If I reapply to a graduate program, will admissions review my old materials? It depends on how long ago you applied and how large the program is, but yes, probably. What might surprise you, however, is that this is usually a good thing. By applying to the same program, you are demonstrating not only your commitment to your field of study but the specific program as well. You can also try your luck at reaching out to admissions or the department to see if they are willing to tell you what was weak in your previous application. This is a long-shot, in my opinion, but it’s worth the effort. No matter what, you must submit new application materials. If your application didn’t work for you in the past, why would it be different this round? You want to update your applications, highlighting how you’ve continued to develop your profile and reflecting on the insights you’ve gained since your previous submission. Update your CV, rewrite your statement of purpose and supplemental essays, and have your recommenders write new letters (or, at the very least, change the date). If you want help with your applications, reach out to World Awaits directly to arrange a free 20 minute consultation. The graduate school admissions process is competitive, and every year schools receive far more qualified applicants than there are spaces. You must take action to differentiate your application from the competition, and we are here to help you do just that.

The Common Application introduced a new prompt this year, replacing this prompt: Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma — anything of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. With this prompt: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? In my opinion, this change reflects an emerging emphasis — likely the result of Covid-19 and a growing political divide in the US — on kindness and civic-mindedness. As ever, universities are interested in students who care about a greater good. How do you answer the new Common App prompt in a way that interests admissions officers, inspires them to keep reading, AND conveys the information they’re searching for in your writing? Read on. Common App Prompt #4 The trap students fall into with this prompt fall into one (or more) of three categories: 1) Waxing philosophical about the importance of gratitude, 2) Focusing on a trite person, object, or experience, 3) Spending too much of the essay in summary mode. To tackle this essay successfully, keep the story personal and focused on you, and avoid excessive summarization. Admissions officers don’t care so much about the object, scenario, or person you choose to write about; they care about how it has impacted you and your place in the world. 👉👉 Go small. Write about an interaction you witnessed, a seemingly insignificant event, or a conversation you had. 👉👉 Use a unique format or framing device. 👉👉 Take the reader in an unexpected direction. Have fun! Just make sure your essay is about you. Keep it personal. Keep it positive, Make sure it reveals your values, passions, and qualities you want admissions officers to know about you.Do you need help responding to this prompt in a compelling way? Let World Awaits help! We will start by getting to know you — your unique qualities, interests, values, and goals — to narrow down the best approach. We will then guide you step-by-step through the brainstorming, outlining, and editing processes to create a captivating essay that encapsulates you and your accomplishments. Reach out to us today!

In a return to normal, CollegeBoard and ACT have released their testing dates and deadlines for 2021-2022. As college and university consultants, we are often asked which test is best — and the answer to that question is not always an easy one to answer. Obviously, you should take the test that plays to your strengths, and to help you figure that out, here’s a breakdown: SAT Sections and Timing Reading: 65 minutes; 52 questions (75 seconds per question) Writing & Language: 35 minutes; 44 questions (83 seconds per question) Math: 80 minutes; 58 questions (83 seconds per question) ACT Sections and Timing Reading: 35 minutes; 40 questions (52.5 seconds per question) English: 45 minutes; 75 questions (36 seconds per question) Math: 60 minutes; 60 questions (60 seconds per question) Science: 35 minutes; 40 questions (52.5 seconds per question) Your job is to determine which test is going to make you more competitive in the eyes of admissions officers. At first glance, it appears that the SAT is easier, but it is very important that you remember these admissions tests are graded on a curve. This means that your score is determined by comparing your performance against that of the other test takers. So, while the SAT may be “easier”, it is easier for everyone who takes it. And since the ACT is harder for everyone who takes it, this is something you can use to your advantage. If you are able to work quickly and excel in science reasoning, then taking the ACT will probably give you a huge advantage over your competition. If, on the other hand, you prefer to take your time and think through your answers, the SAT is likely the better option. So what now? Should you take the ACT or the SAT? I suggest starting by taking complete, timed practice tests for both of them. Then you can consider which test you prefer and perform better on. It is important that you are done with your testing by the start of your senior year so that you can focus on maintaining your grades and extracurriculars while dedicating yourself to your applications. The last thing you need is a stressful test weighing on you. And — should you perform poorly on the test you choose — you will have time to retest if necessary.

Lots of things have been changing in admissions as a result of Covid-19. Standardized testing has been shelved, domestic applications have been soaring while international applications are plunging, and profile development opportunities are shifting in unprecedented ways. But for those of you who are in the process of or planning to transfer this spring, you’re probably quite interested in how Covid-19 is impacting admissions. Last fall, several higher education organizations released a call to action to overhaul the transfer admissions process — a long-overdue step toward fairness, in my opinion, and a reminder that Covid-19 is, in fact, bringing some positive change. In short, the call to action calls on institutions to modify their transfer credit policies to maximize the number of transferable credits, thereby reducing overall student expenses. This movement portends a shift in transfer admissions, though it’s too soon to discuss its impact. Already released statistics, however, currently show a dip in transfer applications. If you applied to transfer in the fall, your chances of admission are higher than normal. Will this continue into the spring? Probably. Higher education has been greatly disrupted, and I don’t anticipate it will change until, perhaps, next year. Anecdotally, I have seen interest in transferring drop by about 50% from last year, though one must bear in mind that I work primarily with international applicants, and international student applications have dropped dramatically across the board. For those students interested in moving up to more elite institutions, the road is likely to remain difficult. Simply, students at top-tier schools don’t tend to leave and open up spots, even during a pandemic. So if you are eyeing a transfer, we are here to help. There are obviously fewer spots for transfers than for Freshmen applicants, so it is vital that you stand out from the competition. 💗💗💗 If you want assistance with your transfer application, please reach out. We help many students successfully transfer into their dream schools every year, and we can do the same for you! We offer hourly services, 3 different transfer packages, as well as a Fundamental Transfer Plan that includes a personalized transfer analysis, a 1-hour strategy call culminating in a formal transfer road, and 5 hours of transfer application guidance. Here’s what past transfer clients have had to say: “I just want to let you know how thankful I am for your help. I'm able to make progress toward my degree because of your help in the process of transfer applications. Given my situation, it was amazing how many schools I got into! This wouldn't have been possible without your help.” “I just wanted to share that I’ve been admitted to NYU!! You definitely exceeded my expectations and made me think deeply about things I had never thought about before. Thank you so much for your honesty and guidance. It helped me a lot.” Thank you for reading my post. I hope it has been helpful for you!

For some, pursuing a Ph.D. abroad is daunting; however, there are many benefits — both career and personal — that make it a strong decision. Develop a better understanding of different research methods and systems Earning a Ph.D. is a significant step in developing yourself as a researcher and academic. Studying abroad can give you opportunities to explore different research methods, experience different educational environments, and improve your approach to your own research or career goals. Grow a global network Having an expansive professional network will open doors for you. By studying abroad, you gain access to different research opportunities, projects, and professors — all of which can enhance your own experiences and goals. Expand your skill set By moving abroad, you must adapt to a new culture and educational system. The experience demands flexibility and determination, and you will exit your program with stronger soft skills, such as problem-solving, language, and communication skills, than you’re likely to acquire at your home institution. If you are considering doing your Ph.D. abroad and want to explore your options, discuss whether it’s a good path for you, or learn how to maximize your application, reach out to World Awaits directly on WeChat with username kvanderweert to arrange a free 20 minute consultation. The graduate school admissions process is competitive, and every year schools receive far more qualified applicants than there are spaces. You must take action to differentiate your application from the competition, and we are here to help you do just that.

Waitlists have been growing year-after-year, but with applicants applying to more schools than ever before, you can expect university waitlists to be significantly larger for the class of 2025. New York University, for example, received over 100,000 applications for 6,000 spots, and as senior vice president for enrollment MJ Knoll-Finn says, this year “will be a nail-biter.” With disrupted standardized testing, course offerings, and extracurricular opportunities, U.S. colleges and universities are expected to rely heavily on waitlists to craft their 2025 classes. It is predicted that many students will find themselves in the unenviable position of being placed on at least waitlist, and it could take until summer to be moved off of them. So if you are one of those students, you are not alone, and you can expect a long wait. Here’s what you need to do to improve your chances of moving from a waitlist to and admitted list: 1) Follow the directions Many schools require an applicant to formally accept their position on the waitlist. You will want to do this. Some schools ask that you update them with any new information about your grades or experience, while others explicitly tell you not to. Be sure you follow directions. Not doing so will likely get you rejected. 2) Call the university If it isn’t already reported in your waitlist email or the university website, it can help to find out your chances of being moved off a waitlist. By calling the school, you also show interest. Ask these questions: How many people are on the waitlist? How many people tend to move from the waitlist? When will you be making waitlist decisions? Do you rank the applicants on the waitlist? And, if so, where do I fall? Then email the person you spoke with a quick thank you, and you can reference them in the next step, the LOCI. Write a letter of continued interest (LOCI) Let’s start by addressing who you should email. Universities get many letters from interested applicants, and if you want yours to really stand out, you should email your regional admissions counselor. Sometimes finding your regional representative is easy, and sometimes it is difficult. Here’s what you do: Start with the university website. If you can’t find the regional counselors quickly on the admissions page, you can do an internet search for “[university name] admissions counselor by region”. If that only turns up the representative’s name, you will need to find their email. Go to the faculty directory on the university website for that. If you are still unable to find the email of your regional counselor, download hunter.io. Then go to linkedin and search for “University Name admissions.” Scroll through the individuals who come up until you find your representative. If you are still unsuccessful, email the dean or another person in the admissions office. When it comes to writing the LOCI, the more personal, the better. I have two templates that you can look over, but they must be personalized. Template 1 Dear (regional admissions counselor), Thank you for taking the time to review my application for the (year) school year and for offering me a place on the waitlist. I am writing to reiterate my interest in University Name and to assure you that, should I be moved from the waitlist, I will immediately withdraw my other applications. Aside from (one thing you love about the school), University Name perfectly aligns with my (academic / personal) interests. Specifically, I am interested in (course / professor’s work / program / club / campus tradition) because (why). In addition to (above mentioned factor(s)), I am confident that I will bring a unique perspective to University Name. Due to my (relevant background / experiences / interests), I will bring (something no one else has) to the school community. I also want to take this opportunity to update my application. Since my submission in (month), I have (completed a research project / earned perfect fall semester grades / started volunteering in my community / accepted an internship / started working part time / won an award / raised X for my club / something NEW and INTERESTING about you). (Why is this important and interesting?) University Name remains my top choice. The (major) program aligns perfectly with my (career) goals, and I can see myself fitting in on campus because (why). From the virtual campus tour I took in the fall, to the alumni interview I had with (name), to my most recent conversation with (name) in the admissions office, every interaction I have had with University Name has been enjoyable, and I look forward to continuing these positive experiences should I be offered a position off of the waitlist. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely, Eager Applicant Template 2 Dear (regional admissions counselor), Last week I (talked with a current student / interviewed with an alum / found a new program that interests me / discovered a new campus tradition / something NEW that excites you about the school). I was impressed with (why). Now I love University Name even more. Although I have been waitlisted, I am excited to have the opportunity to prove University Name is my first choice and that I would be a good contribution to its (descriptor) campus. As my favorite university, I will immediately withdraw my other applications if I am accepted from the waitlist. Since submitting my application in (month), I have (completed a research project / earned perfect fall semester grades / started volunteering in my community / accepted an internship / started working part time / won an award / raised $X for my club / something NEW and INTERESTING about you). (Why is this important and interesting?) Thank you very much for your time. I am excited to have the chance to attend University Name, and I wish you a restful summer. Sincerely, Eager Applicant *** Don’t give up! If you are struggling with being placed on a waitlist and want an expert to help you with next steps, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ve helped many students move to the admitted pile and can do the same for you. Add me on WeChat under kvanderweert.

Arts and Humanities Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature – Harvard University How to Write an Essay – UC Berkeley Introduction to Digital Humanities – Harvard University Masterpieces of World Literature – Harvard University Modern Masterpieces of World Literature – Harvard University Shakespeare’s Life and Work – Harvard University Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You – Harvard University Biosciences Biochemistry: Biomolecules, Methods, and Mechanisms – MIT Molecular Biology: DNA Replication and Repair – MIT Molecular Biology: RNA Processing and Translation – MIT Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition – MIT Neuroscience: Electrical Properties of Neuron – MIT Neuroscience: Neurons and Networks – MIT Neuroscience: The Brain – MIT Principles of Biochemistry – Harvard University Principles of Synthetic Biology – MIT Quantitative Methods for Biology – Harvard University Business and Entrepreneurship AP Microeconomics – MIT Becoming an Entrepreneur – MIT Business and Impact Planning for Social Enterprise – MIT Entrepreneurship 101: Who is your customer? – MIT Qualitative Research Methods: Conversational Interviewing – MIT Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market – Harvard University User Innovation & Entrepreneurship – MIT Computer Science and Programming Algorithms (Part 1) – Princeton University Algorithms (Part 2) – Princeton University Building Your First Android App (Project-Centred Course) – CentraleSupelec C++ for C Programmer (Part A) – UC Santa Cruz Introduction to Programming – University of Edinburgh Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Science: Capstone – Harvard University Data Science: R Basics – Harvard University Data Science: Visualization – Harvard University Data Science and Machine Learning – Harvard University Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python – Harvard University Statistics and Computational Tools for Data Science – Harvard University Using Python for Research – Harvard University Liberal Arts Art & Activity: Interactive Strategies for Engaging with Art – The Museum of Modern Art Art & Ideas: Teaching with Themes – The Museum of Modern Art Arts and Culture Strategy – University of Pennsylvania & National Arts Strategies Behavioral Finance – Duke University Better Business Writing in English – Georgia Tech Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners – University of California, San Diego Chemistry – University of Kentucky Classical Sociological Theory – University of Amsterdam Craft Your Story Like the Great Writers – Wesleyan University Crash Course in Data Science – Johns Hopkins University Create Imaginative Games – CALARTS Discrete Mathematics – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Econometrics: Methods and Applications – Erasmus University Rotterdam Effective Communication in the Globalised Workplace – National University of Singapore English for Business and Entrepreneurship- University of Pennsylvania English for Journalism – University of Pennsylvania Fundamentals of Music Theory – University of Edinburgh Game Theory – Stanford University & University of British Columbia Genes and the Human Condition (From Behavior to Biotechnology) – University of Maryland, College Park Geopolitics of Europe – Sciences Po Getting Started With Music Theory – Michigan State University Global Diplomacy: Diplomacy in the Modern World – University of London, SOAS University of London How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics – University of Virginia Inferential Statistics – Duke University Intercultural Communication and Conflict Resolution – University of California, Irvine Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics – University of Minnesota Introduction to Logic – Stanford University Introduction to Mathematical Thinking – Stanford University Introduction to Psychology – University of Toronto Leading Innovation in Arts and Culture – Vanderbilt University & National Arts Strategies Maps and the Geospatial Revolution – Pennsylvania State University Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets – University of New South Wales Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences – University of Amsterdam Microeconomics: The Power of Markets – University of Pennsylvania Model Thinking – University of Michigan Moral Foundations of Politics – Yale University Music as Biology: What We Like to Hear and Why – Duke University Music Production – Berklee Particle Physics: an Introduction – University of Geneva Psychology at Work – University of Western Australia Strategy and Sustainability – IESE Business School The Ancient Greeks – Wesleyan University The Art of Music Production – Berklee The Art of Vocal Production – Berklee The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs – University of Toronto The Evolving Universe – Caltech The Science of the Solar System – Caltech Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity – Stanford University Mathematics Calculus Single Variable: Function – University of Pennsylvania Calculus Single Variable: Integration – University of Pennsylvania College Algebra and Problem Solving – Arizona State University Differential Equations – MIT Introduction to Algebra – SchoolYourself Introduction to Calculus – University of Sydney Introduction to Geometry – SchoolYourself Linear Models and Matrix Algebra – Harvard University Mathematics for Year 12 – Course 1: Algebraic Methods, Graphs and Applied Mathematics Methods – Imperial College London Mathematics for Year 12 – Course 2: Calculus, Newton’s Laws and Hypothesis Testing – Imperial College London Mathematics for Year 13 – Course 1: Functions, Sequences and Series, and Numerical Methods – Imperial College London Mathematics for Year 13 – Course 2: General Motion, Moments and Equilibrium, The Normal Distribution, Vectors, Differentiation Methods, Integration Methods and Differential Equations – Imperial College London Precalculus – Arizona State University Pre-University Calculus – TU Delft Probability and Statistics – University of London Statistics and R – Harvard University Physical Sciences Advanced High School Chemistry – University of Kentucky Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space – University of Arizona How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics – University of Virginia Introduction to Chemistry: Reaction and Ratios – Duke University Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions – Duke University The Science of the Solar System – CalTech Self-Discovery & Exploration Big History: Connecting Knowledge – Macquarie University Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential – McMaster University Communication Strategies for a Virtual Age – University of Toronto Essentials of Global Health – Yale University Fashion as Design – MoMA Getting Started with Music Theory – Michigan State University Introduction to Philosophy – University of Edinburgh Making Architecture – IE Business School The Challenges of Global Health – Duke University The Science of Success – University of Michigan

(FREE WORKSHOP) This workshop is for high school students, parents, and undergraduate transfers. If you are planning to apply to graduate school, please watch my workshop for graduate students, as your application requirements are different.