<p>After going through the process:</p>
<p>Apply to schools you would actually go to.</p>
<p>Visit.</p>
<p>Research.</p>
<p>Most importantly, realize you can be successful anywhere because luck plays a large role in college admissions and there is nothing to do about that.</p>
<p>And please, they don't want to see Tennis, Track, Golf, Badminton
What's wrong with these sports?
Is there some kind of implication that they are easy or common or associated with the country club set? We have a track star going to a top Ivy this year and consistently have tennis and golf players going to top 20 schools...these are not easy sports.</p>
<p>-- Look at lots of different schools so you know what's out there.</p>
<p>-- Don't get hung up on going to a certain school. The applications process is totally random in many ways, and you can never really be sure where you'll get in.</p>
<p>-- Before you start filling out your applications, look them over and see if (a) any schools use the common app or (b) any applications ask basically the same essay question(s). You can obviously cut the time spent on applications if you can fill out the same one for more than one school, or write one essay and just tweak it to meet the similar requests of different schools. </p>
<p>-- Check with schools that use the common app to see if there is anything else they require from you.</p>
<p>-- Don't procrastinate on applications.</p>
<p>-- Have someone proofread your applications.</p>
<p>-- Try to enjoy this time in your life. Sure, it's stressful trying to get all the senior year stuff done, and it can be nervewracking waiting to hear where you've been accepted. But it's such a great time in your life when the 4 years ahead are filled with new experiences & possibility. It's okay to be nervous, but try to be excited about the fun ahead and know that everything will work out, even if you don't get into your #1 choice.</p>
<p>thanks amanda9327, that's very encouraging comments.</p>
<p>I heartily agree that it's okay to be nervous now, but at the same time try to imagine and think about the world of opportunities and possibilities beyond highschool. Now, simply do your best and even if you fail, you'll at least know that you've tried your best. Besides, there's always something useful one can extract from failures. I am currently a rising-senior, and I can't wait to enter this new world beyond my expectations.</p>
<p>Yeah I haven't been stressed out so far...but now I'm getting a little stressed. I'm really worried about my grades! I have a 3.8 uw and I want to go to Yale :(</p>
<p>They definitely do want to see Tennis and Track. They are two of the most popular college admission sports</p>
<p>Golf and Badminton, I can see your point a little bit more.</p>
<p>but what if something like golf IS my favorite sport/activity? I play/practice golf like almost everyday, and it's one of my major outside activities.</p>
<p>If something is an activity that you're heavily involved in, then definitely put it in your application. Also, if this helps, a good friend of mine put golf as his number one activity, and he's going to Duke this august so don't stress if your biggest issue is whether or not to list golf.</p>
<p>It's good that you like golf, but if you think it's going to set you apart on your application having a unique activity and show that you truly have unique qualities about yourself, then you might want to think of another sport, like football.</p>
<p>golf certainly is not going to be one my number-one EC. It's simply an outside interest, something I take as a daily leisure activity. My main interest lies in the field of international relations and history, in which I've already gained some substantial distinction. I am simply wondering whether or not I should put golf on the application's EC list. Do we have to include some sort of a sport/physical activity? (since I already have so many other ECs that may deserve a better standing on my app.)</p>
<p>Im an asian indian guy and like basketball is my life. You dont see very many indian basketball players out there. You think colleges would like that about me. Playing a sport my race so to say is not very prominent in and like none of my family has ever done since they came from india?</p>
<p>Well, when I was applying to colleges and I had to list my EC's I thought the same thing to myself: Do I want/need to list a sport? I mean obviously some schools see it as a plus if you're athletically involved, but with me all I ever did was play for the tennis team in 10th grade and nothing else. So I decided not to list tennis or any sports related activity that I participate in for leisure [bowling league 5 yrs.] and it worked out fine for me, so it's definitely still possible to succeed in the college admissions game even w/o a sport attached to your resume.</p>
<p>I see well i played all 4 years includign 2 on varisty so im satying competeive plus i played club so i hope itll help me out</p>
<p>A2WOLVES6, whewww, thank you for that ::" If you have to take out loans because you can't afford a school, don't go there. " <---- BEST ADVICE, NO LOANS !!!! Of course many people take out loans to finance their education, but I think researching any college that offers really great finan aid (aka, do i hear "you dont have to pay much") is one of the best things to do.</p>
<p>"It's good that you like golf, but if you think it's going to set you apart on your application having a unique activity and show that you truly have unique qualities about yourself, then you might want to think of another sport, like football."</p>
<p>Because football is such a rare sport these days? Seriously, football is the most glorified sport in the country, it does not show you're unique AT ALL. Golf and football are BOTH good ECs</p>
<p>I think he was saying that football is probably a much rarer EC among applicants to selective schools than golf.</p>
<p>
[quote]
and it worked out fine for me, so it's definitely still possible to succeed in the college admissions game even w/o a sport attached to your resume.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If I may ask, which school did you get into?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I think Tonyt88 got into Harvard, correct? Congrats:)</p>
<p>listen...for all of you dissing golf </p>
<p>why is football somehow more impressive? because your big? because they only take 50 people on the team? </p>
<p>golf requires more skill/talent/dedication</p>
<p>at my school, the golf team is the hardest sport to make</p>
<p>bad stereotype you got going</p>
<p>Count on your safeties being the schools you'll have to choose from in the end. Whatever you do, DO NOT assume you'll get into your reaches. There is no point in getting all excited about a school you probably won't be accepted to. Make sure the safeties are places you want to attend. </p>
<p>If you are undecided about the type of school you want to go to, apply to a mix. I applied to city, rural, and suburban, in all parts of the country, all sizes. Then when I was accepted to 4 of the 7 schools I applied to, I revisited those and made my choice. </p>
<p>Don't automatically pick State U as your safety. There are lots of really cool places around the country you would like and could easily get into. I know people who were mad they only applied to reaches and State U, because then they realized they hate the State U atmosphere.</p>
<p>Let your parents guide you in the college shopping process, because they can help you see things about yourself you might not have realized on your own. But whatever you do, don't let them fill out your applications (even the name, address part) or edit your essays. Parents can never be objective. Have your teachers edit your essays. </p>
<p>Whatever you do, do not limit the schools you apply to to places that have your major. The majority of college students change their major, so you might end up in a place you picked because of a specific major that you actually hate! It's better to find a SCHOOL you like, with a good atmosphere, THEN worry about your major. </p>
<p>Let your college counselors help you, and thank them for their hard work. They are under a lot of stress, especially if there is not a big college counseling department. Don't forget that you are not their only student. But if you have to sit in their office and cry for a period, don't be embarassed! My college counselor told me its rare for any student to get through senior year without using her Kleenex.</p>