What this past year has taught me

Applying to College
1

This past year has really taught me a lot about myself and the college process. I think I learned a few things that would be helpful to share with CC. There are already hundreds of books and services that tell you how to get in, but these are the other things that no one bothered to tell me.

<li>The visit. I cannot emphasize how much my visits to each of my schools helped during the selection process. I’d really recommend visiting each of your schools outside of their admit weekend… it really gives you a perspective on the life there. Also, some campuses I thought I would love I turned out to not like, and some I thought I wouldn’t like I turned out to love. In the end, the school I’m headed to is the one I had my best visit at. Is that the sole reason I chose it? No. But it was a big factor.</li>
<li>Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. You should really develop a comprehensive list of schools, included in which are a couple safeties. I’ve known a number of kids this year who did not get into a school. Also, never choose a prestigous school as a “safety”. I’ve seen kids who have HYP stats and choose a slightly less prestigous university as their “safety” and not get into it. This also doesn’t mean you apply to HYP and a community college. There is a BROAD range of schools out there… just do your homework.</li>
<li>Never rely on a coach. Sometimes, athletic coaches promise the world and don’t deliver. Sometimes, they find a kid who is taller/faster/heavier/etc. Sometimes, they just don’t have as much “pull” as they claim. If you look around CC, you will find instances of all of these.</li>
<li>At the same time, do not underestimate a coach. I was 3/3 at schools where I was actually recommended by a coach, and 1/3 when I wasn’t. (I was more of a victim of being replaced by another kid). And don’t expect coaches to come to you. Send your film/ times/ etc. to them. Who knows what can happen.</li>
<li>Be open minded. You will be very surprised what can happen if you keep an open mind. I wasn’t going to apply to the school I’m going to, but, in December, someone suggested it, I looked into it, visited, and the rest is history. I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.</li>

Fellow '05ers, feel free to add any more advice or things you’ve learned.

2

<p>How about from an '04er? ;-)
1. Don't apply to ten schools. Not worth it, nor have I ever met a person who said it WAS worth it.
2. If your parents are divorced make sure you consistantly use one address from start to finish, including all SAT scores, scholarships, admissions stuff, etc. People get confused when you don't.
3. Relax and keep everything in perspective. The fact of the matter is your life is just beginning, and if you want an education in this country it doesn't matter where you go as you can get one.
4. Once you get into college no one cares anything about your high school stats. So stop bragging about them once you get to campus because when you do you're likely just bragging to someone who's more impressive then you anyway! People care about who you are up front, and if you have nothing to show in that regard because you spent all of hs fretting over admissions it will show.</p>

3

<p>Here's what I'd like to add:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>DON'T dismiss LACs. So many of my classmates applied to big, presitigious universities and totally dismissed great, small liberal arts colleges. There are simply excellent schools that have small student populations, but really wonderful faculty, academic programs, study abroad opportunities, etc. Schools like Amherst, or Williams, or Vasser, or Claremont McKenna etc are all comparatively small, but wonderful schools.</p></li>
<li><p>DON'T dismiss single-sex schools. For any girl who might be reading this: look into colleges like Wellesley, or Byrn Mawr, or Mt. Holyoke, or Smith, or Scripps, or Agnes Scott or Barnard etc. Women's colleges are underrated and undervalued, though they often provide superior learning environments and closer, more intellectual communities than many of the giant, coed univ. so many people seem to prefer. </p></li>
<li><p>Prepare yourself it the "worst" should happen and don't be bitter. If you don't get accepted to your dream schools, don't be too upset or bitter about it. There's always transferring, or grad school. If you have an open mind, you just might find you will enjoy your second or third etc choice school after all.</p></li>
<li><p>Do your homework! Message boards like this are great ways to ask questions and get answers about different colleges and how they operate, what some of their students are like, what the quality of teaching is and so on. Pricenton Review and Fiske's Guide can help, too. Many colleges have Live Journal communities in which you can ask students questions about their college/college life. </p></li>
<li><p>Visit, visit, visit. There was one school that for a few MONTHS was my absolute dream college. As SOON as we drove onto campus, I absolutely HATED it. The feeling got worse as I actually walked around campus and talked to students/faculty. It wasn't that the school was ugly, or in a bad location, or that the people there didn't seem nice or really smart etc. It was just something sort of intrinsic, a kind of gut feeling about the school that I didn't like. It was a gut feeling and perspective you certaintly can't get just by gazing through glossy, perfect, digitially-enhanced viewbooks. You need to actually be at a prospective college in order to get the best perspective. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you can visit during junior year or very early senior year, you won't have to have wasted the time and money doing applications for schools you find yourself hating upon first visit.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Be supportive to your friends! My school is pretty academically rigorous, and there will always be a competitive undercurrent among many of the kids, even though they are "friends." Its amazing sometimes watching the smug, not-very-sympathetic looks I've seen among "friends" when it's learned that a person didn't get into a certain dream college. It's very sad, actually. People always need support and attention after they go through a really hurtful college rejection. </p></li>
<li><p>Don't rub it into people's faces when you get into your dream college. Needs no further explanation.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't whine too much either if you DON'T get into your top choice. You can be sad for awhile, but at some time you have to get over it. And most people can be sympathetic only to a point. If you spend hours with your friends or friends or guidance counselor complaining and ranting and raving for weeks and weeks... well, just don't do it. See #3.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry that was so long. :)</p>

4

<p>1) If you are a pretty good musician/dancer/actor/actress as well as student, apply to places as a double major (e.g. theater and biology, piano performance and psych, etc.) and your rate of acceptance will probably be increased, as well as chances for [bigger] financial aid.</p>

<p>2) Always start out with an attachment to a Safety School. Not only will it make the process more satisfying and less stressful, but it will also make acceptances to Match and Reach schools far more exhilarating.</p>

<p>3) Never choose a school because of prestige. It may be a "good" school, but is it good for YOU? Don't lie to yourself. lol.</p>

<p>4) Let yourself go on the essays. I found that schools responded more favorably to my non-proofread, improvisatory spital as opposed to the mechanically structured paragraphs I was left with after numerous proof-readings. Kind of like over-processed soil or hair, I always got the feeling that proof-reading removed my inner voice, stripping away all the natural energy and verve. I'm not saying you shouldn't proof-read, but leave room for your true self to come out in your words. Use proof-reading as merely a suggestive enhancer.</p>

<p>So yeah. These are all things I learned the hard way, but not always in the worst of outcomes. It's been a good learning experience nonetheless.</p>

5

<p>This is such a great thread and should be required reading for all rising seniors! You kids really have a handle on the college app process and the honest expressions of what you have learned are very refreshing . Coming from other students, the message is far more effective than anything parents can tell kids.</p>

<p>Good luck to you all-you have bright futures ahead of you.</p>

6

<p>Apply EVERYWHERE. You never know what could happen. I applied to around 20 schools and am very glad I did.</p>

7

<p>my-3-sons,</p>

<p>Thank you. I hope we can get even more people to share.</p>

8

<p>I actually came into this thread with the intention of posting the same thing my-3-sons did...just to see it had already been covered!</p>

<p>As a rising Senior, this thread is very useful, and I hope more people post.</p>

9

<p>Bumpity Bump...</p>

10

<p>Mods, can you "sticky" this thread, same as the "merit aid schools" thread in Parents Forum?</p>

11

<p>Some things I've learned from the college admissions process...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Never underestimate yourself. Don't decide not to apply to a school you love just for fear of rejection or think you're not good enough for the school. Luck does factor in a bit in college admissions, so don't sell yourself short. Aim high, and hope for the best.</p></li>
<li><p>My biggest regret is that I didn't focus that much on my homework and classes until late in my high school career. I didn't realize how much my grades meant until recently when I was applying to colleges. Have as much fun as you can in high school, but take care of schoolwork first. </p></li>
<li><p>Keep an open mind and don't dismiss a school just because you've never heard of it; you may find a "hidden gem".</p></li>
<li><p>Ask your teachers for a recs pretty early on so they're not taken by surprise of have to rush to have the recs written and sent. Give them considerable time to write a glowing, well-thought out rec.</p></li>
<li><p>Those glossy, pretty college viewbooks only take you so far. Visiting (preferably an overnight visit) is a must to get a real idea of how academics and life is like at the school. Ask yourself--are these the sort of people I want to spend the next four years with? Make sure to get the email addresses of the students, and stay in contact with them, since they are some of the best resources.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't apply to a ridiculous amount of schools and do little research about each. Start the college search early, it will relieve a lot of stress later on, and you'll have a clear idea of what you're looking for.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't let your folks take total control of the college admissions process--this is about YOU and your future, and what they want in a college might be different than than what's right for you.</p></li>
</ol>

12

<p>Remember: If you don't get accepted to your dream school, don't lose hope! If the school you end up going to doesn't work out, you can always transfer!
Also, from a larger perspective, for many careers, grad/med/law school is really what will lead you to your career and thus your future. You can go to Harvard undergrad and slack off and not be accepted to any grad schools while you can attend a community college, work really hard, and get into a competitive grad school. It all depends on what you are willing to put into it. </p>

<p>College is what YOU make of it... if you give it 100%, you will achieve your goals, wherever you went as an undergrad.</p>

13

<p>Well, I'm an '05er so I'll respond... and may repeat what's already been said but that just means it is truely important.</p>

<p>1) THE VISIT Visit your schools before you apply and do this during your junior year... not during the summer or the fall or winter of your senior year. I went into my college search with the mindset of why visit unless I was accepted. So I visited a broad range of schools from small to large, urban to rural, north and south but did NOT visit all of the schools I applied to. It's now the end of April and I have visited 5 of the 10 schools I was accepted at(all I applied to). Granted, I enjoyed the summer before my senior year because I did NOT waste my time visiting but now I regret that. </p>

<p>2) MONEY I don't care how many times your parents may tell you that they'll pay for <em>whatever</em> college you pick, when the tuition estimate comes in with your acceptance letter, theres a good chance they'll renig on their offer. Don't get stuck in the mess I did. Lay things out truthfully and early on. My parents promised me the world and then, after I had applied to schools based on their comments and the application date had passed all other schools, say that they do not intend to pay anywhere near what I had expected. Also, don't expect merit money... just be pleasantly surprised when you get it. It's getting harder and harder to get and tuition keeps going up. </p>

<p>3) GUIDANCE The guidence department is not out there to help you or hurt you. Granted it depends on your particular school, but I've heard too many horror stories of students depending on their guidance department to do something and then being burnt when it is not done. Be responsible for your own admission and handle the packaging and mailing of your envelopes. A girl at my school was wondering why her letter of acceptance/denial had not come yet and Oops, turns out it got lost with our guidance counselor... it wouldn't have happened if she had demanded to mail her own things like most smart students do at our school.</p>

<p>4) RANKINGS In my opinion, this board is somewhat of a bad influence because it overemphasizes the importance of rankings and reputation. There are plenty of amazing people that graduate from less than amazing schools. If you are the type of person who can do great things at Harvard(for example) you can do those same great things at State U. Also, going to a school like Harvard(or any other big name private school) does not guarantee you'll be successful. Pick a school based on your personal attributes and desires.</p>

<p>...I've got more to add but need to go to work right now</p>

14

<p>Here's a few that I don't think anyone's mentioned yet.</p>

<p>1.) If you do have the unfortunate opportunity to feel rejection for the first time in your life, you're NOT alone. 99% of the people that go through this process get rejected at one point or another (whether it be from a college, a major scholarship, etc.). It does sting, but you're not the only one going through it.</p>

<p>2.) A great place to get information about a college is from the college itself. If you have a question, call or e-mail them. They'll happily respond to you.</p>

15

<p>Up ya go there</p>

16

<p>Another list, sort of more general but I think many often forget it, particularly when it comes to college for some reason-
Life is not about prestige, or rankings, and does not come with a pedigree. Life isn't about winning, or losing, or being compared to other people: it's about who you are and your ability to accept that person. Life isn't about doing things because others think you should even when you think it's against who you are: everyone has their own life and is capable of living their own. You are under no obligation that they extend their own into yours.
Life is about the fact that we're not quite sure who we are, what we're doing, but at least we can have fun, learn, and love along the way. It's about those times you dropped everything to comfort a distressed friend, or stared at the stars on a warm summer night. It's about the stuff that you did because it made YOU happy, not because others told you it would make you happy.
Life contains annoying things like GPAs and SAT scores. However, never believe that these are the essence of life: they are not what make it worth living and should not be lived for. If you ever find yourself in a situation where the essence of life is being compromised for the trimmings then reprioritize. The trimmings will be long gone in a few years and you won't regret their loss, but if you miss out on the essence of life it will be missed.
Now go, move on, and live to your full potential wherever it may take you. But don't lose your perspective.</p>

17

<p>stargirl, that was perfect!</p>

18

<p>Up again, maybe a mod might notice it this time ;)</p>

19

<p>Most important thing I've learned: SAT's and GPA isn't everything. Never underestimate the power of the essay - they got me into two of my super reach schools without any special hooks, no URM status, etc...</p>

20

<p>(1) Visit each school while it is in session. Meet some students and faculty. Check out the facilities and what the people are like. In the end, your feelings during your visit will be the most important factor in choosing - over rankings, prestige, amenities, what people on CC say, etc. A school which could be barely on your radar and barely on your list at the beginning might end up being your favorite as a result of visiting.</p>

<p>(2) Have at least 1 safety that has rolling admissions and apply to it early. Having an acceptance "in your back pocket" takes a lot of presssure off the whole process. If any schools on your list have EA, apply to them EA.</p>

<p>(3) Don't count on merit awards. What happened in previous years at a given school cannot be relied upon to occur in the next year. As tuition increases and the number of applicants increase, merit awards become more scarce. Identify a financial safety which does not rely on merit money.</p>

<p>(4) If you pass up a merit offer, you'll probably never have a chance at it again. Merit awards are almost always for incoming Freshman - not for upperclassmen or incoming Transfers.</p>

<p>(5) Tuitions are rising 


fast!

Expect tuition at a private school to rise by $1500 to $2200 


each year

.</p>