More Than a Test Score

Tufts University made headlines when they announced that they were accepting video essays an optional part of the application process. What I find so interesting is that instead of sending DVDs, students posted their videos to YouTube, making some relatively famous.

Take a look at the most talked about videos below.

Let us know what you think. Are you going to consider submitting a video when you apply to college? Do you think videos will ever take the place of the traditional application?

We have been reading and reading this last weeks essays and they are fantastic! We are coming close to the end of our Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship run! So be sure to write those last few.
This weeks winning essay comes from Richard Nolan!

Here is the winning essay: If I could fix one thing about my school, it would be the apathy, the sense of failure, and the lackadaisical attitude toward education. These emotions flow from everyone, not just students. This failure to inspire, to encourage, and to stretch ability that has brought us to the edge of the pit.

Here is a little more about our winner:

I’m a military history nut and a soccer referee (since I was 12). I read books constantly, and own a small library. I own 5 armies, and play with them on weekends with other grown men. I’ve been described as exuberant, intelligent, and bizarre. I’m also overwhelmingly confident and headstrong, and relish adversity. I love trivia and debate. I follow no set political standard, however I lean toward conservative. I enjoyed chemistry more than any other science I’ve taken or am taking. I have no idea what life holds in store.

Here are the runner up essays:

Janice Wright: Change one thing about my school? That’s easy; I would change the public view of my school, how the community, neighboring schools, public officials and even parents see our school. With a predisposed opinion of us, no one can see the good in our students, and the strength in our programs.

Mary Pochatko: Were you to waltz through the halls of Greenville High School, I know you you would either gag or pass out. This is because our school has a different stench for each hallway, 7th & 8th grade is eau de chicken soup and gymnasium is essence of rubber. You guessed it, I would change my school’s scent.

Nickie McLaughlin: Schools need adults who care.No one seems to reach out to us very often.Everyday I see students who fall and dont know how to get up on their own because of family or community.We need the adults who aren’t just lecturers; but who are people.It takes a village to raise a child and we are the future.

Scott Koogle: If I could fix one thing, it would not be the lack of girls, the lack of air conditioning, or the lack of SmartBoards in every room. It would not be the massive loads of homework or the challenging grading scale. I would make every student honest, for integrity is what really defines a school.

Seema Patel: When I walk the halls of my school, I immediately begin to feel as though the life is being sucked out of my body. My legs feel heavy, my thoughts become cloudy, and my energy reduces to one molecule of ATP. If the halls in my school had more stimulating colors or murals, my days would be livelier.

Niki Patel: If I could fix one thing about my school, I would change the way our cafeteria disposes of excess food. The leftover food from lunch is thrown out everyday, when it could instead be given to the Crossroads Mission. We could feed more hungry families and make a difference in the community.

George Flores: Many are uncertain about their future because of their undiscovered passion. School must offer a broader spectrum of opportunities for new discovery with more school activities and clubs with deeper insight on academic topics; producing students with passionate desire, becoming who they want to be.

Michael Valentino: If I could fix one thing about my school it would be the directors for the musicals. I have a voice of an angel but they don’t seem to think so. All they do is sit there, yell “NEXT”, and get a rather large person to carry me off the stage.

Anjuli Das: I would eradicate our obsession with scores. We are given prizes and grade raises for scoring well on the standardized tests; our teachers are required to wear pins inscribed with the school’s goal score for this year. I am being defined in numbers — as Zinch would say, I am more than a test score.

Remember we are judging the essays based on the essay and your Zinch Profile! So be updating those profiles!

Before you even think about calling up the restaurant you waitressed at in high school or thecommunity pool where you used to spend your summers lifeguarding, consider getting a summer internship instead. Though most don’t offer great pay—and a lot don’t even pay at all—getting real world experience outside of college is critical in today’s economy.

Although having a postsecondary degree will certainly increase your chances of finding employment, recent college graduates are having a harder time getting jobs straight out of college. With more people unemployed and looking for work, employers will be more likely to select those who are college educated and have some experience under their belt. An internship can provide you with that.

In addition to gaining hands on experience, an internship is also a great opportunity for networking, one of those buzzwords you’ll hear a lot upon graduation. Meeting new people, whether they are other employees or clients, could open up a lot of doors for you after you graduate. If you work hard at whatever tasks you are assigned to, take full advantage of all opportunities you are given, and take on challenges, your internship may just evolve into a full-time job.

Finally, an internship can show you what you like—or what you don’t like—about the career you are pursuing. It can help you narrow down what you want to do within your field, or it may show you that you need to think about changing your focus. At the very least, it’s a chance to beef up your resume and offers something extra to future prospective employers.

You can use a variety of resources to find a summer internship. Check with your career counselor or guidance office. Employers often contact colleges informing them they are in need of interns; your college will likely have a page on its Web site that will allow you to search for these opportunities. If you’d like to work for a specific company, don’t be afraid to contact them directly and ask if there are any opportunities available. If you’re willing to take an unpaid internship, chances are they’ll be glad to accommodate you.

For those of you that are veteran Zinchers you know what I’m talking about.  The Easy as Pi Zinch Scholarship will be the easiest scholarship you ever apply for! With a click of a button you will be eligible to win a $3,142 in scholarship money! The scholarship is judged off your Zinch profile so make sure that your profile is fantastic and up to date.  Thats it. That simple. Good luck and may the best Zinch profile win!

(dont worry, it will)

This weeks Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship prompt is: If I was the best in the world at…

So get those creative juices flowing and write some three sentence essays! We want to remind you that the Scholarship is judged on the essay and your Zinch profile. Your profile doesn’t have to be amazing but make it look nice!

Great job so far to everyone competing, the essays are looking great! We’ll let you know who the winner is from last week, as soon as we’ve finished going through all the essays that is…