caltech’s specialized curriculum might not be the best fit for students who are undecided about their major or those who want to explore a variety of academic disciplines.

LINK LOUNGE
Key Resources & Scholarships

In the Link Lounge section, you can find links to great resources such as scholarships during the college application process. These links can be really helpful and will be updated every Wednesday, so be sure to check back frequently!

The College Essay Guy Podcast - This podcast by Ethan Sawyer, a seasoned college counselor, provides great insights into the college application process. Currently, he is doing a series where he is recording and sharing his counseling sessions with one of his students, Cassidy.

Scoir - This platform provides great information on almost every single college you can think of. It is a great hub for finding out stats about each school’s academics and admissions.

College Application Notion Template - This great Notion template can help you organize all the work you need to complete for your applications. The author of the template also included a YouTube video explaining how to use the template.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
All about the “Additional Information” section

The Additional Information section of the Common App is like that extra topping on your ice cream sundae—it’s optional, but if used wisely, it can add a lot of flavor to your application. This section gives you up to 650 words to provide context, clarify details, or share anything that didn’t fit elsewhere in your application. But before you start typing, it’s important to understand what this space is really for.

🔍 What Should You Include?

Think of this section as a place to fill in the blanks, address any gaps or inconsistencies, and provide essential context. Did you face significant challenges during high school, like a family crisis, health issues, or a move that impacted your grades or extracurriculars? This is where you explain it. Maybe you took a gap year or had a lighter course load one semester—admissions officers will appreciate knowing the reasons behind these decisions.

Here are some examples of what you might include:

• Unusual Grading Systems: If your school doesn’t use a standard GPA or class rank system, clarify how your grades reflect your performance.

• Special Circumstances: Maybe you worked part-time jobs to support your family, or you’re the primary caregiver for a sibling—share these responsibilities and how they’ve shaped you.

• Extended Explanation of Extracurriculars: If an extracurricular activity didn’t fit completely in the Activities section, use this space to provide additional details. For instance, you could elaborate on a leadership role or a project you spearheaded that showcases your initiative and impact.

Essentially, this section is your chance to say, “Hey, here’s something important you should know about me that didn’t fit in the other sections.”

🚫 What to Avoid

While it might be tempting to use this space to talk about another extracurricular activity or to squeeze in more achievements, resist the urge. Admissions officers are already reading through plenty of information, and they value quality over quantity. Stick to information that truly adds value or provides crucial context to your application. Avoid restating what’s already covered elsewhere—this isn’t the place for redundancy. And remember, this is not a place to write a whole other essay. Keep it focused on essential context and details.

📝 How to Structure It

Clarity is key here. Start with a brief introduction to set the stage, then dive into the details. If you’re addressing multiple issues, consider using bullet points or clear headings to organize your thoughts. Be honest and straightforward, and remember that admissions officers appreciate concise explanations.

LEARNING MORE
Navigating college fairs

College fairs are like the ultimate buffet for students—there’s a little bit of everything, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. But with a bit of preparation, you can make the most out of these events and walk away with valuable insights that will help you in your college search.

🗺️ What to Expect at a College Fair

At a college fair, you’ll find representatives from a wide range of colleges and universities, all gathered in one place to answer your questions and provide information about their schools. You’ll likely encounter large booths with brochures, swag like pens or stickers, and friendly admissions officers ready to chat. It’s an opportunity to gather information directly from the source, ask personalized questions, and even discover schools you hadn’t considered before.

💡 How to Prepare

Preparation is key to getting the most out of a college fair. Here are a few steps to take before you go:

• Do Your Research: Look up the list of schools attending and make a priority list of the ones you want to visit. Research those schools beforehand so you can ask specific questions that aren’t easily answered on their websites.

• Prepare Your Questions: Think about what’s important to you in a college—academics, campus life, financial aid, etc.—and prepare questions around those topics. Instead of asking, “Tell me about your school,” ask, “How does your engineering program support students with internships?”

• Bring a Bag: You’ll likely collect a lot of brochures and freebies, so bring a bag to carry everything. But remember, the goal is to collect useful information, not just stuff.

💬 Making the Most of Your Time

When you arrive, start by visiting the schools at the top of your list. Take notes as you go—whether on your phone or a small notebook—so you can remember what stood out to you about each college. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions, and if you’re particularly interested in a school, ask for the contact information of the admissions representative. This can be helpful for follow-up questions or to show demonstrated interest later.

✍️ Follow Up

After the fair, take some time to review the materials you’ve gathered. Follow up with any representatives you spoke with if you have more questions or want to express your continued interest in their school. This is also a good time to reflect on which colleges moved up or down on your list based on the conversations you had.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Important testing dates are coming up!

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!

September ACT: Saturday, September 14
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

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

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