Now that October is in full swing, it’s time for high school seniors to buckle down and get their college applications ready to submit. With the November 1 early admission deadline fast approaching, we’ve rounded up some of the best tips for high school students who are feeling stressed about the process and looking for guidance as they vie for a spot at their top college choices for the fall 2019 semester.
Create a calendar to keep track of application deadlines.
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re juggling classes, extracurricular activities, and college applications. However, one missed deadline during this process can have a negative impact on your chance to gain admission to the school of your choice or financial aid opportunities. Be sure to have all of your deadlines written out on your calendar and check them on a daily basis to stay on top of everything.
Use the Common Application for a stress-free process.
There’s nothing worse than having to remember multiple usernames and passwords to access your multiple college applications. If you’re looking to streamline the process, the Common Application is the best way to go. You can enter your general information, such as name, address, education, and extracurricular activities, one time and have it sent to multiple colleges at once. The best part is that more than 750 colleges accept it, including Arizona State University!
Complete the “optional” portions of the application.
It may be tempting to skip out on parts of the college application that say “optional,” especially if it’s the essay, but completing those sections will set you apart from the other applicants. If colleges are asking for additional information, it means they want to learn more about YOU and what you will offer to their university and community. They also want to see that you’re dedicated to gaining admission, so put in the extra effort!
Reach out to your teachers for letters of recommendation.
You’ve got the grades, the extracurricular activities, and the killer college admission essay—what are you forgetting? Help your application stand out by asking a few teachers to write recommendation letters for you. Choose teachers that you’ve built a relationship with, whether it’s through classes or clubs you’re part of.
Ask a teacher to proofread your college admissions essay.
First impressions are everything—and your college admissions essay is how you’ll be formally introducing yourself to every college you apply to. To ensure it’s free of any errors and accurately represents you as a student and member of the community, ask one of your teachers to proofread it before attaching it to your application.
November 1 is the early admission deadline for many colleges. If you plan on applying by that date, make sure everything is completed and sent to the colleges of your choice. Be sure to follow ASU Prep Digital on Instagram and Facebook to get even more college admission tips.
