College application process may seem scary, and there is a lot that goes into it.
But students who are prepared and take it step-by-step usually do just fine. The first step is maintaining communication with your high school guidance counselor. Visiting once a year is usually all that is necessary to ensure that your academics are on the right track. As you start to consider what you’d like to study or which school you’d like to attend, your counselor can provide valuable information and advice, including pointing you to other resources that will help you reach a decision.
Once you know which schools you are interested in, look at each one’s application so you know what is required. These can be found on the Admissions page of the school’s website. Many schools use the Common Application, but they all will have additional short-answer and essay questions.
It is important that you don’t procrastinate your essay until the application is due. Essays are perhaps the most important part of the application. Once you have read the essay questions for a particular school, take some time, maybe weeks, or even months to reflect on the topic or theme. Part of what makes these essay questions challenging is that they are usually vague. A student who has thought about their answers in the context of their daily lives will be much more able to focus on specifics and articulate their ideas.
The essay should also be professional and polished. By the time you are submitting your application, you should have written several drafts and received feedback from parents, teachers, counselors, etc. The essay not only illustrates what you want out of college and life, but it is a demonstration that you are capable of writing and thinking critically on a college level. Achieving that level of quality takes time and practice.
You will also need one or more letters of recommendation. These can be from a teacher, counselor or other mentor. If a student has really participated in class discussion (something that isn’t necessarily reflected in a grade), the letter of recommendation is an opportunity to highlight that. The same goes for any student’s involvement in extracurricular activities, which often can’t be quantified on paper.
Finally, the sooner you can submit your application, the better. Most colleges and universities are flooded with submissions towards the end of the application period. Best advantage is to send in your application early. But make sure not to rush. It is important that the application is thorough and professional, which is why it is so important to start early.