Admissions
Although admission requirements vary from one institution to another, most share a few common features. Nearly all colleges require students to submit transcripts of grades from high school and scores on standardized tests. They also generally require a completed application form, written essays that reflect accomplishments and goals, and letters of recommendation from teachers who are familiar with the applicant’s academic background. In addition, some colleges require an interview with college officials, either on campus or by telephone.
Application Forms
Colleges and universities require applicants to complete an official application form obtained from the institution's admissions office. The application indicates the amount of the application fee, the deadline for submitting the application, and the standardized tests required for admission. The application also explains whether essays and interviews are required, and how to obtain and submit letters of recommendation. Students must carefully read these forms and follow all instructions to ensure that they receive full consideration for admission.
Standardized Tests.
Most schools require applicants to submit their scores on either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) as part of the application process. Colleges and universities use these scores to help predict a student’s future success in higher education. High school students usually take these examinations in their junior year or early in their senior year. Graduate schools generally require applicants to submit scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), a standardized test for admission to postgraduate degree programs. In addition, many graduate schools require a GRE subject test, which assesses an applicant’s knowledge of a specialized field of study.
Application Essay
Some colleges, especially more competitive ones, require applicants to write an essay as part of the application process. Admissions officials use the essay to help assess the applicant’s abilities in areas that may not be adequately measured by high school grades or standardized test scores. Students can use the essay to demonstrate their creativity, maturity, and ability to communicate. They also can show how they might approach a particular topic or problem. In writing the essay, applicants typically highlight academic, extracurricular, and other achievements or interests. They also generally indicate why they are applying to the particular college and how they would fit into the life there.
Personal Interview
Relatively few colleges require a personal interview, but most recommend that students visit the campus and meet with members of the admissions staff. Sometimes an applicant may also meet with a faculty member. Interviews with an admissions officer allow the admissions officer to further evaluate the applicant’s strengths. In addition, they offer the applicant an opportunity to ask questions about the institution and to demonstrate personal communication skills.
Campus Visits
Before making a decision about which college to attend, most applicants find it useful to visit one or more schools, meet with admissions personnel, and take guided tours of the campus. Most colleges and universities arrange such visits and encourage prospective students to visit classes and various extracurricular activities to get an idea of the style of life and learning at the particular institution.
Current Issues
Admissions standards at colleges and universities have become controversial among educators and students alike. Although some institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada have highly selective admissions standards, others admit virtually any high school graduate able to meet minimum academic requirements. Many educators feel that every student should complete high school and that everyone desiring access to higher education should have an opportunity to pursue a college degree. However, critics of lax admissions standards argue that admitting large numbers of students who are academically unprepared for a college education often compromises the quality of the institution. Moreover, from the 1970s to the 1990s grade point averages have risen steadily at nearly all U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities, causing many educators and even some students to complain that academic standards are too low.
Explain the purpose of application forms, standardized tests, application essays, personal interviews and campus visits.
Translate the words and phrases in bold and remember them.
Compare admission requirements in the USA and Canada with those in Russia and get ready to speak about it.
Read information about how to write an admission essay.
Starting your essay
One
of the hardest parts of any writing assignment is always getting
started. This inevitably leads to procrastination...which is the
worst thing you can do! The number one rule for admissions essays is
to always
start early. 
Choosing a Topic
Keep in mind that admissions officers are going to be reading hundreds, or even thousands, of essays. Make sure you choose a topic that is going to highlight you and your personality. This is your chance to show them who you really are, what you want to accomplish, and what you can contribute to the school. It is also important that you don't choose too broad of a topic. Try to keep it personal and focused on one event, idea, or experience.
Start Writing
After you've given your topic some serious thought, you need to get your ideas written down. Whether you prefer to take notes, create an outline, or any other method is completely up to you. This draft does not need to be anywhere near perfect, you make sure that your ideas are becoming more organized.
Have a friend, family member, or teacher look at your rough draft or outline. Ask for feedback on your ideas. This is an extremely effective way to see how others will react to the things that you intend to mention in your essay.
Write in Essay Format
After you've come up with some type of written organizer, you need to start writing the actual essay. Again, this draft does not need to be perfect. But this time, rather than writing notes and outlines, try to write in as many complete sentences as you can. When you finish, go back and read what you wrote. Make notes in the margins, star paragraphs that need a lot of work, cross out paragraphs that are irrelevant, etc, etc, etc.
Now, go back and rewrite your essay with the corrections that you made on the previous draft. This time try to really focus on the flow of ideas and make sure that you are effectively communicating your thoughts. Sometimes things sound good in our minds, but make absolutely no sense written down.
Continue on with the draft process until you are satisfied with the overall flow of your essay. Make sure you occasionally have someone else read your drafts as well.
Writing Tips and Tricks
Are you stuck on how to make your essay stand out among the thousands of others? Try some of these ideas for an essay that will really make an impression.
Write from a creative angle. Avoid the cliche "I want to go to school here because..." essay, because I guarantee that they have already read fifty of those. Instead, try writing about an experience that led you to the decision of applying there, and how your unique interests and skills will contribute to the school community.
Don't be overly wordy. Nobody wants to have to read through three paragraphs of "fluff" just to get one simple message out of it. Make every word count, and make sure that none of your essay contains "filler" words.
Avoid ostentatious vocabulary. You are not impressing anyone with enormous words that nobody uses, and chances are they will accredit the terms to an online dictionary rather than your own mind. Remember, it is better to use the word use, than to utilize the word utilize.
Be specific. Rather than saying "many years ago", say "three years ago". Even the word "things" can be narrowed down. Instead of saying "I was involved in many things with my high school football team", say "I was involved with fundraisers, pep rallies, and organizing practice routines for my high school football team". Do you see how much more information can be communicated with just a few clarifying words?
Be honest. Nobody is going to accept your application if you are obviously telling an outright lie. For example, don't write all about the time you saved a baby dolphin while you were at a Michael Jackson concert in the Bahamas...or anything as equally outrageous.
Try to avoid "I." Now I know what you're thinking, how on earth do you write an essay about yourself without using the word "I"? When you're writing about yourself, you want to make your writing sound as not-self-centered as you can. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using the word "I," but many people make this mistake of overusing it. Make sure that you are not starting more than a sentence or two with the word "I," and definitely don't use it more than once or twice per paragraph.
Revise, revise, revise. You can never rewrite something enough times. You can always come up with better vocabulary, better grammar, better ideas, and better sentences. Give yourself a few days break in-between rewriting something. This gives your brain a rest and allows for plenty of new ideas to come to mind.
Now write you own admission essay in 1 page A4. Follow the step given below.
