Hi everyone, I'm beginning my college application process and feel kinda overwhelmed. From your experiences and insights, what's the most important thing to bear in mind while going through this?
Hello! It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed at the beginning of the college application process with so many factors to consider. The best piece of advice I can give is: be genuine and show who you really are in all aspects of your application.
In your essays, avoid cliche topics and instead provide your unique perspective on the topic you choose. Writing a personal story that showcases your character is usually more compelling than a generic essay about a broad topic. For example, if you write about volunteering at a local charity, don't just focus on what the charity does. Instead, you could explain a specific experience or person you encountered during your volunteering and how that changed your perspective or impacted you personally.
When considering extracurricular activities, quality trumps quantity. Instead of joining many clubs, focus on a few activities that you are truly passionate about and strive to make impactful contributions. This might include attaining leadership positions, spearheading major projects, or achieving successes within your activity. Colleges are often more interested in students who've shown deep commitment and significant accomplishment in a handful of activities rather than students who have superficial involvement in numerous activities.
Academics certainly matter too, it's critical to perform well in challenging classes. Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes can show colleges that you're willing to push yourself academically. Good SAT or ACT scores are also often a necessity for selective schools, though the importance of these can vary widely depending on the school.
Always remember to do your research about each school you're applying to and tailor your application to align with their values and ethos. And lastly, pay close attention to all deadlines. Late submissions can be damaging, or even disqualifying.
Good luck on your college application journey! You've got this.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.