We asked the seniors: Having just completed your college apps, give advice to the juniors who will be applying next year. Here's what they said ...
From Aneesha:
- Put the most effort into your Common App essay. Start early because you will need to proofread your writing many times. There were short essays that I would completely delete and rewrite if it didn't sound right.
- Make a list of things you could write about (your activities, etc.) but also don't be afraid to be creative and answer the prompt with something unique and personal, something that couldn't be found on any resume (i.e. "What makes you happy?" prompts).
- Each prompt is slightly different so you can't completely reuse old essays, but you can modify them and change the ending if you need to.
- Use the spreadsheet that the counselors give you and pace yourself. Write essays in order that they are due in terms of colleges.
- If you know you won't go somewhere if you get in, don't apply. As long as you have your safety schools, there is absolutely no point in applying to over the recommended number of schools. You overwhelm yourself and could be taking the seat of someone else in your grade.
- If you can, finish your testing by the end of junior year, latest October of senior year. Keep your parents on top of financial aid.
- Don't be afraid to let anyone proofread your writing, from parents to counselors to teachers to friends.
- Ask BTHS alumni about their college experiences.
- Don't just apply somewhere because it's a good school; your lack of knowledge about the school and lack of enthusiasm will make the essay very difficult to write and it will come through in your writing.
- Make sure you apply for interviews and take each opportunity. Dress nicely, be honest, and come with a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer.
From Niko:
- At least begin brainstorming Common App essay ideas month before summer begins, which LEAP final essay should really help you with.
- Write the EE and finish before senior year starts.
- Be organized with the entire process, including due dates for applications and financial aid.
- Send in all SAT/ACT scores early and at once so you don't have to worry about it, you will forget to do this in the midst of apps.
- Apply ED only if you know you can afford the school/are willing to take out loans. Do not apply ED if that is not the school you want to go to the most.
- Apply to Rutgers by Dec. 1 to get the scholarship money if eligible.
- Budget your time and keep organized with all supplements so you can finish them all without rushing by deadlines.
- School is still important, still get good grades during college app season and after you submit all your apps.
Ingrid: Don't ignore liberal arts colleges! Even if you haven't heard of them before, some of them offer ivy-level educations and prestige in terms of graduate school. And contrary to popular belief, they do NOT have an emphasis on the humanities. There are tons more research opportunities for undergrad (because there are no grad students!).
Gillian: Be sure you'd be happy attending everywhere you apply, don't apply just because they waived the application fee.
Brian: Make sure you have good reasons for where you are applying and spend a lot of time considering what college will fit your career and life goals, social/emotional happiness, and financial ability.
Anekha: Don't wrap yourselves up in other people's applications! It's so easy to focus on other people, but focus on yourself instead. It'll only result in a better outcome for you and it'll help your mental health. Also start early and find reliable mentors early! So if that's a parent, older sibling, teacher, or guidance counselor, just find someone that'll be there for you throughout the process and can review your essays.
Aya: Start writing your essays early and don’t be afraid to ask more than one person to look over them for you. You will find that a lot of times people are willing to help you edit your essay and may find something unclear that you may not have noticed. Having more eyes on your writing other than your own will help you get a feel of how other people could interpret your words. The admissions counselors are normal people who won’t always read between the lines and try to interpret your Shakespeare metaphors. Sometimes simpler is better.
Orli: Get your essays done early and write in your own voice- the admissions counselors actually want to know you, not the "impressive" person you're trying to be : )
Dan: For some of you, writing your college apps will be particularly daunting and will take far greater amounts of time and effort than you think to complete. It might take months to come to the perfect draft of your common app essay, so you have to be willing to start your essays early and consider as many perspectives as possible in planning out your essay. Generally, the more focused your topic is for your Common App, the better your essay will be. Best of luck! ~ Dan
Jeffrey: For the love of everything, FINISH YOUR EE OVER THE SUMMER.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 8:32 AM 
