Applying To College The Right Way
A lot of details go into the process of applying to a college. The college admissions process can only be navigated by planning and having clear expectations of what’s ahead. Each school is different and it’s important to know exactly what guidelines and deadlines are in place for each school. It’s important that these plans are made with the aide and guidance of people who are able and willing to help.
As mentioned before, planning out your application process will cut down on a lot of the confusion and stress that a lot of prospective college students feel. Getting a calendar and noting all of the clear cut deadlines that a particular school has can be the first step. Guidance counselors can inform students on how best to add goals and milestones in between the major events of the application season. Usually, the time period most students apply to college is the fall before senior year (junior year) for early decision students and fall of senior year for students applying for normal decision times.
Most of these applications should be preceded by a lot of research and choice making when it comes to choosing colleges. Obviously a student can’t apply to a college unless they’ve found out about a school and made sure it is the best for them. Once the decisions have been made, usually several choices of varying prestige, then these application options can be put into affect.
Besides planning out the application process, some of the most important steps of applying to colleges takes place when students physically fill out the application. The essay is a very important part of the application. This is usually the only place on the application that can be personalized and allowing the college admissions officials to get a glimpse of a student’s personality.
The subject of the essay can vary greatly. Usually the topics are rather standard, with questions like ‘What person has inspired you the most in your life and why’. It’s important to remember good grammar and spelling when formulating an essay. Being sincere and fervent about a subject is far more important than trying to impress the readers with an elaborate essay that doesn’t really represent the student.
Another important part of the application is the recommendations. Letters of recommendation should be written from people who know the applicant well and are able to give good examples of the student’s finer points. Usually three good letters is enough to put with an application.
It’s important not only to highlight academic accomplishments like GPA and standardized test scores, but also non curricular activities outside of the classroom. College admissions officials like to know that a student is committed to more than academics. For instance, knowing that a student is a member of the school newspaper and has a 3.5 GPA can be highlighted more than a student with no activities and a 4.0 GPA.
Other than recommendations, the application itself and a complete essay, transcripts must be sent to schools directly from the high school of attendance. It’s important to talk to guidance counselors about what a specific college expects from you academically and what courses should’ve been completed. Sometimes the graduation requirements that a high school has aren’t congruent with the course requirements of a college.
Applying to college is by far one of the most pivotal points in a young person’s life. Starting the application process early and getting others to help is the key to not making mistakes that could hurt in the long run.
When not writing about college admissions and college life Veronica Krully enjoys spending time with her family and supporting the local college. She is an avid swimmer and runner.
