The Mix 2024: Critical summer – rising high school seniors tackle college applications
By Alan Shr
Green Hope High School
Summer before senior year is critical for students getting started on the college application process.
College applications can be daunting, with the heavy effort of writing essays, acquiring recommendations, obtaining test scores, and filling out forms. But applying to colleges and subsequently attending one can pay promising dividends.
The years leading up to college
Students often think the college application process starts the summer after their junior year; however, it starts well before that. Allee Olive, an admissions officer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explained the importance of a strong academic profile.
“I mean, I think it’s, maybe it’s fair to say the transcript is really the foundation, you need to have challenged yourself with classes and have received pretty strong grades, like that’s really the foundation of the application,” Olive said.
By taking challenging courses and getting the best grades possible in them, colleges see a student that strives to take challenges and successes within them.
Another part of a student’s academic profile are standardized test scores such as the SAT or the ACT– although some schools currently don’t require them.
Counselors recommend practicing for either of these tests throughout freshman and sophomore year and taking a test the summer before junior year.
Olive shared resources one could use to prepare for such tests. “There’s a lot of free test prep out there so before you pay for it (test preparation resources), go to your library– there are free SAT and ACT test prep books that you can check out,” she said.
Joining, leading and starting clubs and organizations that align with a student’s interests exhibits to colleges that a student can take initiative and thrive within different environments. In a homogeneous environment where most applicants carry similar grades and test scores, the activities and the impacts that they have makes them stand out and ultimately get accepted to a school, Olive said.
Activities such as competitions, jobs, clubs, leadership roles, volunteering and caring for family all demonstrate to colleges that a student is able to take on responsibilities in which they demonstrate leadership, interpersonal skills, work ethic, and initiative.
Navigating the Application Itself
By the end of junior year, students should make an account on Common Application or Coalition for College, where they can apply to multiple universities using just one platform; however, certain schools, such as the University of California schools and University of Texas schools use a different platform to apply. Once they create a Commonapp account, they should fill out the profile, family, education, and if applicable, testing sections. As students navigate the college application process, they should create a list of schools that they wish to apply to.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing A College
Hannah Searing, parent of a student at Hunter College High School in New York City, explained factors a student should take into consideration when deciding which schools to apply to.
“First, you want to make sure that the school has programs in your academic interest, and I think that you want to consider where the school is; do you want to be in a college town, or a suburb or a city,” Searing said.
Aside from the school itself, students also need to consider the environment around the school. “You need to consider what the student population looks like and if you would be comfortable, making sure that that is positive and supportive of (your) education,” she said.
Once a student has come up with the list, application portals will create a chart of specific deadlines, rules, and requirements for the schools that one applies to. After completing their college application list, they should start brainstorming essays, looking at the general Commonapp essay and the supplemental essays for each school.
Olive pointed out ways students’ essays can stand out, emphasizing the importance of authenticity. She explained that an essay should be a direct reflection of a student, who they are and what their story is.
“Your essay should be as if you dropped it on the floor at school and someone picked it up without seeing your name, and they would immediately know that you wrote it… that’s how strong your personality and voice should be in your essay,” she said.
As students are navigating the essay writing process, they should take advantage of resources such as parents, teachers and counselors to brainstorm and proofread their essays.
Along with writing essays and activities, students also need teacher recommendations, where they should ask teachers they feel know them best academically and as students. When asking for recommendations, certain schools have different requirements for who can write recommendations based on subjects or roles.
After submitting their applications, students monitor their application portals regularly for any updates or additional requirements from colleges. They should also keep in touch with their guidance counselors and teachers to ensure that all necessary documents, such as transcripts and recommendation letters have been submitted on time.
Go back to the The Mix 2024: College Admissions