As I prepare to graduate in May, I wanted to share some advice for tackling the daunting college application process. Here’s what I wish someone had told me from the beginning.
I know you’ve heard this a million times, but seriously—START EARLY. This doesn’t mean finishing all your essays by summer’s end, but at least get a solid draft of your personal statement and fill out the basic CommonApp info before senior year begins. When school started, I only had a rough draft of my CommonApp essay, but it’s crucial to get inital ideas on paper so the counselors have something to work with.
Create a document to brainstorm for your supplemental essays—write down your most memorable experiences, and see if you can tie that into an essay. The easier it flows onto the paper, the more authentic it’s going to be. Don’t worry about how you’ll be perceived; focus on telling your story.
Trust me on this: frontloading this work makes a massive difference once first quarter assignments start piling up. Your applications will be significantly better when you’re not frantically writing them the night before deadlines.
Choosing where to apply can be tricky, but ask yourself some of these questions: What kind of campus size feels right? Can you handle freezing winters or prefer year-round sunshine? Stay close to home or venture far? Life in the city or a college town?
Start with a broad list (anywhere from 15-30 schools) and systematically narrow it down. I created an Excel spreadsheet with columns for application deadlines, my level of interest, key statistics and other important info. This visual organization helped me whittle it down to my favorites. Make sure you have a good balance between reach schools, target schools and a couple of safety options. It’s perfectly fine to aim high, but be honest with yourself about your chances.
If you can visit campuses, TAKE NOTES IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR TOUR. Quickly jot down what you liked and didn’t like while it’s fresh—these impressions blur together after you’ve seen multiple schools. Months later, you’ll be glad you have them.
Maybe my biggest advice: talk to actual students at your top-choice schools. Ask the counselors for contact information and reach out to set up a call. Students are genuinely excited to share their experiences and help you figure out if their school is right for you. I spoke with five college students across three different schools, and these conversations were key in my final decision.
Applying Early Decision (ED) comes down to personal preference. Many of my classmates chose not to ED to keep their options open or because their top choice didn’t offer it. I went the ED route and couldn’t be happier with my decision, but there’s no right answer here. That said, if you’re torn between a few favorite schools that offer ED, I’d encourage you to choose one and go for it. The admissions advantage is significant, and if you’ve done your research and found a school you truly love, the commitment shouldn’t feel scary.
Choosing to use an outside college counselor is up to you, but after briefly trying one, I realized our school counselors were all the support I needed. The three counselors we have are amazing if you take the time to build a genuine relationship with at least one of them early in the process. Remember, they’ll be writing your recommendation letters, so the more you connect with them the better.
Though it sounds impossible now, try not to let applications consume your entire life. If you survived the end of junior year, college applications are practically a cakewalk (not really but still). Chipping away at it over the course of five or six months makes it completely manageable.
Looking back, this period holds some of my favorite high school memories. I chose not to overload on APs and instead took classes that genuinely interested me—and I’ve never enjoyed school more.
The application process can feel like a grind, so it’s important not to sacrifice your well-being or time with friends and family just to squeeze in one more extracurricular or AP class. Remember to actually enjoy your senior year. Take breaks when needed. The best possible version of yourself emerges in applications when you’re not burning out. I hope these insights make your application journey a little smoother. If this helps even one person feel more confident, then sharing my experience was worth it. Good luck future seniors!