What should I do to prepare for college applications? What qualifies me as an exceptional candidate for a college or university? What does the application process look like? These are among the many questions that have passed through the heads of young adults who are preparing to apply for college. Applying for college may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re unsure where to start and don’t have someone who can offer you advice. With the amount of other factors to look out for, like scholarships and extracurriculars, it may seem impossible to even begin planning. So where does one begin?
What are colleges looking for?
The first thing to consider when applying for a college or university is what they are looking for in a prospective student. Every college has certain requirements or “ideal students” that they would like to join their community. To lay it plainly, nearly every college wants a student who’s invested in their particular field and performs well academically. Colleges want to see a student’s interest in the specific field that they’re applying for and want to be sure that the student will participate in the school’s community. But how do you show the college that you’re interested in your field? That’s where volunteer work, scholarships, extracurriculars, internships, and super-curriculars come in.
Super-Curriculars vs. Extracurriculars
Nearly everyone’s heard about extracurriculars, which are activities like clubs, playing an instrument, or sports, but not everyone has heard of super-curriculars. Both are essential for a complete college application, but both are very different in the way that they help get you accepted into the school of your choice.
Super-curriculars are activities that show your passion in your particular field. Things like listening to podcasts about your field, attending poetry readings, or attending a lecture all count as a super-curricular. They show interest, and that’s what colleges are looking for.
However, extracurriculars can show interest as well, if you plan accordingly. For example, let’s say your hobby is painting, but the field you’re considering is chemistry. Now, let’s say you’ve joined a painting club or activity, as an extracurricular, but what does this have to do with chemistry? Well, you could describe how your interest in chemistry aligns with painting, by pointing out the chemical factors that occur when painting and how it fascinates you. Now your hobby, extracurricular, and desired field of study are all related to your main interests.
Although not every extracurricular or hobby will work out like this, if you can find a way that your extracurricular aligns with your field of study, you will appear as a much better candidate because you are showing interest. A much simpler way to align your extracurriculars with your academic interests is by joining a club that works within your field. For example, if you’re considering becoming a lawyer, then joining the Mock Law Club would not only show interest in your field of study but also suggest that you’ve gained some quasi-professional experience, which is just as important. However, keep in mind that there are fun extracurriculars too; not everything has to align with your field. Focusing mainly on college will lead to burnout, so it’s important to remember to take breaks and not stress out too much if something doesn’t go exactly as planned.
Volunteering and Internships
Now, you’ve probably figured out some extracurriculars, as well as super-curriculars, and are wondering what to look into next.
Volunteering and internships are also essential to a well-rounded, complete college application. But what are they, and how can you show interest in them? Volunteering is when you offer to do a task without getting paid. Examples are offering to help a friend at a fair, or working at a Soup Kitchen. Colleges especially like a candidate who gives back to their community, and you can be that candidate by volunteering.
Internships are opportunities where a student can get practical experience in a job that aligns with their field. An example would be working at a lab if you’re a scientist. Internships are especially important because they show the college or university that you’ve gained experience in the field that you’re applying for, and have a wider perspective on your particular interest. Schools usually provide internship opportunities, and you can ask local organizations or companies if you can volunteer for them. The Internet also provides a multitude of information on various internship programs for all high school students.
College Summer Programs
Another thing to check out would be college summer programs. Many colleges offer free (or sometimes paid) summer programs that allow students to further their studies in their field. Princeton University, for example, offers a free summer program for juniors and seniors in multiple fields of study. However, the student has to apply to be possibly accepted. Other colleges, like Smith College, also offer summer programs, although the price can be a bit on the higher side. The programs are usually a couple of weeks long and offer food and housing. The summer programs that colleges offer can show the college that you’re applying to that you’re an exceptional candidate as you not only have experience working like a college student but have had further experience in your particular field of study.
Scholarships
By this point, you’ve probably completed the main components of your college resume and are now interested in scholarships. Scholarships are money awards that go towards your college tuition, which students can apply for directly. Depending on the scholarship you apply for, you could also show the college your interest as well as get some extra tuition money in the process.
Some scholarships are only available to a specific grade level, while others are available to all grades. Some scholarships can also have more requirements than others. For example, one scholarship might want you to write an essay, while another might ask for your GPA and grade level. Scholarship money can range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands. It’s important to start looking at your options as soon as possible so that you can prepare for the scholarships you will consider applying for.
Advice by Grades:
Freshman
Even if you don’t think you’re going to college or are unsure, start planning anyway. As Valerie Pierce says in Countdown to College, the “last thing you want is to find out as a senior that you messed up your chances.” Begin looking at colleges and their requirements to make sure you’re taking the right courses and know what the admission requirements are. You can even start looking at scholarships and volunteer opportunities as it is never too early to start this process. Also, it’s a good idea to create a file of important papers such as volunteer or internship opportunities, scholarships, and articles. This allows you to keep track of certain opportunities and have them all in one place.
Sophomore
This year, you’ll want to start thinking about careers, your GPA, planning for the SAT, and beginning to create a list of colleges to consider. Start figuring out what you like and dislike about certain activities, courses, or subjects, and begin narrowing down what careers you might want to pursue in the future. Everything you do in high school will determine whether or not you get a particular job, so start planning.
Your GPA, or grade point average, is the basis for determining if you can even apply to many colleges or universities, as most have a certain requirement. For instance, most Ivy Leagues want a minimum GPA of 3.9 or above, so it’s best to begin thinking about your GPA as early as possible. One year of low grades can’t be made up; make every second count.
The SAT is a standardized exam that students typically take during their junior year. This test focuses mainly on reading, math, and writing. Besides your GPA, many colleges look for a specific SAT score as well. However, there are ways to prepare for it through online practice exams and with the PSAT (Practice SAT). It’s best to sign up for the PSAT so that you can be better prepared when the actual SAT exam comes around.
Juniors
This year is all about college (if you’re planning on attending one). Start visiting colleges, attending fairs, and intensifying your scholarship search. By now, you probably have a general idea of what colleges are for you and ones that aren’t. Visit colleges and learn everything you can to determine whether it’s a right fit for you and your goals. Some colleges are better suited for specific career paths than others, so make sure the college you’re considering is best for the profession you want to pursue.
Similar to visiting colleges, you should also start attending college fairs (if you haven’t already). College fairs are typically held by a group of college representatives who want to spread information about their college and begin searching for students who’ll be a good fit for their community. These fairs are especially important for gathering information about a college or university that may otherwise be difficult to find online.
Lastly, continue and increase your search for scholarships. Scholarships also look good on college applications and the more, the better. No matter what your talents are, there are thousands of scholarships, each suited for various talents. Whether it’s math, science, English, another language, athletics, the arts, ( the list goes on), there is a scholarship for it. Even if there’s no guarantee of winning, applying is still better than doing nothing.
Seniors
You’ve made it! This is your final year of high school and now you’re preparing to go off to college to begin a new chapter of your life, so make this last year count! Now it’s all about finalizing college applications, which includes gathering teacher, coach, or employer recommendations, knowing when and what are required for the applications, and finishing any other things, such as scholarships and college visits.
Start asking your teachers, coaches, employers, or anyone else who knows about your talents for recommendations. Choosing people who know more about your work ethic, specifically in the field you’re trying to pursue, is typically the best option. These recommendations will go to the college admissions committee and will give them a better idea of what kind of student you are, and can also determine if you are a good candidate for the college you’re considering.
It’s also important to know exactly what the college you’re applying to requires for their applications. Some colleges require different things, like a portfolio of written work, art, or various types of research. Understanding the specific requirements for your college application is most important when applying to colleges, so be sure to know what the requirements are.
Lastly, finish any other college visits, tours, and scholarship searches. Make sure you’re content with the colleges you’re considering and have applied for a decent amount of scholarships. Finish any last-minute tours and fairs as well, and then you’re off to college!
A Final Piece of Advice
Many students take AP courses as they are suggested for some college applications. AP courses also give credits, which saves money on college tuition as you might not have to take some of the courses again in college since you’ve already earned credit for them through the AP courses in high school. However, some colleges don’t accept AP credits, so make sure the college you’re applying to accepts them.
Overall, remember that college is just one part of your life and it will not be the end of the world if you’re not accepted into your dream school (even though it can feel that way). Applying to college can be a stressful journey, and it’s important to take breaks. You don’t want to be burnt out by the time you reach college, so remember to have fun throughout high school. Lastly, life is an experience, not a competition; enjoy it. You’ve got this!
