As it nears 11:59 on this May 1st, seniors everywhere are sending in their deposits to enroll at the college of their choice next year, and the college admissions season comes to an end for the Class of 2021. Everyone deserves to celebrate this huge milestone, as we pass the torch onto the Class of 2022, and their future endeavors. These are just some things I learned along the way as starting apps, furiously writing before deadlines, and after I received decision letters. Don’t worry, the college admissions process isn’t as scary as it seems; sure, there were some tears, happy dances, and a whirlwind of emotions along the way. The process is a roller coaster (as cliche as it sounds), but once you get off the ride, you’re left with nothing but relief that your four years of hard work has meant something.
Judge someone else’s college choice.
When someone says “X College” is their top choice, or they’re considering applying to that school, be supportive of them! Don’t tell them, “Oh, that’s my safety!” or “You’ll never get in.” Everyone deserves their best shot at where they want to go, so support your fellow classmates and friends during this time. A little kindness and support during those stressful few months can go a long way.
Limiting yourself, or being scared of the possibilities.
Don’t be afraid to apply to reach schools! Don’t shy yourself from applying from a school just because some GPAs or standardized testing scores on Naviance or online sources are higher than your own. Especially if it’s a school you really like, don’t be afraid to apply. You’ve worked so hard these last (almost) four years; you deserve a chance to apply to a school you like and find out whether or not you get in.
Saying what you think college admission officers want to hear.
A lot of supplements at different colleges can sound similar (such as talking about your favorite extracurriculars, classes) so it’s easy to feel like there’s only one way to answer, or feeling as if you can’t make your answer sound interesting. A tip I had told myself when writing my applications was to write the first thought that came to my head after reading the supplement question. Your gut or intuition is never a bad feeling. Admission officers read thousands of the same supplements, so don’t be afraid to be unique; you only have a couple hundred words to allow your personality to shine, so take the chance.
