Summer College Admissions Workshop (June 2nd through June 6th)

Welcome to Modus Operandi Admissions’ week-long College Admissions Prep Workshop! We spend 4 hours a day with official programming around all of the aspects of applying to universities with an additional 5 hours for rotating meetings to follow up with each student per day. Currently, we cap the workshops to 20 students total, and each pupil receives 15 minutes of office hours per day. If students complete the workshop and their nightly assignments, they should be fully ready to either get into an elite school at a future time, or complete their CommonApps once the summer is finished and it opens up August 1st.

We have updated our program to include additional modules on demonstrating interest towards universities, using spreadsheets to track deadlines, athletic recruitment, and other key aspects, and more stringent tools to manage the admissions process more effectively. Below you can find an outline for our programming:

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Day 1: Foundation of the College Admissions Process

Goal: Introduce the admissions process, covering GPA calculation, CommonApp basics, strength of curriculum, and tracking tools.

Module 1: Introduction to College Admissions and Key Application Components

• Overview of the admissions landscape: GPA, test scores, essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations.
• Different application types (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision).

Module 2: Calculating GPA and Understanding Curriculum Strength  

• GPA scales: weighted vs. unweighted GPA, how colleges view course rigor.
• Calculating GPA and understanding the value of AP, IB, Honors, and Dual Enrollment courses.

Module 3: Navigating the CommonApp

• Step-by-step CommonApp walkthrough: profile, activities, and "Additional Information" sections.
• Introduction to a spreadsheet for tracking deadlines, tasks, and requirements (template provided).

Module 4: Academic Planning for Success

• Selecting courses that demonstrate academic rigor and align with college goals.
• Balancing GPA with challenging courses, especially in junior and senior years.

Module 5: Office Hours 

• Individualized support for GPA calculation, academic planning, and using the CommonApp.

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Day 2: Developing a Strong Personal Narrative and Tracking Extracurriculars

Goal: Guide students in crafting their narrative, planning impactful extracurriculars, and tracking application tasks.

Module 1: Building Your Personal Narrative

• Reflecting on values, interests, and goals for a cohesive application theme.
• Exercises to identify core themes that connect academic and personal experiences.

Module 2: Selecting Courses, Extracurriculars, and Community Service Activities 

• Choosing activities that align with personal strengths and college aspirations.
• Community service: finding meaningful roles and demonstrating commitment.

Module 3: Elite Extracurriculars and Summer Programs  

• Key qualities of impactful extracurriculars: leadership, initiative, long-term commitment.
• Planning summer programs, internships, and independent projects to strengthen applications.

Module 4: Tracking Deadlines and Organizing Application Materials with a Spreadsheet 

• Using the provided spreadsheet to track deadlines, requirements, and school-specific tasks.
• Managing supplemental essay prompts, recommendation letters, and test score submissions.
• Techniques for staying organized and maintaining a proactive timeline.

Module 5: Office Hours

• Students can get feedback on narratives, extracurricular choices, and tracking techniques.

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Day 3: Standardized Testing, Essays, and Demonstrating Interest

Goal: Provide an in-depth understanding of standardized tests, essays, and how to demonstrate interest in universities.

Module 1: Standardized Testing (SAT, ACT, AP Exams)

• Overview of SAT, ACT, and AP exams, including test-optional policies.
• Scheduling tests, preparing for AP exams, and understanding the importance of scores.

Module 2: Personal Statement Workshop  

• Analyzing sample essays to understand structure and themes.
• Brainstorming exercises to help students craft unique personal statements.

Module 3: Supplemental Essays Workshop 

• Techniques for answering common supplemental prompts, including "Why this college?" essays.
• Tailoring responses to reflect individual college values.

Module 4: Demonstrating Interest in Universities  

• Importance of demonstrated interest and how colleges view it in the admissions process.
• Ways to demonstrate interest: campus visits, attending virtual sessions, reaching out to admissions, and follow-up emails.
• Using the spreadsheet to track interactions with schools and document interest activities for reference.

Module 5: Office Hours 

• Personalized feedback on essays, test planning, and strategies for demonstrating interest.

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Day 4: Choosing the Right Colleges, Letters of Recommendation, and Managing Athletic Recruitment

Goal: Equip students with tools for selecting the right colleges, managing recommendation letters, and understanding athletic recruitment.

Module 1: Factors to Consider When Choosing a College  

• Identifying personal priorities: academics, campus culture, size, location, and support services.
• Researching schools and using the spreadsheet to record details for each college on the list.

Module 2: Understanding University Rankings and Public vs. Private Universities 

• Interpreting rankings and other factors beyond rankings (U.S. News, QS).
• Differences between public and private universities: funding, mission, selectivity, and resources.

Module 3: Letters of Recommendation (Advanced) 

• Selecting recommenders, preparing materials for them, and following up respectfully.
• Tracking recommendations in the spreadsheet to ensure submission on time.

Module 4: Athletic Recruitment in College Admissions  

• Overview of the recruitment process: NCAA divisions, eligibility, and timelines.
• Steps for contacting coaches, creating recruitment portfolios, and balancing athletic and academic responsibilities.

Module 5: Office Hours  

• Individual guidance on college choices, recommendation letters, and athletic recruitment.

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Day 5: Finalizing and Submitting Applications, Financial Aid, and Wrap-Up (5 Hours)
Goal: Prepare students to finalize applications, understand financial aid, and wrap up with Q&A.

Module 1: Financial Aid and Scholarships  

• FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institutional scholarships.
• Identifying and applying for need-based vs. merit-based scholarships.

Module 2: Final Application Checklist  

• Reviewing each application component: transcripts, test scores, essays, and recommendation letters.
• Using the spreadsheet to create a personalized checklist for final verification and submission.

Module 3: "Why This College?" Essays and Demonstrating Interest Review  

• Tips for crafting authentic "Why this college?" essays and linking them to demonstrated interest.
• Leveraging all interest activities (e.g., visits, emails) as supplemental evidence in applications.

Module 4: Q&A Panel with Admissions Experts  

• A moderated discussion on admissions topics, including waitlists, post-submission strategies, and understanding offers.

Module 5: Final Office Hours  

• One-on-one sessions to answer final questions, review materials, and finalize submissions.

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Additional Program Features

• Spreadsheet: A comprehensive tracking spreadsheet is provided, with sections for deadlines, school interactions, supplemental essays, and more.
• Class Size and Setup: Whole-group seminars with breakout groups for office hours.
• Materials and Homework: Worksheets, sample essays, GPA calculators, test prep checklists, financial aid resources, and spreadsheet instructions.
• Office Hours Structure: Rotating 15-minute sessions to ensure each student receives individualized guidance each day.