Summer 2007

Dear Junior,

Below you will find a series of questions which constitute a “brag sheet.” It is called a “brag sheet” because we hope to find out some of the best about you, and we hope that you may discover some of the best about yourself as you write it.

In completing this “brag sheet,” it is important that you take the time to think over your responses and to write out your answers thoroughly and in the best style possible. In other words, think of this as an important assignment on the way to proceeding through the college selection process. Be frank and complete. Unless the question specifically refers to school activities, do not restrict you answers to school life. The more detailed, self-revealing, and self-analytical it is, the more helpful the paper will be in our writing Delbarton’s Summary and Recommendation to the colleges of your choice.

There is no minimum or maximum length assigned, but most students prepare fifteen pages or more. Your presentation should be comprehensive. Mechanics and style are important. You should present this to us by September 1 so we can begin your senior year college selection interviews before school starts. Thank you for your careful attention to this assignment.

College Counselors

• In what activities (extracurricular, hobbies, community affairs, sports, etc.) have you participated? In these endeavors what particular interests, achievements or talents have you recognized? List in order of importance to you, any honors, prizes, or awards you have received. Include elected or appointed offices or responsibilities you have held.
• How many are there in your family? What unique contribution do you think you make to your family? How do you feel about where you fit (e.g. youngest, oldest, only child or only boy) in your family?
• What is the most significant contribution you have made to Delbarton? What do you feel sets you apart as an individual in your school?
• In what ways have you grown intellectually during you years in high school? In what ways can you be described as intellectually curious and/or as rigorous in your pursuit of knowledge? Who or what has contributed to that growth or to the development of these intellectual qualities in you?
• Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you, OR indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
• What do you consider your greatest strengths and weaknesses, both academic and personal?
• Describe two or more personal achievements that have given you satisfaction.
• What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college? Why? Are you interested in any particular occupation or profession? What else are you looking for in a college?
• Briefly, discuss something additional you would like us to know about you as a person. This may be something positive about you which we should keep in mind when writing your letter of recommendation but which the questions above did not elicit.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK!

P.S. I would like to point our that questions three through eight are exceedingly important and ought to receive from you a great deal of thought and time in the answering. Not only do they cover the kinds of essay questions that colleges ask of their applicants, but, more importantly, they get to the heart of the developmental issues the high school junior and senior typically faces. Answering these questions, then, will be good medicine

REMEMBER: DUE SEPTEMBER 5, 2007