by Anna Iuppa

Get ready for more college advice! Once you have taken either the ACTs or SATs, begin the application process as soon as possible. Below is everything you will need to know to complete your part in the college application process successfully!

The first step is research. This might sound a bit boring, but it is in your self-interest. College is the place that you will spend the next four years of your life. Find the college that fits you. Look for majors that interest you, a welcoming community, and an environment in which you will thrive. Narrow it down to a few choices; no more than nine schools is a good rule of thumb, including both “back-up” schools and a few for which you will have to reach academically.

Next, gather your applications together. The majority of schools have online applications so take advantage of these and avoid the tedious paper form process! The University of California application is currently open online and will stay that way until November 30. Some other schools use the Common Application (visit http://www.commonapp.org), which is convenient for students because they can fill out one standard application form for all of their chosen schools that adhere to this system. Once you have registered online for the colleges to which you want to apply, make a resume or list of the classes you have taken and the activities you have participated in all through high school so that you can give a good picture of your past four years.

The final part of the application that is in your hands, the essay, tends to be the most daunting task for students to tackle. The good news is that California state schools do not require an essay! Also, University of California schools require only 3 short essays. Two must be no more than 200 words and the last consists of a maximum of 600 words. The common application and other private school essays are a little tougher. Each year the top colleges in the nation turn down valedictorians and top athletes because their essay is not up to par. That sounds like a lot of pressure but here are a few tips to help you write the best essay possible. No matter the question, use your own voice and write from personal experience. Try to be creative and interesting, but keep it concise and representative of you. If you are a funny writer, be funny; if you are serious, write a paper that reflects that tone. As far as topics go, there is no “perfect” essay topic, despite popular belief. In the end, each piece of your application should help make a full picture of you. On that note, this issue completes everything you will have to do for the application process. Stay tuned for our final installment next month when teacher recommendation letters and the most important part of the application will be discussed.

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