More Than a Test Score

Our goal has always been to enable students to showcase themselves as more than test scores. That’s why we’re amped about the latest feature we’ve added to your Zinch profile–Endorsements.

Now, just what the heck is an Endorsement? Well, think of it as a reference letter you can have on display for all to see. It’s that extra pat on the back from somebody that can vouch for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. In short, it’s a chance for others to show what makes you, YOU!

So, who should you ask for an Endorsement? Good question! Here’s a few key people to keep in mind:

• a student leader, such as club president or team captain
• a student peer who knows your work
• a counselor, coach or teacher

And what can you get an Endorsement for? The options are limitless! For starters, consider if you’ve participated in any of the following:

• being part of a team
• extra-curricular activities
• community service
• academic performance
• an internship or job

Endorsements can be applied to the “Extracurriculars,” “Experience,” and “Education” sections of your profile. Once you log in to your account and access your profile, you’ll see buttons next to each of the sections you’ve included information about. You can receive an Endorsement for any of those fields you fill out, so the more you have to share the more Endorsements you can receive!

Once you click on the “Get Endorsements” buttons, a form will appear where you can enter the email addresses of the people you’d like to have endorse you. From there, a message will be sent to those individuals prompting them to sign up for Zinch and write their Endorsement.

Once somebody has left an Endorsement for you, a notification will appear on your profile indicating who wrote the Endorsement, and what it’s for.

By clicking on that notification, you’ll be directed to the bottom of your profile where the full Endorsement is publicly listed, along with a link to the endorser’s profile and their relation to you.

Endorsements are a great way pump up your profile and put your best foot forward, so make sure to take advantage of this new feature. By reaching out to your teachers, counselors, classmates, or co-workers, you’ll be able to expand your network and show you’ve got what it takes to bring your “A” game.

Thanks to all you Zinchers out there for the support, good luck bringing in the Endorsements and stay tuned for more updates!

At Zinch, we’re dedicated to serving our students by helping them research, get in, and pay for college. Thanks to you—our amazing community—
we’ve grown by leaps and bounds over the past years, and are continually looking for ways to let students showcase themselves as more than test scores.

With that in mind, we’re thrilled to announce that Zinch is joining the Chegg family, to supercharge how we help students save time, save money and get smarter.

Now, with Chegg, the number one online student resource for textbooks, ebooks, and homework help, we can find new ways to give you an edge throughout high school, college, and beyond.

Thanks to all our Zinchers out there, we’re pumped about this move and hope you are, too. Here’s to rocking the education world as we know it!

For more information, click here to read our official press announcement.

For our “More Than A Test Score” Photo Contest we wanted to see what made you special, and after two weeks, over a thousand entries, and more Facebook action than we could shake a stick at, you sure delivered!

While the submissions period has come to a close, the voting phase has just begun! To make sure you’re able to score as many votes as possible, we wanted to share how you can spread the word on your entry:

First, once you access the “More Than A Test Score” Photo Contest and view your entry, you’ll see a unique URL in the location bar. That’s the link to your submission—be sure to copy, paste, and share that with all your friends and family, it’ll take them directly to your picture.

Next, whenever you vote on a entry you’ll see a little box labeled “Share on my Wall;” make sure you keep this box checked so that your vote will be posted on your Wall and News Stream for all your Facebook friends to see.

The voting phase will last until June 30th, so spend the next week trying to get as many supporters as you can! Users can vote for as many different photos as they like, however voting is limited to once per day.

So now that you’ve shown us what makes you special, it’s time to prove it! Whether you’re planning to email, post, tweet, or shout from the mountain top about your submission, it’s up to you to rack up the votes. Best of luck Zinchers, may the best photo win!

Michael Muska is one of the co-authors behind Getting In!, and is currently completing his first decade as Dean of College Relations at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York. He previously spent six years at Brown University in Admissions and Athletics and in a similar capacity at Oberlin College in Ohio. We took a few minutes to chat with him about the current college process many students are facing and how some of these issues are discussed in Getting In!

How have you seen the college admissions and/or financial aid process change in the last decade?

It’s initially a bit frightening to see how competitive it has become to gain admission to the most elite colleges in America. That being said, there is a college space for every student in America who wants one. After you get beyond the Top 100 colleges or so, most schools are accepting more students than they deny. And the state and community college systems across the country open the door for any student who wants to attend college. Many top colleges have increased recruiting and marketing, particularly in the international sector, and this has increased their application numbers. Colleges still want to look at transcripts, read essays and recommendations and learn about your passions. We talk about this in detail in our book and try to give you insight into understanding what colleges look for today.

As we also discuss in the book, there are ways to finance your education. Many colleges are committed to meeting your financial need, and socio-economic background is as important to many colleges as diversity. Many top schools are reducing loans and increasing grants to help aid lower income and even middle class families gain access to top schools. Even with shrinking state funding, Pell Grant and federal loan programs are there for those families who need them. If anything, colleges have become more sensitive to financial need in the past decade.

You lift the curtain on a lot mysteries surround the world of higher education. What’s one of the biggest misconceptions students have about the college process that you’ve addressed in the book?

The greatest misconception I believe is that colleges are no longer looking for the well-rounded individual, but the well-rounded class. What that means is that at the more competitive schools, someone who is outstanding at one thing (academics, athletics, leadership, arts etc.) will be at an advantage over the generalist who does many things. I say find your passion – early in high school, try many things, but start to focus on one or two that early catch your interest and that you’re good at. The days of the three sport athlete have evolved to the year round specialist in one sport that colleges will recruit. Find a leadership role at your school, or care about making a difference and a college will take another look at your file. A well-rounded class simply means a community of people who are really passionate about what they do.

Many high school juniors and seniors become overwhelmed with the numerous intricacies of applying to a college. What are some of the basic resources in Getting In! students can reference as a starting point?

I think we are very thoughtful about getting started and reducing stress. The first piece we focus on is being honest and realistic with yourself. A transcript full of C’s and SAT scores in the 500’s will not get you into an Ivy League school. That self-assessment is critical in the way the college process will evolve for you. There are schools for everyone – find the ones that make sense for you.

We also talk about the concept of fit – finding a school that “fits” you. That can be academic, location, size or a combination of variables. Take the time to find realistic choices that fit you. They are out there.

What messages in Getting In! are you hoping students will take away after they’re done reading it?

As I said earlier, there is a school for everyone. Step back and evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and utilize what we say in the book to best package and present yourself in the college process. As the Zinch people say, you are more than a number – think about the message you want to share about who you are with the college and why you might be a good match for them.

For more info on Getting In! and to download Chapter 1 for free, become a fan of the Getting In! Facebook Page. If you’re looking to pick up a copy head over to Amazon where the book is currently available and in stock today!

Steve Cohen is one of the co-authors of Getting In! and has been a publishing entrepreneur, author, and teacher for more than 25 years. He is also the founder and CEO of Brainquest.com, Multimedicus—created with Harvard and Dartmouth Medical Schools—and iCollegeBound. We took a few minutes to talk with him about the ever evolving college process many students are now entering and how some of these issues are discussed in Getting In!

How have you seen the college admissions and/or financial aid process change in the last decade?

So much has changed – but it isn’t on the surface. Look at college admissions today and it is very much like college admissions ten years ago – only harder! But scratch beneath the surface and you start to see some of the changes. And most of them are driven by technology: think back 10 years – there was no Facebook, video downloads were almost non-existent, and Blockbuster was the place to get the latest movies.

So how has this changed college admissions?

First there is the Common Application. Filling out one application online is way easier than a separate typed application for each different school. But the downside is that you are more tempted to submit more applications – it is just a click and another $100 on mom or dad’s credit card. Bad temptation. It doesn’t improve your odds of getting in. In fact, the more kids who do it, the tougher it gets to be admitted.

It’s also way easier to get noticed by colleges. There is a reason more than 850 colleges use Zinch. That’s because every college recruits students. Even if you are Harvard or Stanford – schools are looking for the best kids they can to create their well-rounded class. Using Zinch is way more efficient for colleges than traditional paper brochures mailed to thousands of kids. So students are really smart when they use Zinch to tell schools about themselves. It creates a win-win.

You lift the curtain on a lot mysteries surround the world of higher education. What’s one of the biggest misconceptions students have about the college process that you’ve addressed in the book?

Good colleges are not looking for the well-rounded class; they’re looking for the well-rounded class. That means they want a few real scholars for each academic department; athletes for each team; musicians for the orchestra and marching band; performers for the theater groups; and kids to staff the newspaper, the student government, and each club.

We also explain what positioning is and why it is important to you, as well as what the “hook” is, and how giving the admission office a credible hook improves your chances of admission.

Many high school juniors and seniors become overwhelmed with the numerous intricacies of applying to a college. What are some of the basic resources in Getting In! students can reference as a starting point?

The best advice we give is start early! You will be able to investigate more colleges more carefully – for that right fit. You’ll be able to figure out your particular hook. And you’ll be less likely to make careless, dumb mistakes on the application!

Plus, we give parents a real understanding about how the financial aid system works; how there’s more money out there to help middle-class families than they probably realize; and how you have to ask for money to get any.

What messages in Getting In! are you hoping students will take away after they’re done reading it?

It is more important to find the right college, not just the so-called “best” college. And there are lots of really good colleges out there that are looking for kids like them. But you have to get on their radar screen.

For more info on Getting In! and to download Chapter 1 for free, become a fan of the Getting In! Facebook Page. If you’re looking to pick up a copy head over to Amazon where the book is currently available and in stock today!