Hey! So I was wondering if all of you lovely college confidential users that have endured the college application process could give us incoming seniors some Dos and Do nots and some overall advice of what we should be doing during this time of when we are applying to colleges such as when or who to ask recommendations from, whether or not interviews are necessary, topics or cliches we should avoid for our essays, etc.
First, this post should sum up most information for you:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/admissions-hindsight-lessons-learned/588508-tips-college-admission-process.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/admissions-hindsight-lessons-learned/588508-tips-college-admission-process.html</a>
Second: If you have read that and still havn’t found your answer, just post a specific question, as the above forum was made for answering the questions you asked.
Third: Just so I don’t sound like a cranky old man:
Do: Have fun! Go to Prom! Don’t waste your senior year worrying about IB/AP exams, and college admissions. You should focus on them, but if you fixate you will not enjoy senior year.
Don’t: Succumb to senioritis. It’s easy, lazy, and ultimetaly a horrible idea. You WILL regret it, it is much easier to slog through the last few months and get things done, rather than regretting it later.
Do: Start early, the earlier you apply the better, that being said make sure you have quality essays, recs, etc. Rushing through is a bad idea. Research, research, research some more. If you know what you want to do, then find a college that is well known for it, even your safety should have good programs that you will be interested in.
Don’t: Wait till the night before, only apply to Top-Tier, get your hopes up (they will most likely get crushed; tough life, suck it up), be a cocky b**** (you will regret that too).
Do: Read CC, but take everything with a pinch of salt, it isn’t always accurate. Give back to CC after you go through the process, by trying to give helpful and ACCURATE info.
Don’t: Obsess over CC, put to much stake in chances (unless the message is “look at these colleges instead”), be ‘that guy’ and tell EVERYONE how worried you are ALL the time. Honestly no-one but you and your immediate family cares, your friends have their own problems.
Finally, have fun, I actually enjoyed applying to colleges, but I’m just weird like that. If you do your research well you won’t have to worry about going to college, that is what your safety is for.
This is really helpful! Thank you!
Couldn’t agree more, thanks!
^ you are lovely
Are there any websites or web services to get your essay checked? A few if my friends said such websites have existed
If you know of any, I would love to know
I would obviously also use peer review, but it would be nice since not a lot of my friends have the time since they have their own essays to write
I believe there is a forum for college essays on here, but keep in mind EVERYONE can read your essays, and personal stuff can come out. A great idea is to find people who are finished with the process, and PM them to see if they are willing to help. You will get a variety of advice this way. (Don’t change your entire essay because of one person though, try to get multiple opinions) Here is a link to potential readers:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/552302-consolidated-list-essay-readers-cc-49.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/552302-consolidated-list-essay-readers-cc-49.html</a>
And something you can do is set aside a day on which you and all your friends meet up and read each others essays.
<em>People can PM me with essays btw</em>
I agree with Kbrownie that getting rejected from the most well known Ivy League schools is not that big a deal. You can always apply for a transfer later after showing some strong semesters and better test scores. Many do that route. Some have back-doors too for misfits.
Or you can be wise and realize that many lesser known schools outrank some Ivy Leagues in their respective majors. The location of the school, it’s environment and the professors can all be factors.
Many freshmen change majors multiple times. Job opportunities might arise and put a hold on your education or stick you to part time.
Focus on a school you’ll love and an environment that you’ll excel at. Pick a major you will enjoy and has career choices that match you.
It’s ok to also drop out for a period, go part time, focus on other things or change a major or transfer schools. I’ve done so many times. It didn’t destroy my life or ruin my educational career. So long as you are productive in something while accomplishing your goals. The years after high school graduation are very different. They don’t always pan out the way you’re told or as most high school seniors dream it should be.
ha.