Whether you are a senior in the midst of your applications or an underclassman beginning to think about your plans for after high school, the college application process can seem daunting. There are hundreds of colleges out there and choosing which one to attend is a nerve-wracking decision. With so many deadlines and requirements to keep track of, the start of senior year can be a stressful time. Here are some tips to make this important transition a little bit easier.

1. Start early:
It is never too early to begin your college search. There is plenty of research to be done, from attending college tours to scouring college websites. When deciding what schools to apply to, consider how far away you want to go, what size school you want, and what setting you want to live in. By the end of 11th grade, you should have a good idea of what schools you are applying to. The summer between junior and senior year can be a great time to start on your applications, especially if you plan on taking difficult classes senior year and will not have a lot of time on your hands. The more research you do and information you find out, the more prepared you will be when it comes time to begin filling out your applications.
2. Choose your schools wisely:
One tip to remember when applying to schools is to have a variety. Every person should apply to safety, target, and reach schools. Safety schools are schools that you know you can get into, where your GPA and SAT/ACT scores are higher than their average. If you do not get into any of your other schools, you have these as backups. Target schools should be a good match for you academically. You should have similar standardized test scores and grades to what they are looking for, placing you near their average student. Finally, reach schools are schools where your grades and scores are lower than the average. They may be difficult for you to get into but it does not hurt to try if it is your dream school.
3. The Common Application:
When you apply to colleges, you will most likely do so through a website called Commonapp.org. You will want to take a look at the website as early as you can so you know what will be required of you. It is important to note that the website refreshes itself every August, so if you start working on it earlier than the summer before your senior year, everything on it will be deleted. You can certainly take a look at the website as early as you want, but do not start filling it out until the specific date in the August before your senior year so that everything will be saved.
4. Standardized Tests:
Start taking your tests early on. A good time to start is the fall of your junior year, or even the spring of your sophomore year, so you have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the test and have many chances to retake it if necessary. Most schools require you to send your scores, so it is essential that you take these tests. I would recommend taking both tests- the SAT and ACT- at least once, so you can figure out which style you like better. Each test is a few hours long, but they have drastically different formats. The SAT has ten short sections, consisting of math and reading. Each section has a limited number of questions so it is a little bit slower paced. The test rotates between the different subjects, so you are alternating between mathematical and English questions. On the other hand, the ACT is very fast paced. There are four sections: math, English, reading, and science. Each section has a large amount of questions, usually between forty-five and seventy, to be completed in around one hour. You need to be able to read quickly and you may not have time to check over your answers. These two tests differ greatly in style and most people have a preference. It is good to try them both out to see which one works better for you. Additionally, many colleges require that you add on a writing section on either test, so that is something to consider taking. Finally, you need to figure out how you are going to prepare for the tests. There are many online resources and prep classes, both in and out of school, which can be useful in getting the grade that you want. Keep in mind you need to send your scores to each college on your own, as it is not done by the school, so do not forget.
5. Recommendation letters:
Most schools require that you submit two letters of recommendation from high school teachers in core subject classes. These are going to be your math, science, social studies, or/and English teachers. It is good to pick teachers who know you the best and will be able to speak positively on your behalf. Also, it is better to pick teachers who you have had the most recently because they remember you better as a student. For example, you may have a better letter from your 11th grade U.S. History teacher than your 9th grade Geometry teacher, since they can remember more about your work ethic and impact on the class. My most important suggestion is to ask your teachers early on. Most teachers write their letters in the summer, so it is best to ask them towards the end of your junior year. Many teachers also require that you fill out a brag sheet, so you want to give yourself some time to fill those out. Do not wait until the last minute because a teacher may tell you it is too late for them to write it. Additionally, some colleges allow you to send a letter from another school figure, such as a coach or club advisor which may be a better option for some students.
6. Getting involved:
On your common application, you are asked to write about the extracurriculars you are involved in. It is good to show that you are a well-rounded individual who has passions outside of schoolwork. If you are not in any clubs or sports yet, try something new! You can make many friends and put it on your resume.
7. College Essay:
The most difficult part of many people’s applications is the dreaded college essay. Lots of students have a hard time deciding what to write about and others struggle making it sound professional while also showing off their personality. The good thing about the essay is that the prompts to answer are very general and diverse. Once you think of a topic, ask your parents, friends, and teachers to proofread your essay to ensure it sounds like you and there are no grammatical errors.
8. Deadlines:
It is super important to keep track of your due dates when applying to multiple colleges. Make a calendar with the dates each application is due you can stay on top of your deadlines. Make sure to give your guidance counselor enough time to send in your transcript and recommendation letters to your colleges. I would recommend filling out a college receipt in the guidance office about two weeks in advance just to be on the safe side.
9. Financial Aid and Scholarships:
If you are someone who is interested in receiving money to go to college, start looking early. You need to fill out the FAFSA and CSS profile by a certain date to send to schools to get some aid. Many schools also offer merit scholarships. When you decide to apply to a school, go on their website and see if they offer any scholarships. Some have automatic consideration, while others require you to write additional essays. Try searching online for which schools give the most money to students. There are many scholarships available through third party organizations. Just a quick Google search can lead you to hundreds of scholarships that sometimes only require you to write a simple essay to be considered.
10. Have fun:
The college application process can be very stressful, but make sure it does not take away from your senior year experience. There are so many fun events and activities going on, so make sure not to miss out on them. You should try to maintain a balance between schoolwork, applications, and enjoy your last year at Whitman.