Stop the Stress of the College Admissions Countdown

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By Anne Tsoedi

Searching and choosing the best college can be a bit difficult for high school students and their families. It involves knowing when to apply, deciding whether to apply early, essays and interviews with admission counselors.

Your high school guidance counselor should become your best friend. Make regular appointments with your counselor, and keep him/her updated on how you’re plans for college are going.

The challenge of the college application process can take many forms.  First and foremost, there is your academic performance, but that’s not the only thing the colleges are looking for. A college application is more than strong grades or high test scores.

In general, you should submit your application sooner than later. Students interested in particular schools should think about early action or even early decision.

Financially, one of the most important things to get right is the FAFSA; make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms and get this form in as quickly as possible.

 A big part of a college education is developing critical thinking and problem solving skills.

The college interview is a great place to make a positive impression on the administrators and demonstrate some of the skills you have acquired. The interview allows you to show off your character and show your positive attributes.

During your college interview, you might be given the chance to explain a bad grade or weak semester. They can question you on anything, for instance "Does your high school record accurately reflect your effort and ability?"

After applying to the colleges of your choice (don’t forget the “reach” schools and “safety” schools as well as the “target” schools) do not forget to take some time and concentrate on your studies. Colleges get copies of your grades so do not give them a reason to second guess your academic status. Keep in mind that it’s never too late to apply for scholarships or go on college tours.

Most importantly, Keep Calm! Do not stress yourself too much during this hectic time in your life. If you planned well and worked hard, you well end up in the school that is right for you.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR APPLYING TO COLLEGE

1. Always be honest - Simply put, be yourself, not who you think some admissions committee wants you to be.
2.  Show a little passion - Don’t be afraid to reveal what truly gets you excited.
3.  Keep it consistent - You should certainly include everything you believe is relevant on your application, but take extra care to emphasize the aspects of your life that are most important to you.
4.  Embrace your mistakes - Accept that you're human and that each of us will do things we regret. Each of us will take a wrong turn, hurt someone's feelings, or make bad choices. Be open to making mistakes and embrace them as an opportunity to learn valuable life lessons.
5. Be confident, not arrogant - A college application is, by its very nature, an invitation for you to highlight your accomplishments without being haughty about them. Admittedly, walking the line between self-confidence and arrogance is hard, on college applications; you're supposed to write about yourself without it sounding too much like bragging.
6. Leave it short and sweet - Remember, no matter how awesome you are, you're just one application among many.  You want to give someone who reads your application a good, solid impression of the real you without any unrelated material. If you're bad at knowing when to stop talking, your parents or teachers can probably help you figure out what's truly important and what's just verbal cases.
7. Immerse yourself - Every school has its own culture. Although you don't have to know the whole history of each school you apply to, it helps to at least know a little about the institutions you're applying to besides their name and reputation. 
8. Beat the deadlines - Talk to your teachers about recommendations as soon as you've finalized your list of schools; the earlier the better.