College applicants, when filling up the Common Application form, may feel a bit queasy when they see the numerous white blanks set aside forExtracurricular Activities and Work Experience. What if an applicant hasn’t done so many extracurricular activities or doesn’t really have any work experience at all?

The truth behind extracurricular activities

According to Kenyon College Dean of Admissions Jennifer Delahunty, they do appreciate students with lots of extracurricular activities, but what makes them cringe is when they see items such as “personal reading” listed down. Delahunty is happy that a student loves to read, but items like these are just fillers.

The space provided for in the Common College Application form for Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience can reach a total of 12 blank spaces, but that doesn’t mean applicants are required to list down 12 activities. As a matter of fact, admissions officers are looking for more in-depth experiences. They prefer quality over quantity in terms of activities. After all, colleges and universities prefer well-rounded students who made distinct achievements in a specific field over students who have done plenty of little things.

For this year’s Common Application form, the sections for the extracurricular activities and work experience have been combined into a 12-line space. This was done so as to imply that there is no hierarchy between work experience and extracurricular activities.

Photo Credits: L.E. Macdonald

source: New York Times

Los Angeles Valley College is relying on pure technology when it comes to its applications. The Lion’s Den, which is found on the Cafeteria Building, is now housing several computers that can be used by applicants to apply for admissions and for current students, to add and drop classes. The computers are available for the convenience of the applicants and the college students.

Schedule of the Lion’s Den

Admission applicants, however, have to know the schedule of operations of the Lion’s Den, if that is where they want to apply. They should note that the Lion’s Den is open from 9 am to 4 pm during Mondays to Thursdays and from 9 am to 2 pm only on Fridays.

Using the Lion’s Den computers

For applicants who do not have access to www.lavc.edu outside of campus, it is best to come early to use a computer in the Lion’s Den. Since no paper applications are accepted, so applicants must find a way to apply for admissions online. In which case, the Lion’s Den computers have been set up for the convenience of applicants with no computers of their own or Internet access. Even adding and dropping of subjects are done purely online. Students who are adding subjects, however, have to present an add permit granted by the instructor. ADA accommodations are also available to applicants and students with disabilities.

The use of computers to apply for admission at an academic institution can speed things up provided that the system has been checked for and relieved from bugs. The Los Angeles Valley College has prepared computers for the application process. This facility will specially cater tot hose who may not have an Internet access outside of campus. The school has prepared facilities that applicants and students with disabilities may be able to use to make the process more accessible.

Photo Credits: Collin Knopp-Schwyn

Usually, when thinking of scholarship grants, some may think of financial aid in the form of cash, which can be physically handed to the student or directly paid to the school on his or her behalf. Sometimes, however, scholarships can be given in kind. For MyBookBuyer.com, it is offering a scholarship in the form of free textbooks a year through an essay contest. The grand prize and consolation prizes are still in cash, and winners can use this to buy college textbooks. The grand prize has been set at a particular cost based on the estimate of one year’s worth of textbook in college.

How do you join?

Those are enrolled in college and are over 18 and a legal resident of the United States may join the essay contest. Participants have to write an essay on the topic: “Which is more important, education or healthcare?” The essay must be between 500 and 1,000 words and must be submitted through MyBookBuyer.com’s online form. Participants have to submit the form by October 31, 2010. The announcement of winners will be on December 15.

What are the other requirements?

Other requirements that one needs to submit are documents that serve as proof of age, residency, and student status. Participants must also sign a publicity release because if they win the grand prize, the essay will be published on MyBookBuyer.com. Another requirement is a high resolution headshot.

What are the prizes like?

As mentioned earlier, the grand prize of equivalent to the approximate cost of one year’s worth of textbooks. The grand prize is $1,250, while the runner ups will be receiving $250 each.

The MyBookBuyer.com contest will be benefit a lot of students looking for additional financial aid opportunities. Some of these opportunities require application forms and documents, while others may require a winning essay such as this one.

Photo Credits: textbookace