MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
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WHAT’S INSIDE
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THE COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY sheds light on the person behind the GPA, the ACT score and extracurricular activities. PAGE 2C MANY STUDENTS say employment adds component to academic instruction. PAGE 6C REGIONAL TWO-YEAR and four-year educational institutions share advice, tips for those preparing for college. PAGE 3C-7C
THOMAS WELLS | DAILY JOURNAL
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College Prep Guide
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COLLEGE PREP
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
DAILY JOURNAL
Application essay shows person behind the grades BY RILEY MANNING DAILY JOURNAL
The college application essay is a source of anxiety for many seniors. It intends to shed light on the person behind the GPA, the ACT score and the extracurricular activities. “The college essay is one of the only places where prospective students can be creative and take liberties,” said Johnathan Serrell, assistant dean of admissions and director of recruitment at Millsaps College in Jackson. This sort of exposition can be intimidating for some students, but admissions offices urge students to not be afraid of their own voice. Since these offices slug through thousands of essays every year, standing out can be a challenge. Fortunately, an applicant can use a few basic guidelines to produce an effective, memorable essay. “I can tell a successful essay because I learned something about the applicant that I couldn’t have learned from their application,” Serrell said. “The best ones compel me to want to meet the student.” Applicants should read and edit their essay for grammatical mistakes multi-
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COMMON TOPICS
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The essay topics offered on the 2012-2013 Common Application, a universal form used by almost 500 institutions, include: • Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. • Discuss some issue of personal, local, national or international concern and its importance to you. • Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you and describe that influence. • Describe a fictional character, historical figure or creative work that has influenced you and explain that influence. • Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. • A topic of your choice.
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ODD TOPICS
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Some institutions are notorious for their bizarre essay topics. Here are just a few.
• “How do you feel about Wednesday?” University of Chicago • “In the year 2050, a movie is being made of your life. Please tell us the name of your movie and briefly summarize the story line.” New York University • “You have just completed your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217.” University of Pennsylvania • “What is your favorite ride at the amusement park and how does this reflect your approach ple times before submitting it. Though vivid descriptions are a must, to life?” “Grammatical errors really jump out,” don’t use words that you don’t underEmory University said Serrell, “Don’t just use spell check, stand in an attempt to impress readers. • “If you were reduced to living on a flat plane, because it will not catch a misused word what would be your greatest problems? Oplike ‘their’ for ‘they’re’ or ‘to’ for ‘too.’” FOCUS ON THE TOPIC portunities?” Asking an English teacher or a parent “Respond to the prompt,” Serrell said. Hamilton College to proof the essay is also a great idea. Essay prompts are meant to be broad Admission officers are not looking to and accessible to a variety of students. disqualify essays on technicalities to Even so, it is imperative for an applicant include specific details about characlighten their workload, but grammatito completely understand the question ters and emotions. Details show that cal errors imply the student is not thor- and answer it with their response. Five the subject matters to the writer, and if ough. Even worse, a student can come hundred words is not a lot of space, so they are meaningful to the writer, they off as disinterested or flippant. The the essay should be tailored and fowill be so to the reader. Broad generalsame can be said for vocabulary. cused on the question at hand. izations make an essay and an appliWhen proofing, ask yourself, “Does cant seem bland and generic. this part of my essay help answer the If the essay calls you to take a posiquestion?” This will keep you from get- tion on an issue, don’t straddle the ting off-topic. fence. Pick a side and stick to it, thorIn addition, the essay is not the place oughly support your argument, and tell to tout the achievements already listed why you feel the way you do about the on your application. Admissions offices issue. Even on this kind of topic, you are much more interested to hear about can cite personal experiences that inhow you learned and grew from an exfluence your opinion and use your auperience. thentic voice. ‘Be yourself’ is advice that is easier “Don’t be afraid to be sentimental, said than done, but it is the overall witty, or even funny if you are that kind point of the application essay. Invite the of person, but don’t fake it. If you aren’t reader into your life, your family, your sure of your writing style, the applicahobbies, your heritage, anything that tion essay is not the time to experimakes you different. If the topic calls ment,” Serrell said. you to tell a story about a significant person or event, be very descriptive and riley.manning@journalinc.com
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2C
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COLLEGE PREP
Top priority of ICC – the success of its students
tawamba Community that they attain their educaCollege is more than tional goals and stay on track desks, teachers and textfor graduation. They include, books. but are not limited to, StuIt’s a total learning experident Success Centers, Writence for students just out of ing Centers, the Advising high school as well as for Center, Early Alert, Behavadult learners. ioral Intervention and perICC offers academic prosonal counseling. grams, hands-on career and The creation of the Prepartechnical instruction and ing and Advancing for ColBUDDY eLearning or online instruclege Excellence program, COLLINS tion, for which ICC leads the which was launched for all state in the number of 2012 high school graduates classes offered and in enrollenrolled at ICC this fall, is a ment. significant commitment by It’s a place where all students have the College to ensure the success of its an opportunity to participate in an ex- students. It teaches that student suctensive array of fun experiences, incess is a combination of academics, cluding intramurals, organizations and wellness and engagement. special weeks that offer “something for In April, highlighting the critical imeveryone.” It’s where students make portance of improving success in lifelong friends. It’s where many stuAmerica’s two-year institutions, the dents ask, “Why isn’t ICC a four-year Aspen Institute College Excellence college?” program named ICC as one of the naItawamba Community College is tion’s top 120 community colleges. more – it’s affordable as well as close to Next fall, ICC’s health programs will home. Expanded academic scheduling open in a $16 million facility, which is at the Tupelo Campus, the relocation designed to maximize resources and of several career and technical proprovide state-of-the-art instruction. grams to the Belden Center and the Itawamba Community College offers operation of shuttle service between a personal experience. It’s family. Not Fulton and Tupelo at no charge cononly does it touch and transform lives, tinue to facilitate its educational deliv- but it provides a foundation for its stuery. dents on which to build their dreams All five of ICC’s supporting counties and goals. – Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe ICC is thousands of success stories, and Pontotoc – have established guar- including doctors, lawyers, senators, anteed tuition programs to eliminate representatives, pro athletes and entuition as a barrier to attendance. tertainers. Student success is Itawamba ComYou are invited to visit us at any time munity College’s top priority. The and experience ICC. We think you’ll “Graduation … It Matters!” initiative agree – the best start here. emphasizes the value of earning a degree. Students can take advantage of BUDDY COLLINS is vice president of Student extensive support services to ensure Services at Itawamba Community College.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
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3C
MUW student offers advice on academics, social life
very year, millions of There’s no need to rush, espeeager high school gradcially during the first semesuates take the next step ters of your freshman year. in their lives: pursuing Also take time to decide on a college education. The exthe right university for you. perience can be intimidating, Research each school, check given unfamiliar social and out academic programs and academic standards. These majors offered, and choose young adults will be thrown your best fit. I did that, and into a completely new envinow I could not picture myronment without the comfort self attending a different uniJOSH of family and friends to guide versity. Mississippi University MASCAGNI them. For me, being two for Women has an excephours away from home cretional nursing program and, ated more uncertainties that I well, an excellent academic thought I would have to face program in general that asalone. sured me I would get the education I But what I found my first year of col- am paying for. Because I attended a lege is that one needs to be opensmaller high school, The W’s smaller minded in every aspect of university teacher-to-student ratio appealed to life, whether it’s academic or social. me as well. When deciding your major, always Have an active social life, but don’t be open-minded. It could be what overdo it. In college, you’ll find an you’ll do the majority of your life. So, abundance of free time. Get involved in find something you’re passionate an organization that interests you or about and surround yourself with it. sign up for recreational activities such Do this, and you’ll be more willing to as intramural sports. But be cautious; learn the material and your grades will TURN TO MUW, 4C reflect this. Take some time to decide.
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DAILY JOURNAL
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
COLLEGE PREP
‘Food for Thought, for Life’ offers topics of historical, contemporary relevance
ortheast Mississippi Currently, a diverse schedCommunity College ule of events called Food for embraces its responsiThought, for Life is on offer. bility to provide comOn Sept. 25, from 11a.m. to petitive instruction for noon in the Frank Haney students’ future endeavors, as Union, Dr. Jill Cooley, histowell as recognizes the transrian with the University of formative potential of a more Mississippi Southern Foodcomprehensive college experiways Alliance, will speak on ence and strives to create Michael Pollan’s “In Defense valuable options for students of Food,” a text chosen for DEBORAH to learn beyond the classclassroom incorporation by KEHOE room. participating instructors On campus at Northeast, a across the curriculum. vibrant partnership exists beOn Sept. 27 and Oct. 2, tween the Northeast Cultural also in the Union from 11 to Arts Committee (CAC) and the Iota Zeta noon, Northeast faculty and students chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the will lead discussions on the book. preeminent national two-year college On Thursday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m., in honor society. For the past few years, Waller Hall, the final event will open the two organizations – comprising fac- with a brief video in which Dr. T. Colin ulty, staff and students – have collaboCampbell, featured in the recent docurated to enrich students’ intellectual mentary “Forks Over Knives,” speaks on development and to engage them as ac- the role of nutrition in health care, and tive participants in their own education will conclude with a food tasting preby planning a series of events open to pared by the Northeast Culinary Arts Northeast constituents and the comprogram. munity. Every other year, the CAC meets with
PTK to review suggestions for study topics posed by the national PTK office. After choosing a theme, the team plans a two-year series of programs. Now beginning its second year of programming, Food for Thought, for Life grew out of the broad theme The Culture of Competition and focuses on issues and ethics related to food production, distribution and consumption. Programs have featured invited guests of varying expertise and interest in the subject, as well as panel discussions made up of members of the Northeast faculty. Food for Thought, for Life attests to the dedicated effort under way at Northeast to mentor students in civil discourse on topics of historical and contemporary relevance. For more information on Food for Thought, for Life, contact the Public Information Office at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
DR. DEBORAH KEHOE in an English instructor at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
DAILY JOURNAL
MUW FROM 3C
college can be a double-edged sword with an abundance of social opportunities. Given many choices, students may stretch themselves too thin. On the other hand, there is a great chance to find friends you’ll keep for a lifetime. When it comes to social and academic balance, time management is the key. Don’t be one-dimensional with your studies and social life. Locking yourself in your room for four years may get the grades you want, but developing a career requires social experience as well. Too much social life, though, and you may forget you needed to be studying for the midterm Monday morning. Balancing these two is difficult but possible. A college experience is a great opportunity. It’s a time to learn and grow. Don’t let it go to waste.
JOSH MASCAGNI, who is from Lena, Miss., is a sophomore majoring in pre-nursing at Mississippi University for Women.
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4C
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Our state, our university
s residents of the Higher Education listed State of MissisMississippi State Universippi, we are sity among the top-prooften made to ducing institutions for suffer small slights from Fulbright Scholars this the national media, the past academic year most recent being a refalongside the likes of erence to the state as a Harvard, Cornell and “land mass” between Berkeley. New Orleans and Mobile. Our MSU students However, as Missiscompete nationally, too. PHIL sippi residents we know The MSU EcoCAR team BONFANTI we have much to be has won numerous proud of, and chief awards over the past among them is a worldeight years, finishing in class research university first place four of those with award-winning faculty and years, including ChallengeX in students who compete nationally, 2008 (a 4-year competition). Our both inside and outside the classEcoCAR2 team finished first in year room. one of the next three-year compeMississippi State University was tition this year, too. Our studentrecently recognized by the led team even took their Carnegie Foundation not only as a award-winning car on the road to “very high level” research univerthe Smithsonian Folklife Festival sity – the highest possible designa- this summer as part of the 150th tion – but also as a high Celebration of the Morrill Land community engagement instituGrant Act. tion, putting the university in a seIn addition to top-notch stulect group with few elite dents and faculty, you’ll also find institutions honored with this dual world-class facilities on MSU’s designation. campus. Building new state-ofIn addition, the Chronicle of the-art residence halls has brought
accolades not only from our students, but also from those outside our campus. MSU’s Hurst Hall was recently named as a Top 10 “Insanely Luxurious Residence Hall” by the Fiscal Times, and we’ve opened two even more insanely luxurious halls this fall. Our learning spaces are equally as impressive as our living spaces. The Mitchell Memorial Library has earned a different kind of honor – one of only five institutions nationwide to host a Presidential Library – containing original collections of Ulysses S. Grant. Outside academics, our athletic teams compete nationally as well. MSU’s men’s tennis team has won the SEC West division two years in a row, and our baseball team brought home the SEC tournament championship this past year. So, the next time we’re asked to endure yet another media slight, let’s stand tall as we always do and remember: this is Our State, and it is a State to be proud of.
DR. PHIL BONFANTI is executive director of enrollment at Mississippi State University.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
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5C
BMC a great find in students’ own ‘backyard’
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rowing up in Falkner, Miss., each school day I would hop off of school bus #99, wave goodbye to Mr. Everett McMillin (the driver), kick up dust as I trudged up the winding road flanked by a cotton field, drop my book satchel on the floor, and then turn on the television to surf all three channels before settling in to watch my all-time favorite show – “I Love Lucy.” I always enjoyed Lucy’s antics, which usually involved husband Ricky and sidekicks Fred and Ethel Mertz. Fred was the quintessential curmudgeon. I can hear him now: “Ethel, have you seen my glasses?” To which BARBARA Ethel would reply, “Fred, you old MCMILLIN coot, they’re on top of your head.” “Well I’ll be – if they’d been a snake they’d a bit me!” I sometimes find myself responding in a Fred Mertz-like way when I realize something I have been looking for has been within plain sight the whole time. Like Fred, I am always happy to discover that what I needed was within easy reach. Such a reaction is often typical of students who invest endless TURN TO BMC, 7C
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COLLEGE PREP
DAILY JOURNAL
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
COLLEGE PREP
DAILY JOURNAL
Students say employment rounds out academic instruction BY RILEY MANNING DAILY JOURNAL
Between harder academics and a new social scene, college is hard enough on its own, let alone with a job. Nevertheless, many students choose to hold down part-time jobs while they chisel away at their course work. Ryan Howell, a sophomore at Itawamba Community College, works 12 to 18 hours per week at Walgreen’s pharmacy in Amory. On top of that, he plays trombone in the ICC marching band, which occupies him until 5 p.m. during the week and even longer on football weekends. Even though he has his hands full balancing these activities, he feels he is learning crucial skills that will help him later. “Learning from classes is different from actually doing it,” Howell said. “If someone has never had a job, they don’t know what it’s like to have to be somewhere on time and meet the expectations of a boss.” Ryan Howell clocks in for the evening shift at the Amory Walgreen’s. He said working also grants a realistic perspective on how it will be when students work to support themselves, nancial burden of his education on his money, and that no one can tell you and gives students an appreciation for parents. what to do with it,” he said. “And my what they earn. It also lessens the fi“It feels good to make your own family doesn’t have to worry as much.” Make no mistake, Howell doesn’t spend his checks on frivolities. He is saving up to move to Oxford next year with plans to continue his studies in medicine. Some students, like Mississippi State University sophomore Joey Brown, venture out as entrepreneurs during their college years. At the age of 16, Brown started his own Tae Kwon Do gym in Smithville. The third-degree black belt still runs the gym, but also teaches at his Sensei’s dojo in Starkville, all while studying aeronautical engineering. Though it may sound like work, martial arts is a passion of Brown’s. “To a college student considering
DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL
getting a job, I would advise them to do something they would enjoy, or get a job related to the field they study,” Brown said. Like Howell, Brown said he has learned to manage his time and interact with employers. By owning his own business, he also gains experience with managing finances and paying bills. Brown said he comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and attends Mississippi State on a hefty scholarship. Even still, he advocates gaining experience before embarking on a career. “Prior experience is just as important on a resume as academics,” he said. “Finding a job after college will be very hard for someone who has never worked before.” riley.manning@journalinc.com
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6C
BMC to be leaders in their chosen professions, in their hours in visiting and rechurches and in their comsearching colleges and unimunities. versities only to realize what In addition to excellence they are seeking is right in in academics, BMC offers front of them. opportunities to engage in a As president of Blue nurturing campus commuMountain College, I am nity where students are thrilled to report that many known by name and friends of our North Mississippi stu- are made for life. Whether dents are making this very relaxing with classmates in discovery, finding that BMC the Little Dell or cheering is exactly what they are the Toppers on to victory in searching for. Without travTyler Gymnasium, BMC stueling far from home, students know they have found dents can experience at Blue exactly what they were lookMountain College what ing for. some might hope to experiSince 1873 students from ence only by going “away” to North Mississippi and beschool. yond have discovered that Among the “mountain of everything they desire in a possibilities” that BMC afcollege experience can be fords, students will experifound in their own backence a vibrant learning yard. The college on “the community committed to Hill” welcomes the 512 stupursuing Christ-centered dents who have made this excellence in a grace-filled discovery this fall. environment. Unapologetically ChristDR. BARBARA CHILDERS ian in its approach to teach- MCMILLIN became the eighth ing and learning, Blue president of Blue Mountain Mountain prepares students College on Aug. 1. FROM 5C
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
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7C
UM student gives lessons from experience
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t is time for a new phase in your life. You are leaving the high school world and entering into the college one. Things are going to be very different, but with the right preparation you will be more than ready! Here are a few things I BEN have learned during TUCKER my college experience, and I think they will be helpful to you as well. Have your dorm, fees and parking registration taken care of before you arrive on campus. It will not only make your move-in much easier, but it will allow you to avoid long lines filled with frustrated students and parents. Plan your workout schedule as soon as you know your schedule for the semester. The "Freshmen 15" can creep up on you, but if you set aside a little time each day to fight it off, then you are more likely to stick to that routine no matter how
chaotic your schedule becomes. After all, the Turner Center is free to students. Classes are so much more difficult than what you were used to in high school. Study and try to stay ahead in the game. The last thing you want is all of your coursework piling up on you when you could be doing something else. Do not underestimate your courses just because you breezed through your high school ones. You are in college, so professors expect collegetype work and efforts. Do your best to gain work experience while you are in school. Internships and work make your resume a standout come graduation time. You can often find internships on university websites or by simply asking your professors what is available. Any internship is better than no internship. You will be glad you did this when you land the
dream job you were wanting. Be sure to get to know your professors. They play huge roles in your success during college and after. They will be the ones you ask for reference letters and course advice, and they will be more willing to help if you have been in contact with them. Make frequent stops, email them and do not be afraid to ask them about problem areas you are having in class. After all, they are there to help you. They are a valuable resource, so do not let them go to waste. Do not just meet people during your college years, but pride yourself on forming relationships with them. Your college years are the best years of your life, and keeping in touch with these people long after your college time has ended will be something you can be proud of. Study hard, make memories and form lifelong friendships.
BEN TUCKER, from Booneville, is a second-year graduate student in integrated marketing communications at the University of Mississippi.
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COLLEGE PREP
DAILY JOURNAL
8C | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
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DAILY JOURNAL