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Provide
information indicating of your career goal and college major. Applicants
that provide a vague idea of their plans make the committee try and
guess your intentions. Since this category is 30% of the overall grade,
failure to include it lowers your overall scores greatly.
-
Identify
the letter writers on the application form. In other words, put the
name of the person who is writing each letter on the applications
so the committee will not have to guess who some of the letter writers
might be.
-
Proofread
and edit your letters and applications. While spelling and grammar
errors don't necessarily count against your score, they do color one's
overall impression of the application.
-
Provide
an indication of the need for financial aid. If you fail to complete
the section of estimated college costs, it makes it very hard to assign
points for financial aid.
-
Be specific
when listing their DECA activities. For example, instead of saying
they participated in all fund-raising activities, you should list
each one separately. By combining into categories, you lower your
overall score for number of activities.
-
Provide
an explanation of DECA activities that have titles known only to your
chapter. Give the name of the project and a brief description of it.
For example, if your applications says, "Participated in "Be
the eyes of DECA" campaign," provide a brief description
of what the "Be the eyes of DECA" means.
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There is
no benefit to including extra letters. Only the required letters should
be included. Extra letters do not help your scores.
-
Be sure
to include the required letter from an employer or business representative.
Substituting letters from principals, math teachers or business teachers
do not help. These substitute letters are not counted in your scores.
-
Be sure
to write a LETTER indicating your career goals, college major, etc.
Do not make it an essay instead. The guidelines call for a letter.
This was a major issue with the committee and cost students many points.
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Make sure
that your letters are signed by the author. Letters with a name typed
at the bottom but no actual signature will not help you. Signatures
are required.
-
Make it
easy for the committee. Letters should be signed with name AND position
or title. If only a name is at the bottom of the letter, it might
just be your best friend. Probably not, but you leave the committee
guessing.
Follow these tips closely
to maximize your chances of earning that interview at SLC!
