College App Help/Common College Questions

Hey everyone,

So I realize that it's that time when everyone begins to freak out about college applications again. With all of the problems the Common App has been having this year,  think it's about time I give some advice to help ease your minds. Just follow these steps/words of advice and you will be an expert on college applications.

1. What is the difference between Early Decision/ Early Action/ Regular Decision?

• Early Decision is binding (which means you have to go to the college if you're accepted there), and the deadline for this is usually before any other deadlines. However, you do get first consideration for scholarships and aid (typically), and your chances of being accepted are greater.
• Early Action is not binding (you don't have to go there if you're accepted), but you still get priority for scholarships after the Early Decision people. Your chances are better to get in here rather than Regular Decision. These deadlines are usually between November 1- December 1.
• Regular Decision is not binding and you will still be considered for scholarships, but your chances of getting in are worse than the other two options.

So in other words, your best chances are with Early Action unless you know that is THE school you want to go to and you can afford it even without aid (in which case you should apply Early Decision). Some schools have no Early Action, which is awful in my opinion. Other schools have two Early Decisions, which is equally as horrible in my opinion because then you know that two waves of people have an advantage over your application.

*****IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Some schools on the Common App have extended their deadlines due to the problems, so it's not too late! Check their websites or email them to see if their deadlines have been extended, especially for Early Action.

2. What can I do to be noticed (aside from my stellar academics, of course)?

• Write a kick-butt essay. Try to think of something creative or just write a very well-written essay. After I'm accepted into my colleges I'll post my essays here for examples (maybe). Have someone you trust edit the essay so that it's well written.
• Talk to the admissions counselor for your area. Go to meetings, email them about questions, do ANYTHING you can to make sure they remember you because they are going to be the ones reading your applications, which means they are going to be the ones who decide if you're admitted into the school. Just make sure you're not too obnoxious (make sure you're not sending them fruit baskets every day or anything ridiculous like that).
• Visit the campus because colleges like to see that you're expressing an interest in them specifically.
• Try to take on some leadership positions or be loyal to a club, sport, etc. If it's too late for this... Well, then I'm not sure what to tell you. Underclassmen reading this, PLEASE go find a leadership position because it will set you apart from the crowd.

3. Where can I learn more about the colleges I want to apply to?

• https://collegeprowler.com/

I like this website because it ranks the best and worst of the schools, other students can guess your chances to get in to a school, and it has basically just a nice overview of what the college you're considering is like.

• http://www.collegeconfidential.com/

This website is also quite good and the discussions are helpful, but it's a bit less user-friendly than College Prowler in my opinion. Regardless, both are worth checking out.

4. So what about scholarships?

• Apply for the FAFSA even if you don't think you're eligible for need-based aid because at one of the colleges I visited, they said there are some scholarships they give out that you need the FAFSA for (and these scholarships are merit-based, not need based), so fill out the FAFSA because some merit-based scholarships may need this too. And you never know, you might get some need-based money.
• Look on the college's website because some scholarship deadlines are before the actual application deadlines. These scholarships may also have supplements that you need to fill out.
• Look for scholarships on outside websites as well, and look to see if there are any local scholarships you can apply for because it's easier to win a local scholarship rather than a national one because the applicant pool is smaller. 

Personal story time: I emailed a representative from one of the colleges I am going to apply to (it's kind of my dream school, but it's a bit of a reach), and she remembered me because I had talked to her at a college fair night and attended a meeting with her when she came to my school to answer questions about the school. Hopefully she will remember me so that I have a better chance of getting in, but even if not, I was still very impressed that she remembered who I was! If anything, this made me want to go to the college more.

Personal story time number two (awkward story time): I emailed a different school about their art supplement. They emailed me back saying "Dear Mr. _____," (except with my last name). I'm a girl, and my first name isn't even a unisex name AT ALL. Talk about awkward. That made less interested in their school.

Best of luck on your college search, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Insomnia at its finest as I'm writing this,

Kaylee

PS: Are you excited for "Catching Fire" to come out? I am! I'm going to see it with my brothers. I'MSOEXCITEDICAN'TEVENPSDCWJOVEVNEOVBEVOKWERVNRBOWRVKQP. YES.