College application season is among us. To help make the process a bit easier, here are
some tips that always worked for me:
1) LET THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE GET TO KNOW YOU. Use you college
essay to provide new information that shows them who you are as a person. Bonus
points for uniquely differentiating yourself from the thousands of other applicants.
2) TAILOR EACH APPLICATION. While it is key to put a lot of time and effort into
the Common Application, some students neglect each college's specific supplements
especially the essay. This is especially true for the question of "Why do you want to
go to this college?" (you just can't say because it is an ivy league school") You need
to do your research and be able to articulate which courses you want to study with,
extracurricular and volunteer activities you want to take advantage of and, most
importantly HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT ON THAT CAMPUS.
3) WRITE THOUGHTFUL ANSWERS. Take time to be original and make your
answers personal.
4) DO NOT WRITE A CLICHED ESSAY. Unless you can put an ultra-positive spin
on the two D's (Divorce and Death) and how it totally change you into this super
go-getter, avoid putting the admissions essay readers in a down mood. Your essay
can be the tipping point into getting you into a college. So say who you are and
make the mos to it.
5) PROOFREAD YOUR PAPERWORK A FEW TIMES.
6) DON'T ASK YOUR PARENTS TO CONTACT THE ADMISSION ON YOUR
BEHALF.
