Jonah Nielsen
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
Senior year includes a unique experience different from the rest of the Upper School. The process of applying to college can be grueling and intimidating. From choosing a list of schools, to submitting the final supplemental essay, all aspects of the process pose a challenge. Each tedious step brings one closer to the rest of ones life, which begins after graduation. While many students find the application process overwhelming, there are ways to simplify it and remove some of the stress.
Following is a list of 7 steps to ensure a smooth college application process:
Following is a list of 7 steps to ensure a smooth college application process:
1) Organize early. Know where you are going to apply as soon as you can, and familiarize yourself with that schools essay questions and supplements.
2) Give yourself time. By setting your own deadlines you are working toward a goal you have set yourself. Don’t simply say that an application due November 1st should be written by September 30th, instead plan it out so that you have time to edit, and share with others.
3) Pay attention to deadlines. While you are giving yourself your own due dates you must be conscientious of which schools you should do first. For example, if you are applying early action to University of North Carolina (UNC) and regular to Tufts, you should aim to finish the UNC application long before the Tufts one.
4) Keep things simple. Don’t apply to 25 schools. Edit your list down as much as you can, until you have a list of places where you would like to spend four years of your life at. Also, keep in mind that every school you add is another potential one to three essays, so factor in whether they are worth the extra work.
5) Get to work. Start working on your essays with the help of Mr. Foster and the College Counselors. They are there to make sure you stand out among the other applicants.
6) Edit, check, look over, review, re-word, and edit some more. Don’t limit this step to just your essays, but to the whole college application. Make sure you represent yourself in the best possible manner. Include all of your achievements and activities, and be sure to brag about yourself. The editing step is the most tedious process, but the most important one.
7) Submit, and exhale. This step will feel like heaven for seniors, as you have finally finished the process. Before submitting, run through the application one final time to make sure you haven’t left anything out of the “activities” or “awards” sections. Once you feel your application is complete, you can click the submit button and exhale.
2) Give yourself time. By setting your own deadlines you are working toward a goal you have set yourself. Don’t simply say that an application due November 1st should be written by September 30th, instead plan it out so that you have time to edit, and share with others.
3) Pay attention to deadlines. While you are giving yourself your own due dates you must be conscientious of which schools you should do first. For example, if you are applying early action to University of North Carolina (UNC) and regular to Tufts, you should aim to finish the UNC application long before the Tufts one.
4) Keep things simple. Don’t apply to 25 schools. Edit your list down as much as you can, until you have a list of places where you would like to spend four years of your life at. Also, keep in mind that every school you add is another potential one to three essays, so factor in whether they are worth the extra work.
5) Get to work. Start working on your essays with the help of Mr. Foster and the College Counselors. They are there to make sure you stand out among the other applicants.
6) Edit, check, look over, review, re-word, and edit some more. Don’t limit this step to just your essays, but to the whole college application. Make sure you represent yourself in the best possible manner. Include all of your achievements and activities, and be sure to brag about yourself. The editing step is the most tedious process, but the most important one.
7) Submit, and exhale. This step will feel like heaven for seniors, as you have finally finished the process. Before submitting, run through the application one final time to make sure you haven’t left anything out of the “activities” or “awards” sections. Once you feel your application is complete, you can click the submit button and exhale.
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