Getting into college is a nerve-wracking task. Even after you fill out a lengthy application, have the admissions interview, and wait patiently until April, there still exists the possibility of not getting in. Not to mention that you have to continue to go to school and do well enough that college admissions officers do not raise an eyebrow when they receive your second-semester transcript. There are certain strategies, though, to make life easier for you, and hopefully to make you more likely to get into your college of choice.
Spread out the colleges. College counselors will tell you to pick three types of schools, safeties, reaches, and the in-between. Safeties are schools that are not overly competitive and that you have a good chance of getting into with your grades and standardized tests. Reaches are schools that are competitive and that may accept students with higher scores and grade points. The in-between is everything else; the schools you feel comfortable applying to, but would not be let down if you were rejected. Applying to a good mix of each is a pretty safe strategy. With the online Common Application, it is much easier to send out your documents to many schools—all through the click of a button and the payment of a small fee. Take advantage of the digital age and spread out your college choices. Trust me, you will feel much better in April.
Early decision. Schools provide this option, which allows you to apply early (October) and hear back before the end of the year. Most times, you can only apply early decision to one school, so pick wisely. You will have to commit to the school if accepted. Because schools know that you will matriculate if chosen, the acceptance rate for this round is significantly higher—sometimes by twenty percent or more. If you care about a school (perhaps your reach), this is a way to show your devotion. During the past couple of years, colleges have been scaling back on this option, so it is a good idea to get your application in before colleges entirely forego this route.
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Early Action. This option is like early decision, except in most cases, the admissions result is non-binding. You can find out earlier, but you do not have to attend if chosen. Further, many schools are very clear that you can only apply early action to their school, like Yale. Other schools, such as Georgetown University, are not as strict.
Rolling Admissions. Many schools offer the option to apply as early as August or September and hear back in a few months instead of next year. This is a wise idea for those early-birds who know exactly where they want to go. If you apply early enough, your application will be that much more competitive. I applied to the University of Michigan in September of my senior year and heard back (positively) in October. I knew that if I handed in my application at the end of the cycle, I would be up against more applications and more competition, so getting the app in early was important to me.
The Waitlist. If you happen to hear back from your college of choice and they have put you on the waitlist, please do not fret. This is not the same as a rejection. You can still attend this college. Of course, the reality is they could have several hundred on the waitlist, all of whom are eventually accepted, or two and they accept one. You may never know. It is best to believe that the school is literally waiting for you. Show them you care: write a letter saying you are still interested, call the school periodically and ask about the status of your application, knit a sweater with the college’s logo on it. Basically, do anything to show that you are still interested short of disguising yourself as a student and attending classes. The admissions office is much more likely to accept someone excited about their college. Remember, the waitlist means you are accepted, the college just has to find the space. Sometimes, all it takes is waiting the school out. If an accepted student drops out in August, you still have a chance. Make sure they know that you are still interested, even after April.
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