NextStudent Adivsors

College Application Tips 

Review This Quick Checklist For Helpful Do’s and Don’ts 

Tips Regarding College Applications

• Apply early.

Applications are more likely to be denied when admission officers are dealing with having to review many applications at one time.

• Follow all application instructions.

Directions can vary between colleges, and it is important for students to meet all requirements for each college to which they apply.

• Select only a few colleges to which you send applications

Completing applications is time-consuming and application fees can quickly add up.  So students should apply only to schools that they would actually like to attend.

• Visit college campuses before applying, if possible.

A student may assume that they would be comfortable at a particular school, until they actually see the campus. It is always wise to do an onsite visit to the campus, if possible, before submitting an application, in order to get a feel for the environment.

• Follow any college application tips specific to a certain college.

Many colleges have unique aspects to their admission packets, which students must respect and complete correctly. 

Do’s And Don’ts For Transcripts And Test Scores 

• Do request transcripts and test scores in advance

Because students have no control over the delivery time of either transcripts or test scores, the best way to ensure that an important document makes it to the admission officers on time is to order it early.

• Do write a letter to accompany weak transcripts

Students who are not confident about their transcripts should consider writing a letter explaining any issues to the admission officer who will be reviewing their application.

• Don’t open a sealed transcript

Some high schools will provide a sealed transcript to a student to pass along to an admission officer. If the seal is broken, admission officers assume that someone has tampered with the transcript and that it is, therefore, invalid.

• Don’t retake standardized tests if it is not necessary

Some students want to retake tests until they get perfect scores, but this is not necessary. As long as a score is within a particular college’s acceptance range, there is no reason to retake the test. 

Tips For Admission Essays 

• Spend the greatest amount of time on the application essay

Students should write, edit and revise their admission essays, and then ask others to review their work.

• Write a separate admission essay for each college

While students may be tempted to submit the same essay to each college, chances are that different colleges will have drastically different prompts and topics, making previously-written essays irrelevant. 

Tips Regarding Recommendation Letters 

• Ask for recommendation letters in advance

Guidance counselors and teachers are often swamped as application due- dates approach. By asking for a recommendation letter early on, guidance counselors and teachers will be more available to help.

• Provide relevant information to letter-writers in advance

Offering a resume and other information can help focus a recommender on some of that student’s most notable achievements.