Printer Friendly
Girls' VersionCollege Application Tips
Good grades and test scores are important, but there are other ways to make your college application competitive.
Here are our top 10 tips to help you get into the colleges you want:
1. Start thinking about college in your junior year (or earlier)
It's a good idea to begin gathering information and meeting with your guidance counselor to talk about schools as early as possible. Starting this process early will give you time to find the colleges that are the best fit for you.
- The best place to start is online. You can find information about each school using sites such as collegeboard.org.
- When looking for schools, think about location, size, curriculum, campus, number of students, variety of majors offered, etc.
- Most colleges/universities use the Common App, an online service that allows you to use the same application for multiple schools.
- Create an account on commonapp.org the summer before your senior year and start filling out general info such as your name and address.
2. Prepare for the SAT or ACT
- Before taking either the SAT or ACT it's a good idea to become familiar with the kinds of questions you might expect to see. You could buy a book or look into a class that can help prepare you for the SAT/ACT exams. Many high schools or community centers offer these classes at no charge. Other prep classes (such as Kaplan or the Princeton Review) charge a fee.
- Don't get discouraged if you didn't do as well as you'd like on the SAT or ACT. You can take both of these tests again.
- Standardized testing isn't for everyone. Some colleges are starting to accept applications without test scores. Find out more information here.
3. Take the time to do the things that you're passionate about
- If you're really into sports - participate in a sport, volunteer to coach younger kids, or write a sports blog, etc. (You let colleges know about your interests in your application.)
- Participating in summer programs, volunteering at a summer camp, or working over the summer will show colleges that you spent your vacation doing something useful and that you're committed.
4. Keep a list of activities
Keep a running list of all the activities that you've been involved with since your freshman year in high school so you have something to refer to when you're filling out college applications.
- Don't forget to include both paid and unpaid activities on this list.
5. Plan your recommendation letters
Most schools require at least 2 letters of recommendation from your teachers.
- Request letters from teachers who know you best, from teachers whose class you've received the best grades, or from teachers whose class you've shown the greatest improvement in.
- Find out if the teachers you selected are willing to write your letters and how far in advance they want to receive the paperwork. Provide a stamped envelope addressed to the schools you're sending the letters to. Be sure that you double check the addresses so the letters get to the right place.
- When you ask for a letter, give your teachers a list of your activities. It might also be helpful for you to tell them what you've achieved in their class.
6. Write an admissions essay that stands out
College and university admission's staff get tons of essays - they want to read something that will help them get a sense of who you are.
- Write about something that you feel strongly about - the essay will be easier to compose and those who read it will be able to see your passion.
- Keep your essays to the point and follow the required guidelines set by each school (some schools require the essay to be about a specific topic).
- Talk with your English teacher; he or she may be able to help guide you.
7. Use the spell-check tool
Every year colleges and universities receive applications and essays filled with spelling and grammar mistakes. Don't let this be you. Before mailing your essay or hitting the "send" button on your computer:
- Use the spell-check tool in your word processor.
- Have someone (parent, teacher, guidance counselor) proof-read your essay and give you feedback before you send it.
8. Know about financial aid options
College is expensive, but there are scholarships, grants, and loans available. Make the time to look for them.
- Start searching as soon as possible because many scholarship applications are due in the winter of your senior year.
- Sign up for scholarship search websites such as: fastweb.com and scholarships.com.
- Ask your teachers and guidance counselors about available scholarships in your community.
- Check out whether the school(s) you're applying to offer scholarships for incoming freshman.
- If you need help paying for college, submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before you start college, and each year thereafter. This form will determine whether you're eligible for grants, loans, or work-study programs.
If you need financial assistance applying for college:
- Some schools offer application fee waivers if they see the applicant can't afford the fee or if they attend the school's open house or tour. Call the school's admissions office and ask for more information.
- Collegeboard also gives fee waivers to students who receive free or reduced lunch. Ask your guidance counselor about these programs.
9. Stay organized
The college application can get overwhelming. Colleges may ask for several essays, there's lots of paperwork to fill out, and the various schools that you're applying to may have different deadlines.
- Keep a list of all the essay questions and deadlines for each school/scholarship you're applying for.
- Put a reminder of all the deadlines on your calendar or in your cell phone so that you don't forget them.
10. Stay calm
- It's very easy to become intimidated and overwhelmed by the application process. Try to stay calm and focused on your goals.
Updated: 4/27/2011
Related Guides:
Going to college is a very important and exciting time in your life. It can be a big change from what you are used to...
