sample college admission essays

Colleges and universities often contract the services of a teaching assistant to aid the lecturers and professors in handling classes and other related tasks. Many college students apply as teaching assistants to help them pay off student loans, pay their tuition, and cope with other financial expenses incurred during college. Applying for teaching assistant posts is advantageous because it can provide students with teaching experience and insights on how the college education system works. Below are more information you need to know about teaching assistants and what their job involves:

Teaching assistants: What they do

As mentioned, the main job of teaching assistants is to help professors and lecturers carry out their tasks. These range from administering tests and exams to supplementing the crafted course syllabi and outlines. College teaching assistants are also often tasked to reproduce and distribute the required course readings to students, as well as prepare audio and visual teaching aids. In cases when the professor cannot attend and teach classes, teaching assistants may also be asked to take full responsibility of lecturing the class. Teaching assistants also grade examinations, papers, and reports.

Teaching assistants: who they are

Posts for teaching assistants are open to qualified individuals who want to earn extra income and gain relevant teaching experience. Students aiming to hold teaching jobs after graduating often apply as teaching assistants, as well as those who need financial aid in their studies. Teaching assistants may be students at the particular university or college, although they may also be “outsiders” looking to gain experience in teaching.

Although teaching assistants tend to be young, you should also treat them with the same respect you give to your college professors. Teaching assistants often give recommendations and student evaluations to professors, so you should never underestimate them and think that they won’t be able to influence the grades you’ll get in your classes. Many students also prefer discussing their course-related queries and issues with teaching assistants rather than their professors, because the former tend to be less intimidating and thus, more approachable.

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Shifting majors or courses is a common tendency among college students, especially those who are in their first or second year in college. A review published by an Ivy League school found that freshmen and sophomores tend to shift courses three to four times during college. There are many possible reasons why students switch majors; the most common of which is the realization that they’re more interested in another field than they are in the course they’re currently taking. This often happens when students don’t take time reading through the college’s course offerings before enrolling, or when they are exposed to fields of study that they never before realized they were into.

Switching or shifting majors is a major decision. This will have implications on financial costs, academic orientation, and your length of stay in college. So before you decide to shift out or into a major, educate yourself on the pros and cons by reading the outline below:

Pros and perks

One main advantage of switching majors, especially early on in college, is that you’re able to explore other options instead of staying in a course that you only feel mildly passionate about. If you’re willing to risk losing valuable time and money to pursue a different major, chances are, it’s something that you really want and will be determined to pursue. Shifting majors will also let you gain perspectives into different fields and subjects, allowing you to make the most of your college education and enhance your overall college experience.

Drawbacks and downsides

One of the main downsides to shifting majors is that some of the subjects you have already taken may not be credited in the curriculum of the course you’re transferring to. Aside from having wasted money on those classes, you may also have to spend more time in college. This is true especially when the major you’re switching to has prerequisite classes that you haven’t taken yet. Another drawback is that you’ll have to again adjust to a different academic framework and orientation. This isn’t a problem if you’re shifting to a related major, but if you’re going from Sociology to Computer Programming, you need to get up to speed with the basic theories and concepts of your new major.

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Students have various reasons for transferring colleges or universities; some are valid, while some are workable and not so valid. Common reasons include homesickness, issues with professors and school authorities, weak course programs, and unbearable workload and course requirements. Whatever your reason is, the first thing to ask yourself if you’re planning on transferring colleges is if you have a good reason for changing schools. Is it worth the hassle and expenses? If you’re convinced that you have a good reason for transferring, like weak course programs, here are a few tips to help you get started:

Do your research and plan your course of action

Some people tend to cringe at the mention of the word “research,” but it’s a necessary and important step to make your transfer a whole lot easier. If your reason for switching schools is a weak program for your major, look into your prospective school’s programs to gauge if it will provide you with the knowledge you want and need to gain. To better ensure that the program is challenging, you can ask around or post threads in forums and social networking sites so you can talk to people who have actually enrolled under that program in your prospective school.

As for planning, by this we mean scoping out your options for all the other aspects of college life: housing and accommodations, location, tuition and transfer costs, course credits, etc. It’s important to look into your prospective school’s course credit system to see how many of your previously taken classes will be credited.

Be mindful of the admission requirements and deadlines

In connection with research, the most important thing you should take note of are the application requirements and deadlines. Most colleges only accept transfer applications for a limited period of time, so make sure you’ve noted important dates and deadlines for submissions. If you plan to transfer by fall, you might have to submit your application by March or April. Also, the requirements for transferring may not be similar to first-time enrollees. Your high school transcript won’t hold much weight anymore, and your college transcript should show pretty good marks.

Most colleges will still require an admission essay, but this time, you can focus on your reasons for transferring to that specific institution. For this, you can check out sample college admission essays found online. Some websites require registration to view their sample college admission essays, but there are many websites who allow free viewing of their sample college admission essays. Structure your essay in such a way that details your reasons for transferring, while being careful of not resorting to flattery and why your prospective school is better than your previous one.

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Nothing gets high school graduates all psyched about going off to college than hilarious college fraternity-themed movies. Tons of movies have been made about college frat life; some are hilarious, while some show the more serious aspects of how juggling frat life, personal responsibilities, and academics can get a bit too difficult. Below is a list of five of the most popular and hilarious Hollywood movies that follow the college frat theme:

Animal House (1978)

Some say that Animal House is to college movies just as The Godfather is to mafia movies. Dubbed as THE movie that started the genre of college frat movies, Animal House stars Tim Matheson, John Vernon, and John Belushi as members of the infamous Delta House fraternity. The three struggle to counter the efforts of the dean and another fraternity to abolish Delta House and kick its members out.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Along with Animal House, Jeff Kanew’s Revenge of the Nerds also ranks high on the list of popular college fraternity movies ever made. As the title itself implies, the movie shows how the college nerds and misfits finally learn to stand up for themselves and against the frat boys who constantly bully them.

Old School (2003)

Old School stars Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn as three 30-something men who aren’t quite ready to grow up and act their age. In their desire to relive the fun and craziness of college life, the three from a fraternity of their own and recruit losers, elderly retirees, and misfit college students as members.

Going Greek (2001)

Headlined by Dylan Bruno, Laura Harris, and Simon Rex, Going Greek follows the story of Jake Taylor, who is forced to join a fraternity so his geeky cousin can get admitted into the fraternity. Problems arise when Jake and his cousin get caught up in all the wild out parties of the fraternity and threatens his relationship with his frat-hating girlfriend.

Fraternity Row (1977)

Fraternity Row actually borders a bit more on the serious side, with the main plot revolving around how a harmless fraternity initiation escalates to a form of hazing and results in a student’s death. Fraternity Row is set in the 50s, and shows how the uptight upper class college students deal with family and peer pressure, and fraternity issues.

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Politics is existent in every aspect of modern life, especially in areas where resources are quite limited. When you go off to college, you’ll most probably be faced with situations where petty politics is practiced. Whether it be in the classroom, in student organizations, or in student elections, college students often witness and experience issues of power relations, which are often the root and cause of petty college politics. To help you avoid getting involved in petty college politics, here are some simple tips you can follow:

Practice diplomacy in dealing with people

Raising your voice and allowing your temper to go out of control won’t solve anything. If you have specific concerns regarding a classmate or a fellow member in your organization, confront him or her and talk about the issue with a clear head. Never ever go behind someone’s back and use the Internet or other forms of media to get back at someone who you think has done you wrong. A lot of students make the mistake of lashing out at their “enemies” at social networking sites and gossip sites, thinking that the resulting embarrassment will make the other person drop the issue and leave them alone.

On the contrary, cases like these often lead to even bigger issues and fights, and leaves the original issue still unsolved. This is why talking things out in a diplomatic manner is still the most effective way to resolve issues. By keeping your cool when talking about the issue, you will be able to discuss and express your points better in such a way that would make it easier for the other party to see your point.

Learn when to recognize authority, and when to question it

College is the time when most students find and establish their sense of individuality. Here they discover aspects of their personality that they never knew existed. Most students learn to be independent and assertive during college. And while assertiveness is an admirable trait, you should also learn when and where to practice it in different levels. For example, if you’re not comfortable with some of your organization’s rules, you can talk to the president or officer of the organization and ask them to explain the rationale for these specific rules.

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Although financial costs are an important factor to consider when choosing a college, there are also other important aspects of college profiles that should be noted and taken into consideration when deciding which college to attend. Depending on you and your family, such important aspects may include the reputation of the school, educational facilities, accreditation, and size of the institution. Below are brief discussions of other factors that you should consider when choosing a college.

Course or program offerings

Next to tuition fees and living expenses, many students place a premium on the course or program offerings of a specific college - and for a good reason. College is not just about fitting in and making friends; it’s essentially about gaining knowledge on the field you’d like to specialize in and practice professionally later on. If you already have a major in mind, browse the different degree programs being offered by schools to see which suits you best. Basing your decision on the quality of the school’s academic programs will help ensure that you’ll get the most out of your college education.

Location and campus setting

Deciding whether you want to go to a college near or far from your home will help you narrow down your choices early on. Aside from the college’s distance from your home, you should also consider the climate and the features of the town where it is located.

Is the town conducive to student activities? Are there interesting places to visit? You won’t spend the next four to five years of your life just holed up in your dorm or campus, so it’s also important to consider the town you’ll be staying in throughout your college years.

Student support: social and academic

When we say student support, this includes on and off-campus housing options, student counselling and advising programs, financial aid, and other services related to student life. Student support is an important thing to consider because most of you will probably be living on your own for the first time, and taking that leap is never easy. Choosing a school that has an effective student support system will make it easier for you to get through the fun and trials of college.

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Going out of your comfort zone and finding yourself in an entirely new environment is never easy. This is why you’ll find tons of articles and books that are all dedicated to providing tips and tricks on how to make your transition from high school to college a lot easier. While there are no fool-proof, clear-cut approaches to surviving freshman year, there are tons of simple tips you can follow that will increase the chances of making college freshman year a lot easier for you. Below are examples of often overlooked yet highly effective tips on surviving your first year in college.

Make a conscious effort to talk to people

If you’re the introverted type, you have to force yourself out of your self-made shell and go out of your way to strike up conversations with classmates and dormmates. If you feel intimidated and shy, here’s what you should keep in mind: all the other freshmen feel just as shy and awkward being in a new environment as you do. Don’t worry about them snubbing you, they might even be thankful that you made the first move to talk to them because they’re too shy to do the same.

Know when and where to ask for help

There will be times when you would just want to pack your bags and head back home. The stress of school work and maintaining personal relationships with friends and schoolmates can sometimes reach great heights such that you feel emotionally and mentally exhausted. Excellence in studies should not be achieved at the expense of your mental, physical, and emotional state. Take breaks when you feel the need to, and don’t hesitate to visit the student counselling office if you feel you need help.

Manage your finances and don’t spend on unnecessary things

Tempting though it may be, blowing your allowance on beer nights with the guys or shopping trips with the girls will only cause dents in your wallet. Remember you’re living on your own now, and you should take it as a challenge to show your parents that you deserve the independence you’ve been given.

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Tons of studies have been conducted to prove whether a bachelor’s degree really translates into higher income. And almost all concluded that having a college degree on your resume translates not only to getting a higher income, but also to having a wider range of employment opportunities. According to a report issued by the US Commerce Department’s Census Bureau, a high school graduate earns a total average of $1.2 million in his entire working life, while the average lifetime income of collge graduates falls at around $2.1 million.

Although these are just estimated figures, they’re enough to show how having a bachelor’s degree can instantly increase one’s income. Other reports conclude that a college graduate’s income is 60-70% higher than the average high school graduate. One should keep in mind, however, that even within these ranges and figures, there are still disparities and differences. So just because you have your college diploma tucked under your arm, it may not ALWAYS follow that you’ll get a higher base salary than your bachelor’s degree-lacking officemate. These conclusions also may not hold true in certain fields such as entrepreneurship or scientific inventions and discoveries.

College education = more knowledge

One of the main reasons why employers are willing to invest more in their degree-holding employees is because of the knowledge gained through college education. Take the field of electronics and technology, for example. Even though you’ve been tinkering with electronic gadgets your entire life, and know by heart how these things work, employers will tend to favor someone who spent his college years studying and applying computer networking systems theories. The specialized knowledge gained through college education is valued highly by employers because this will help their company develop systems to further improve their operations. College graduates are more bankable because they can share and contribute this knowledge to companies.

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Aside from saving tuition money, tons of high school graduates go to community college to make productive use of their time as they figure out which field or discipline they want to major in. Instead of going straight to universities and enrolling under a four-year course program that you’re still unsure of, a good option you can take is to attend community college to explore different courses and fields. To help you decide whether to go to a community college or not, we’ve outlined some of the community college pros and cons.

Disadvantages and downsides

Community colleges cannot provide the ideal college experience you dream of because of limited exposure to student diversity. There is also a limited range of curricula and course programs offered in community colleges, and students can only be granted with Associate of Arts degrees. This is why most students who go to community colleges eventually transfer to universities and four-year colleges, where they can get their bachelor’s degrees.

Pros and perks

Along with low financial costs, another major perk of going to a community college is the assistance it provides students with transitioning from high school to college. Although the work load in community college courses are lower, it’s still effective in giving students a glimpse of what’s in store for them when they do decide to pursue four-year courses in universities. Taking up courses in community colleges may also help boost the GPAs of students who didn’t do so well in high school.

Most community colleges employ an open door policy, which means they accept all applicants regardless of their previous academic performance. So if your high school GPA doesn’t meet the minimum requirements at universities, you can opt to enroll in a community college first and boost your GPA before you go back and apply to four-year colleges and universities. The class sizes in community colleges also tend to be small, which ups professor-student interaction and allows lecturers to zero in on students’ areas of difficulty.

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Getting through college and surviving the daily workload is hard enough, and it’s even more difficult if you have to deal with added family responsibilities such as looking after your kid or your elderly parents. There are lots of student parents who have succeeded juggling their college education and family responsibilities. If you have kids or are tasked with looking after elderly parents, below are some tips you can follow to help you get through college without neglecting your family responsibilities:

Plan out the schedule of your classes and exams. If necessary, take fewer units

It’s standard procedure for professors to provide a course syllabus, which outlines exam dates and other deadlines. Plan your school activities ahead, and anticipate the days when you’d have to give more attention to school work. For days when you have exams or reports due, contract the services of a baby sitter or care giver early on to look after your kids or elderly parents. If advanced planning and time management still don’t cut it, you can always lessen your load by taking fewer units per semester. Getting a college degree is not a race or competition. If taking fewer units will make it easier for you to juggle studies and family life, then by all means do it. What matters is you get that degree while working at a pace you’re comfortable with.

Know when to get help; whether from friends, a support group, or from the university

Most universities offer financial aid to students who serve as bread winners or guardians of children and elderly parents. But beyond financial aid, there are very few, if at all, state-institutionalized programs designed to cater to the needs of student parents. There are very few universities that offer day care and babysitting services. The good news though is that more and more universities and colleges are forming organizations and sororities that aim to gather student mothers and provide a support group for them.

There are existing programs in colleges that help student parents; you just have to do your research and seek them out. An effective way would be to ask the student counselling office if they offer such programs. If they don’t offer babysitting or day care services, consult them on other ways through which they may be able to help you deal with the double responsibility of looking after your family and juggling college work.

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