According to recent statistics, there are over 15 million college students in the United States of America alone, soon you may be one. With that being said let's dive into the do’s, don’ts, and tricks to college application season.
Do: Apply early
Applying for early decision, early application, or early action all significantly improve your chances of getting accepted into the colleges you want and even the ones you don’t. Additionally, applying early shows a level of commitment and planning that sets you apart from the other thousands of applicants who apply to any given college. Lastly, applying early also qualifies you to be considered for more scholarships than the average student including financial aid and academic merit-based scholarships.
Don’t: Feel obligated to go to college
College isn’t for everyone. This is a statement of fact. The key is if you aren’t planning on going to college, you still need to have a plan. There are still plenty of options outside of college whether that be going directly to the workforce or learning a trade skill. It is important to research these paths and figure out what is best for you, the job market is more open than ever and many of the trades can even be started at the Walker Career Center.
Do: Apply for fee waivers
One of the benefits of applying to colleges early and doing the research before applying is the fact that you can find out what fee waivers you qualify for. These waivers are crucial because application fees can range from 50 to 100 dollars for just one school, so when someone applies to multiple schools, those fees get steep fast. Luckily, many schools have fee waivers for people such as those who qualify for free and reduced lunch, 21st Century Scholars, or just have come upon general economic hardship.
Don’t: Wait until the last minute
Early applications can be useful, but on the other hand waiting until the last minute can be detrimental for many reasons. Mainly because procrastination leads to a sloppy academic resume, a rushed essay, and a very unappealing look in general. Additionally, part of not waiting until the last minute is making a plan that includes when you will get everything you need for your application such as letters of recommendation and transcripts.
Undeniably it is clear that this is a tough season every year with applications, but just remember to stay calm and reach out to your academic advisors if you need any help.