Finally, you’re a senior! Time for fun, friends, memories. . .and applying to college.
A number of application deadlines hit in early November, meaning once school starts, you have just a couple of months to choose colleges, fill out applications, and write essays. Do you really want the stress of juggling those tasks with classes, tests, and homecoming? That’s why starting the process during the summer is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
1. Research Schools
You’ve been talking and dreaming about college for awhile, maybe even bought some sweatshirts and pennants representing your favorite schools. But have you gotten down to the nitty-gritty of where you want to go–and why?
When it comes to college, yes: location, reputation, and campus life are important. But even more important is academics. What do you want to study and pursue as a career? That school in the top ten rankings you’ve been salivating over may have just a so-so anthropology program, while that quiet college tucked away downstate is producing the best fossil finders in the world. Go online, but beyond the introductory pages. Dig deep into the majors, curricula, and professors your future program has to offer.
2. Hit the Road
If time and resources allow, visit some of the schools you’ve researched. Yes, you can find a lot of information online, but nothing beats the sensory experience of visiting a college in person to see how well the atmosphere blends with your temperament. Like your online research, though, don’t just stop at the admissions office. Set up an appointment to speak with a professor or student in your program of interest, asking as many questions as you can to form a good picture of what learning there is like.
3. Get Organized
Deadlines are a lot less intimidating if you own them and put them in order! After you choose the schools you’ll likely apply to, create a spreadsheet or calendar with important application dates, including your own deadlines for asking for recommendations, making an appointment with your college counselor, and writing essays. Stick to those deadlines as if they were assignments. I mean, aren’t they?
4. Give the ACT and/or SAT One Last Shot
Both the ACT and SAT offer fall testing dates that allow you to go for a higher score one more time before those applications are due. I know: you finished all of that junior year, right? Precisely because the whirlwind of junior year is behind you, you might find yourself more relaxed (and yes, a few months smarter) taking the standardized tests in August or September of your senior year. However, don’t let those registration deadlines pass you by. Register in the early summer–and then take a few practice sections–to make sure you’re set!
5. Read Narrative Nonfiction
College application essays are autobiographical narratives–stories, really, that show, don’t tell, what admissions counselors need to know about you. One of the best ways to prepare for this type of writing is reading!
6. Start Writing
Don’t wait for school to start to begin your application essays. Use the summer to brainstorm, free write, and try out some ideas; maybe even complete a draft or two. Not sure how to get started? Check out How to Write a College Application Essay for an informative, stress-free, and, shall we say, even fun way to write personal statements to get you into the school of your dreams! (Includes sample essays.)
7. Take it One Task at a Time
Yes, you should use your summer break before senior year wisely. But don’t pressure yourself to get it all figured out right now. Scholarship applications? Interviews? There will be plenty of time to tackle those tasks once you’ve gotten those applications in and have started to narrow your pool of choices.
Summer Quick Guide
June
• Register for fall ACT and/or SAT tests
• Research schools
July
• Make final list of schools
• Create spreadsheet/calendar of application deadlines
• Read narrative nonfiction
• Start brainstorming ideas for application essays
August
• Explore The Common App (700 schools, one application process!)
• Draft application essays
Photo by Paul Hudson, Creative Commons license via Flickr. Post by Tania Runyan, author of How to Write a College Application Essay.
___________
Providing everything a student needs to go from draft to polished essay, the instruction in How to Write a College Application Essay is straightforward, easy to apply, and inspiring. Includes sample essays from students who got into the colleges of their dreams.
“How to Write a College Application Essay is a valuable resource that I enthusiastically recommend to my students and their families.” —Lisa Scanio, High School Counselor, Adlai Stevenson High School
- Flowers of California: California Poppy - December 8, 2022
- Flowers of California: Lily of the Nile - October 13, 2022
- Flowers of California: Crape Myrtle - October 5, 2022
L.L. Barkat says
Number 2, “Hit the Road,” turned out to be everything for my daughter (though she did that part after acceptance 🙂 ).
She had received almost a full scholarship from one school and none from a lesser-priced state school (the tuition would have been about comparable at that point). But a visit to both (and attendance of sample classes with professors in the major she wanted) convinced her of the state school.
Oddly, many would argue that the first school is more beautiful. Certainly, some of the old buildings on campus were exquisite, as was the landscape (designed by the same person who designed Central Park in New York).
But the classrooms were small and darkish, and my girl loves light. The state school, with its broad hallways and floor-to-ceiling windows might not have appealed to others, but she loved it. She also loved the vibe of the place, which felt more artistic and open.
Also, and this turned out to be really important, the first school only had two full-time professors in her discipline, while the state school had at least five (plus other part-time teachers). Since she didn’t particularly enjoy the style of the professors at the first school, and they would have been her main teachers, that would have been problematic. As it goes, she loved the style of teaching at the state school and is great friends with her advisor. It’s meant a lot to her adjustment to the whole college endeavor and her enjoyment of the place.
On a different note, just yesterday, driving up what I like to call “tree tunnel lane,” I was reminded of my own college visit so many years ago. My grandmother drove me, and I remember as we went through that tunnel of sycamore trees and then up the windy roads and then finally to the Tudor-style campus, I thought, “This is where I’m going.” And so it was. And here I still am, just minutes from the campus, overlooking my favorite vista: the beautiful river and its mountains beyond. 🙂
Wishing I’d had this post, btw, when my first daughter was applying to college! (Second daughter was a snap. She only applied to one place, because it had the New Media program she wanted. And, it’s close to home. 🙂 And…she can room with her sister.)
Tania Runyan says
Thank you for sharing this story, Laura! The college choice is such an important, personal decision. I’m so glad she found one that suits her so well!
Laura Brown says
The visit made all the difference for my daughter, too. We took a road trip to see her small-school top choice, and timed it so we could also attend an event at a large school that was very interested in her but that she wasn’t keen on, partly because of its size.
We went to the second school first. After half an hour on campus: “I think maybe I could be happy here.” By the end of the day: “[First choice] is going to have to be really awesome.”
The next day, first choice was not awesome.
She thrived at that big school. (And she would love “create a spreadsheet” under #3.)
The first time I saw my college campus was the day I arrived as a freshman. Does anyone do it that way any more? This was way back in the day before the Internet had been invented. I don’t even remember whether I wrote an admission essay.
Thumbs up to #5.
Tania Runyan says
Laura, I did visit my campus before attending, but then again, it was pretty easy to do, as the school was just about an hour away. I chose it over a more “impressive” school because the feel of the campus just suited me better. It’s hard to explain some of these things, but those gut impressions are important. That said, students should not write about how a school just “feels” right to them in their admissions essays! I explain that in a little more detail in the book. 🙂