7 Ways to Fight College Application Stress!!

By CollegeData

Online application services, such as the Common Application, can make applying to college more convenient—if you know what to watch out for.

The idea of applying to all your colleges with one application sounds ideal. But there's a little more to it than speeding through an online form and clicking "send." Here's a rundown of the leading platforms and tips for making the most of any service you choose.

The Leading Online College Application Services

There are several organizations with platforms that help students apply to multiple colleges and keep track of deadlines and application requirements.

The Common Application is the oldest and most well-known of the application providers. It is accepted by more than 800 public and private colleges and universities in the U.S. and internationally. Initially, these colleges were required to include essays and recommendation letters in their evaluation of applicants, but this is no longer the case.

The Common Black College Application allows students to apply to more than 50 historically black colleges and universities. Students can apply to as many colleges as they like for a single $35 fee.

The Coalition for Access and Affordability is the newest application service provider, launching its first application in 2016. Its more than 100 member institutions must meet specific requirements that show they provide support to lower-resourced and underrepresented students; have affordable tuition, high graduation rates, and low levels of student debt; and offer low-cost, in-state tuition or need-based financial aid.

State-Based Application Services are hosted by some public state university systems to allow students to apply to multiple campuses within the system.

The Universal College Application is similar to the Common Application. Colleges using the service do not have to require essays or letters of recommendation. Although the number of colleges accepting the Universal College Application is small (about 15 - 20 schools), several Ivy League schools and big-name colleges are among its members, as well as some smaller schools that accept the application exclusively.

Tips for Applying Online with Application Services

Don't apply to any college on a whim. Application services make applying to multiple colleges much easier. But resist the temptation to apply to more colleges just because you can. You'll avoid unnecessary fees and unwieldy college lists by sticking with schools you are serious about.

Know how to use the application. Each service has a unique interface, process, and features. Before you get started, take the time to learn about the platform and tools, and how to get technical help if needed.

Check for extra forms, questions, and requests from the college. Beyond the standard application, many colleges ask for extra essays, recommendations, work samples, and information about you. A benefit of using any of these services is that they help you keep track of these different requirements and when they are due.

Don't tell every school the same thing. You might be tempted to use the same or similar answers on the supplemental essays. Don't. Use the supplemental essays to explain why you want to attend a particular college, what makes the college special to you, and what you think you can contribute.

Print out your application and review it before clicking "send." Be sure to go over the application with your counselor or parent to make sure there are no omissions or mistakes. Also, there are rare instances where electronic applications get lost, so keep a backup copy.

Don't panic over technical problems. Colleges understand that technical issues delaying an application aren't the student's fault. They usually extend deadlines if such heart-stopping trouble arises.

 

How to Build a Strong Profile for College Admissions - Countdown to Fall 24

By Katie, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor

Most savvy college applicants these days are finely tuned into the fact that it takes a lot more than being an accomplished, high-achieving student to gain a coveted acceptance to the nation’s top institutions. But how exactly do you develop the best applicant profile? What can you do over your four years of high school to define your niche, find that hook, and, most importantly, become the best version of yourself that colleges will be excited to snatch right up?

A lot of developing your profile is hard work on your part as the student: to give 110% to the things you love and are passionate about, to identify and pursue your interests with excitement and enthusiasm, to take the most challenging classes you can while maintaining high grades, and so on. It’s a tall order to develop a profile that colleges will jump on, but here are a few key items to focus on that will help you work towards developing the best profile.

Start Early 

Begin getting active and involved as early as possible. It’s okay if your interests shift and change as you navigate high school, but admissions officers love to see longer-term, sustained, and continued commitment to activities, interests, and endeavors. While you might not see how being involved with Model United Nations or playing a sport all four years of high school will factor into your overall profile when you apply, they’re still valuable. You might not be angling to be a college-level athlete or an international delegate, but don’t underestimate the value admission officers see in you committing long-term to an activity, showing up for practice every day, working hard, contributing to group efforts, and navigating challenges — all great qualities that colleges look for in their prospective students.

Be Intentional About Academics and Testing 

To be given serious consideration by the most highly selective universities out there, you need to have succeeded at the most rigorous and challenging curriculum available to you. Grade inflation, coming out of the pandemic, is pretty rampant across the U.S. While a lower grade or two across your four years was easier to look past or explain away during the pandemic, this is no longer true. This is less applicable to international education systems, as there is not the same degree of grade inflation in the British, French, German, Chinese, or other systems.

This is tough, and I wish there was more room for bumps in the road in the process. But the process is competitive for so many schools these days, so without another significant hook, one low grade or taking fewer AP courses compared to other top students at your high school can be an easy reason for an admissions officer to punt your application to the “no” pile.

I offer the same caveat around test scores. Although so many schools have remained test-optional, optional still means strongly recommended. The one caveat with this is that if your test scores are below the middle 50% of admitted students, it does not benefit you to submit test scores and give the college a reason to deny you. Better to try your odds test-optional.

Make an Impact in Extracurriculars and Activities

There still is no magic combination of activities that a college is looking for, but being active in your school community, finding ways to make an impact on the world around you, and participating and contributing to group efforts are all things that help make up your extracurricular profile. Colleges want to admit students who will be active in their student government; write breaking news stories for the school paper; or contribute to university-wide initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion. The best way to gauge who those students might be is to look at what they do with their time after school, on weekends, and during the summer.

As a 9th grader, cast a wide net — join a bunch of things and figure out what you like. Then as you progress into 10th and 11th grade, cull the things you don’t really love and put your time and energy into those things that bring you joy. But equally important to being part of these activities and endeavors is thinking about the impact you want to leave. How will the club sustain itself after you graduate? How are you leaving things better than when you joined? What can you do to improve or contribute to group efforts?

Plan Productive Summer Breaks

I often have conversations with students and families about what the “best” thing is to do over the summer. There is no one endeavor or activity that is better than another. It’s okay to pay to go to a program, and it’s okay to spend the summer working as a camp counselor. What is crucial is what you take out of the experience, how you reflect on it, and what you do as a result of that experience. The key thing is to be deliberate and purposeful in what you do. Serve as the camp counselor, but look for ways to connect your role to your academic interests. For example, if you’re interested in environmental science and climate change, look for ways to implement more sustainable practices at the camp. Or, if you hope to go into business, ask to spend some time shadowing the business manager to learn about the operations and financial side of the camp.

Use the summer (when you aren’t bogged down by academic work) to dive deeper into the subjects that intrigue you. Read books, listen to podcasts, take an online class, explore the topics and problems that captivate you, and become as much of an expert on the subject as possible. Writing and speaking with conviction on the ideas, issues, and topics that interest you will only help you come across better in the application process.

Build Strong Teacher and Counselor Relationships 

Nurture the relationships in your life, such as the teachers you see on a daily basis, the club moderator, or your parent’s friend who happens to work in an industry that interests you. Share your interests, passions, or struggles to find what you love with those trusted adults. Every twist and turn my life has taken, both educationally and professionally, has been helped along by the relationships I’ve found along the way. Don’t underestimate the connections these relationships can help you make to opportunities that further your interests or even just having a mentor to bounce ideas off of as you are thinking about how you want to spend your time.

The other side of nurturing these relationships is that being well-liked, respected, and known by your teachers and school community can go a long way when it comes to how your personality and presence are talked about in your letters of recommendation. It can be challenging for the all-around awesome students who have done all the right things in terms of academics, extracurriculars, and developing their profile, but don’t necessarily check a box as an institutional priority (unique academic interest, diverse background, legacy, special talent or skill — like an athletic recruit or the tuba player that the marching band needs) to make the cut. The students in this category I have seen admitted over the last couple of years, however, are those whose personal qualities jump off the page, from their essays to the way their recommenders describe them and their impact on their communities.

Undoubtedly, being a high school student today and developing a compelling profile with your sights on the nation’s most selective institutions is akin to a full-time job. The key is finding the things you love and pursuing them wholeheartedly. Have fun doing this, but don’t just do things for the sake of doing them. Take the time to be reflective and think about what brings you joy in the things you are doing, what you are good at, and how those two facets come together in a way that can contribute to making the world a better place.

 

11 Steps to Finalizing and Submitting Your College Apps

Source:  CollegeExpress

Take the stress out of finishing up your college applications with these helpful tips on what to do and review before hitting submit!

by Sara Lindberg and Patrick O'Connor
Freelance Writer; Associate Dean of College Counseling, Cranbrook Kingswood School

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2022

Originally Posted: Nov 16, 2020

In the mad dash to submit college applications before the deadlines, many students miss critical steps that could determine if their application gets put in the “review” or “toss" pile. There are a lot of steps to this process and a lot of documents and materials you need to have at the ready to have a complete and well-crafted application. To avoid sending off an application with spelling errors, incomplete questions, or wrong information, follow these 11 tips before you hit submit!

1. Print out application checklists and check for updates

Most schools have an application checklist you can follow. Keep this with you as you complete each step. When you’re almost done, print it out and cross-reference it with your application before submitting it—and while you’re there look for updates. Colleges have seen some admission changes in the past few years, leading some to change their application deadlines and other options. A quick look at your college’s website will let you know if you have more time to apply or if you need to submit additional information, so take a look.

2. Set yourself a deadline before the deadline

Getting your application in well ahead of the deadline is ideal, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. So give yourself your own personal deadline. Try to submit your application at least 48 hours before the real deadline. If it falls right after a weekend, you’ll want to send it even sooner. This gives you a cushion if something goes wrong and you need to contact the admission office. There have been enough college application glitches to last a lifetime this fall, and while we’d like to think there won’t be any more, no one really knows. If you really want to give yourself some breathing room, apply at least four days before the deadline.

Related: The 5 Types of College Application Deadlines

3. Reread all instructions and check for extra materials

One of the biggest mistakes a student can make on college applications is not properly reading the instructions. Before you start reviewing each application, reread each set of instructions. Then check if the answers you provided match what the prompts or directions ask. Some schools require answers to short supplemental essay questions in addition to or lieu of a traditional admission essay—so do the extra research to find out if you’re missing anything.

4. Double-check your essay

Too many students get to the end of their essay and love it so much, they decide to submit their application right away—even though it’s 2 am and you might be a little tired. If the writing is really that good, it will still sound good two days later. Let it rest and then check it again. Check the word count requirements on your essay(s). If the recommended count is 800 words, don’t send 1,200. When listing activities or awards, don’t cram more than one item per line. Keep everything organized and intentional, because more is not necessarily better. Being concise but purposeful is key to a good essay!

5. Read your essay to others

When you read your essay aloud to other people, it allows you to hear the words rather than just seeing them in your head. Read it once all the way through to yourself and then read it to people you trust to give you the truth. Allow yourself to stop and take notes as you go so you can edit it prior to sending. College essays are very private, personal compositions, so it’s easy to understand why you wouldn’t want to share it with someone. But personal writing requires the same flow of ideas any other essay requires, and sometimes the author isn’t the best judge of that. Find a grammar-savvy adult who knows you well, show them the essay, then ask, “Does this sound like me?”

Related: Top College Essay Tips From Admission Insiders

6. Proofread your application yourself

After you proofread your application for content and correct information, go back and reread it for spelling. The last thing you want to do is submit an application listing “callus” instead of “calculus” for your senior math class. It’s easy to think your computer will catch every mistake on your application, but that won’t happen if it doesn’t know the word or if you typed “saw” when you meant to type “was.” Check every word carefully, especially the section on awards and hobbies, since they can include unusual words. If you need to slow down when you check, read your application backwards; that usually does the trick.

7. Ask a teacher and counselor to proofread

If there’s one step you should reserve time for, it’s this one. School counselors typically have experience with college admission, whereas your English teachers know essays. To be absolutely confident in your essay, have an English teacher review it for grammar and spelling and have your counselor read it over for content. There’s nothing like another pair of eyes to spot mistakes, so find the best speller you can trust to review the entire document—it’s that important.

8. Make sure you have all supplemental documents

If your application asks for a school report, letters of recommendation, a counselor report, or anything else that requires someone else to complete it, make sure to check the status on each of these before hitting submit. Some schools will require an official transcript with your application. Request an official transcript from your school counselor’s office, and they will either give it to you in a sealed envelope (do not open it) so you can mail it, or they will mail it for you. The last thing you want is to send your application on time but have documents missing from your file. Make sure your letter writers know about the deadline. Most colleges requiring letters won’t read an application without it, and if your letter writer is a teacher, this is a busy time of year, so they’ll need plenty of notice. Touch base with them now and be sure to thank them again for going the extra mile in supporting your college plans.

Related: Do I Need to Submit Supplemental Materials?

9. Send official test scores

Many colleges require copies of official test scores. If you haven’t sent your scores yet, visit the College Board or ACT websites and request to have your scores sent to all the colleges you’re applying to. If they haven’t been sent via the traditional requesting process on these websites, contact the ACT or the College Board to get them out right away. Just like letters of recommendation, colleges that require test scores won’t read an application without them. 

10. Keep a copy for your records

Before you hit submit, print a copy of the application. If you can’t print each page or the entire application, print what you can, or take a picture of each page with your phone. Once you do submit, also print a copy of the confirmation page. This gives you a record of everything you’ve done in case there are any issues.

11. Only submit once

Few schools encourage paper applications, so it’s likely you’ll be applying online. Once you hit submit, you should get an automated response that your application is processing. But sometimes systems time out or freeze, and it’s difficult to determine if your materials went through. If this happens, do not send your materials again. You should get a notice from the college two to three days after you’ve applied, letting you know they have your application. If you don’t get one, check your online application and your spam filter. If you really sent it and nothing is there, it’s time to call the college.

Related: 5 Ways to Manage College Application Stress Effectively

Many high school seniors are spending most of their nights and weekends creating the perfect college application, you’re likely anxious to hit "Submit." Applying to college is exciting, but before you send your application out, review these important steps—they can be the difference between sending in a good application and submitting a great one.

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.