Senior Assistant Director, Katie Mattli discusses the special circumstances/additional information section. What is it? What is it and is it not for?
Key Tips: It's OK to leave blank. It's not an extension of your essay or a continuation of your extra-curricular activities.
https://thewritelife.com/
Admission blog: https://sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog/

Grade Trends, Rigor, Course Choice, GPA, Transcripts... this is a big one! Director of Non-Degree Programs Laura Simmons breaks down how admission committees review a student’s academic preparation in this episode of our mini-series, the Basics of College Admission.

Further Reading: Putting the rivalry aside and giving major props to the blog of our friend and colleague David Graves at UGA. https://www.admissions.uga.edu/blog/ or on Twitter @drgravesUGA

EA, REA, ED... What’s it all mean? Regional Director of Admission (West Coast) Ashley Brookshire breaks it all down and gives you the tools to consider which plans may work best for you.

Tulane Admission Blog: http://tuadmissionjeff.blogspot.com/

In this episode of our mini-series, the Basics of College Admission, Mary Tipton Woolley dives into standardized testing: What is test score optional? What might students consider when deciding whether to take or send a test to colleges?
Further Reading:
FairTest: https://www.fairtest.org/
NACAC “Test-Optional Means Test-Optional” statement: bit.ly/3hcN4m6

In this episode, Admission Director Rick Clark discusses factors a student can consider in deciding whether to answer Common App’s new Covid & natural disasters question, and reminds students of the human element of application review.

The Covid Question from Common App: https://www.commonapp.org/blog/COVID-19-question-common-app
Read the blog: https://b.gatech.edu/2Zh4CYf
Chadwick Boseman tribute by Senegalese artist Boubou: https://bit.ly/3lIdSOl

Alex Thackston, Senior Admission Counselor at GT provides great insight on who admission readers really are- and discusses practical tips/ common pitfalls that students should know while working on their apps.
- Don't procrastinate
- Find a trusted proofreader
- Be Yourself

https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/college-admissions/
https://www.commonapp.org/apply/first-time-students
Blog: https://sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog/

Senior Admission Counselor, Alexis Szemraj discusses her decision to attend the American University- Paris, as well as how students can be honest with themselves in determining what a good college fit really looks like.
Use your network, keep an open mind, ask yourself tough and real questions. Have confidence to choose places that are genuinely yours.

Check out the alumni magazine and student newspaper from the schools you are considering, as well as their various social media channels.

https://www.niche.com/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-find-your-college-fit
https://www.aup.edu/
http://admission.gatech.edu/blog

Katy Beth Chisholm, Assistant Director for Campus Visits provides key tips for students and families about how to access colleges virtually. https://admission.gatech.edu/staff-page/katy-beth-chisolm

YouVisit: https://www.youvisit.com/
Virtual Visits: https://admission.gatech.edu/virtual-visit
Admission blog: https://sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog/

In the weeks ahead, we'll explore some of the common topics and basic elements of the college admission experience, including: Finding a Fit, Writing for Colleges, Early Action/Early Decision, Visiting Campuses (esp during Covid), Extra-curriculars, and much more.

This week, Admission Director Rick Clark shares his most recent blog, Five Practical Tips for Writing for Colleges
Read the blog: https://b.gatech.edu/32hj5E2

Check out Malcolm Gladwell on Twitter: @Gladwell
And Outliers among other books here: https://www.gladwellbooks.com/