Are you a senior who hasn’t started any college applications? Did you procrastinate because you were having a summer moment to catch up on Tik Tok and hit up the beach? Don’t worry, you are not alone!
Here is a quick list of things to do to get you started on the path of completing applications. So relax, make some tea, take a deep belly breath, and let’s dive in.
- Start with the college essay.
The college essay or “Personal Statement” is probably the most daunting part of the college application. How can you convey your whole life in 650 words? Tell a story. Imagine you are sitting around a campfire and have to tell an engaging story about yourself. Maybe it is a story about how you’ve overcome a challenge, or about that time you discovered something new, or what home means to you. I wrote my college essay about the first time I held a great horned owl, a hilarious story of how I came face to face with this bird of prey while sweating and shaking with fear. - Ask for letters of recommendation.
On day one of senior year, you should ask two teachers for a letter of recommendation. Generally, colleges like to see letters of recommendation written from a recent teacher from a core subject (math, English, science, history, foreign language). Your guidance counselor sends the third letter of recommendation, so it is a good idea to set up a meeting with them to get to know you a bit more. Sometimes, it is nice to create a “brag sheet” for teachers to learn more about you and your goals. Always say thank you and understand how busy educators are, so the earlier you ask, the better. - Tackle the Common App.
The Common App is the best thing since sliced bread. Back in the day, students applying to college had to handwrite applications individually to each college they were applying to. Today, the Common App is your one-stop-shop for applying to most colleges in the United States. Create a separate email exclusively for college applications to complete the Common App, so you avoid using your school email or personal email. Then, Start Your Application here. - Check for supplemental essays.
Supplemental essays are additional short answer prompts for specific colleges. Some schools require a supplemental essay that answers Why this college? Others like Stanford require a more creative approach such as Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning or Amherst College’s Respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300 words. Suppose you are applying to many colleges with supplemental essays. In that case, it is beneficial to create a spreadsheet with each college’s name, the supplemental essay prompt, and the topic you will write. Many prompts overlap in ideas, so you can utilize the same supplemental essay or topic for multiple essays. Stay organized and get writing. - To SAT or to not SAT, that is the question.
Due to COVID, many colleges are remaining test-optional for the 2021-2022 application cycle. You will not be discriminated against if you decide not to submit your standardized test scores, whether they are the SAT or ACT. If you choose to submit your scores, ask yourself if these scores enhance or upgrade your application. Admissions officers see your GPA, the courses you’ve selected, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and the college essay. If your test scores are stronger than your GPA and course selection, then submit them. If they enforce your GPA and courses you’ve taken, you can submit them as well. However, if test scores are not in the upper average or above average percentile, you do not have to submit them. Colleges will not look at an application differently if one student has submitted standardized test scores and the other has not. - Decide if Early Action or Early Decision is right for you.
As you wrap up your college applications, it is important to know when everything is due. Early Action and Early Decision are generally due in November. Regular Decision is due around the beginning of January. Rolling admissions means the college evaluates your application immediately upon receiving it, and there is no official deadline. Which one is right for you? Early Decision is binding, meaning that if you apply to a college ED, you have to go there if you get accepted. You are only allowed to apply to one college Early Decision, and you, your guidance counselor, and your parent or legal guardian must sign a contract accepting you will go there. Early Decision is only for students who are 100% sure that they want to attend that school, without a doubt. Early Action means finding out if you were accepted early, but you don’t have to decide where you want to go until the deposit is due (usually May 1). Many students prefer to apply Early Action to find out if they got into their schools before Christmas. Regular Decision is a good match for students who did not do so well academically junior year and need more time to prove themselves worthy and strong academic warriors.
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