by Marie Todd
How to Strengthen Your College Application During High School Senior Year
If you are heading into your senior year of high school, you might be worrying about how you can possibly increase your chances of getting accepted to your top college choices. You’ve worked earnestly for the past three years, and that work has all been excellent preparation. Now it’s time for the next stage – the application process.
Here are 11 tips to help you make the most of your time during this critical year.
1. Stay calm, but take action!
You have a lot to do, but now is not the time to freak out. Get organized, make to-do lists, and get to work. No matter how stressed you might feel, do your best to relax – this is a crucial element!
2. Take the necessary standardized tests (if you haven’t already).
Better yet, if you have time, consider taking an SAT/ACT prep course. Target summer and early fall test dates so you will know your scores in time to check them against the profiles at your target schools.
3. Stay on top of your classes.
We understand that you’re going to be busy, but your grades still matter. Don’t let them drop. And be aware that if you apply to a school in its Early Action or Early Decision round, you could still be rolled into its Regular Decision cycle, and your first-semester grades will be an important factor in your application.
4. Continue your involvement with your extracurricular commitments.
Not only is extracurricular involvement good and healthy for you as an individual, but you also never know what could happen in the future, and if you end up taking a gap year or reapplying to college next year, the activities you’re participating in now will matter.
5. Critically evaluate your overall college application.
Ask yourself this: Are you short on examples of demonstrated leadership? If so, consider taking on a leadership role in an extracurricular activity – maybe serving as an officer in an existing student group – or founding your own club dedicated to something you’re passionate about. How about community service engagement? Consider organizations in your school or community through which you can engage with others in supporting worthwhile causes. Have you struggled in any particular subject areas? If so, you might be able to offset those weaker grades with higher grades and rigor in other academic areas. In short, try to think of ways to make up for potential shortcomings.
6. Identify your college choices.
Try to identify approximately ten colleges that are a good fit for your career interests, desired locations, school size, extracurricular offerings, and any other considerations that are important to you. Check out the schools’ first-year student profiles to get a sense of the qualifications of the typical admitted student.
7. Finalize college visits.
Take notes during your campus visits, and get contact information from the schools for follow-up. If traveling to different colleges would be a challenge, look into online information sessions, which most schools offer.
8. Select teachers to ask for letters of recommendation.
Choose teachers who can speak to your strengths and character. Ask them early enough in the process (at least several weeks prior to your deadline) so they don’t have to rush to finish their letters in time. Consider meeting with them to discuss your plans for the future. Whenever possible, prepare a resume so they can see the sorts of activities you’re involved in both inside and outside of school. Also include some notable experiences you had in their class.
9. Track the schools’ deadlines.
Stay on top of your chosen schools’ application deadlines. To avoid missing anything, create a spreadsheet of each college’s deadlines and requirements.
10. Talk to your high school guidance counselor.
Set up a meeting with your guidance counselor to go over your plans and timeline.
During your senior year of high school, you’re going to be juggling a lot of responsibilities, but that’s just a reality of life. Take a deep breath, give your college applications the time and attention they deserve, and do your best as you look toward your future at one of your top-choice schools!
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