Applying to colleges takes effort and planning which can cause stress for students and families. Some turn to a college counselor for guidance.
However, many students manage this process independently and are very successful. While it may require extra forethought and time, it will save your family money and teach your students valuable skills.
Read on to learn about different aspects of the process with and without a college counselor, from a current college student who recently went through college admissions.
Understanding Your Goals
The first step in this process is understanding your goals, both short-term and for the future.
Think about your academic goals. Is there a major you are interested in? What do you hope to accomplish during the four years at school?
Consider your career goals as well. Do you have a job or field you are interested in? Picture what you want your life to look like beyond college.
Let your goals and values guide your research, but do not stress about having everything figured out.
As a freshman in high school, I had no idea what majors or careers I was interested in. I started to notice which classes I enjoyed and what subjects caught my attention. My favorite class I took in high school is now my major.
Researching Colleges
There is no doubt that college counselors are great at researching schools. They have considerable knowledge of different schools and programs and often can sense a student’s likelihood of getting accepted.
Still, students can accomplish this on their own. It may just require an earlier start to research. I utilized the College Board’s resources and individual schools’ websites.
There are many factors to consider when deciding if a school is the right fit. The first step is to ensure the school has the programs and majors you are interested in. Location is another variable. How close to home do you want to be? There are social factors to consider as well. Decide what size school you want to be at. Are sports or Greek life important to you?
Be sure to investigate the financial aspects of the school. Colleges offer different types of aid, depending on your merit or family’s income. The price of tuition and your budget may determine if you should even apply. If I knew a school was out of my family’s budget and did not offer good aid, I would not have taken the time or paid the fee to apply.
Take notes on each school and create a spreadsheet to keep track. List what programs and amenities each school has, and your likes and dislikes. I made pros and cons lists for each school to compare.
Before senior year, students should have created their list of colleges to apply to. This should include schools with a range of acceptance rates–referred to as safety, target, and reach schools. My college list had ten schools, most of them target schools, where I knew I had a good chance to get into and fell within the school’s averages.
The Application Process
Most students start their application the summer before their senior year. Set aside enough time to complete each section.
Stay organized and keep track of application deadlines. Create a spreadsheet or calendar to get everything submitted on time.
The Common Application is the most popular type. Students input their grades and classes, as well as other necessary information.
Crafting Your Application: Essays, Recommendations, and Resumes
The personal statement is essentially a 650-word essay about yourself and is one of the most important pieces of your application. Showcase your writing skills and highlight a unique aspect of your identity not yet mentioned in your application. Be creative and stand out by not choosing overdone topics like sports injuries, for example. This is the same advice a college counselor would give.
There are also supplemental essays that are specific to each school. These are often shorter and ask specific questions about your major or the school’s programs. Show that you have done your research on the school and are passionate about it.
You will also need two to three letters of recommendation. Your high school counselor will be responsible for one, but the others are up to you. The people you ask should know you and your work ethics. Ask in advance so they have enough time to write. If you need additional recommendations for scholarships, ask for those too. I asked my math teacher and the faculty advisor for our student leadership club to write my letters.
The final piece of writing is the activities list. This is where you list extracurriculars, clubs, sports, and volunteer projects you participated in. There are only 10 spaces available, and each allows for a 150-word description. Choose activities that you had a leadership role in, that are unique or align with your intended major.
Standardized Tests
Colleges may require an ACT or SAT score. These are standardized tests taken in junior year. Both tests for academic preparedness vary slightly in length and sections included.
Prepare for these tests so you only need to take them once. I thought the “The Official ACT Prep Guide” was very valuable. Take practice tests and consider a prep class if needed.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for financial assistance. This form asks for your family’s income to determine how much aid you qualify for.
Colleges may award aid based on a student’s grades or their family’s financial situation. This includes grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study eligibility.
Look at each college’s website to see the average aid they award to students. You can also find additional scholarships they offer. There are also external scholarships to apply for. Look for smaller, specific scholarships that fewer people apply to.
Staying Organized
It is especially important to keep track of application deadlines if you are not using a college counselor. Be aware that different types of applications have different deadlines. If you are applying to a school early decision, you will need to submit your application earlier.
I created a spreadsheet with all my application deadlines and highlighted the most important ones. I applied to my current school early decision, so I started those supplemental essays first.
Campus Visits and Interviews
With or without using a counselor, students should visit college campuses. A tour is a great way to see campus life and ask questions in person.
The first time I toured my current college I knew immediately that it was my top choice. I could see myself living there, fitting in, and having fun.
You may be invited to an interview at a school in addition to your application. Interviews are used to gauge your interest in the school and see if you would be a good fit. Counselors may have interview tips but nothing you cannot learn on your own. Use standard interview questions to practice beforehand. Know details about the school and prepare to answer why you like that school in particular. Be genuine and try to connect on a personal level.
I had one virtual college interview. I was very nervous but having practiced questions beforehand with my family helped boost my confidence. The interview ended up being less intense than I imagined and my interviewer is still a valuable connection I have today.
Utilizing Available Resources
Even if you do not consult a college counselor, you are not on your own. There are many available resources to help ease and facilitate the process. College fairs and websites are helpful when doing general research.
Connecting with current students or alumni, through LinkedIn or mutual connections, can help you get a sense of the college, academics, and campus life.
To better understand prices and your financial situation, there are also helpful resources, including Top5 Colleges. Using this tool, you can see the potential aids offered by colleges all in one place. You don’t need to go to each college’s website, pay for a college counselor, or stress over unknown prices. Simply, compare out-of-the-pocket costs of multiple colleges and make an informed decision.
Conclusion: Empowering Yourself Through the College Admission Journey
You do not need a college counselor to succeed in this process. While it may take a few extra steps and a bit more planning, students can get through this independently while gaining important life skills, such as organization and timeliness.
For expert advice on college savings and scholarships, visit our blog “College Savings and Scholarships Guide“
For a step-by-step high school to college transition guide visit our blog “Navigating the High School to College Transition: A Comprehensive Guide”.
