The college application process can be daunting and complicated but with good time management and perseverance, you will be just fine. Applying early will alleviate the stress and ensure you meet all the deadlines. Follow these tips to make the process go smoothly.
- Research early
Start to look at which colleges would be a good fit for you, when traveling, or you’re bored on a weekend take a few hours to go on a campus tour nearby. The more campuses you tour, the better idea you will have of what you are looking for in a college. Some factors to consider are campus/school size, programs/majors they offer, and how far away you are from home. One of the biggest factors for me was the program/majors that a university offered and it ended up being the final deciding factor.
- Make a common app account
Sometimes the hardest part is getting started. Make a common app account and fill out basic information about yourself. Once you get to the more complicated portions try to show your interest in the major that you are applying for, through your extracurriculars or essay. As someone going into the medical field, I made sure to include all of my extracurriculars that related to that while also showing diversification (academics, athletics, and clubs).
- Ask for recommendations early
If you can, ask teachers who would write a positive recommendation for you at the end of your junior year. This allows your teachers to have time to write it and you can be one of the first people on their lists. Remember teachers are not required to write a letter for you so be polite and thank them for taking the time to write it for you. I suggest asking teachers from different subject areas so you can have different perspectives writing positively about you.
- Focus on depth
Pick a few key characteristics or things you want the college to know about you. Delve into specific moments, challenges, or experiences that have shaped who you are and your aspirations for your future. Show admission officers who you are rather than telling them who you are. Focusing on the depth of your essay will lead to an essay that will be memorable and meaningful. I focused on my nurturing personality and wanting to take care of people. I conveyed these characteristics by telling three stories that I related to each other about fostering animals, working in the service industry, and babysitting.
- Don’t stress perfection
Although your college and supplemental essays should be polished and very thought-through, don’t let your voice disappear from the essay. Parents, teachers, tutors, and peers might have good suggestions, but don’t let them write your essay for you. College admissions can tell when it is not the voice of a 17-year-old, so make sure your essay showcases your authentic voice.
If you need help with any part of this process, the Skyline Cube and Writing Center are excellent resources. Best of luck, you got this!
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