Many juniors are dreading the pressure and stress of the upcoming college application season as these applications will determine the next four years.
But if juggling academics, applications, sports, extracurriculars, and social lives all while completing the admissions process feels intimidating, don’t fear: many seniors have come before and can offer advice for navigating this stressful time.
An important part of the college admission process is making a list of schools to apply to and ensuring a balance between safety, target, and reach schools. Talking with college counselors, researching admission stats, and utilizing tools like Naviance and College Kickstart are great ways to generate these lists.
Senior Jack Goldstein, who is committed to attend University of Pennsylvania in the fall, found that researching schools was vital to figure out where he wanted to apply.
“One piece of advice for the college admission process is to research school-specific programs thoroughly and apply to colleges that you think are out of reach. The worst thing they can say is no,” Goldstein said.
After putting together a list of potential schools, it is imperative to start working on the personal statement or whatever essay is required for the given school. Having a strong essay can make an applicant stick out to a college and give them an edge over others who may have the same GPA or extracurriculars.
Senior Julie Awad found her personal statement was vital to gaining her admission spot at NYU.
“A good strategy is to make a brand for yourself in your application that relates to the theme of your personal statement,” Awad said. “My whole brand was about diversity and global experiences because that’s a big thing at NYU. I think it’s really helpful to look at the values of the school you want to go to and brand your essays and ECs around a value that resonates with you.”
Another key piece to managing the workload that comes along with the college admissions process is to find a way to best manage time. This may include starting personal essays over the summer, if the fall semester is going to be crazy. Finding schedules and routines that work for each individual is also important.
“I began waking up at 5:00 AM to complete my homework while still staying up past midnight to work on my essays. It wasn’t an easy adjustment, but it built a strong work ethic and proved to be a valuable investment in my future,” Goldstein said.
Balancing school and admissions work is crucial, as many colleges may still factor in first semester grades, when looking at applicants or giving out merit scholarships. Procrastination is a killer when it comes to balancing the two when the fall semester ramps up.
Senior Kate Paine, who plans on attending Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the fall, shares insights on avoiding procrastination.
“Prioritize completing your homework first so it doesn’t become an added source of stress. Set aside specific times on weekends or lighter school days, to focus on your applications and establish clear goals, such as completing a section of an application, or dedicating a weekend to working on one school at a time,” said Paine.
Lastly, don’t be scared to ask for help, or lean on the support of family members and friends during this process. The admission process is a long and sometimes confusing process. College counselors, upperclassmen, and teachers are great sources for information and guidance during this journey. Family members and friends can also offer support and motivation during this taxing time.
“The most important factor that gave me an edge over other applicants was the support of my family. Although it was tense at times, my father’s constant push and thorough revisions significantly improved my application. Additionally, my mother encouraged me to apply to schools I didn’t think I could get into, helping me realize that there’s no downside to striving for what seems out of reach,” Goldstein said.
