<p>Hi All!</p>
<p>I'm French and I feel a bit mixed up with the US universities application system.</p>
<p>I would really appreciate it if some could give me definitions of the most used terms (like ECs, GPAs) and also explain to me what essays consist in. </p>
<p>Especially, is it the uni you are applying for that gives you the topic, or may you choose it yourself? How long does it have to be? How many do you have to write? </p>
<p>Thank you!!!</p>
<p>Extra curricular activities: the stuff you do when you're not in class or not doing your homework. For example: a club, a sport, student government, MUN, community service, volunteer work etc.</p>
<p>GPA: grade point average. Basically, it's your grades on your report card/transcript added up and divided by the number of classes you have.</p>
<p>Essays: many colleges use the common application, which enables you to choose from a couple of topics and also gives the possbility to choose your own topic. There ae also colleges, however, that require a supplement essay or don't use the common application. Those may want essays with fixed topics or not. It really varies. I do believe, though that most colleges give you a couple of different topics for your main and most important essay.</p>
<p>The smaller essays are pretty much questions you'll have to answer, such as 'what's your favorite activity', 'your source of inspiration, 'what attracted you in[insert name here] college?' etc.</p>
<p>The main essay usually has to be between 250 and 500 words, while the shorter essays probably won't be much longer than 100-200 words (though this depends on the question and the space provided by the college).</p>
<p>Hope that helps :)</p>
<p>Ok, but one question: where do you write the essay? Is it at the uni? I can't be at home...</p>
<p>You can input your essay online if you are doing the online app. If you are doing paper app you can send it in with the rest of your application.</p>
<p>Can: your essay isn't an examination like you have at school. You have to take your own time to write your essay using any resources you want. Make sure you proof read them yourself and have others have a look through too.</p>
<p>Some universities will give you a specific topic, while some others might give you a very vague one, and yet there are others which let you choose your own topic. It depends on the university.</p>
<p>Another thing you need to figure out is your transcript. It usually means your report card which shows which courses you have taken, and your grade/marks/score in them.</p>
<p>Ok thank you so much for your comprehensive answers!</p>
<p>And another question: is it still possible to apply for very top unies if I have
very low GPA, but excellent SAT and TOEFL scores, and briliant essays? Or should I just forget them?</p>
<p>I think that for most schools, a strong GPA is the top criterion for admission. But by all means apply, with stellar SAT scores and essays, you might win over the admissions officers.</p>
<p>I don't think an excellent TOEFL score will help though. The only important thing about that one is the minimum score and that's it.</p>
<p>hi Can! don;t let the gpa thing scare you. i applied with low gpa. but i believe my essays were great and my toefl is quite high. i got accepted. i once emailed a councilor from a uni about having not so great gpa. she said that they look at the applicant overall. not just the gpa. maybe you have great extra curricular among others things. </p>
<p>i suggest you try to ask the school you want to apply to.</p>
<p>orenishii, where were you admitted?</p>
<p>assumption based on his previous posts: USC....</p>