College: to different people, it means different things. To some, a far-off aspiration, to others, simply a part of life, but for the senior class, it is a present and immediate reality.
Getting those applications in alongside senior project, athletics, extracurriculars and good old-fashioned homework may seem like an overwhelming amount of business, but never fear: with a little scheduling, you can be well on your way to the school of your dreams.
Though the specific dates of application deadlines vary, most fall within the period of November and Jan. 1. The University of Texas at Austin’s deadline, for instance, was Dec. 1; Texas A&M University’s, Jan. 15.
Senior Brianna Cobern, who has already completed her college applications said each application took her only three to four hours. Though despite this, she still warns others not to wait until the deadline is close to begin work.
“The applications didn’t take very long. Even the essays were pretty short, but if I could do it again, I’d probably spend more time on the essays,” Cobern said.
Transition Coordinator Jayme Spexarth also advised students to give careful attention to their essays in her informative session during senior rotations.
Another pitfall to avoid is the information conundrum. Collegeboard.com cites the exclusion of necessary information, inclusion of inaccurate information and, occasionally, universities losing track of pertinent information as some of the most prevalent causes of rejection. For these reasons, applicants should keep multiple copies of their applications, check with counselors to ensure that all necessary paperwork has been forwarded its proper location and that all contact information is accurately recorded on the application.
Collegeboard.com also recommends sending a letter addressed to the college’s board of admissions expressing the applicant’s continued interest in the college one to two weeks after the original application, as it keeps the applicant’s name apparent during the selection process.
Spexarth said if a college offers an ‘optional’ essay that may be included with an application, to do it, as many colleges will outright ignore applicants who only completed the bare minimum.
Another important component of any successful college application is the letter of recommendation. Recommendations can be written by virtually any adult who knows the applicant well—teachers, counselors, principals, pastors, community organizers, politicians—although some schools ask for specific people to write the recommendations. Collegeboard encourages students to supply their reference with a list of their accomplishments, both scholastic and extracurricular, and if applying to a specific school at a university, try to find an instructor in the school’s area of study to write it.
Though the urge to procrastinate on applications may be overwhelming, Spexarth said the earlier an application is sent in, the better. Spexarth said most colleges receive the bulk of their applications three and four days before the deadline, and that the earlier an application is received, the better the light it will be viewed in.
Above all, applicants should give careful scrutiny to the directions colleges present on their applications. Even with the common application being used by many schools, some still provide special direction for applicants, such as a special mailing address or what size font to use on an essay. The more closely an applicant can adhere to a college’s rules for application, the better that applicant’s chances.
