<p>If you could do the applications again, what advice would you heed that you didn't hear the first time?</p>
<p>I figure this might be helpful for us prospective applicants!</p>
<p>Don't go to this site to compare yourself to other applicants.</p>
<p>Apply to a realistic number of schools. Have at least 2 safeties, 2 matchs, and 2 reaches. More than 10 schools is pushing it.</p>
<p>Be relaxed and honest during the entire application process.</p>
<p>It is NOT the end of the world if you don't get accepted to some Ivy/dream college/etc.</p>
<p>Wow, here's a present, my 1000th post :D</p>
<p>Anyway, definitely agreed that don't bother coming to hear to compare chances against your "competition," though I am glad that I actually found out about this site very late in the game, so it's all good. Personally, I am happy with the way things went, though I would definitely say try to finish them before Thanksgiving or else you'll end up like me - staying up till two in the morning with two weeks to the new year trying to be profound when all that is coming out of me is blather. </p>
<p>I personally did 12 apps, so I'm actually going to have disagree and just say do whatever number you feel comfortable with and attempt to produce the same quality for each app. Also, I like the 2, 2, 2 thing on safeties, matches and reaches, and from there you could go crazy, b/c I know I did 2 safeties, 2 matches [sort of], and 8 reaches so yeah, but just do what you feel is best for you. </p>
<p>Also, no need to stress once applications are sent, b/c they're out of your hands and there is practically nothing for you to do, so those three months that you are waiting for letters, try not to think too much into it. </p>
<p>Make sure to get on top of financial aid because that will be such a pain if you don't get those done ASAP [I know since I had to fill out my own forms, how dreadful :(]. </p>
<p>Try not to reason why someone gets accepted and you get rejected or vice versa because there really is no reason [that you could be aware of] that kept one person in and the other out. </p>
<p>Though I didn't do this myself, try to do the optional essays, but only if you know you have something profound to say or some creativity to display or else it's pointless. </p>
<p>Get on top of those teacher recs and make sure you give them enough time to write a strong one.</p>
<p>Have your essay proofread by teachers, friends [well if you trust them ;)], family so they can give you constructive criticism as well as grammar checks.</p>
<p>The most important thing is make sure you're not trying to be anything or anyone on your app except yourself.</p>
<p>Be passionate about the school. Demonstrate interest [though I never really did this either] though college visits, phone calls, requesting guidebooks, etc.</p>
<p>Don't be afraid to dream, and don't bother listening to people's criticisms of your applications and your faults because they're not the one's making the final decision, so though you can consider what they say, you have every right to just disregard it.</p>
<p>Don't participate in activities just because you know it will "look" good on applications. Just do activities for yourself. So if you don't like band, theatre, sports, community service, academic clubs, or student government, etc. don't join them. Just do the ones you love.</p>
<p>Take interview options whenever possible, though I passed up two myself, oops :p</p>
<p>And good luck :)</p>
<p>Wow, this is great, thanks RockyRoad and Tony!</p>
<p>Hail for Tonyt88's exhaustive post ;). But beats me why after reading several posts about experiences around here, I'm even more stressed out about this cruel process :D</p>
<p>Exactly....</p>
<p>Sorry bout that guys :|</p>
<p>Get your requests for recommendations in to your teachers EARLY: late September for EA/ED, late November for RD. Teachers are busy and they deserve a month's notice on something like this. If you wait you are straining the relationship, and may find that the recommendation is hastily written, or that the teacher has too many to write and cannot do one for you!</p>
<p>If i did one good thing in my "C" high school career it was asking for letters in june (i feel so proud of myself roflmao) and letters from teachers in classes i got A's in. no foriegn language letter for me</p>
<p>My biggest thing was freaking out about interviews. My dad would make me memorize all this stuff about the school that totally didn't matter. Finally, after about three, I realized that I should be myself and act totally relaxed, because I gave off a better impression that way.</p>
<p>Bumpppppp.</p>