For all of you high school seniors out there college is fast approaching. I know most of you just started your senior year but it's important to start your applications early as you'll soon be very busy. I know the application process can be extremely confusing and takes a lot of time but this guide should help you figure out the steps to take and what to do now in order to be prepared later.
1. Start early!
If you haven't started at least working on your essays for your applications you should do so now! The sooner you start the better. It's better to write them now and have to edit them later than to write them at the last minute and not have them be a true reflection of you.
2. Stay organized.
When it comes to college applications there's a LOT to keep track of. The way that I did this was keeping each school's essays in a separate folder in my Google Drive and making checklist of what each school required. However, you do it, make sure that you stay organized so that you don't miss something!
3. Register for CommonApp.
I suggest registering for CommonApp as soon as you can. This will allow you to add any schools that accept the CommonApp now and review the information and essays you will need to write for your application. It is also better to fill out the basic CommonApp section as soon as you can because you can then use it as a reference point for other applications and scholarships later. Trust me, it can be hard to remember all of your activities. Especially if they are not something you're participating in currently.
4. Come up with a list of schools to apply to.
I'm guessing most of you have a general idea of what schools you might want to apply to. The next step is to take some time and review these schools and come up with a definitive list of schools you want to apply to. Keep in mind whether you have visited the school or not, and what students seem to think of the school themselves. Obviously, you need to take student perspectives with a grain of salt but it's a good starting point for finding out if you fit with a college's population.
5. Know the difference between early action and early decision.
Early action allows you to apply for early consideration and an earlier decision but it does not require you to attend that school if you are accepted. However, early decision means you are agreeing to rescind all other applications and attend that school. If finances are something you are taking into consideration in your final decision of where to attend, I would suggest avoiding early decision as there is no guarantee you'll get a package you can afford.
6. Write your CommonApp essay.
You want to write your CommonApp essay as early as possible so that you have plenty time of to edit it! This essay is crucial in determining if you are accepted or not. Admissions uses this essay as a representation of your voice and look to see if they think you are a good fit for the population on campus. You want to make sure this essay reflects who you are.
7. Make sure your "why" essays are NOT interchangeable.
Most schools have an additional essay prompt attached to their application that essentially asks "why". Why this school? Why us? It is VERY important to make sure that all of your why essays do not sound interchangeable. A good test that admissions counselors themselves often use is to read your essay and every time you mention the college's name, replace it with Disneyland. If the essay still makes sense, or mostly makes sense, then it is not unique enough.
8. Know that it is okay to change your mind about applying to a particular school.
You may start the year knowing exactly where you want to go or what schools you want to apply to and as the year goes on change your mind. That's okay! Don't feel bad about dropping a school on your list because you're parents, friends, teachers, or anyone else don't want you to. At the end of the day, you are the person who has to attend this school in the fall.
9. Be aware that college applications cost money.
Most colleges charge you an application fee. This fee can range anywhere from $30 to $80. College applications can get pretty expensive, so be aware of this when you are making your list. If you choose to apply to 20 schools you're going to be paying a pretty penny to do so. However, there are fee waivers available through your high school for some students so speak to your guidance counselor about those.
10. If you need to retake the SAT or ACT do it now!
Seriously, what are you waiting for. The sooner you retake these the sooner college's will receive your scores. While some colleges may accept you without knowing your scores other's may not review your application until the scores are sent in.
11. Utilize Google Drive.
I used Google Drive to write all of my college essays last year because it was the easiest way to keep them all organized, accessible, and in the same place. Google Drive allowed me to access my essays anywhere, which meant I could work on them anywhere I had access to the internet.
12. Research your schools.
It's important to dream big, but to still remain realistic. I suggest looking at the acceptance rates of the colleges you are applying to. I'm not saying that if the acceptance rate is low that you shouldn't apply, merely use it as a reference point. Know that you are not guaranteed admission just because you apply. I would personally suggest spending a little more time on the application and essays for schools that are you "reach" schools than your "safety" schools. If you have a specific school you have your heart set on I'd suggest spending the most time on that application and editing your essays several times, as well as having peers and teachers edit them.
13. Have peers read your essays.
This might not seem like something you'd want to do, but I promise you it helps! By having friends, peers, and even teachers that you've developed a bond with read your essays you can determine if the essays sounds like you. Admissions counselors are looking to hear your voice in your essay and friends can be a great way to determine if your voice is translating into your writing.
