5 Reason to Love George Mason Univesity

Diversity

George Mason prides itself on creating a highly diverse student body that can learn from the backgrounds and perspectives of fellow classmates.

Support Services

In addition to academic, mental, and physical health services for all students, GMU hosts multiple programs to support students with Autism in their transition to college. The GMU campus is also entirely ADA-accessible!

Meals on Six Wheels

Food delivery robots. Need I say more?

Academic Focus

Students who thrive at GMU are those who embrace uniqueness and individuality. They are focused on their academic experience in college, and are highly motivated to come out of college prepared for the professional world.

Rural School with Access to DC

George Mason sits 20 miles outside of DC in a relatively rural area. The campus has lots of green space, and the ability to disconnect from everything going on in the capital city. However, there is a shuttle to take students to the metro so they can easily access everything Washington DC has to offer.

Are the College Essay Examples Online Good?

NO PEEKING!

Every year toward the end of the summer, the New York Times publishes sample college essays.  I assume that they are looking to inspire rising seniors to begin writing their college essays if they haven’t already started; maybe reading others’ work provides a nudge to get going.  Other colleges, like Tufts University, Johns Hopkins, and Connecticut College, post essays on their websites from prior application cycles that they have found especially compelling.  Honestly, if you were to google “sample college essays,” you would probably find an endless supply of personal stories at your fingertips.  Why not take a look for inspiration?  

 What we have discovered is the very act of reading other essays for inspiration often inhibits a student’s creativity.  They consciously or subconsciously replicate what they have seen.  It isn’t that they are necessarily copying an idea or plagiarizing text, but they tend to fit their idea into a structure, format, or theme that they have already read.  After all, we are often patternmakers.  Once we see something, we cannot unsee it.  In the admissions process, the last thing you want to be is a carbon copy of anyone else.  So, I encourage you to trust your own creativity and turn a blind eye to the “essay that worked.”  

5 Reasons to Love American University

Access to DC

Located just 4 miles outside of downtown DC, American gives the best of both worlds! A residential campus with metro access to all of the perks of living in our nation’s capital.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

AU views Washington DC as an extension of the campus - providing students with unmatched access to internships, study abroad, guest lecturers, local events, museums, current events, and more!

Campus is a National Arboretum

With over 2,500 trees on campus, American University has been designated a national arboretum.

Collaborative Campus Culture

While AU is a highly academic, selective institution, it values collaboration over competition and fosters a learning environment that encourages collaborative success.

Trick-or-Treating on Embassy Row

Students rave about the campus tradition of going trick-or-treating on embassy row, where they have the opportunity to snag treats from all over the world.

5 Reasons to Love University of Hartford

1. LIBERAL ARTS + CAREER PREP

UHart’s seven colleges spanning career prep in rising professions and traditional liberal arts offer students abundant interdisciplinary opportunities.

2. SUBURBAN FEEL, CITY RESOURCES

UHart’s suburban campus has plenty of green space while also being a 10 minute drive from downtown Hartford’s internships and West Hartford’s restaurants and shopping.

3. HILLYER COLLEGE

Hillyer’s two-year curriculum gives students a structured, supportive academic environment to ease the transition to college-level work. Hillyer students finish the program on track to graduate in four years from another UHart school or college.

4. THE HARTT SCHOOL

“Turning passion into profession” for dancers, musicians, actors and other theater artists. Hartt is a conservatory that offers students the ability to minor in fields like communications and business through UHart’s other schools.

5. STUDENT LIFE

A strong athletic culture, high-quality performances and art shows on campus, 100+ clubs, and a therapy dog who makes house calls.

5 Reasons to Love Clark University

1. FIRST YEAR INTENSIVES

First years choose one of 30+ small-enrollment courses, and their professor becomes their pre-major advisor. FYI courses are offered in a variety of areas, but they all teach critical thinking, writing, and debating skills that help with the transition to college-level work.

2. 4+1 ACCELERATED MASTERS DEGREE

Clarkies have the chance to receive a master’s degree in a fifth year of study and can receive a full-tuition scholarship for that year.

3. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Problems of Practice courses give students exposure to real world issues. Students collaborate with experts at local and global organizations, building their skills and professional networks.

4. INCLUSIVE STUDENT SUCCESS

Academic support and coaching is available through Strategic Learning Services and other resources.

5. GAME ON

Top ranked Interactive Media/Game Design & Development major in the Becker School of Design and Technology and 20+ e-sports teams.

5 Reasons to Love University of King's College - Halifax

1. HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

Established in 1789, the University of King's College is Canada's oldest chartered university, offering a rich legacy of academic excellence and tradition.

2. FOUNDATION YEAR PROGRAM

Its unique Foundation Year Program emphasizes interdisciplinary study through classic texts, fostering critical thinking and a deep understanding of humanities.

3. JOURNALISM EXCELLENCE

King's is renowned for its journalism program, attracting students globally and providing hands-on training in a vibrant media environment.

Says one student, ““A co-worker of one of my parents directed my attention to King’s, saying all their favourite journalists were King’s alumni.”

4. DIVERSE PROGRAMS

With a small student body of around 1,000, King's fosters a supportive and engaging academic atmosphere, allowing for personalized learning experiences.

But students also have all of the resources of a larger university at their fingertips. Students at King's College and Dalhousie University take advantage of classes at both institutions through a seamless cross-registration system. This allows King's students to enroll in courses at Dalhousie, especially in upper-level subjects and the sciences.

5. PRIME LOCATION

Situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, students enjoy a lively city filled with cultural events, historical sites, and stunning coastal views, enhancing their university experience.

5 Reasons to Love Dalhousie University

1. RICH HISTORY

Founded in 1818, Dalhousie University is one of Canada’s oldest universities, boasting over 200 years of educational excellence and innovation.

2. RESEARCH

As a leading research-intensive institution and member of the U15, Dalhousie secures over $210 million annually in research funding, contributing significantly to various fields.

3. VIBRANT LOCATION

Situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the university is surrounded by stunning coastal landscapes and a lively cultural scene, enhancing the student experience.

4. DIVERSE PROGRAMS

Offering more than 200 degree programs across 13 faculties, Dalhousie attracts a vibrant mix of students from over 130 countries, fostering a rich academic environment.

Standout programs include Marine Biology, International Food Studies and Costume Design.

5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Dalhousie emphasizes social responsibility and inclusivity, actively engaging with local communities and promoting sustainability initiatives

5 Reasons to Love The University of Maine

1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Students sometmes dismiss Umaine as being “too far” or “in the middle of nowhere.” Neither are true. Orono is a cute little college town and Bangor, which is only 15-minutes away offers much more. And for the outdoorsy type, there is hiking, skiing, paddling, and much more all year round.

2. BLACK BEAR SPIRIT

At Maine, it’s all about hockey! And the Black Bears are regulars in the Frozen Four.

Buffalo Chicken Wednesdays also bring out the crowds!

3. SUSTAINABILITY

There a loads of majors for the student looking to study the environment: Earth and Climate Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Forestry, Marine Science, Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and Wildlife Ecology. Many concentrations are available in these majors as well.

Fun fact: UMaine is home to the first 3-D printed home in the USA.

4. ENGINEERING

The new engineering building has teaching labs for mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering technology.

There is also a 10,000-square-foot multidisciplinary student project design suite with 48 workbenches supported by shops for biomedical, electronics, 3D printing, vehicles, metals, wood and composites.

5. THE PRICE

There are many options for out-of-students to receive comporable tuition to their in state institution! In addition, Maine offers generous merit scholarships and has a very well regarded Honors program.

Advice for Creating a STEM Maker Portfolio for College Admission

Crafting an Effective Maker Portfolio for College Applications

A maker portfolio can be a powerful tool to showcase your creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities to college admissions officers. Here's some key advice to help you create a compelling maker portfolio:

Focus on quality over quantity.

Highlight 1-3 substantial projects that best demonstrate your skills and passion rather than cramming in numerous smaller works. Choose projects that are meaningful to you and potentially have a positive impact on society.

Clearly explain your creative process.

Admissions officers want to understand your thought process, challenges faced, and solutions devised. Use a combination of images, videos (under 120 seconds total), and concise text to walk them through your project development.

Make it accessible.

Remember that both engineering experts and non-technical admissions staff will review your portfolio. Explain your work in a way that's understandable to someone without a strong science background.

Highlight soft skills.

Top STEM schools value qualities like creativity, tenacity, and collaborative spirit. Showcase how your projects demonstrate these attributes.

Be authentic.

Don't feel pressured to create new projects solely for your portfolio. Genuine passion for your existing work is more compelling than a hastily assembled project.

Craft thoughtful responses.

Take time to articulate why your projects are meaningful to you and how they align with your goals. However, don't obsess over perfection – admissions officers understand you're still developing as an engineer.

Consider the format carefully.

Some schools may prefer a single PDF with images and explanations, while others might allow separate image uploads with descriptions. Follow the specific guidelines provided by each institution.

Remember, while a maker portfolio can strengthen your application, it's typically optional. Don't let it overshadow other important aspects of your application. Instead, use it as an opportunity to bring your technical creativity to life and give admissions officers deeper insight into your potential as a STEM student.

What are the Colleges of the Fenway?

The Colleges of the Fenway is a consortium of five distinct institutions in Boston that collaborate to provide resources, experiences, academic opportunities, and more to students across all campuses. The Colleges of the Fenway include Emmanuel College, Simmons University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), and Wentworth Institution of Technology. Students who attend any of these five institutions are able to take classes, participate in extracurricular activities, and make use of facilities at any other institution within the consortium.

Emmanuel College

Emmanuel College is a small, Catholic, liberal arts college located a 10-minute walk from Fenway Stadium. It provides an intimate academic experience, with all classes taught by professors and capped at 35 students. Emmanuel offers programs in business, humanities, education, health sciences, and nursing. All students participate in an internship during their time at Emmanuel, which can help them build a resume, networking skills, and connections in their field that can support them in their career search upon graduation.

Simmons University

Simmons University is a women-focused liberal arts school that prioritizes marginalized genders and boasts an extremely inclusive community. Simmons has excellent support programs for LGBTQIA+ students, students struggling with mental health, and students with learning differences. Students at Simmons are very driven and career-focused, with the goal of college being to graduate and enter the workforce.

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

MCPHS is a healthcare-focused university that offers a wide range of articulation programs that allow students access to accelerated tracks to advanced degrees, including their most popular 6-year Pharm-D program. MCPHS’s location in Boston provides students with unmatched access to the vast number of hospitals and biotech companies in the area. Academics at MCPHS are focused on experiential learning, offering students hands-on experience throughout their collegiate career.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

MassArt is the country’s only public art university. It offers a wide variety of BFA programs that center on studio work rather than traditional classes. Students engage in a first-year Studio Foundation program that allows them to explore mediums before declaring a specialty. Throughout their BFA program, students are able to take classes in other mediums of interest as well. MassArt is very committed to student success, and its career services extend to alumni as well as current students.

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wentworth is a STEM-focused institution that prioritizes hands-on, project-based learning. All students participate in at least 2 semesters of paid co-op programs, where they are able to work in the field, gain experience, and network with professionals. While Wentworth has a large majority of male students, it is actively recruiting women and supports them on campus through several women-focused programs and organizations.