College Application Project
This project gives you an opportunity to create a college application portfolio that you can show recruiters, admissions officers and others while on college visits. The portfolio is also useful for counselors and others who may be writing letters of recommendation for you. The portfolio will be presented in a folder with brads and pockets. You will complete the following assignments for display in your portfolio.
1. Prepare an educational resume with a cover letter that will include such items as your SAT/ACT/IB/AP scores, class rank, schools attended with specific recognitions noted, school activities with honors and leadership positions held noted, and volunteer/ community activities as well as your name, address, telephone numbers, work experience, and references.
2. Prepare a formal letter to be used to request letters of recommendation. The letter should include what the recommendation is for (admission, scholarship, etc.) with pertinent details, the date the recommendation is needed, and important information the recommendation should include (length of acquaintance; classes taken, qualities, interests, accomplishments; college and life goals, etc.) This letter should be saved on a computer program so that it can be reused with the current date and address.
3. Write a college application essay. Choose from one of the following questions as your prompt or use a question from an actual college that you wish to attend or from the Texas Common Application. Make sure your essay is unique to you. The essay should also be proofread, edited, and revised prior to placement in your folder.
Choice A: Describe a significant setback, challenge, or opportunity in your life and the impact that it has had on you.
Choice B: Many students expand their view of the world during their time in college. Such growth often results from encounters between students who have lived different cultural, economic, or academic experiences. With your future growth in mind, describe a potential classmate who you believe you could learn from either within or outside a formal classroom environment.