Name: Brendan Saunders
Undergraduate College / University: Georgetown University
Graduation Date: May 2018
Degree, Major, Minor: Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics, Minor in Government and French
What factors influenced your final choice of college?
I spent a great deal of time discussing with family and friends the qualities I looked for in a school, and ultimately was most influenced by academic quality and fit, the opportunities available in the university’s surrounding area, and my comfort level on the campus. For me, Georgetown was the perfect option in each of these categories. As someone studying economics and government, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to study these subjects in the city (Washington, DC) where decisions related to these disciplines are made daily. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to intern in DC during the year and loved the restaurants and attractions in the Georgetown community. Once I visited the campus again for the accepted students weekend and had the opportunity to speak with current students and professors, my choice was confirmed.
Extra-Curricular Activities: Georgetown University Student Association (student government), College Academic Council, Hoya Helpers Tutoring Group, and Georgetown University Undergraduate Law Review.
Internships:
Summer Intern at Abernathy MacGregor - As an intern at Abernathy MacGregor, a strategic communications firm specializing in corporate public relations, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, and crisis management, I researched information on company and market trends, analyzed reporter coverage, and presented my findings from a research project to the firm.
Summer Intern at Vagianos and Ordway for New Jersey State Assembly - As an intern for a local political campaign, I supported the two candidates by participating in voter contact and outreach, conducting issues and opposition research, attending campaign events, and managing a constituency database.
Top Tier Test Prep Student in: 2012 - 2013
What was the single most valuable part (tip, strategy, or even psychological / behavioral benefit) of your test preparation with TTTP?
Reading: The reading section of standardized tests was the part I wanted to focus on most, and I felt more confident on test day by having a fixed set of tips and strategies that I had practiced for weeks and was comfortable employing.
English / Writing: Since I felt confident in this section of the exams, the most beneficial part of working with TTTP was having weekly check-ins, before which I would need to have completed certain sections of tests for practice. This kept me to a diligent schedule and ensured I would always be able to get any questions I had answered before I had forgotten them.
Essay Prep: Working with Mrs. Petrone was a phenomenal experience for essay prep, as she continually encouraged me to refine my word choice and helped me brainstorm creative and relevant essay topics. As a result, I felt my final essays were sharp, clear, and interesting.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give a high school student who is about to begin the college admissions process?
When I was beginning the college search, I thought I had a clear list of criteria I could almost mathematically employ to determine which school was the best fit for me. Now, I realize that while these criteria were certainly helpful in making my decision, the culture of the school should be of greater prominence to anyone beginning the admissions process. Many schools can be in fun cities or have a particular program you like, but each school brings its own traditions, values, and personalities which shape your everyday life, and it’s important to identify which set of these best fits your own character. In addition, I would recommend more generally that anyone embarking on this process view it as an exciting endeavor rather than as a burdensome chore. Determining where you will be living and working for 4 years is important, and you should have fun considering your endless possibilities. While test prep and essay writing may be stressful in the short term, it’s important to keep in mind the long-term gains.