Senior Testimonial and Advice for the College Application Process, Part 4

I asked a number of Class of 2015 seniors to write about their experiences with the college process. This next one is by William Hatheway of NYC. Enjoy!

The college process is a very exciting and important part of high school.  It is necessary to spend the time on it because it does decide the next, very pivotal, four years of your life.  It is a time-consuming process, but it is well worth it in the end.

For students just starting the process, it is never too early to start the process.  I would also say to just research colleges based on what you’re interested in studying.  Colleges that you’ve never heard of might make it to your final list as they did on mine.  You’ll be surprised how many schools are out there that have what you’re interested in, so just research all of the schools and add them to your list.  Do not dismiss a school because it may not be ranked high, or not hard to get into.   It is not so much about the name of the school, but rather about finding the right fit for you.

The most difficult part of the process is filling out all of the applications. They are very time-consuming and often require much thought and care.  Essays and supplements deserve their due diligence because they can really make or break your application. This is the chance to set yourself apart from the rest of the applicants by showing your true voice and interests.  Be personal with the supplements and appeal to what the specific school has to offer because this shows much more of a genuine interest in each school.

Visiting schools is very important because it shows a strong interest to the school, and you can really get a feel for the school to see if you truly like it. There is no point in applying to schools that you wouldn’t want to go to, so get out there and experience the schools for yourself.  I visited schools throughout the spring and summer. I wrote draft essays over the summer, which I highly recommend doing because it frees up a lot of time when school starts.  I finalized my list in September and started to work on all of the applications on the Common App. I worked during my free periods, which was very useful because I did not end up having to do much at home.  Take advantage of all of the free time you have, and use it constructively.  It will be worth it in the end.

Senior Testimonial and Advice for the College Application Process, Part 3

I asked a number of Class of 2015 seniors to write about their experiences with the college process. This next one is by Sean Drennan of NYC. Enjoy! 

The college search and application process seems like a daunting task to many rising seniors. To myself it seemed like I had to get over a 10 foot fence. First researching and finding colleges that you would like to visit is a tough task. Getting down the location, size, and type of college you want to attend seems like an easy task but there's so many options that you don't even know where to start.

After finding the list of colleges that you want to apply to, the application process comes into play. This was actually the easy part of the process for me. In order to make this part easier many schools that I applied to had rolling admissions or the deadlines were spread out from the months of November through January. This made the essays I had to write easier to spread out thus making them better for the admissions representatives. Another tip for college essays is to get the common application essay done as early as possible. This allows your senior year English teacher to read them before you send them to colleges.

The most difficult part of the college process for me was perfecting my Common Application essay. I was submitting this essay to 4 colleges so I wanted it to be good enough to get me into these colleges. Luckily, it worked and I was able to perfect it and be accepted to those colleges.

One of the most surprising things during the entire application process was how short it actually took to apply to colleges. To colleges with no essay it took only about 25 minutes in order to complete the application and send in my ACT scores. I thought that filling out applications would be a rigorous process and take up a lot of time.

Another tip I have for the college application process is to believe in yourself and apply to schools that you love and would be happy to go to. Grades are not the only thing that get you into a college. If you fall in love with a reach school, still apply and just show your high interest in the school. They will take that into consideration and it may help your decision. Also, I recommend creating a resume to submit to every college that you apply to.

Good luck to everyone with the college application process and I hope that you all get into the colleges that you want!

College Acceptance Etiquette

As we near the end of the year, many of the students who applied early decision or early action are hearing back the decisions from colleges. This is a very exciting, yet anxious time for students and families. Students in the same high schools are applying to the same colleges, but will all hear different decisions. It’s essential for students (and parents) to be mindful that friends and classmates may not be hearing the great news of being accepted. Being accepted into your top choice colleges is an incredible feeling, in which students and families should celebrate. However, it is not appropriate to brag about the acceptances, especially in areas (such as schools) that are populated with individuals who may have just heard they were deferred or denied from that very same school. So, use your private space in your home to jump around and shout with your parents, but when it comes to the school halls or cafeteria, keep the information to your close friends and the teachers and counselors that helped you along the way. Just try to think how you would feel if you were just denied from your top choice, and a peer came shouting down the hallway how this is the best day of his or her life because of their acceptance to that same school. Try to keep this in mind over the course of the next few months.

On another note, it is also important to show gratitude to your parents, teachers, and counselors who have been there every step of the way during the college process. Of course, you have put in the time and energy and you deserve much of the credit for reaching your goal of being accepted into colleges. However, you did have some help along the way, and the supporting cast could not be happier! Take the time to inform your parents, teachers, and counselors the decisions from colleges, and let us all enjoy this time together. Students may not believe this, but we all look forward to hearing the good news and this is an exciting time for all of us too!! So don’t rush this process, take some time to think about everything going on, and keep everyone close to you involved. This is a special once-in-a-lifetime event, and it’s big enough for everyone to enjoy!!

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

The Waiting Game...Being Emotionally Prepared to Hear from and Leave for College

As of now, the majority of students have applied to at least one college, and many will hear decisions in the next couple of weeks. The waiting game can be extremely nerve-wracking and happens during senior year, which is already stressful all around. At the beginning, students scramble to complete their applications while balancing busy extracurricular and academic schedules. They worry about their choice of college essay topic, their list of schools, and whether or not their applications have arrived safely in the admissions offices. As second semester begins, though, most of the applications are out, midterm grades are finalized, and a period of waiting ensues. Many schools will not send out decisions until April, and so students wait, in a state of uncertainty about the vast next step of their lives.

There is so much activity and so many stressors during senior year that we sometimes forget that it is a crucial period of transition, not only for students, but for parents and families as well. As graduation approaches, there are many conflicting emotions at play. For students, it is certainly an exciting time, but also a continuous reminder that they will soon leave behind their high school, their friends, and their families in order to graduate to the next phase of their lives. It is a time filled with uncertainty and ambiguity. Students may not realize that their parents are also experiencing a great deal of conflicting emotions, as they prepare to see their child off into a new environment.  Whether a student is moving away to college or living at home, graduation from high school is a huge symbolic move towards adulthood.

Both students and parents are reminded that it is perfectly normal to see emotional ups and downs during this time. There may be some shifting in the dynamics of the relationship between parent and child, as they both prepare for the student to take on new roles.

In conclusion, some advice: Parents, trust in the work that you have done in raising your child to be an independent, competent decision maker. Be open to dialogue with your child, and don’t hesitate to bring these issues up for discussion. Students, remember that it is totally acceptable to be experiencing a range of different emotions. Graduating from high school is exciting, daunting, joyous, and saddening all at the same time. You are always welcome to contact your counselor for any advice you may need.

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA