EdPrep Scholars

Congratulations to our EdPrep Scholar from Middlesex County who will attend Seton Hall University this fall! This is a huge accomplishment and a testament to their determination and commitment. We’re so excited to see all the great things they’ll achieve in the years ahead.

When selective colleges evaluate applicants, they take several factors into consideration. First and foremost, they want applicants who have a strong academic record with high grades, challenging coursework (and if submitting, impressive test scores). But academic performance is just the starting point!
Colleges also want to know about an applicant's extracurricular activities, such as any leadership roles they hold or any community service they perform. They're looking for students who have a passion for pursuing their interests outside of the classroom.
In addition, personal qualities such as character, integrity, and work ethic are important to colleges. They want students who are dedicated and hardworking, and who will be a positive influence on campus.
Diversity is also a key consideration for selective colleges. They want to create a student body that is diverse in terms of background, culture, and experiences.
Finally, essays and letters of recommendation are important because they provide insight into an applicant's personality and potential contributions to the college community. They allow the admissions committee to get a sense of who the applicant is beyond just their grades and test scores.
It's worth noting that each college has its own unique admissions criteria, so the importance of each of these factors may vary depending on the school. But overall, if you're applying to a selective college, it's important to focus not just on your grades and test scores, but on developing a well-rounded application that showcases your strengths and interests.

Congratulations to our EdPrep Scholar from Union County who will attend Stevens Institute of Technology this fall! Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off. We’re so proud of this incredible achievement and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they’ll accomplish next. The future is bright!

The chances of being selected off a college waitlist can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, such as the number of students on the waitlist, the college's enrollment goals, and the qualifications of the waitlisted students. Generally speaking, the chances of being selected off a waitlist tend to be lower than the chances of being admitted directly.
However, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of being selected off a waitlist:
Respond promptly: If you're offered a spot on a waitlist, respond promptly to let the college know that you're interested. This shows that you're still interested in attending the college and that you're committed to the process.
Provide updated information: Keep the college updated on any new information that could strengthen your application, such as new grades or awards. This can help to demonstrate your continued interest and commitment to the college.
Write a letter of continued interest: Consider writing a letter to the college expressing your continued interest and enthusiasm for attending. This can be a way to showcase your personality and highlight why you would be a good fit for the college.
Consider other options: While you're waiting to hear back from the college, consider other options, such as accepting an offer from another college or planning to attend a community college and then transfer to your desired college.
Overall, the chances of being selected off a waitlist can be uncertain, but by following these tips, you can improve your chances and demonstrate your commitment to the college.

Students must notify the colleges to which they are declining offers of admission. Sometimes they can do this directly on the college portal; sometimes they will need to send the admissions office a polite email stating that they will not be accepting the offer of admission. It is very important that students do this because there will undoubtedly be students on the waitlist who are eager to know if a spot becomes available.

Preparing for your first year in college can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. Here are some tips to help you get ready:
Attend orientation: Attend your college's orientation program, where you'll learn about campus resources, meet other students, and get a sense of college life. It's also a great opportunity to ask questions and get advice from current students and staff.
Get organized: Set up a schedule and a routine for yourself. Use a planner or a calendar to keep track of assignments, classes, and activities. Make sure you have all the necessary supplies and textbooks.
Manage your finances: Create a budget and stick to it. Understand your financial aid and scholarship options, and plan your expenses accordingly. Consider getting a part-time job to help cover your expenses.
Connect with your professors: Introduce yourself to your professors early in the semester. Attend office hours and ask for feedback on your work. Building a relationship with your professors can help you succeed in class and can be a valuable resource for your academic and career goals.
Get involved: Join clubs, organizations, or sports teams that interest you. Getting involved on campus can help you make friends, build your resume, and develop leadership skills.
Take care of yourself: College can be stressful, so it's important to take care of your physical and mental health. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and seek out campus resources if you need support.
By following these tips, you can set yourself up for a successful first year in college. Remember to stay open to new experiences and challenges, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Researching colleges is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, involving going to college fairs, visiting campuses, digging into college websites and other online platforms, and connecting with students at the college. One great, and often overlooked, resource, is college alumni. Talking with alumni allows prospective students to not only learn first-hand what going to that college is like, but also how that college prepares students for life after college. In this article from US News and World Report, students can find great tips on how to contact college alumni and what to ask them.

While high school juniors are working on their college lists, they should also look at the college’s honors program or honors college. Academically talented and ambitious high school students are flocking to honors colleges and honors programs at large universities as their top choice for college. Not surprisingly, many public and private universities have honors colleges and honors programs for this very reason—to attract and retain exceptional students who might otherwise choose a more institutionally prestigious, and highly selective, university or liberal arts college. To help students understand if one of these honors options is right for them, check out my blog for an overview of honors colleges and honors programs.

Whether in sports, the arts, community or religious activities, volunteering, or working, non-academic pursuits are not just another way to have “fun.” These activities allow students to differentiate themselves from their peers and to develop skills that colleges (and later on employers) value: leadership, adaptability, resilience, and grit. In activities, students learn teamwork, cooperation and collaboration; they learn how to listen, and how to advocate. They have experiences that make them interesting.
Activities are also important because they give students space for “flow” experiences. The concept of “flow” refers to a mental state where one is completely absorbed in an activity and derives pleasure from it. When students have flow experiences, they are better able to think thoughtfully about what they enjoy doing, information that can help inform what they want to study in college.
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, over 30% of students change their major at least once and about 10% of students change their major twice. This can be a costly change if students are unable to complete their undergraduate studies in four years because they switch majors. While participating in flow activities does not guarantee that students will not change their majors and graduate on time, it can help them get some clarity around the perennial questions: what do you want to study, what do you want to do with your life?
Thinking about it this way, extracurricular activities really are not “formalizing fun.” Rather, participating in activities helps students mature into young adults, to sift through the noise as they explore their aspirations for college and the future. And, participating in activities may have the added benefit of helping a student be the interesting applicant who the college admissions officer just has to have on their campus.

If juniors have not already done so, they must ask teachers for letters of recommendation. Every school has a different protocol for requesting letters of recommendation—students must know, and follow, them. In addition, individual teachers may request different information from students, including a resume, brag sheet, or short responses to questions. Students can take a look at the Teacher Evaluation form on the Common App and think about how teachers might fill it out—this can be a good way to help them decide which teacher(s) are best to ask for this important piece of their college application.