Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Do now: 

1. Take out your homework
2. Take out your copies of The Color of Water
3. Prepare to discuss:  “There's such a big difference between being dead and alive, I told myself, the greatest gift that anyone can give anyone else is life. And the greatest sin a person can do to another is to take away that life. Next to that, all the rules and religions in the world are secondary; mere words and beliefs that people choose to believe and kill and hate by. My life won't be lived that way, and neither, I hope, will my children's.”
   ― James McBride, The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

Agenda:

1. Review homework questions for The Color of Water
2.  common application

Homework:

1. Begin your common application. 
2. Based on today's conversations, determine which essay topic you will address.

THE ASSOCIATION

The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding over 35

years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity

in the college application process. We serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by

providing applications that students and school officials may submit to any of our over 500 members.

Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a

holistic selection process.

THE MEMBERSHIP

There are currently 517 member schools including colleges from 47 states plus Washington, DC

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82 public institutions

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17 public flagships

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6 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

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16 international members from 7 countries outside of the US

 

Essay Topics:

 

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

  Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.