Not everyone attends college, but for those of us that do or plan to, it can take quite a bit of work to go through the application and decision processes. It’s a stressful time for many and even more so if you’re not prepared.
I’ve found through the process of applying and preparing for college that I regret not doing certain things before senior year. If you’re a junior or younger who’s planning to go to college in the next couple years, here’s some tips on what you can do to prepare.
1.Keep consistency throughout high school.
Colleges love to see dedication and work ethic when looking at applications, and showing that you’ve remained steady in the extracurriculars that you’ve participated in can show that.
If you’re playing a sport or in a club, keep participating in it (as long as you’re not miserable doing so of course). If you have a job, try to stay there for as long as you can to show that when you enter the real world you’ll commit to not only your school work, but the career ahead of you. Try your hardest to stick to things that you’ve originally committed to to keep your applications looking consistent and steady.
2. Add some variety.
Along with staying consistent with your extracurriculars, make sure that those extracurriculars aren’t all the same. Maybe join a politically oriented club (like Gay Straight Alliance, or a feminist club), along with something musical (like band or orchestra), and if you’re athletic, some sports. Variety will show colleges that you’re a well rounded student who has many interests and is willing to try new things. It also shows that you’re not afraid to be busy and step outside of the box a little.
Now, with this and the previous tip in mind, don’t only do an extracurricular because you’ve done it forever or because it’ll add variety. If you genuinely hate something, there’s no use putting yourself through that, and it’ll be harder to write about the experience if you’re asked to do so on an application. Never sacrifice your well being for these things.
3. Take your SAT/ACT early and often.
I waited until the summer before my senior year to take my first SAT, and I didn’t take the essay (it’s optional now). I also didn’t study for it at all. I regretted these choices immediately. Many don’t realize that most priority deadlines for universities are in November of your senior year. That means that it’s best to have all your tests done and scores in before then in order to submit applications in a reasonable time. Some can get away with only taking the SAT once, and without studying, but that’s not always the best idea.
Do a problem a day for the month leading up to it, and maybe take it 2-3 times during your junior year. Don’t wait until your senior year; there will only be about 3 opportunities then to retake it, and that’s if you apply regular decision.
Also, take the essay. Yes, it’s another 50 minutes in the testing room, but most universities require it, and the more SAT essays your write the better you’ll get. Don’t wait to test. As frustrating as it is, and as exhausted as you may feel, it’s worth it in the end to not have to worry about it.
4. Start working on applications the summer before your senior year.
Most colleges will open their applications during the summer to give applicants plenty of time to complete them before submission. During the summer while you’re sitting around eating ice cream, take some time to fill out a couple applications or write an essay. At the very least, know what colleges you’re applying to and figure out what you’ll need to do for each school.
Doing any of these will save you tons of time and stress when you get to fall of your senior year. Don’t procrastinate.
5. If you don’t know what you want to do or where you want to go, talk to people.
There are majors and programs out there that could be perfect for you, and you may not even know that they exist. For me, I was clueless on what I was doing with my life until two months ago when I was freaking out to my mom. I was a mess, and it made me stressed not knowing my path. Throughout a 3 hour conversation that night, I realized that I wanted to go into journalism and political science (a major that surprisingly didn’t even know existed). Talking to my mom helped me to get an insight on other opportunities that I could have.
For some, it may not be your mom or a family member at all, but don’t be afraid to ask others. Talk to friends, a school counselor, or really anyone you know. Discuss what you like and see if they have any ideas. This isn’t to say you should let someone else tell you what to do with your future, but open the door to discussion and ideas. Getting other insight can never hurt.
It’s always helpful to get ahead and be prepared. I followed very few of the tips on this list, and though I know I’ll be okay in the end, my senior year is a lot more stressful than it needs to be, and I’m not nearly as confident in my applications. If you plan to attend university, try your best to prepare. You’ll be so thankful if you do.
