As you begin your senior year, it’s likely that things are looking much different than they did in the past. Consider these steps to ensure you stay on track with college applications even as COVID-19 prompts an evolution of the process.
1. Create your college list
- How to Get the Most Out of Virtual College Tours
- How to Choose Dream, Target And Safety Schools
- The Upside of Rejections & How I Fell in Love with My Safety School
2. Craft your essays
- Should Video Game Passion Be Shared on College Applications?
- 5 Admission Officers Name Their Top Essay Tips
- 3 Tips for Writing College Essays in the Age of COVID-19
- Supplemental Essay Tips
- Essay Tips to Consider
Ask your questions or read through more discussions in our dedicated College Essays forum.
We also have a consolidated list of essay readers in our College Confidential community. Reach out to them for help!
3. Boost your application with strong Extracurriculars
- Help! I Have Very Few Extracurriculars and No Essay Ideas
- How Does a Student Do Standout Extracurriculars During a Pandemic?
Deep dive into our community’s vast knowledge and expertise and read through more insightful forum discussions on extracurriculars.
4. Secure strong recommendation letters
- How Important Are Teacher Recommendations?
- I Don’t Have a Teacher to Request a Letter of Recommendation from
- Can a Recommendation from a Professor of the University You’re Applying to Help Boost Your Chances?
- Do Universities Allow You to Submit Letter of Recommendation from Elective Teachers?
- Who Should Write my Letters of Recommendation?
5. Prep for the ACT/SAT test
- How Do Colleges Compare Applicants Who Submit Test Scores With Those Who Don’t?
- 5 Facts About This Fall’s Test-Optional Admissions Landscape
- Test-Optional Admissions Bring Holistic Reviews to Center Stage
- 7 Last-Minute Things You Should Do the Week Before the SAT/ACT
- What Are AP Awards … and Do Colleges Care?
- Directory of Schools Going Test Optional for 2020-2021
Ask your questions or read through more discussions in our dedicated SAT and ACT Tests & Test Preparation forum.
6. Consider the best option to pay for college
- Can We Get Student Loans Without a Co-Signer?
- Which State Schools Do Not Charge an OOS Rate (and Will Also Give Merit Scholarships)?
- EFC Formula for 2020-21 Released
- The Psychological Effects of Loan Debt
Ask your questions or read through more discussions in our dedicated Financial Aid & Scholarships forum.
International students
- Tips for International Students Applying to US Colleges this Fall
- ICE Rescind Policy on International Students Taking Online Courses
Ask your questions or read through more discussions in our dedicated International Students forum.
College Life Insights
- Infographic: How Rising HS Seniors Feel About the College Admissions Landscape
- 5 FAQs About Requesting Health-Related Accommodations on Campus
Have suggestions or comments? Respond below or edit this post (it is a wiki).