College Application Tips
Dec 30 '00
Applying to college can be stressful, but only if you let it. Below, you will find some tips to help you organize your materials and possible save time- without cutting corners.
Find out if your college has alternative ways to fill out and/or submit your application
Some colleges have applications in .pdf format, which is opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader, a program that comes with most new computers. If not, it's easily downloadable. By using Adobe Acrobat, you may be able to type in the information instead of writing it in by hand or at least print out the application instead of waiting for them to send you one. Secondly, some colleges even let you submit part of your application by e-mail.
First of all, if the college you're applying to has a .pdf format that allows you to type in information, you should definitely take advantage of that. Depending on how many colleges you're applying to, you might find yourself spending hours slowly entering in the same information in the hopes that your handwriting will be legible enough to read. Let's face it- typewriters are pretty archaic- so being able to type out your applications by hand is truly a gift from above.
I completely and totally don't remember what company produced this program, but when I was at boarding school, every senior got this CD-Rom with all of these college applications that you could type information into and print out. Best of all, you could enter in default information that would be the same for all applications (i.e. name, parents' names, activities, social security number, etc) and when you went to fill out the application, the default information would already be there. I apologize for not knowing the name of the product so be sure to ask your college counselor if s/he is aware of anything like this. I don't think they would have gotten rid of something that useful.
If the college you're applying to does not have an application like the one described above, but they allow prospective students to print out copies of the application, then you should consider that as well. By doing this, you don't have to wait for them to send you an application packet- you can start filling it out right away.
Finally, I'm not sure how popular submitting your application by e-mail is because that option was not available at all when I was applying to colleges a mere three years ago. If it did exist, then it was only offered by a very small number of colleges, although I don't remember any of the five colleges I applied to accepting it at all. Anyway, if you choose to submit your application by e-mail, send an e-mail to the admissions department asking them to send you an e-mail when they get your application. Also, print out your application before you send it so that you have a hard copy- that way, if your application gets lost somewhere between your computer and theirs……you still have your information.
Buy a folder for each college that you're applying to
It doesn't have to be a fancy folder- just something solid and durable. Write the name of the college on the cover of the folder with a permanent marker or any thick marker for that matter. Put all of your application materials in these folders and keep the folders in a safe place like an empty desk drawer or a box clearly labeled "College Application Materials" This will keep everything nice and organized for little or no money whatsoever. After all, boxes are free and if you already have folders, then you don't have to buy new ones!
Provide people with self-addressed stamped envelopes
I said this in my "Asking For References Review" and I'll say it again here. If you send away for your applications, they might come with self addressed envelopes for the teachers and registrar. In this case, you only need a stamp. If you're using any of the options discussed in the first tip, you might have to address the envelope yourself. Take the time to do this because the people you are giving materials to will respect you for it especially if you have a big senior class.
Buy a big wall calendar and/or dry-erase board
This will become very useful especially if you are applying to a lot of colleges. You can write important dates on the calendar such as when you gave teachers recommendations to fill out, etc. You can use the dry-erase board to remind yourself of things you need to do.
Be honest!
Don't make up activities to make yourself look better because colleges will find out and they will not be amused. However, it is more than fine to use fancy words to make your job sound more impressive. This is the same type of technique used on resumes. If you were the secretary of the Latin club, you could say on your applications that you "managed data and maintained contact information for club members."
Should you use the Common Application?
The Common Application is pretty self-explanatory. It is an application accepted by many private colleges and universities across the country. If more than one of the colleges you are applying to accepts the Common Application, then it is definitely something to look into as it will save you a lot of time. Some colleges require additional material (i.e. recommendations or essays) with the Common Application, so be sure you are submitting everything you need to.
Final Thoughts
Take these tips into consideration, but more importantly- get everything in on time. I cannot relate from personal experience how college admissions people react to late applications and lame excuses (my computer crashed, my dog chewed through the printer cable, etc). I wouldn't procrastinate to the point that it begins to affect my future. If you begin to get stressed by applications (especially the essay part) take a break and do anything you can to de-stress. Once everything is in, you can relax even more! Unless you choose to transfer, you shouldn't have to do anything that causes such high amounts of anxiety until senior year of college when you begin your job search.
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