Four Pieces of Advice for College Applications
Start over the summer and be on top of deadlines
This one may seem obvious, but I cannot emphasize enough how important it is– not just for the sake of the quality of your applications, but for your own mental health, too. Having a solid draft of my common app before school started made a huge difference in my application timeline, so I could focus on supplementals in the fall. I would also highly recommend creating a calendar and timeline to nudge yourself in the right direction.
Make research fun
While it may be easier said than done, finding things about schools that truly make you excited goes a long way. When researching schools, hone in on what attracts you to an institution– whether that’s their architecture, eclectic traditions a school might have, a unique student club, etc. One of the things that made me most enthusiastic about schools was being able to go through their course catalogs and to browse through the offerings of classes.
Stay true to yourself
Especially in the Bay Area, the pressure to get into a “good” school can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to stay grounded to your values and what you genuinely want in a school, as opposed to applying just because it’s Harvard or Yale. Selectivity or perceived prestige of a school does not necessarily make it a good school, nor a good fit. It’s up to you to do thoughtful research and align yourself with potential schools– Ivy or not. Do what is best for you, whatever that may look like and try not to compare yourself to your peers. We’re all figuring out
You will probably get rejected– and that’s okay.
The college process is rough, and that’s the unfortunate reality of it. Your college decisions do not define you, though, and I would encourage framing your language to reflect this too. Instead of saying, “I got rejected,” you can say “My application was rejected/denied,” instead. No matter what happens or where you, remember that it will all work out.
