Our Best Advice for Tackling Your College Applications

Not sure where to start with the college admission process? Check out our favorite articles to help you work on your college applications from start to finish.

by CollegeXpress/Nov 1, 2021

There are so many steps to the college application process: filling out forms, writing essays, asking for letters of recommendation, going on admission interviews, sending in test scores, and more! It can be a lot to keep track of, which is why we’ve compiled all our best advice to help you complete your college applications step-by-step. Learn how to get a head start, perfect each part of your apps, and survive with relatively little stress by checking out our favorite articles below.

Getting a head start on your college applications

• 5 Ways Students Can Prepare for College Applications: Using the time you have at home to get ahead on your college applications is just smart. These five quick tips can help you prepare to apply to college!
• 3 Smart Steps to Creating a College Application Strategy: The best way to complete your college applications is by having an application strategy. Here are three important steps to understanding and building your game plan. 
• Summertime College Application Preparations: Summer is a great time to work on your college search and applications. Here's what you can do to prep whether you're a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior!
• Get a Head Start on the Application Process Junior Year: College applications can be stressful, especially if you leave all the work for senior year. Get a head start while you're a junior with these tips! 
• 5 Ways to Get a Head Start on the Admission Process: It's always a good idea to be thinking about your college applications. Doing these five things now will help you stand out in the admission process later!

Filling out applications during senior year

• Senior Year College Application Timeline: September of senior year is college application crunch time! Check out this handy timeline so you know what to do and when to do it. 
• How to Motivate Yourself to Start College Applications: You know you have to start your college applications, but you could use some inspiration or something at this point. Here's the motivation you're looking for.
• When and How to Apply to College: When's the best time to apply to college? Should you submit an optional essay or test scores? There's no one right answer to all these questions. See why here. 
• The Essential Step–by–Step Guide to College Applications: The college application process can be stressful. But with this step-by-step guide, you can get organized and apply to colleges with ease. Check it out!
• How to Build the Perfect College Application: It's only a few sheets of paper, but when it comes to attending your dream college, your college application is the most important document in the universe. Here’s how to perfect yours.
• Top College Application Do's and Don'ts: There's a lot to keep track of when you're applying to college. Here are the most important do's and don'ts of the college application process to keep in mind.
• How to Fill Out the Common Application: Applying to college got easier with the Common Application, but the application can still be daunting. Here's a step-by-step guide to the Common App. 

Following application deadlines

• 5 Types of College Application Deadlines: Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision...there are so many choices for college application deadlines! Here's a breakdown of five you need to know about.
• Applying to College Early: What You Need to Know: Early application deadlines (Early Decision, Early Action, etc.) will be here before you know it. Here's what you should know.
• 3 Types of Popular College Application Platforms: Which college application platform are you using? There are many, including the Common, Coalition, and Cappex Applications. Learn more about them here! 
• What You Need to Know About Rolling Admission: Rolling admission is a good option to help lessen the strain of the college search for some students. But what exactly is rolling admission? Find out here! 

Filling up the activities section

• Extracurricular Activities in the College Admission Process: Extracurriculars are an important part of your college applications, but you should focus on quality over quantity. Impress colleges with these top tips!
• 5 Tips for Choosing Your Extracurriculars: Extracurriculars look good on your college applications. Here are a few tips for picking out which activities to participate in.
• Community Service Can Help Your Application Stand Out: You want your application to stand out from the others. Community service is one way to set yourself apart from the crowd.
• Top High School Activities to Boost College Applications: Being involved in high school activities will boost your applications, but where do you start? Here are some of the top activities colleges love to see!
• How to Boost Your Extracurriculars During COVID–19: How can high schoolers participate in extracurricular activities and prepare for college in the middle of a pandemic? Read advice from a real student here!

Writing your admission essays

• Why Your College Application Essay Matters: Worried about writing the "perfect" college application essay? Guess what: admission officers don't want perfect! One admission insider explains.
• 5 Ways to Brainstorm Your College Essays: It's time to write your college application essay, and these five brainstorming games are going to help you do it! Check them out here. 
• How to Write About Yourself in Your College Essay: There's a place between humble and prideful, and it's the exact place you want to set up camp while writing your college application essays. Learn how with this advice!
• How to Stand Out With Your College Essay: We're bringing you the top five tips for standing out in your college essay, straight from admission officers!
• Top College Essay Tips From Admission Insiders: The college essay can help your application, or it can hurt it. You want to stand out in a good way...and these admission experts know how you can do just that.

Considering test scores and GPA

• What Colleges Are Looking for in Your SAT/ACT Scores: You put all that time and effort (and stress) into taking the SAT or ACT...but why? What are admission folks thinking when they see your score? Find out here.
• What Is More Important: Your GPA or SAT Scores?: Knowing how all your college application info is weighed into the admission decision is important, but which is more important: your GPA or your SAT scores?
• What Is Test–Blind College Admission?: What is a "test-blind" school, and what does it mean for college admission? Watch this video to learn more!
• How to Make a Good Impression Without Any Test Scores: Many colleges are now test-optional, yet they still review standardized test scores. But what if you didn't take the SAT or ACT? Here's what you can focus on.
• 9 College Admission Tips for Students With Bad Grades: Even if you have a bad high school GPA, you can still make your college dreams a reality. These tips will help you get there.

Asking for letters of recommendation

• Top 5 Questions About Recommendation Letters: Need recommendation letters for your college or scholarship applications? Here's what you should know, including who to ask, when to ask, and more.
• Who Should I Ask to Write My College Recommendation Letters?: College applications stressing you out? Recommendation letters are the easiest part! Use the following rules of thumb as a guide to asking for them.
• Letters of Recommendation: Who, How, and When to Ask: If you play your cards right, you won't have to stress about asking for a letter of recommendation. Here's who to ask, how to ask them, and when to do it.
• The Top 5 Do's and Don'ts for Letters of Recommendation: Whether you need a recommendation for college, an internship, or a job, you need to request it at the ease of your recommenders. Here are some do's and don'ts!
• Video: Asking for a Letter of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation are a crucial part of the college admission process, but who and how do you ask for them? These teachers have the answer.

Going on admission interviews

• College Admission Interviews: Everything You Need to Know: How do you nail your admission interview? A college admission counselor spills his top tips for knocking their socks off.
• What to Expect From College Admission Interviews: Even when they're not required, college admission interviews are often a good way to bolster an application. Here's how to tackle your admission interview.
• The Hardest Admission Interview Questions: What do you do when an admission interviewer throws you a curveball? Find out what the hardest admission interview questions are and how to answer them!
• How Should I Prepare for a Virtual Admission Interview?: Since the coronavirus pandemic, many colleges have switched from in-person interviews to virtual ones. Make sure yours goes smoothly with this expert advice! 
• How to Ace Your College Interview: The college admission interview may be the first interview you've ever participated in, but it's not as scary as you might think! Here's how to ace yours. 

Increasing your chances of admission

• What Do Admission Counselors Look for in College Apps?: Students don't often know exactly what admission counselors are looking for on college applications. If you're wondering, here's the answer form an expert.
• What Colleges Care About in This Time of Crisis: Worried about gaps in your college applications due to COVID-19? This commitment letter backed by hundreds of deans should give you some peace of mind.
• How to Be a Competitive College Applicant: More and more students are applying to college. With a larger applicant pool, students have to work harder to stand out. Here's how you can do just that.
• How to Stand Out in Your College Applications: How can you make your college applications rise to the top of the heap? Read on for expert advice from an admission insider that helps break the process down.
• 5 Ways to Beef Up Your College Applications: If your college applications are looking a little barren, here's how you can course correct and add something substantial to impress admission officers.  

Finalizing and submitting your applications

• 11 Steps to Finalizing and Submitting Your College Apps: Take the stress out of finishing up your college applications with these helpful tips on what to do and review before hitting submit!
• College Applications: Follow the Directions: When it comes to college applications, an idea as simple as "follow the directions" can help keep you out of the "no" pile.
• College App Proofreading Tips From an Editor–in–Chief: Grab a red pen and get ready to whip your college application into shape! These are the best editing tips and grammar tricks from a professional word nerd. 
• 3 College Application Mistakes You're Likely Making: Before you submit your college applications, you need to make sure they're as perfect as can be. Here are three mistakes you may be making on your college apps.
• Submitting Your College Applications Early: How and Why: College application season is a stressful time, but you can make it easier by completing your apps early. Here are some reasons to hit the submit button ASAP.

Making the whole process less stressful

• How to Survive College Application Season: This student managed to apply to 13 schools (Early Action) without losing her mind! Here is her best advice on how to survive the college application season.
• Stress Management During College Application Season: Senior year is stressful, with standardized tests, college apps, extracurriculars, and schoolwork. Here are some ways to keep you calm through all of it.
• The 5 R's of College Applications: College application season doesn't have to be stressful! Just keep these five R's in mind and you're sure to come out of it unscathed. 
• 5 Ways to Manage College Application Stress Effectively: The college search and application process is overwhelming for many students. Here are five ways to get through college applications stress-free.
• How to Avoid Burnout During College Application Season: The last thing you want to do during college application season is burn out. Here are a few ways to get ahead of things so you don't feel overwhelmed.

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Improve Your Social Media for College Admissions

By: US News & World Reports

Here are five questions to answer when creating a positive online presence for college acceptance.

Imagine the predicament of the college admissions officer. He or she is looking at a seemingly endless number of student profiles containing impressive test scores, grades, essays, recommendations and extracurricular activities.

Somehow, that officer must decide which individuals will receive an offer of admission and which will not. How is a college-bound student expected to stand out in such a vast and competitive crowd?

You might be surprised to know that one answer to that question is social media. Increasingly, colleges and universities look up applicants on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and several other social media networks. They may additionally conduct Google searches with applicants’ names.

While not all schools participate in these practices – and even those that do may not screen all potential incoming students – you can never be truly certain of who may be searching for you online, when or why.

Here are five questions to ask yourself about your internet presence as you prepare to apply to colleges:

• How can you bolster your application?
• How can you demonstrate interest in a program?
• How can you influence searches for your name?
• How can you step outside the box?
• How can you connect with admissions staff more personally?

How Can You Bolster Your Application? 

Many high school students believe that the best thing they can do is scrub their online accounts of the bad stuff. They may spend hours combing through and deleting all potentially questionable comments, images, posts, tags and so on.

While this purging step is important, it is equally critical to construct a positive online persona.

Read:

Why Colleges Look at Students' Social Media Accounts. ]

First, it is helpful to do check-ins and post items that corroborate the information in your application. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other outlets can provide the compelling visual support that mere words in a resume or essay cannot. Whenever possible, add relevant and concise hashtags to your posts so that they turn up more in search results.

If you are a musician or an actor, for instance, consider posting pictures of your performances. If you are an athlete, upload a video of yourself performing well during a game. If you do volunteer work, share something that shows you working in that capacity. Doing so lends credence and weight to your application.

Even frequently overlooked factors, such as proper grammar and inclusive language, can reflect well on you.

How Can You Demonstrate Interest in a Program? 

Do not hesitate to use social media platforms to connect with the colleges you are interested in or with key individuals associated with them. For instance, it can be wise to “friend” or follow professors who teach in the department you wish to be affiliated with.

You can interact with schools in multiple ways, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These represent direct and convenient portals for showing interest before ever visiting the campus or completing an interview.

In addition, be aware that LinkedIn allows you to build a network of contacts at a specific college or university. You can also use LinkedIn to create a virtual resume of sorts and have those who know you endorse you for the skills you list.

How Can You Influence Searches for Your Name? 

During the college application process, it is important to ensure that search engines return positive results with your name.

Luckily, there are many ways to build a favorable online presence. Musicians, athletes, actors – anyone whose performances or products would be best expressed in video format – should consider creating a YouTube channel. Aspiring writers may benefit the most from starting a blog with regular posts. Would-be photographers and painters can use Pinterest or Tumblr to display their work.

Read:

What Colleges Look for: 6 Ways to Stand Out. ]

No matter what method you choose, always put your best foot forward. A sea of "I love learning!" posts may seem scripted, and dozens of kitten videos can come across as silly. Be genuine but selective about what you share.

How Can You Step Outside the Box?

People typically think of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as being the social media giants. In fact, most institutions of higher education maintain a profile on each platform. Note that some colleges may own just one generic profile, while others may have additional pages for undergraduate or graduate students, or students of particular majors. Generally, the more specific the page, the more closely it may be monitored by admissions staff.

Still, the influence of Reddit and Quora should not be underestimated. On these two websites, which some would call “untapped resources,” you can demonstrate your ability to engage in mature conversations, contribute meaningfully to discussions and display the full range of your interests. Build up an account on either by answering questions you are knowledgeable in and receiving upvotes for strong content.

How Can You Connect With Admissions Staff More Personally?

Once you are satisfied with your social media presence, try to get college admissions officers to notice you on one or more websites.

READ:

College Interview Questions to Prepare For. 

First, search for the admissions office – and recruitment officers, if you can find out their names – at the colleges that interest you. Then, send them an email with your name, your target enrollment year, a couple of sentences summarizing your interest and some links to your best social media profiles.

Finally – and this is key – ask if you can connect with a recruiter. A question that requires a response will help get you noticed, even if just for the simple fact that you took the initiative to reach out.

If you are lucky, the recruiter will offer you tips on how to engage with that school specifically. Follow that advice as closely and as diligently as you can.

Social media not only can open new avenues of communication with prospective colleges, but it also can provide the opportunity to showcase yourself in a way that other application factors may not.

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Questions To Ask About College Honors Programs

By: CollegeData

Honors colleges and honors programs are designed for students who excel academically and like a highly interactive and challenging learning environment. Here are some things to consider before pursuing an honors track in college.

On any honors track, you can usually expect smaller and more rigorous classes, more direct interaction with faculty and fellow honors students, and oftentimes enticing perks. Benefits can include special housing, early class registration, exclusive scholarships, and research and internship opportunities.

Hundreds of universities offer some type of honors curriculum. The National Council of Honors Colleges reported that as of 2020 there were 789 honors colleges or programs in the U.S. Honors colleges and programs are as varied as individual colleges, and so it makes sense to research any honors program carefully. Here, we’ll cover the basics of honors colleges and programs, and provide some tips for evaluating them.

WHAT IS AN HONORS COLLEGE? WHAT IS AN HONORS PROGRAM?

Although the terms “honors college” and “honors program” are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between the two. An honors college is usually a separate, stand-alone college within a larger university system — similar to a university’s school of business or college of education. Honors colleges usually have their own buildings and facilities, faculty and administration, and dorms.

An honors “program” isn’t a separate college unto itself, but a series of courses or seminars within a college or department. For example, San Diego State University’s Honors Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies includes 16 units that students can complete outside of their major over four years. Students in the program are required to study abroad and complete one “high impact” experience — such as research or community service.

WHAT ARE HONORS COLLEGES AND PROGRAMS LIKE?

Honors colleges and programs vary widely but there are a few things that most programs have in common. The community within an honors college tends to be close-knit, with lots of interaction inside and outside class with fellow honors students and honors faculty. Some programs provide living/ learning communities around an academic subject and may have faculty living within the honors community.

While the learning community in an honors college or program can be intimate, most honors students take both honors classes and regular classes and participate in the full college experience. Students who are enrolled in an honors college or participate in an honors program often receive special honors distinction at graduation.

Some honors programs last all four years of college, while others can take just two years to complete. Many community colleges also offer honors programs. These programs can enhance a student’s transfer application to a four-year college or provide other opportunities. At Orange Coast College in Southern California, for example, honors students attend seminar-style classes, complete special projects, and have access to honors counseling and library privileges at nearby UC Irvine and UCLA.

WHAT CAN YOU STUDY IN HONORS COLLEGES?

The liberal arts are often the focus of honors instruction, yet many programs concentrate on a single discipline. Honors instruction may take non-traditional approaches and encourage learning through experience.

The University of Maryland's two-year "Advanced Cybersecurity Experience" lets students get hands-on experience in the cybersecurity field and live with other cybersecurity students in a living/learning community.

Some programs allow students to design their own course of study, pursue a double major, and simultaneously pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees.

UT Austin’s highly selective Plan II honors program, for example, is a liberal arts major unto itself, but the coursework takes up about one third of a student’s academic plan, providing room for students to pursue a second major or explore other areas of interest.

HONORS PROGRAMS CAN BE PULIC OR PRIVATE

Many public universities offer honors programs to attract top students who might want to attend a selective, liberal arts or Ivy League school. An honors college within a large public university can provide the small class size, academic rigor and individual attention of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. For some students, this is the best of both worlds. According to a U.S. News and World Report survey, 122 public colleges and universities offered an honors program in 2019. 

The Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, one of oldest and best-known honors colleges in the nation, is one example of an honors college at a large public school. Each of Arizona State’s four campuses has an honors college. According to the college’s website, “Barrett students benefit from a $12 million endowment used exclusively to support honors students and their projects.”

Yet some smaller private schools also offer honors tracks, especially within individual majors. Swarthmore College’s honors program lets students design their own academic paths and tackle individual projects in a wide range of academic disciplines — including the arts. The program culminates in oral exams given by outside examiners from renown universities and institutions around the world.

HOW TO GET ADMITTED TO A COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAM

Each honors program has its own entrance requirements, but in general, you need  strong grades and test scores than students applying to the college's regular programs. There may be a separate application, or you may be invited to participate based on your strong academic record, or both. You will likely will need to maintain a minimum grade point average to remain in the program.

You may be invited to join a college’s honors program when you receive your admissions offer, but many programs require that you apply separately — and deadlines may differ from application deadlines. Some universities, such as the University of Illinois Chicago, provide additional essay questions for honors applicants within the Common App.

The UPSIDEs AND Downsides of pursuing the honors track

There are many advantages to attending an honors college or participating in an honors program, including:

• A built-in community of similarly intellectually-driven peers
• Individualized academic and career counseling
• Access to alumni networks and mentors
• Scholarships and funding for research, study abroad, or special projects
• “Honors” distinction at graduation

Yet, students should also be aware of some of the drawbacks, including:

• You may have a heavier workload. Classes and assignments are usually more rigorous and demanding than non-honors classes.
• It might take longer to graduate. Some honors programs are a degree unto themselves, pursued concurrently with another major. These additional units could add time to your degree, depending on your educational goals.
• The thesis or capstone projects required by some honors programs can be challenging to manage, especially if you have a demanding course load or other responsibilities during senior year.
• If you leave the honors college, your withdrawal may show up on your college transcript.
• Honors courses do affect your GPA. If you are considering medical school, law school, or other graduate programs where your GPA is critical — or undertaking a demanding major — this may be an issue to consider. If you’re invited to join an honors program or you are considering applying to one, do your research. Talk to students already in that program. If you can visit the college, sit in on an honors class or two so you can visualize yourself fitting in — or not.

Here are some questions you might ask:

• How difficult are the courses and how do they differ from regular courses?
• If the program is a self-contained college within a college experience, how does the program affect students' social lives and involvement with the rest of the campus?
• Will you have to participate in a minimum number of honors-level classes?
• Will your studies follow a theme or focus on certain disciplines?
• What are the academic performance requirements to stay in the program?
• Will you have to write an honors thesis or complete a capstone project?
• Are there additional fees involved in the honors program?
• How many students complete the honors program? According to PublicUniversityHonors.com, some programs have completion rates as low as 25 percent.
• What happens if you change your mind after you start the program?

Although honors colleges and programs come with many perks, you may be able to experience some of their advantages — such as access to research, study abroad, living/learning communities, and dual degrees — outside of an honors curriculum. However, if you are a strong student with a passion for learning and intellectual challenge, an honors college or program may greatly enrich your college experience.