Big news! Your family friend just got into the college of their dreams! Amidst the excitement and chaos of their going-away party, you manage to pull them aside to ask them a few questions and hopefully glean some tips about the application process. They agree–great! Except, as you begin speaking, you find yourself overwhelmed with each response they give. They return to their going-away party, leaving you to sift through a haze of doubt and confusion.
Luckily, Prepory is here to help you work through it all and find the truth somewhere beneath it. Let’s unpack how the conversation went.
Tell me about your essay! What did you write about?
Family friend’s response:
“I wrote about my life-changing trip to a remote village where I single-handedly built a medical facility to improve the overall mortality rate of the village as a whole.”
Your misconception:
The college essay needs to be about an extraordinary, life changing moment to even begin to stand out.
The truth:
Sure, dramatic and life-changing experiences can be a compelling topic for a personal essay, and if you have an experience that fits in this box, then you might consider using it. However, admissions officers are more interested in personal growth and an authentic voice. The Common Application gives you six possible essay topics for a reason! Whether you’re writing about a small moment of realization or a deep dive into your niche hobbies, your essay is simply a place to add dimension to your student profile. Instead of stressing about choosing a mind-blowing topic, focus your time thinking about the growth and development you want present in your essay.
What were you involved in? How important are extracurriculars?
Family friend’s response:
“I was the president of three clubs, the vice president of two charities, the captain of my tennis and bowling team, and I volunteered every weekend.”
Your misconception:
Having a massive list of extracurricular activities is the only way to stand out to admissions officers.
The truth:
Quality over quantity! While a laundry list of extracurriculars seems impressive on paper, it also can display a lack of deep commitment across the board. If you’re spending ten hours a week as the captain of your tennis team, how can you possibly be devoting quality time to your seven other activities? Instead of spending a small amount of time across many activities, consider a deep involvement in a few, targeted extracurriculars that align with your preferred major. If you’re interested in environmental science, you might consider paring back a few of your activities to make space for organizing beach clean ups. If you’re interested in law, clearing away a few of your less-involved activities might leave room for an internship at the courthouse. This way, your involvement reflects your passions and ability to deeply commit, rather than coming across as sparse and overwhelming.
Who wrote your letter of recommendation?
Family friend’s response:
“I asked the two most famous teachers at my high school and an alumna at my dream college who I met once at a community event.”
Your misconception:
When considering recommenders, you should only select well-regarded people in the community or those with prestigious titles in the eyes of admissions officers.
The truth:
Detailed and personal insights are far more impactful than a lukewarm recommendation from someone with a prestigious title. When selecting recommenders, you should consider people who have a deep understanding of your growth, achievements, and aspirations. And while it probably shouldn’t be your best friend since first grade, it definitely does not need to be the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. Teachers, employers, or even community members who can accurately and enthusiastically speak to your character are fine choices.
What were your test scores? Was your GPA perfect?
Family friend’s response:
“I took only Honors and AP classes and got all A’s. All of my test scores were in the 99th percentile.”
Your misconception:
Being accepted into a dream college is a privilege reserved only for the best of students with perfect grades and test scores.
The truth:
Strong academic performance is an important part of the college admissions process, but it is not always the be-all and end-all. College admissions officers use a holistic approach when reading applications, meaning they will be considering all aspects of a student for admission. While admissions officers are impressed with a strong academic profile, they are also weighing factors such as extracurricular activities, personal essays, recommendation letters, leadership experiences, and community involvement. They are looking for students who display authenticity, resilience, and passion across all aspects of their profile. If you are outside of the average student profile for your dream school, try to think of other ways you can make your application shine! Want to know more about the holistic review process? Check out this blog post and this guide!
How many schools did you apply to?
Family friend’s response:
“I applied to every college in my state and twenty of the best out-of-state colleges I could find. That way, I could guarantee I’d get into a good school.”
Your misconception:
Applying to as many colleges as possible improves your chances of getting into a good one.
The truth:
With programs like Common App where you can apply to many colleges in one sweep, it might seem like applying to more schools is an easy way to increase your odds. However, with many schools requesting additional information unique to their application (e.g. supplemental essays), applying to a large number of schools can take a ton of time. If you spend time on college applications for schools you care less about, you take time from the schools at the top of your list. Here at Prepory, we recommend students craft their college list in the following way:
We work closely with students and families to create a succinct list of 7-10 colleges so that each application receives the necessary attention to really shine!
Conclusion
After talking to your family friend, it’s clear there’s a lot of information out there about the college application process. Understanding the truths within the process can help you put your best foot forward when it comes to applying. Oftentimes, these misconceptions lead to the idea that the college application process can be “hacked” in some way. In reality, the college application process boils down preparation and authenticity. Keep these two things in mind the next time you’re seeking tips about the application process, and you’re bound to clear the confusion!
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