Even though students and parents may not be exactly sure of what all the acronyms mean, they will have heard of (and often stressed over) the many and varied college admissions tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT. Some keen students even worry about other admissions tests such as the LNAT, BMAT, CAT, MAT and HAT. Many more than necessary have had sleepless nights when they did not score as well as they had hoped.
Of all the admissions tests the DYCAAF could arguably be considered the most important but unfortunately, it is often overlooked. Although it is free and only takes a couple of minutes to complete, do not be fooled by this test’s simplicity as this powerful tool provides amazing insights into how an applicant may impact a community of learners.
No formal tuitions or preparatory classes are available (online or offline) for the DYCAAF and so anyone looking to ace this test should start their independent preparations early. Listening to and observing the actions of others will be of benefit as well as investing years of quiet practice in fine-tuning their reactions and responses to others will put them on the path to success. In the end, however, their hard work will pay off and their advanced skills will surely be noticeable.
The DYCAAF Assessment
Instructions: Think about the behaviours you choose on a daily basis and answer either #1 or #2.
- When entering an elevator, do you…
- Push your way in while the others are exiting.
- Wait to the side until the occupants have left and then enter.
- If someone holds a door open for you, do you…
- Walk straight through, after all, you are entitled to have doors opened for you.
- Acknowledge the gesture with a smile, nod, or thank you.
- When you get off a flight do you…
- Stand up as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off, grab your bags and push into the aisle so that you can be first to be waiting at the luggage conveyor.
- Stay seated, wait until the doors open and only stand up as people in front start to disembark.
- When you greet people do you…
- Slouch and extend a “limp fish” handshake.
- Stand tall, look them in the eye and give a firm, strong handshake (without causing knuckles to crack or wrists to break).
- When someone asks, “How are you?” do you…
- Tell them how you are and then start talking about other things.
- Tell them how you are and then ask how they are.
- When you talk to someone do you…
- Avoid eye contact as much as possible and looked around for other people to chat with.
- Give direct “I-am-interested” eye contact without making the person feel nervous because you have stared at them without blinking for 3 minutes.
- When at work and you see visitors, peers or others in the corridors, do you…
- Go about your own business, avoiding all eye contact and interactions.
- Say ‘hello”, nod, smile or wave in a way that makes others feel welcome.
- When writing an email, do you…
- Get straight to the question or request, and then press send.
- Greet the reader before the message and then sign off with “thank you”, “best wishes” or some other polite farewell that makes a friendly connection with the reader.
- When you enter a room and see others setting up the space for an activity or event, do you
- Sit at the first available seat (or just stand) and watch as they set up around you.
- Offer to help out and let the organizers decide if your help is needed or not.
- When you are at an event or presentation, and there are not enough chairs for all members of the audience, do you…
- Get a seat and make yourself comfortable (and maybe even place your bag on the seat next to you).
- Offer your seat to others who may have greater needs and let them decide if they want your place or not.
- When you see visitors (peers or adults) in your workplace or community do you…
- Say nothing and let them work things out for themselves.
- Say “welcome” and offer assistance if they need it.
- If you are speaking in a language around others who do not understand, do you…
- Continue speaking in the foreign language and exclude the others from the discussion.
- Change to a common language or offer to provide a translation so that others feel included.
- When asked to introduce yourself orally or in writing do you…
- Brag about yourself by talking only about your accomplishments and hiding any struggles.
- Promote your accomplishments as well as the learnings you gained from any obstacles you faced.
- When somebody, no matter who they are, does something for you, do you…
- Say nothing, after all, they probably get paid to do it.
- Smile, say thanks and ensure that they know you appreciate their efforts.
- When someone is looking for directions, do you…
- Avoid eye contact, try to look busy, ignore their queries and hope that someone else will help them.
- Stop, use Google Maps and see how you can assist them to reach their destination.
Your Score
If you answered #2 throughout the assessment, congratulations because you have aced the DYCAAF! You will definitely be a wonderful addition to any college campus.
If, on the other hand, you answered #1 for some of the questions then you probably need to reflect upon your behaviour choices and how you might be perceived by others. Perhaps, it is time for you to make some changes!
Although colleges around the globe have different admissions requirements, more often than not they are looking for young people who come across as friendly. They seek talented young people who make others smile and feel welcome and young achievers who will be a positive addition to a college cohort not just because of their academic prowess but also because they are decent people to be around who care about others.
Do You Come Across Friendly?
The world is full of young men and women with amazing gifts, that in many ways, can serve them well throughout life. Some are stars academically, others excel in the sporting arena, and some are artists, dancers, filmmakers and researchers. Others still are equally amazing young people who are yet to find their niche.
Wonderful additions to college campuses, however, have more than just stellar academics and achievements. They speak to and interact with others in ways that bring people together. In familiar and unfamiliar social settings they behave in a manner that connects friends and strangers. They show empathy, compassion and humility when they come in contact with others, communicate or present themselves in essays, resumes and personal statements and talk about themselves in a public forum. Wonderful additions to college campuses become good friends!
Complete the DYCAAF and ask yourself, Do You Come Across As Friendly?
Will you be a wonderful addition to a community of learners?