Things You Wish You Knew Before Applying to College…
- Applying to college is like taking another class at school. You can either take it as a “summer class” and get started early or you can worry about it as an additional “course” come your senior year of high school in the fall.
- Leadership and commitment are extraordinarily valuable assets and are extremely important on your college application.
- You need to believe in yourself. Little do you know where you’re really headed — nobody really has the right idea. Have a good attitude and work ethic towards other courses and you’ll be surprised. Never undercut yourself.
- Statistics change. What happened two years ago may not hold true anymore. Just because your friend got into Yale in 2004 with “worse grades than you” doesn’t mean that your chances are better than his.
- Read. A lot. Reading in college is going to have to become second nature. Getting a head start will only help you grow intellectually and will build up some motivation for later.
- Volunteer early. Don’t just get into community service just because your college application demands it. It actually makes you feel very good.
- Research scholarship opportunities. They vary from state to state and from school to school. You may be on your own on this one as some college counselors don’t have all the resources. Thankfully, you do.
- Stand out. That’s what all colleges demand: someone who will be an asset to the school rather than an ordinary student. Write a college essay that matters. To get an idea of what works and what doesn’t, just don’t write on the same topics that your friends have written on.
- Study your college and make a case. Read documentation on the school. Then, when the application asks you “why do you want to go to THIS school?” you need to have an answer that will blow them away.
- Build up your vocabulary. Your SATs and ACTs need them. So do you. You’ll come across those words in college more than once and you’ll sound a lot smarter.
- Challenge yourself. Trust me, you’ll be challenged in school, and if not in college, in the real world, so it’s better to get a head start now. Plus, it’s a great learning experience for you. Take AP or IB courses. Enroll in independent study courses or in classes at your local college. Always keep learning.
- Be nice to your teachers. They write your recommendation letters.
- Seek out the safety schools. Look hard and you shall find something that will make you happy. It will also make your life a lot less stressful.
- Take your SAT IIs alongside the relevant AP class. It saves a lot of studying down the road. If that means you’re taking an SAT II in 9th grade, do it. Better to prepare earlier than to have to study all over again a few years down the road.
- Assert yourself. Don’t be shy. Leadership is important. Colleges seek out the leaders of tomorrow, so be one today.
- Explore internships. Find out what you’re passionate about and pursue it in the “working world.” Some people realize that they’re not cut out for that line of work, so getting a head start gives you more insight on whether you can live with it for years or whether it’s time to make a change.
- The common college application can be recycled. You can send them to different schools (with the proper edits) without worrying about rewriting an entire new application.
- Be yourself. Don’t be your parents’ child. Go to a school you love, not one that your parents love.
- College interviews aren’t that bad. Present yourself as you normally would (be yourself — there’s no need to play dress up) and just talk about what interests you in the school. Interviewers want to get to know the real you. Just talk and you’ll be fine.
- Ivies aren’t always worth it. They don’t necessarily offer better educations than your local schools or your “safeties.” The best school for you may not necessarily be the highest-ranked institution.
- Apply early action if you can (when there are no penalties). You may grow impatient.
- Organize yourself. You’ll need to continue it in college. Get a notebook and a daily planner that can keep you up to speed on your homework assignments. PDAs are fine too.
- Your college counselor is a resource. Take advantage of him/her. Build that relationship today.
- Consider competitions. Math and science buffs should look into the Intel Science Talent Search, the Siemens Westinghouse Competition, the Olympiads (in your field), or the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
- Don’t slack off. You’ll pay for it one day.
- Build a relationship with your teachers that is more than about grades. In the grand scheme of things, grades matter little.
- Halloween is the day before the Early Decision/Early Action admissions deadline. Finish your college application a lot earlier.
- Get your recommendation letters in order. Teachers are asked by hundreds of students for these letters yearly. Be first or at least early.
- Don’t pass up the merit award. It may never come back to you again.
- Check financial aid deadlines and don’t be late.
- Focus. Do your assignments. Do your homework. Slacking off will not pay.
- Rely on yourself. In college, you’re the boss. A college coach may help, but at the end of the day, it’s all you.
- You’re no different than the others. Well, maybe you are. But if your friends get rejected, take heed! Don’t say “it won’t happen to me.”
- Create your own opportunities. Sometimes, you won’t get into the prestigious geography team, but your interest in politics can get you started on your own Congress Club. That will also make you a leader.
- Relax. Don’t stress out. You’re not alone in this.
- Don’t dismiss smaller schools. Liberal arts colleges may be great for you and perfect for what you’re pursuing. Single-sex schools can also offer superior learning experiences in a much smaller and closer-knit community than you’ll find in larger schools.
- Visit the campus. You might really love it on paper, but until you visit it, you can never be so sure. Why do you think job applicants are interviewed before they’re hired?
- Got a question? Call the school. They’re not screening calls and won’t hold it against you if you have a question about the application process or about coursework. Don’t be afraid to initiate.
- Plan for the best but prepare for the worst. You need to be realistic about the entire situation. There are lots of schools out there — not only Ivy Leagues — but schools that really will be your perfect match. Seek and you shall find.
What other tips do you have to offer?
Thank you so much this is good to think about
The only other thing I would add to this list, is a company that helps make sure your reputation is something that will help you.
I used them about 3 months ago, and they really cleaned things up and increased my chance of acceptance.
Supposedly 88% of college admissions will begin using social media profiles to get a better look at people.
removemyname.org
This is just my personal experience, and wondering if anyone else has used a service like this.
Rick
Will I get to a good college if I don’t do sports?
Or what should I do to take the place of “sports”?