The College Application Process

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Credit: Matt Ragland (unsplash.com)

Are you a senior and have no idea how to apply for college? The process can be daunting and a lot of hard work, but also very satisfying and exciting when you finally hit submit. Seniors should try to assemble the best reflection of their time here at Good Counsel by highlighting their academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, athletics, and community service. Now is not the time to be shy, but rather to be your own self-promoter. Schools have a brief time (just a few seconds per person) to review the materials you send them. Your college applications should be precise, to the point, and error-free.  

 

Another aspect of the college admission process is the various ways of applying. Each of these application options has both pluses and minuses, and it’s crucial that you and your family understand the difference before deciding which paths to take. Below is a brief overview of each application option:

  • Early Action (EA)/Priority – An option to submit your applications before the regular deadlines. You get admission decisions from colleges earlier than usual (unless your application is deferred to a later review). Early action plans are not binding, so you do not have to enroll in a college if you are accepted Early Action.
  • Early Decision (ED) – This is an option to apply to your first-choice college before the regular deadline. When you use early decision, you get an admission decision earlier than usual. Early decision plans are binding. You agree to enroll in the college immediately if admitted and offered a financial aid package that meets your needs. You can only apply to one ED school. Early Decision I and Early Decision II follow the same rules, except offer different deadlines. Using ED I, as opposed to ED II, does not give you a better advantage.
  • Rolling Admission – An admission policy of considering each application as soon as all required information (such as high school records and test scores) has been received, rather than setting an application deadline and reviewing applications in a batch. Colleges that use a rolling admission policy usually notify applicants of admission decisions quickly. Not all colleges offer this option.
  • Regular Decision – This is the last deadline that a school offers to apply for admission. In some cases, this may also be the only alternate choice for Early Decision.

 

It’s essential to research the colleges you are interested in applying to and be clear on the deadlines for the application submission you want to pursue. In most cases, the earlier you apply, the better your chances of admission. So don’t procrastinate!

If you’re a senior and haven’t done so yet, you should schedule an appointment with your college counselor. They are dedicated staff with a great deal of knowledge and experience with the college admission process. College counselors are assigned by the first letter of your last name as follows:

  • A–G: Mr. Lubben
  • H–O: Ms. Bourgeois
  • P–Z: Ms. Kasprzak

 

The Talon asked a group of GC seniors about the best application advice they’ve been given. Nolan Ikwuemesi said, “Make sure to have a trusted person proofread your essay. If you have time, it is a great idea to ask your English teacher to look it over.” Gutema Deressa said, “It’s a good idea to list your extra-curricular activities in order of importance to you on the Common Application. If you are applying as an athlete, put athletics first, or if you want to highlight your community service, put that first. It’s all about the impression you are creating for the person reading your application.”  

 

So whether you have your heart set on one dream school or are considering a wide variety of options, your application is the best way for colleges to learn about you. Carefully assemble your application, write an essay that speaks to something unique to you, and make sure all parts of your application are submitted on time and triple-checked. The most important thing to remember: be the most authentic version of yourself. 

 

Good luck!

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