August marks the unofficial start of college application season. While some schools with their own applications began receiving (and encouraging) applications in early July, the Common App and Apply Coalition with Scoir application have launched the newest version of their applications. For many high school seniors, it is game time! Students, as you start to fill out forms and search for impactful ways to tell your story, free resources abound to help guide you. When you have questions about your application, a web search is not always your friend. You are likely to be misled by Reddit threads and forums like College Confidential, which are crowdsourced and often full of rumors, myths, and misinformation. What follows is an overview of more accurate sources of knowledge about admission.
See The Source
Many colleges and universities have guidance for filling out applications on their admission website. Some also host webinars, podcasts, and blogs that can provide great insight into how they review applications and what they are looking for. Inside Admissions from Tufts University and the Georgia Tech Admission Blog are two examples that cover a wide range of topics and advice. Even if you are not applying to these schools, the information you learn will help guide you in assembling the strongest application possible.
Application platforms are also reliable sources of information. The Common App has a guide for applicants and a YouTube channel with video tutorials. Likewise, Scoir has a step-by-step guide for their application, and their partner, Coalition for College, hosts live events for students to ask questions and get advice. They have also collaborated with Schoolhouse.world to offer free college admission workshops to help students navigate the application process.
Another great resource that is updated each year is from the AXS Foundation, which was born out of a collaboration between the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and Oregon State University Ecampus. They developed the AXS Companion, “a free, open online resource to be used side-by-side with Common App as you work through your application. Each section includes explanatory videos, helpful tips, a glossary of application terms, and links to resources mentioned in the videos.”
Trusted Tips
Despite all the handwringing about artificial intelligence, college admission is still (for now) a human process. If you have questions about an application, talk to your school counselor or call/email the colleges to which you are applying to inquire directly. I asked admission leaders to share their application tips. No matter where you are applying, trust these experts and their decades of experience reviewing thousands of applications.
“Before rushing to check boxes and complete your applications, take the time to reflect on who you are, why you are, what’s important to you, and how you hope to learn and grow in the years to come.” –Matthew Hyde, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, Trinity College
“Treat the application as your story. With each new piece that the admission committee engages with, we should learn something new from you.” –Jay Jacobs, Vice President for Enrollment Management, The University of Vermont
“For test scores: we care most about how students show up in the classroom, in their communities, and in their writing. That gives us a far better picture of potential than a Saturday morning with a test. We know it’s not always an easy call—whether to send scores or not. So ask yourself: “Do these scores say something meaningful about who I am?” If yes, send them. If not, we’ve got plenty to go on. And if you’re still not sure? Just ask. Our admission team is always happy to talk it through.” –Alan Ramirez, Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Sewanee, The University of the South
“When listing activities, think broadly. A part-time job, caring for siblings, or involvement in a faith community all ‘count.’ They show how you spend your time and what matters to you.” –Adam Miller, Vice President of Admission and Financial Aid, Whitman College
“Don’t sell yourself short in the activities section by thinking that how you spend your time outside of the classroom doesn’t matter. Whether it’s a structured organization, work, or watching over family members, that time is showcasing that not only do you (student) know how to get along with others, your involvement shows us time management skills, leadership, your interests, etc. Take time outside of the application to really write down where you’ve been involved or potentially made an impact.” –Chrystal Russell, Interim Vice President of Enrollment and Dean of Admission, Hampden-Sydney College
“Do not underestimate the importance of recommendations. Make sure you give your recommenders plenty of advance notice. Aside from being common courtesy (remember, your recommender may have many other requests with deadlines similar to yours), it also provides them with time to think so that they can write thoughtfully about you.” –Gary Ross, The Jones and Wood Family Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid, Colgate University
“Your essays help us get to know who you are, what’s important to you, and how you might contribute to discussions not only in the classroom but also across the campus community. Be authentic in those essays. Take your time with them.” –Karen Richardson, Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Princeton University
“You can use all of the tools and resources available when crafting your essays–AI idea generators, grammar editors, etc., but it is your voice and perspective that are the most important in these spaces. It won’t be those tools who will be participating in this college experience; it will be you, so the more of your own thinking you apply and responsibility you assume, the more likely you will find your best fit institution.” –Sacha Thieme, Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Admissions, Indiana University Bloomington
“If you’re not funny in real life, your college essay is not the time to explore your comedic stylings; applications are a collection of data that tell a story-make sure all of your data pieces are telling the same story.” –Jonathan Williams, Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Pomona College
“When writing your essay, keep asking yourself, ‘So what?’ If you do this often enough, you’ll get to the center of what really matters. Did you volunteer for a reputable organization? So what? Chances are, you’ll discover the important part of that essay isn’t the volunteering; the real story might be whatever event in your life called you to serve. Once you determine the ‘so what,’ go back and read your essay. Is the real point, the ‘so what’ of the story, clear? If not, you’ve got some work to do. Don’t leave the committee guessing at what point you’re trying to make. The ‘so what’ or ‘it’ should be crystal clear.” –Milyon Truelove, Vice President and Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Reed College
“Don’t underestimate the power of supplemental essays. These prompts are often mission-driven and allow you to lend your voice to the college application journey. For colleges who require them, supplemental essay responses are not a fabricated mechanism to gauge your willingness to check another box in the process, rather an important vehicle for you to share why or how that college’s values and ideals inspire you or align with your own.” –Grant Gosselin, Dean of Undergraduate Admission & Financial Aid, Boston College
“I recommend utilizing the Additional Information section if you’ve had any bumps in the road during high school that may be reflected on your transcript–this could be a dip in grades or rigor, for instance. Providing context as to what was going on during that period, and how you worked to get back on track, are crucial details that colleges want to know about. We’re all looking for reasons to admit, so providing background can be really useful. You don’t want your admissions reader to jump to conclusions or have to fill in the logical gaps themselves–share with us, even if it means being vulnerable.” –Kate Stricklan, senior assistant director, University of Colorado–Boulder
“Develop a system that will allow you to stay on track with each institution’s requirements and deadlines. For some, it will be a Google spreadsheet, for others, it may literally be writing dates on a whiteboard, whatever you need to stay organized.” –Falone Serna, Dean of Undergraduate Admission, California Lutheran University
Don’t Delay
Just because applications are now live doesn’t mean that you need to submit them tomorrow. Though some colleges and universities will begin a pressure campaign, take the time you need to tell your story well. Unless a school is on a rolling decision plan, submitting the application months before the deadline will not increase your chances of being admitted. At the same time, as Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” By thoughtfully working on your application ahead of time, you allow enough space for thorough review, feedback, and to address any questions that might emerge. When these questions do arise, rely on the trusted guidance above and that which is available from many reliable sources.
Source: www.forbes.com