Applying to College made easy
While there is no sure-fire formula for getting into the country’s top colleges, these simple guidelines, along with some personality brush-ups here and there, can very well be everything you need to nail that application.
Getting into the college or university of your dreams isn’t really as hard as some make it out to be. In fact, even recent statistics compiled by the US Department of Education clearly counters the common notion of college admissions being too competitive. In the study involving 857 four-year schools done in 2006, it indicates that only 2.6 percent (this number primarily pertaining to Yale, Princeton and Stanford Universities, which are expectedly the top three on the list) accepted fewer than 25 percent of their applicants, while 82.5 percent accepted more than half.
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With that in mind, it’s no wonder that many students say they got into college “without really trying.” Call them secrets, tricks, hints, techniques—whatever you want to call them, here are four simple steps you can follow to make yourself an attractive candidate for college admission.
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Organize a calendar of all admission deadlines, along with a checklist of all application tasks, paperwork and other requirements, and observe it religiously. And as with anything, staying a step ahead is always an advantage. For example, get started on college-hunting as early as the summer before your senior year so you can finalize your list of target schools early. Take your AP exams as early as possible, say in May, so you can receive your grade reports in July and send it out to your choice colleges promptly. Register early for SAT tests in the fall.
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If you plan to apply through an Early Decision or Early Action program, then start filling out those forms around September—you can do this online. Deadlines for such applications fall in October or November. This is also a great time to draft out your college essays—work on them and enrich them with personal experiences that make you stand out from the rest.
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Work hardest on your senior year grades. Many colleges wait until they receive first semester grades before making a decision, expecting to see a performance that indicates you’re ready for college-level work. You’d be surprised that senior year grades actually get almost equal merit as your SAT scores. And also while on your senior year, get involved in more activities, especially those that define the field of study or career path you particularly have interest in. Make sure to mention these activities in your college essays, for these are highly valued.
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Meet with your counselor, teachers and school officials and work with them closely. They play a big role in helping you get into college, so keep them informed and updated as you see fit. It’s also very important that you give them enough time to meet your recommendation letter deadlines. For the letters, make sure to provide them with stamped and addressed envelopes.
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Score high on the SAT—this, along with a satisfactory GPA, increases your chances not only of getting into college, but also of getting a scholarship. You can boost SAT scores by picking up a good SAT prep guide or taking an SAT prep course. And don’t forget the AP (advanced placement) courses—take advantage of these especially if your school already offers them. These not only allow you to earn college credits without having to pay the tuition, but also show admission officers you mean business when it comes to education.
Now that you’re all set for any college application, there’s no more reason to fret and panic. Get a move on, and good luck!
photo credit: B a m s h a d
