As many schools have released their admissions decisions, the Class of 2018 is preparing to make the big leap from HS to college. In such an important process, surely there are things that you wish you knew while applying. So Parents and Students, what do you wish you knew or did differently during the application process? Looking back, what would you tell yourself?
I’m the oldest in my family and would appreciate the advice. I’m planning on applying to Duke, Vandy, Wake, Emory, UNC-CH, UChicago, UF, UGA, Clemson, and ETSU.
looking back i would have taken the SAT and the ACT and paid for a math tutor. i only took the sat and self-prepped and i didnt show improvement between multiple SAT sessions. i would have also applied to a more balanced range, and a safety i could 100% afford. i applied to a safety, a match, and then like five reaches.
Advice from a parent. Son was just admitted to UF. 1. for any university you apply to, engage in a unique volunteer activity. He had quite a few volunteer hours but the actual activities he engaged in were nothing special or unique. I know UF really considers this. 2. I tried to get my son to have someone look over his essay and help him tweak it a bit, but he was insistent that he leave it because he feared an essay reader would change it too much that it wouldn’t have even sounded like him. I tried to teach him that is not what they do. Even if you don’t have the funds to hire this service, have your English teacher look it over and make suggestions. 3. I can’t stress enough to keep Your GPA up, and Especially in those core classes of English history science math social science and language. UF doesn’t even figure in the elective type classes when it comes to the GPA. And take the most challenging classes you can. 4. Apply on time and early if you can. And as soon as application opens, submit your housing app fee of 25.00. Even if you are not sure if you will be pursuing on campus housing. Work on your applications a little at a time. If you get a great idea for an essay, jot it down. 5. Keep on this forum. Lots of good advice on here. I didn’t know about this forum until We we’re awaiting decisions. 6. when we toured the university we went to the admissions office after the tour and spoke with an admissions assistant director. She invited us into her office and pulled up the application and his SSRA and gave us tips on moving some classes that could qualify for core classes that helped boost his GPA. So if you can, tour the school and go to the admissions office while there and show your excitement for their school and your interest in doing what you can to improve your chances of admission. She also told us they are tired of seeing essays written about divorce, torn ACL’s, and death. Write something UNIQUE she stressed. Catch their attention and don’t bore them. Lastly, as a parent watching my son await a decision, I can’t stress enough to do whatever stress management skills
You have to cope with the waiting. Distract yourself with a new project, exercise, and get adequate sleep. And try not to second guess yourself. You did the best you could and you are awesome no matter what happens. College is important but not really where you go is that important in the long run. Life experiences and attractable internal attributes are what employers really want. Good luck!
Take SAT/ACT at least 2 times…test prep if you can afford it.
Put together a target list of schools and visit before you begin applications-this helps save money and time writing essays to schools you thought you might like but didn’t get the ‘vibe’ once on campus.
3)APPLY EARLY-and I mean…if you can find out the essay prompts over the summer do them early so you can submit your applications the day they go live…or shortly after. This is especially important at schools where housing options are based on when you submit your applications.
Don’t rely solely on the guidance counselors to get your students through the process. Many of them are overloaded with students and they can’t help everyone. Make sure to follow up on test scores/transcripts/recommendation letters being sent as needed.
5)Ask recommenders to write letters early also. They need time to write/submit and you want them turned in early in the process.
5)It doesn’t matter if you use common app or coalition if schools take both.
6)Read emails regularly to make sure your student submits any additional info requested.
7)Pray and ask for patience as you wait sometimes 6 months for a decision!!!
Skip the “Chance Me” threads. The truth is, nobody knows whether or not you will be accepted to a particular college unless you are way out of the ball park. You may have the perfect stats and EC’s but that doesn’t mean you will get in, and it doesn’t mean you won’t. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason as to why one person get accepted and another doesn’t, and nobody on this board can possibly predict your admission chance.
Love your safety. Like really - love it. Look hard and find 1-2 schools that may not be reaches or matches but that have specific attributes you really love, preferably at least one of which will allow you to be admitted early - then show those schools some love during applications and get that first acceptance. It’s easy to find super fancy schools to love, much harder to find the loveable safeties but it’s worth doing - knowing you are “in” someplace you actually can see yourself going is a huge help when dealing with the January-April waiting stress and reach school rejections.