Everyone has that one dream college—that significant reach. But you don’t have to settle for just dreaming of going to your perfect school. Once you have that school in mind (and most likely written all over your notebooks), here are some tips to help guide you through the process and set you on the right path to accomplishing your goals.
Crush the SAT
First things first, you have got to do well on the SAT. It would be best if you aimed to start taking the test in your junior year. This way, you will be able to retake it if needed. You can find test dates for the SAT online as well as register online. Try to register for each test about five weeks in advance to secure your spot.
And most importantly, study, study, study. Plenty of resources exist to ensure you a successful SAT regardless of whether you know every piece of information or not. Be sure to look for practice tests and books to help you through your studying, and do not be afraid to reach out to tutors or other students who have already taken the test. They will be invaluable resources to reach your test score goal! It’s recommended to enjoy your learning and a collection of interactive grammar games would also do wonders here, for every group!
Choose the Perfect Colleges to Apply To
To start, you should utilize your high school counselor—they can be an invaluable resource. Next, decide what region you want to go to college in (e.g. close to home or in a specific area). Each student will have different expectations and goals in this area, so do not worry if your college experience and application look different from your friends. Each student will have different expectations and goals in this area, so do not worry if your college experience and application for social work major look different from your friends.
This process is catered to each person, so if you expect a unique college experience, be sure to remember that the application process will reflect that.
To set realistic goals, make sure to research the requirements and general caliber of students for each college on your list. Knowing your specific goals is the only way to achieve them!
Keep a Full Plate
Even though grades, SAT scores, and recommendations are essential, the little things can count for a lot. Try participating in diverse extracurricular activities, as it can be a big positive for college admissions. Additionally, you can apply to summer enrichment programs and other pre-college programs to bolster your application. Do not forget about sports and other hobbies! Finding an activity that you are passionate about, and that will look great on an application is critical here.
Enjoy yourself, but remember to find balance! Colleges like well-rounded students and these activities will help to make you stand out in addition to a great transcript.
Volunteer
Colleges like students who give back to the community—it adds authenticity to the application. If you can, connect your volunteer efforts to other parts of your application, like the essay or interview. This will create a connected and well-rounded application to help admissions notice you among the pools of other students. Be sure to be genuine with your volunteer work. If it is just surface level, many admissions officers will know, and this is an extracurricular pursuit that takes time and effort to accomplish.
Apply for Early Admissions
Applying for early admissions or early action can be helpful to many students. You should only apply early decision to your top school, as this is a binding decision. Early action is non-binding, so your second and third (or fourth!) choice schools can fall into this category.
In deciding to apply early action or decision, you will save stress and time, which is always the goal in life-changing situations such as these. Once you get in (let’s remember to be optimistic here!), you will have more time to enjoy your high school experience and look for college housing and other preparations.
Remember that Optimism Will Get You Far!
Applying for college may be scary and stressful, but following all of these tips will help you to have a smooth transition into the life of a college student. If you work hard and stick to your goals, the application process will go flawlessly. Remember to be genuine in your endeavors and keep your eye on the end goal: the college of your dreams. Happy applying!
