Written By Andie Pinga
Southern California native and expert SoFlo Tutor Tashya Vakil chose UCLA for their excellence in research opportunities, strong pre-dental program, and prime location for top foodie experiences. Scoring a 34 on the ACT, Tashya crafted her essays around personal growth and unique experiences, such as competing in a scholarship pageant and volunteering at a hospital. Read on to discover Tashya’s journey through the college application process, her testing strategies, and advice for future applicants.
How did you approach your college applications?
When completing college applications, my goal was to work on them as early as possible. Beginning in the summer before my senior year of high school, I started brainstorming ideas for my main essays, as I knew that this step of the process would take the longest. In August, I then considered which universities aligned with my career goals. This meant analyzing many schools in depth to see where my intended area of study (Molecular Biology) ranked nationally, what research opportunities were available for students, and what specific student programs and community service opportunities were offered. From this information, I was able to solidify a mixture of safety, target, and reach schools that best fit what I hoped to get out of my college experience. I personally did not EA/ED to any schools because there were a multitude of universities that I could see myself attending at the time, so I didn’t want to limit myself to only one choice.
Why did you choose USC?
The University of California, Los Angeles stood out to me for several reasons. As a resident of Southern California, I appreciated attending a school that was close enough to home that I could visit whenever I wanted to but still far enough that I could live on campus for the full college experience. I also knew that Los Angeles was the location where I ultimately planned to reside, so I was enthusiastic about the idea of exploring that area as a student.
Additionally, I knew UCLA had a very strong biology and pre-dental program. Their emphasis on research opportunities meant that there were hundreds of labs that I could apply to be a part of, each focusing on different specific areas of study. From cancer research to behavioral studies, the options to partake in groundbreaking scientific advancement were endless. Also, through its top-ranking dental school, I knew there would be ample resources to aid me in my pre-dental journey. As an undergraduate student, I was able to learn more about dentistry by taking an introductory dental science course and completing restoration labs under the mentorship of current UCLA dental students. This ultimately helped me feel more prepared for interning and shadowing at private practices and solidified my interest in pursuing a career in the dental field.
Lastly, it did not hurt that UCLA is ranked #1 for best campus dining food in the country and that its prime location in Los Angeles hosts countless unique restaurants and eateries. As someone who enjoys trying new dishes, UCLA certainly did not disappoint in introducing me to a wide array of cultural dishes and the Los Angeles street food scene.
What was your testing journey like?
My testing journey was slightly non-traditional due to COVID-19 closures of most testing centers. I started studying for the SAT the summer following my sophomore year of high school. To prepare, I self-studied grammar concepts and mathematics through SAT prep books and took weekly practice tests to familiarize myself with the exam. The more exams I took, the more I realized that the specific wording of questions and answer patterns on the test were almost as fundamental to understanding as the concepts tested themselves. With this in mind, I began completing more frequent exams in the weeks prior to my test dates. My goal was to score in the 1500 range, but with the attempts I could make before COVID-19 closures, I was only able to hit right below my goal range.
Still persistent to score well, I switched to studying for the ACT in the spring of my junior year of high school. As before, I self-studied the concepts tested weekly and completed exams on a consistent basis. Like the SAT, I recognized that repetition was key to scoring closer to my goal of 33 or higher, so I switched to solely using practice exams to learn. I would intensely study the concepts related to the questions I missed, which ultimately helped me score a 34 on my first attempt.
While self-studying was sufficient for me, I do believe that the process would have been much easier had I sought tutoring. Navigating the ropes of both exams took a lot of trial and error for me, and narrowing down the specific concepts I needed to focus extra time on was difficult. It was also challenging to consistently stay on task with my studying for months at a time when only I could hold myself accountable. That being said, I know there are multiple different ways to go about studying for these exams, but these methods are not universal. Different students require different resources, but every student is capable of scoring well.
What did you write about in your college application essays?
With my college application essays, my goal was to take on a unique perspective that would make my essay stand out but be genuine in answering the prompt. This meant sharing personal experiences I had and explaining the distinctive ways they shaped me as an individual or impacted me. With the common application main essay, I chose the prompt to describe a challenging situation that affected me where I shared an experience about competing in a scholarship pageant. I detailed the obstacles I encountered at every step of the competition and how overcoming those issues ultimately transformed the way I approached opportunities following this one. With essays like these, I believe it’s not the experience itself that makes your story stand out but how you tell it and explain what you specifically learned. Describing the specific ways in which you changed or your perspective on something changed is instrumental in writing a great essay.
For my UC applications, there were multiple main essays I had to submit. Like the common application, I wanted to share experiences that perhaps may not be unique but uniquely affected me. I shared stories of how participating in mock trial taught me the meaning of teamwork and how volunteering at the hospital made me understand the significance of the Spanish classes I was taking when I could help patients that did not speak English. While the activities I described may be quite common, I believe the ways in which I was able to personalize them ensured my essays were strong.
As I mentioned before though, writing a distinctive story that is tailored to your unique experience and highlights the ideas you have learned takes a considerable amount of time. So, it is incredibly important to start these essays early as they are one of the only ways to show who you are as a person beyond a student.
Do you have any advice for students applying to colleges and taking the SAT/ACT?
With both, my number one advice is to start early and go in with a plan. All aspects of the college application process, from exams to physically applying, take a considerable amount of time and preparation. Starting your freshman year of high school, I would begin planning when exactly you intend to study for the SAT/ACT, take the exam, pick which universities to apply to, start brainstorming essays, and actually write the essays. If you go in with a plan and follow that plan, you are bound to do well.
Additionally, applying to college is a challenging process, so don’t be afraid to accept help when it is needed. With my college application essays, I sought assistance from those I trusted and from professionals which ultimately strengthened my application and ensured my success. When it comes to your main essays, make sure you have at least two other people that can help review your application and provide honest feedback.
Lastly, based on your own stats and extracurricular activities, apply to a broad range of safety, target, and reach schools. This list will vary from person to person, but as long as each university is one you would genuinely love to attend, you will be setting yourself up for success and a fulfilling college experience. I recognize that the college admissions process in its entirety is a long, challenging process, but trust that your hard work and dedication will lead you to where you truly belong.
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