March is decision-release time for most US universities, and high school juniors around the world are watching seniors who are anxiously awaiting word from admissions offices. Years of hard work, focus, and determination come down to these few weeks.
As students return from Spring Break, it’s time for rising seniors to get serious about applying to college. It may be spring now, but with early decision deadlines starting on November 1, 2017, here are five things to consider:
1) Clarify your vision, values, and goals.
Relax! Nobody is asking you to plan out the rest of your life. The best part about going to a university is being exposed to many different, new, and exciting opportunities and people. You will grow, change, and evolve throughout your time at college. But it’s important to have a clear understanding of yourself—what matters to you, what you hope to accomplish at university, and what fires up your intellect. Taking time to sort this out is important because it will help you develop a clear line of thought in what can be a confusing and hectic process. Many people will give you well-meaning advice, but remember that what you want matters most.
2) Make a list.
It is important to make a list of schools you are considering. Start high-level—what location is important to you? Are you more comfortable in large lectures taught by graduate students, or do you prefer smaller classes led by Professors? Are athletics or other extra-curricular activities important? What about Greek life, study abroad, social activism?
As you begin to narrow down choices, turn to academics—how and what do you want to study? Are research opportunities important? Access to faculty? Depth of subject material? Don’t focus on rankings—they change every year and tell you nothing about a school’s culture, intellectual vitality, or environment.
If possible, try to visit several schools, but if you are not able to, make use of websites, student reviews, and other opportunities to learn as much as you can. Almost every school will ask a version of “Why is this school the best place for you to achieve your goals?,” and you will need a clear answer to that for yourself if you wish to be successful in this process (and remember, there is no “right” answer; they want to hear your truth).
3) Academics.
For Juniors, it is important to end the academic year on a strong note. Dig in, study hard, and do your very best. If you are preparing for AP tests, carve out the time to prepare and work hard! There is no “magic” number of AP classes, but universities are looking to see if you have challenged yourself academically and taken the best advantage of the resources available to you. If your school does not offer AP classes, don’t worry; just do your best in the most challenging classes you are able to take. Be sure to set aside time for test prep (ACT or SAT, it does not matter which), and check to see if your target schools require SAT Subject Tests. Be sure the subject tests line up with your declared academic interests.
When choosing classes for Senior year, be sure to challenge yourself, but also take classes that interest you! Universities are looking for intellectual curiosity and vitality, so push yourself, but also be true to yourself. Look for depth, not necessarily breadth when building your schedule.
4) Extracurricular Activities and Summer.
There is no “best” answer here. Universities look for students with passion, depth of engagement, and leadership, but how that is demonstrated is up to you. It could be athletics, a part-time job after school, taking care of family members, volunteer work, arts, student government, and so forth. It’s fine to do several things, but remember that quality trumps quantity, and the key is to show consistent engagement over time with increasing responsibility.
Summers can be very important in this equation, and you should spend time furthering your engagement in things that interest you. The Envision summer[IS1] programs are an excellent opportunity as they provide hands-on experience in science, engineering, leadership, business, and so on. By integrating this into your existing extra-curricular activities, you can demonstrate a deeper understanding of your chosen path and field of study.
5) Essays.
The Common Application [JH2] will go live in August, and it’s a good idea to work on it over the summer if possible before you get back to school. Remember that the essays are your opportunity to tell the school who you are and what makes you unique! Don’t write what you think they want to hear, or mimic what you’ve seen elsewhere. Tell your story: what matters to you and why? Avoid overly florid writing, and don’t make the reader have to refer to a thesaurus every other sentence. Be clear, to the point, and honest. Don’t just tell a story; communicate why it is important to who you are, and how it relates to the path you have chosen through college.
There are many issues to consider as you head into application season, and the above list should give you a good starting point. Clarify your visions and goals, study hard, and incorporate extra-curricular activities to foster your future. Remember that universities want to know your story, and if you don’t present it thoughtfully and clearly, they can’t fill in the gaps. Be honest about setbacks and what you have learned, and also celebrate your accomplishments. Know what you want from university, and you will have increased your chances of success immensely. Good luck!
Author: Thomas Caleel, the former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid for the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Learn more about Thomas Caleel:
https://www.envisionexperience.com/explore-our-programs/caleel-workshop
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