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My name is Ryan Hargraves, and I am the director of admissions at the University of Vermont. Otherwise known as you ve m and I'm here today have been in the admissions business for almost 20 years. So what I prepared for your day is a list of five tips these air five tips that I think will help you ultimately guide your college application process and the 1st 1 And there's actually a couple knows in this process not, you know, but rather K n o W. Right. The 1st 1 is to know yourself, and I think you are going to be the most important driver in all of your decisions moving forward. So as you think about yourself, I want you to ask yourself this very big question. Why? Why am I applying to this university forthis college? And ultimately you want to think about those things that are personal to you in your decision making? Is it the academic programs, research opportunities? Are you looking for a certain culture around study abroad or philanthropy or athletics? Is location important to you? Is this sizing institution important? And while it's important for you to think about the perspective that folks who know you well have your family, your peers, the folks who you work with, your school, your counselor, your teacher. You know your coaches, their input is extremely valuable. Ultimately you have to be the one driving this decision. I want you to really think about what will ultimately lead on your list. Now, for most students 6 to 8 schools, it will be a nice number. Perhaps you will apply to a few more based on your interest. I really want you to think while I want you to hone your list, I want you to call your list. Ultimately, that final list of schools to which you apply has to have some breath, particularly Brett with regard to profile and so activity. So if you're only applying to schools that have single digit admit rates, you may want to think about that places. Even the most exceptional candidates aren't shoo ins for admission. So I want you to apply to atleast two or three schools where, by your profile will dictate that you are a virtual slam dunk in the admissions process, and then otherwise, you reach for the stars. I want you to know the process, right? So as you figure out Okay, here's my list of schools to which I'm gonna apply. Am I going to apply early? You know, one of the trends in higher education is more more students in the last decade or so have chosen an early option early action, early decision. I want you to think about the implications of being an early applicant, particularly early decision applicant, whereby you are virtually signing a contract saying that if you are admitted that you will in fact and roll and you may not have benefit of your financial aid statement, So so think about that. When you are applying to schools, a lot of your peers may be applying early. I don't feel like you have to, like, apply early. Don't feel like you have to give in to that pressure because, quite frankly, you may be a better applicant applying regular decision, and if your regular Decision applicant, for example, the admissions committee. We'll be able to take into account your first semester senior your grades and so if you got off to a little bit of, ah, slow start in high school, but you're really doing well now. So I want you to think about that and have a good, honest conversation with your college council about timing your application and really knowing the process. So I think we're the most important points as you formulate your college essays is because it's your voice. I want you to use your words, your language, your phrases and not borrow from a source. I don't want you to get over taken by what I've referred to as the Toronto Saurus Rex, right? And so you know the words cataclysmic or negatory or obstreperous, like they sound great, but if you've never used them, you never spoken them. Quite frankly, colleges, college admission committees aren't looking for you to be the next Faulkner or Maya Angelou or Amy Tan, but really to be able to express your unique voice. That's why I want you to stick with your words your language, because that'll give you the best chance to be authentic and make a connection with the admissions committee. So so Tip number five is actually related to a process that is not necessarily the admissions process is up a corollary to the next financial aid. So you know when you think about financial aid, many schools, if not all schools used the FAFSA, particularly those who will be offering federal student aid and then they'll offer other forms. Are there opportunities for scholarships grants in your community at your school or even beyond, So quick search or registration on fastweb dot com will help you find and filter opportunities that may be available to help you fund your college education application vehicles, start the ignition Common application or perhaps a coalition. Perhaps call your list Won't tell you which schools to reply. Please give yourself time to think you'll be so much less stress you'll be tickled pink on the s s a y I can lie. Don't even try to be another girl or being of the guy into that own self be true expository salient statement about you Think big. Think small for 1000 college you can A part of the mall is your personal statement. While you're worried about your studies and all life's norms, don't forget to complete your financial aid forms. There's a thefts up the profile the C S s find out from schools on your list. Which ones are the best When you admission? Let us come rolling in. Make sure fit is what you get before you sign the bottom line application process.