Well, it's that time of year again folks! It's finally time to go back to school, and if you happen to be a high school senior, you're in for one heck of a year! Having just completed senior year myself, I can honestly promise you, a soon-to-be high school graduate, that this is going to be your busiest and possibly most difficult year of high school yet. Between all of the clubs you'll participate in and finishing out those last few required credits, it's really easy to forget the whole reason why you're a part of this crazy mess: to get ready for college!
Hopefully by this point in time, you already have a pretty good idea of which colleges you want to apply to. If not, that's OK too! Don't stress yourself out overthinking your college choices. You don't have to make any critical decisions yet; you just need to apply, apply and apply!
As someone who just went through all of this herself, here are a few things you need to know before you start applying to colleges:
1. Know the deadline!
Don't let it sneak up on you! All college application deadlines are different, so work on the ones that are coming up first. Write all the deadlines down in your calendar and be aware of what's coming up. Many colleges have a second application deadline, but really try hard to make that first deadline to have a greater chance of making the cut. I found most of the first round of deadlines to be around mid-October, but it's different for everyone.
2. Be wary of the application fee.
Many if not all applications have some sort of processing fee when you submit it for evaluation. Make sure to be aware of the price before you apply to have the money on hand. These can vary from $30 to $75, but it really on depends on where you're applying to. Does it suck? Yeah. Are they even necessary? Probably not, but it's part of the process.
3. Know who to ask for teacher recommendations.
Did I mention all college applications are different? Some schools have more requirements than others. Many even require one or two teacher recommendations. Right now, this month, is the time to have a mental list of who to ask. Do not. And do not ask a teacher for a recommendation the night before the application is due. Not only does it show you haven't managed your time well, but it's bad form. Ask teachers now to save yourself later.
4. Have that ACT score!
Remember our lovely friend the ACT? The school you're applying to is going to want your highest score, so have the paperwork and proof ready. Many schools even offer scholarships based on ACT scores.
5. Yes, that essay matters.
I know, I know, essays kind of suck. It especially hurts when you have to write one outside of the classroom for something that isn't counted towards a final grade. Don't just write it in an hour and turn it in, though. Put time and effort into these essays. How hard you work on it shows how much you want to get into the school you're applying to. You need to try your best on each application in order to have maximum chance of acceptance.
6. Have your activities resume ready to go.
All of those clubs you joined and volunteer service opportunities you participated in are about to pay off! A lot of colleges like to know that you're a well-rounded student with no free time because you do so many extra curricular activities! Some colleges are going to ask for a "resume." It's not like a resume you submit when you apply for a job, it's just all of the activities you've done since you were a freshman. Many schools will even give you a template to fill out.
7. Don't hesitate to ask for help!
Applying to colleges can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, millions upon millions of people have already done it! Don't be afraid to ask a guidance counselor, teacher, or even your mom or dad for some assistance or a second opinion. Nine times out of ten, they're more than willing to give you some pointers.
Senior year is an exciting time, and applying to colleges is a big part of it. Hopefully this has been helpful and you feel a bit less panicked about what to expect when filling out those applications. Now go and have an unforgettable senior year!
