College Apps 101

Readers, I'm back!

I cannot believe how fast time is flying by. I will be moving into my dorm this weekend, isn't that insane? As I spend this week packing up my belongings and reading for one of my classes, I decided to also share some helpful tips for all you seniors embarking on the grueling task of applying to college. Don't stress, you've got this!

1. Do Your Research

What do you want to be when you grow up? I hated hearing this question for a long time because I felt so pressured to make a choice but it's an important question to ask yourself. What are you passionate about? If you have a particular career/major in mind, then make sure to search for colleges that specialize in those fields. You want to make sure that the college you choose is going to prepare you for your job as well as possible. Email the department chairs to find out more information about their programs so you can be confident that you are making a good choice. These colleges are going to put you through the ringer to find out as much about you as they can; you might as well do the same to them. It will only help you in the end.

2. Make a List of Potential Colleges

It's great to have a dream school in mind when thinking about college, but you need to be prepared in case you don't get accepted there. I'm not saying that you won't get into your dream school, but the university selection process is an enigma; everything from your ethnicity to your grades and involvement on campus can either help or hurt your chances of getting in. I recommend applying to at least 5 or 6 colleges: 1 or 2 being dream schools, 1 being a school you would be content to attend, and 2 (if not 3) being backup schools. The more colleges you apply to, the more time you have to spend filling out applications and writing essays. I applied to 11 schools and wrote at least 20 essays, only to be accepted to 3 schools. I could have spent all of that wasted time to better understand Pre Calc instead. Don't be like me. Be wise with your applications.

3. Get Started as Soon as Possible

If you're applying to any private colleges, then you will most definitely need to make a Common App account. The Common Application was created to make your life as a college applicant easier. Instead of having to fill out the same application over and over again for each separate college, you can just fill it out once and every college you add on the account will be able to view your information once your application is submitted. The Common App is live as of August 1st, so I recommend filling out as much of it as possible as soon as possible (aka now). Start with the basics like your address, where your parents went to school, etc. and focus on the essay only after you've finished filling out those parts and be sure to ask your counselor for help if you're confused on any part even if you think your question is "dumb." Any mistake you make can potentially jeopardize your acceptance to schools, so make sure you don't mess up!

If you're applying to UCs or Cal States, then you're in a bit more luck. These applications don't open until November 1st but that doesn't mean you can't get started early. You can find information about the UC applications here and about Cal State applications here so you can prepare yourself.

4. Make a Brag Sheet

While you're waiting for applications to open, a really helpful thing to make is a activities and accomplishments resume. Make a Word document and start listing every after school activity you've done in high school (this includes jobs, clubs, volunteering, etc.) and calculate how many hours per week you dedicated to them and how many years you have participated. You might not use every one you can think of on your applications, but make sure to include the ones you spent the most time doing because colleges love to see consistency and dedication (they show that you have certain passions, allowing colleges to get a better picture of who you are as a person and who you might be on campus).

Make sure to list any honors or awards you have received as well (academic, athletic, etc.) and list what year you received them. You need to show these colleges why you deserve to be a part of their community and the best way to do that is to show off. Making this brag sheet will help you so much when you hit the activities portions of your applications and it might give you some ideas as to what you should write about in your essays.

5. The Essays

You need to spend your spare time on the weekend to write your essays. There's no way around it. Your essays are the most important part of your college applications because they are a chance for whoever is reviewing your application to hear your voice. It is their only chance to see you as a person rather than a number. And this shouldn't scare you. This should empower you.

You are being given the opportunity to let them into your world, to tell them anything you want. What makes you different? What sets your heart on fire? How do you want to change the world? Don't just answer the prompt to answer the prompt. Give the prompt life. Think outside of the box. I went to elementary school with a girl who, for her Common Application essay, analogized her family members to different ice cream flavors because her family owned a popsicle factory. Get creative and don't be afraid.

This being said, you need to brainstorm. Come up with as many ideas as you can (no matter how lame they might seem) and then word vomit. Write as much as you can and if one topic doesn't work, then move on to the next. Don't worry about your word limit yet. Once you finish your first draft, no matter how awful it might be, let someone read it, preferably your English teacher or someone who's good at writing and will give you an honest opinion (This is another reason why you should get a head start on your writing because if you wait too long, then your teacher might not be able to help you because he/she will already have 15 other essays to edit and then, my friend, you are screwed). And then edit. Edit and edit and edit until you have the best version of your essay, the version you are most proud of.

Applying to college will be stressful, but I believe in you. As long as you keep your eyes focused on your ultimate goal and keep yourself organized, you will be fine.

Much love.

#highschool #senioryear #college #collegeapplications #motivation #advice