The Common Application has crept up on you, college mail is accumulating in the corner of your room, it’s time to apply for every scholarship so that you have some hope of paying for college, your resume seems so dull and boring, your ACT or SAT scores just don’t seem high enough, you don’t think any teacher would be crazy enough to write that recommendation letter for yo, and you’re not even sure what the real benefits of going to college would be.
Simply, your only wish is that someone could do it all for you…or at least tell you where to even begin with the college application process.
If the person described above is you, then rest assured because every college student has been there before. Also, remember that you are definitely not alone. Across the globe, millions of rising seniors are pondering the same question:
“How am I ever going to get into college?”
Truthfully, the process will not be easy, however, with these simple tips the once chaotic and stressful journey may soon become manageable and even exciting. (The following tips are provided by current college students who successfully completed their own horrifying moments of comparing colleges, writing essays and preparing for that admissions interview.)
1. Breathe And Relax
First and foremost, it’s important to stay calm and breathe. In fact, many of the interviewed college students recommended relaxing and taking a few days to really enjoy the summer before beginning the college application process. Some methods of relaxing could include: meditation, exercising, watching a movie, napping, etc. Basically, you should take some time out of today to do something for yourself to ease your mind.
2. Create A Strong Support System
The next step should definitely be establishing a support system for yourself. Communicate with your friends, family or anyone that is both encouraging and caring. It’s important to avoid getting yourself into relationships or groups that make you even more stressed throughout your senior year.
“Don’t talk about college religiously with your friends. Eventually, it will make you more anxious. You should stay away from that and do your own thing.” -- Annie Gugliotta, WashU student
3. Set Realistic Goals For Yourself
After you are fully rested and have successfully connected with the people who can help you through this process, it’s time to set some realistic goals and write down important deadlines.
If you already have a college in mind, then make sure to check their website or brochure about the early-decision or early action date, and write it down on a calendar and your list of “things to do.”
“If you do find a school that you like, highly recommend applying early if you can. Or, find a 'safety' school that you really like and see if they do rolling admission or early action and apply early. That way, if you get in early, you’ll have a peace of mind…” -- Michelle Xu, WashU student
If you are unsure of where you would like to apply, then it’s time for you to begin the college search and actually look through the college mail that has been sitting in the corner of your room. Start by narrowing down your options by asking these questions:
“Are there any states or cities that I would not want to live in?”
“Would I enjoy attending a private college or a state college?”
“What are the requirements for the college?”
“What are my personal career interests?”
By starting off with these basic questions, you should be able to narrow down your choices and eventually come down to about three to five colleges that you would like to attend.
After narrowing down your list, it’s time to check the deadlines for applying and researching the requirements to get into the college of your dreams. Even if you do not fit some of the set standards, do not be discouraged, especially if it is because of a test score or your GPA.
4. Don’t Procrastinate
This is the most important tip in the entire list. Nearly every college student mentioned the negative consequences of procrastinating. Many said that procrastination would only discourage you further. You should stick to your goals and live by the calendar you created.
5. ACT / SAT Test Scores
If you are worried about your current ACT or SAT test scores, then rest assured. You still have time to take the test one more time. Sign up for the test that you feel the strongest in and make a realistic, rational study plan for the next two to three months. Remember to utilize online resources and videos to help you understand concepts and keep in mind that practice is key!
6. Building Up That Resume
If you are worried about your resume, don’t be! You still have nearly five to six months to get involved at school, participate in community service events and find organizations or clubs that you are passionate about. As mentioned earlier, it’s all about not procrastinating and actually getting yourself out there. Naps and Netflix may be fun, but it’s also exciting to meet new people, become exposed to new opportunities and find the things that you are really interested in.
But, please, do not join every single club at school.
7. Finding The Teacher Who Cares
This may seem like one of the hardest tasks, but it can actually be the simplest. Do not be afraid to approach a teacher and ask for their recommendation. Although many college students advised asking a teacher who you have known for a long time, the majority agreed that most teachers are kind and genuinely care about the future of their students. So, ask a teacher, and if you are rejected, then do not be afraid to ask another teacher.
8. Finishing The Common Application
This part of the process is probably actually the most stressful. Remember don’t procrastinate and keep up with your to-do list. Also, if you need help, then don’t be afraid to talk to your counselor, teachers, fellow peers or parents about it.
9. The Benefits Of College
Many college students said that choosing to go to college was the best decision they had ever made. Not only did it help many of them find their purpose in life, but it guided them to new friendships, journeys, opportunities, and memories. Simply, getting into college will not only increase your chances of achieving your career and social goals, but it will expose you to a whole new world of adventures.
