You may have seen the recent headlines about Kwasi Enin. He’s a 17-year-old high school
student from New York who’s been accepted to all eight Ivy League colleges. His careful planning and optimism have
allowed him to accomplish the unthinkable. There is no reason you can’t do the
same.
Being a high school senior is an exciting time in life for a
number of reasons, but nothing is quite as exhilarating as applying for
college. Preparing college applications is the first step in planning the rest
of a senior’s life. If you’re a high school senior, it is of the utmost
importance that you avoid some common pitfalls during this exciting, yet scary
time.
Be Ahead of the Game
Do not wait until the last minute to submit your college
applications. An overwhelming number of students wait until the final minutes
preceding the deadline and cause themselves unnecessary stress. Be aware
though, while most colleges allow for early application submissions, they may
also require you to make an early commitment if admitted. Be sure to read each
school’s stipulations to avoid being forced into a decision too early.
Proof Read, Proof Read, Proof Read
U.S
News & World Report compiled some of the top complaints from the people
whose job it is to carefully review each student application and typos ranked
as one of the top issues barring admissions. Using a computer makes typos less
likely, but in some cases auto-correct may actually substitute the wrong word
for you. It’s imperative when applying for college that you double-check and
triple-check everything.
Apply Across the Board
Typically, you should be applying to several colleges with
the average range being five to eight. Be sure to apply for schools that you
feel are out of your reach as well as ones that you feel confident about
getting in to. Each school looks for something slightly different in their
applicants, so don’t assume that one is a shoe-in, while the other is never
going to happen. You just never know.
Many students have questions surrounding what to
do financially if they are accepted to a college they didn’t plan on getting
into and can’t really afford. If you really want to attend, you’ll find a way.
Plus, there are resources designed to
help you make school affordable. Don’t sell your future short. Stay
positive, aim for your highest aspirations, and be smart about applying for
college.
