If you are a senior in high school it’s time to get started on your college applications. It’s helpful to create a weekly schedule or checklist of what you will accomplish each week during the college application process.
Create an Excel sheet or Google doc that lists each college, its application deadlines and materials needed to apply. These will include items such as:
- · Early decision and regular decision deadlines
- · SAT Subject test requirements
- · Essay requirements
- · Common app or the college’s own application
- · Portfolio requirements-usually for art, theater, and music applicants
You may also want to include what the average G.P.A and SAT or ACT scores are for each college or university, and the percentage of students that are admitted. This will help you to determine whether the school you are applying to is a safety, match, or reach school. I often recommend that students apply to three safety schools, three match schools, and one or two reach schools.
Depending on the colleges or universities you are applying to, and the major you are applying to, there are often supplemental essays.
Before starting on your essays, make a list of your accomplishments in academic and extracurricular activities. Areas that might be included are academic honors, school or other clubs, leadership positions, community service project and activities, sports, and jobs you’ve held.
While you may not have participated in all of the above, find areas that you have done well in and think of how you can stand out in those areas. Some schools will ask for examples of what makes you a stand-out student and this well help you prepare in advance.
You might also want to read: 10 Tips for Writing UC Personal Insight Answers
