Apps

Sleeping late, waking up late, eating brunch, swim practice, and then doing schoolwork/college apps the rest of the day: my routine since last week.

Anyway, earlier today I checked my e-mail, and found that I had been accepted to Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. I’m thrilled – at least now the possibility of me not being accepted by any of the schools I applied to will be laid to rest. Acadia was ranked top undergraduate school last year, either by Maclean’s or by Globe and Mail, so it is a serious choice. The only negative is the weather – its freezing in Nova Scotia. Last year I was joking with a few friends of mine, telling them how I’m thinking of applying to janitor school so I can get a Bachelor of Janitorship. Thank God it will remain just a joke. At least I have one definite place to go to if – God forbid – all the other unis reject me.

Speaking of college, my other college apps aren’t doing well – they’re not done. I’ve already applied to all the schools I wanted to apply to, it’s just that four of these schools require “Supplemental Applications” – Canadian euphemisms for “college application essays”. I’m good at writing essays, except for English. The questions looked easy, but when I tried to write… well that was a different story.

Admissions committees look at my grades and letters of recommendation from my teachers. The Supplemental Application/whatever form is the only component of the application that I have complete control over. The essays in them are the only way I can make a connection with the admissions officer considering my application out of hundreds, or thousands that he/she has had to look at. In other words, this is super important. In all honesty, my grades suck and I need to catch their attention with my stunning writing skills. Yeah right.

• “What qualities do you have that would make you successful in the Arts program?” (200 words, UBC)
  • I’m empathetic? But what evidence do I have for empathy? I have to elaborate
  • I’m an adaptable learner? Uh my grades don’t reflect that
  • I’m curious/inquisitive/questioning? – elaborate
  • I like current events?
• “Describe and evaluate one experience that significantly influenced your academic goals.” (200 words, UBC)
  • Watching the news following 9/11? That could work.
  • How I’m following the US elections every day? I don’t know…
• “Please tell us about your educational goals, your interest in your chosen program(s) and your reasons for applying to the University of Waterloo.” (500 words)
  • Well this question is the same as UBC’s, sort of?
• “In 250 words or less, describe how your interests, experiences and capabilities will allow you to participate in and contribute to the Queen’s community.”
  • Service and swimming? in 250 words?
  • Or maybe just talk about swimming? No that wouldn’t work. Swimming laps wouldn’t necessarily contribute to the community
  • Or maybe talk about just service? Maybe .. and then elaborate on my ‘leadership’ skills . lol
  • How about YFC? That might work, but that’s risky. But again, this could link back to ‘leadership’ skills
  • My stunning sex appeal? I wish…

I made “semi-drafts” for these questions already, but they’re kinda crap. Sometimes I blog my problems out in the hope of finding a solution while typing – sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t.

Shit