Deciding where to apply to college is one of the most momentous decisions that seniors in high schools must make. Not only is the application process stressful, choosing your future career path only adds to the pressure.
When high school students begin looking at colleges, there are so many options that it may become overwhelming. Choosing which part of the country to go to has many different implications. Finding the correct location for you might be overwhelming.
“Go for a campus visit to schools you are interested in. While on that visit, ask yourself, “can I see myself here?” If the answer is “yes” or “maybe” keep the school on your list. If it’s an absolute “no”, then take it off of your list,” Fairfield admissions representative Paul Hoovey said.
Campus visits are very beneficial for seniors deciding what school is best for them. Seeing a school in person allows students to experience life on campus.
“The most beneficial thing is the ability to hear from students and to get a vibe for how the school is. By Immersing yourself and seeing the classrooms and campus, you get to create your own perspective of the school rather than hear it second hand,” WHS senior Rebecca Schimdt said.
Once you have created a college list to apply to, the second step is starting the application itself. Most colleges use the Common App, where you have to fill out personal details, submit your college essay and any other supplemental essays required.
“I think having to deal with all the questions and extracurriculars as well as your essay can be a lot for a student who is also trying to juggle school and activities”, WHS senior Sofia Baroletti said.
For students who have done numerous activities throughout high school, writing all of them down may be overwhelming. The Common App, only allows upwards to ten activities which leads to students needing to pick and choose.
“Prior to sitting down and starting your application, have a current resume or a list of your high school extracurriculars – activities, sports, work experience, awards, etc. You may also want to prioritize these so when you start your application you will have this information readily available. This will save you some time when you start filling out your application,” Washington College admissions representative Michelle Smith said.
Once students choose which colleges to apply to, they then need to organize their applications and ensure they meet deadlines. Certain colleges provide additional merit-based scholarships for applicants who apply early action.
“The most important information for students to know about the application process is to not miss deadlines, especially deadlines associated with scholarships. Many students miss out on funding for college because they turn in application materials too late. To that end, students should give themselves enough time to complete their applications so that they can turn in their materials early,” Washington College Vice President of Enrollment Management Johnnie Johnson said.
While college applications can be scary at first, keeping yourself organized and staying on top of deadlines can make the process much smoother. To all of the seniors applying, good luck!
