How to Successfully Apply to College
So, I may only be a sophomore in college right now, but don’t rule me out yet in the department of applying to one of the most important, if not THE most important place in your life. Oh, future freshmen. I feel your anxiety and fear of the unknown coming through the screen, emotions I know only too well. You see, I have had the lovely pleasure of applying and transferring to not only one school but also three. Yes, it’s daunting and carries a lot of stress that unfortunately will not fully end until you have successfully been accepted to your future home away from home. But, no worries, for my expertise can help prepare you for the unfamiliar road ahead. Let’s start with the basics:
1. Find the dream or something resembling it.
Okay, so you’ve just started your senior year of high school and everything should be easy sailing what with your free period classes and having the general knowledge that you are now officially the oldest students in the school. But wait, everything is turned upside down when you finally realize that this is the last year, the final year, after this year you will be thrown head first into the adult world. Sink or swim is the only two solutions. And God forbid you have no clue on what you want to do when you graduate, because that seems to be the favorite question coming out on every person’s mouth.
Well, I say relax. If you have no idea what you want to do the rest of your life, then that is okay, because the majority of students in college have trouble with that question too. I can’t even tell you how many friends I know that have changed majors, its inevitable. However, I do suggest making a game plan. Make a list of topics or subjects that you absolutely love and might enjoy studying for the next four years. Then research your top 3 topics/subjects online. Go through all the majors that encompass this passion of yours, and just have fun with it. You may find something more interesting doing your research, which is just fine too. Once you have a good idea of what majors your interested in, the next step is finding a school.
2. Locate a college, not a mascot.
Sure, wouldn’t it be just dandy if we all could get into those pretty ivy league schools, with their picture perfect campuses and the use to some pretty amazing bragging rights? For the majority of the applicants, who don’t have the grades/scores to even consider applying to these schools or cannot even fathom the idea of the financial burn, let’s be practical. So, if you have the general idea down about what you’re interested in major wise, I suggest starting here. Research, research, research. There are tons of sites dedicated to helping you search for colleges that match your interests. Do it. Search until you get carpel tunnel syndrome. This is the start of finding the right place for you, and once you have a list of possible locations, request more information from the schools website.
Next, go to every college night or college information session your high school or surrounding schools participates in. Knowledge is power my friend. You need to get familiar with as many colleges as you can. I’m an only child, so my parents and I didn’t have previous experience when searching and applying to schools. Going to these events helped out a lot. Finally, when you have narrowed down your top choices, try if you can to visit them. Go to any open house event that a school has, and take the time to get familiar with the campus, school organizations/groups, and of course your specific major department. Once you have your heart settled, the next step requires patients and a few headaches.
3. Applying your confidence and self-esteem in an online application.
The college application is a lot easier than you probably think. I was expecting the worse, only to find that I didn’t even have to write one essay about myself, just answering basic questions. If your school does require an essay, all I can recommend is make it simple, sweet, and original. Please, don’t suck up, don’t whine, and don’t sound like a smartass. If you can, find a creative point of view to angle your essay. If I had to write an acceptance essay, I would write from the prospective of when I am not accepted from your university the following would most likely happen, make it interesting with a sense of humor. But, do take this seriously. Think how many essays these college accepting judges are reading, make yours stand out.
Next thing to remember is the extras. The extras include the following: any transcripts from previous colleges, and of course high school, any SAT/ACT scores, and if required teacher references/recommendations. The extras are essential to the application process. Forget any of these, and you might as well enjoy living with your parents the following year. Rule of thumb is to acquire these papers as early as possible. The high school transcript will be the worst, I graduated a semester early and it was like giving a rectal exam asking for this stupid record. When it comes to the SAT/ACT, I highly recommend knocking both of these out either your junior year or the very beginning of your senior year. My biggest advice in this section is to make a copy of everything you send to colleges, and then make a copy of the copy. Just in case, because it will save you a lot of stress if you have a backup plan. Believe, I know.
4. Pray and wait, and for God’s sake don’t forget the financial aid!!!
This is another big one. Always, always, always sign up for financial aid early. Why? So you have a better chance to receive the funds, and peace of mind knowing you didn’t miss out. For most of you, this is your only option to going to college. Oh, those lovely student loans. Thanks to Obama, expect more standardized loans coming your way if you apply to the qualifications. Scholarships are miracles when it comes to college tuition. Apply to absolutely everything you qualify for, and keep your grades high freshmen year so the following years you can apply for higher amounts of aid.
Before you do anything though, make sure you apply to FAFSA. Even if you don’t think you it would apply to you, things could change. Better be covered and prepared than not when you really need it. Consider the study-work program, it’s a great resource for students who know for sure that their going to have to work. You will also get first consideration on on-campus jobs, something I wish I had signed up for now, because the more students on-campus the higher the employment rate and the chances of finding a job on-campus gets slim. Write down every important deadline date on your planner, calendar, computer, phone, hand, or whatever it takes for you to not miss out.
5. Whatever happens happens. There is always next semester to transfer.
Hopefully you will be successful in finding the right school, but sometimes living and experiencing the school may find you looking for a new college. I started at community college, went from a small campus, to a 35,000 student body campus. It might take you a few tries to finally find the right school for you and that’s perfectly okay.
About the Author: Find great articles like this, and more of Tom’s work on his college blog.
