Do's and Don'ts of College Applications

You may have already done early decision back in November, but there is still time to apply to more schools. When looking back at your Common Application, you might have noticed that in some area you need improvement. Don’t panic! I am here to teach you exactly what to do when filling out your college applications and what to avoid. DO: Make sure you give yourself enough time. Allowing yourself enough time to do your best will give you an advantage to oversee everything you have filled out. Print out your application and look it over as if it were an essay you were correcting. DON’T: Don’t wait till 11:59! By waiting until the end, you will be full of frustration and who knows what will happen to the internet that day. Make sure you submit a few days before your application is due, just to avoid the anxiety of 11:59. DO: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. This includes the admissions office at the school(s) of your choice or even your guidance counselor down the hall. It is okay to be confused; just make sure you get clarification on anything you are questioning. DON’T: Don’t bombard people every day with your questions! While it is okay to have questions, and that is what these people are here for, you need to prove that you can do what you can on your own. DO: Make sure you do your research. Yes, I know you are tired of doing research and senioritis has settled in, but make sure you receive all the information you need. Important information including the location of your college, if the college has your desired major, and, most importantly, the price of tuition are vital. DON’T: Just because you are worried that you aren't going to get into your “Dream School”, doesn’t mean you should apply to every school . Make sure you make conscious decision on your safety schools. Although they aren’t your first choice, make sure you would be happy there just in case.

DO: Make sure you look into Financial aid, this can help out a lot! And if you don’t qualify for financial aid, there are always scholarships.

DON’T: Schools are expensive, but deciding based purely on economic reasons is a bad idea. You should choose a school that caters to your wants and needs as well as your wallet. There are many options out there to fund yourself. Don't give up just because you do not have the money!

DO: Stay mellow. Have confidence in your work and stay positive. Use organizational skills to take out the strain of searching for information and/or materials you need. Constantly thinking about possible failures will only lead to disaster. Keep a balance of preparation for college and doing things that allow you to relax.