🍦What is CMU looking for? (Nov 15)

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

1. Link Lounge Refresh: Some great resources for you!

2. Daily Deep Dive: Carnegie Mellon University

3. Friday News: How FAFSA fiasco upended private college enrollments

FUN FACT OF THE DAY
Did you know…

🏺 Brown University Crackpots: Josiah S. Carberry is a legendary fictional professor of psychoceramics (the study of cracked pots) who was created as a joke in 1929. Every Friday the 13th, students celebrate Carberry Day in honor of his fictional academic accomplishments. Every Carberry Day, the campus is filled with small brown jugs that students and faculty fill with change. The money goes to a fund in memory of Carberry’s ‘future late wife Laura.’

LINK LOUNGE
Happy Friday! Here’s some links to make you happier

(NEW) ChatGPT College Counselor - Plugin for ChatGPT that is trained to be a college counselor

(NEW) Apple Education Discounts - Discounts on Apple products for students and educators

Free things with a .edu email - With applications in, some colleges might be giving you access to a .edu email—you can use them to get a bunch of free things!

PVSA Awards - A quick government volunteering award to stand out as app deadlines come around

DAILY DEEP DIVE
Carnegie Mellon University

🎭 CMU’s Vibe: The Tech-Savvy, Purpose-Driven Experts

Carnegie Mellon (CMU) seeks students who excel in technical mastery, demonstrate an unshakeable commitment to their fields, and thrive in collaborative, interdisciplinary spaces. Rather than focusing on broad explorations, CMU admissions looks for applicants who have honed specific skills or expertise, whether that’s in AI, design, business, or the arts. Excellence matters here—CMU wants students who can hold their own in advanced, specialized projects and go beyond simply participating by creating a tangible impact in their area of passion.

📄 What the Essays Are Looking For

CMU’s essay prompts focus on specificity, technical depth, and initiative. For instance, their “Why CMU?” question is not just about enthusiasm but about showing a deep understanding of CMU’s unique offerings. Your response should clearly outline how CMU’s programs, professors, and resources will enhance your skills, as well as how you plan to actively contribute to their community. Avoid generic statements; instead, use “show, don’t tell” to give examples of times you’ve gone above and beyond. Use clear, concrete examples, whether it’s a specific project that tested your skills or a moment that sparked your interest in an interdisciplinary approach—both of which CMU values.

🔎 What You Can Do RIGHT NOW

• Replace General Statements with Specific Achievements: Review your essays for vague language and add detail to make your points more vivid and persuasive (e.g., mention a specific project, competition, or skill you developed rather than saying you’re “passionate about computer science”).

• Focus on Technical Depth: CMU appreciates applicants who dive deep, so make sure your essay reflects a solid understanding of the complexities in your field. Highlight the technical side of your achievements or projects, emphasizing what you learned and the specific challenges you tackled.

• Showcase Impact and Innovation: When you describe an experience, discuss the impact of your work, like how it influenced others or led to an improvement. Show CMU you’ve made a difference, not just participated.

• Draw Direct Connections to CMU: Be precise about how CMU’s unique resources (labs, clubs, professors) match your goals. Mention specific programs or professors you’re excited about and explain how they align with your vision for your studies and beyond.

• Check for Clear Storytelling: CMU values intentionality, so make sure each essay flows logically. Create a clear narrative that not only shows your past achievements but also explains how CMU fits into your larger journey.

INFO ZONE
ICYMI: Some banger upcoming information sessions

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.

CMU Remote Information Session - Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM

Northwestern Online Admissions Information Session - Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

UC Berkeley Admissions Presentation - Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM

Harvey Mudd Virtual Discovery Day (MVDD) - Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 5:35 PM

(NEW—Hurry, fills up fast!) UCLA Virtual Information Session - Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 4:45 PM

FRIDAY NEWS FOCUS
Report: FAFSA fiasco upended private college enrollments

A recent report has shed light on how delays and technical issues in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process disrupted enrollment at private colleges this year. According to the study, many students who typically rely on federal aid to help cover tuition costs encountered delays and obstacles during the FAFSA application process, leading some to forgo attending private institutions altogether. The disruptions reportedly impacted a range of private colleges, which saw a notable decrease in enrollment due to the delayed aid distribution.

This FAFSA-related enrollment dip has sparked conversations about the importance of a reliable and accessible aid process, especially for students who may not have alternative funding options. The report underscores that many of the affected students were from low-income backgrounds who depend heavily on federal financial assistance to afford tuition. Colleges and policymakers are now considering steps to avoid future disruptions and are exploring ways to improve the efficiency and accessibility of the FAFSA process.

Read the full article: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/11/11/report-fafsa-fiasco-upended-private-college-enrollments

ICYMI: TIKTOK THURSDAY
If you forget to check yesterday’s scoops: here’s our fav #collegeadmissiontips

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
November 15 is tomorrow! Pls submit!

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!

UDub, CU Boulder, Virginia Tech, and More Deadline: November 15
UC Deadline: December 2

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
Have an idea for the newsletter?

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