The College Essay Whiz Plan for Senior Year

Eliminate the stress of the college admissions process by taking an organized approach!  Don't be taken by surprise at the last minute:  Follow these simple steps: 

• Fill out a college preference survey to determine your priorities for college selection.

• Research college options: Refer to:

Fiske Guide to Colleges (Edward Fiske)

College Handbook (The College Board)

The Insider's Guide to Colleges (The Yale Daily News)

www.collegeboard.com

http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool

www.collegesofdistinction.com

• Consult with your school counselor, who will be writing a separate letter of recommendation for you. The better your counselor knows you, the better and more useful the letter will be.

• Get a copy of your transcript and make sure that all your courses are listed and properly identified and that your grades are entered correctly.

• Finalize your college list: Decide if you are going to apply early decision, early action, or rolling admissions to any schools. Make sure that your list includes "long-shots," "reasonable choices," and "safe/good bets."

• Create a resume which includes your extra-curricular activities (including years and leadership positions held), Honors/Awards, Community Service, and Employment.

• Check to see which standardized tests your college choices require. Be sure that you have taken them or, if you have enough time, sign up for them.

• Check to see which schools to which you plan to apply are on the Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx

• Check to see which of those schools have supplementary forms and essays. Print them out.  See https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/SupplementInfo.aspx

• Visit schools if possible and meet with college representatives who visit your high school.

• Ask two or three teachers if they would be willing to write your recommendations. Follow up ASAP (at least a month in advance) with a packet of information including:

All necessary forms they will need to fill out (Be sure to enter your personal information at the top and sign it. It is a good idea to waive your right to see the recommendation.)

Stamped envelopes addressed to the colleges unless your high school expects the teachers

to give the letters to the counseling department so that the school's parts go together.

A list of deadlines for submission

A copy of your resume

A list of the courses that the teacher taught you, the years in which you took the classes, the grades you received, references to particular projects that you did, units that you enjoyed, etc. If the teacher also was a coach or adviser, list the sports and activities with years and a brief description of your roles and/or leadership positions.

 

• Send the teachers a thank you note a few days before the first letter is due. (See sample on www.collegeessaywhiz.com ). It's a great but polite reminder. Indicate that you will follow up when you hear from the schools and when you decide which school you will attend.

• Keep in touch with your counselor and keep him/her updated about your progress.

• Create a workable system of spreadsheets, files, and/or folders (or whatever works for you) to keep track of deadlines, information, and the paperwork you must complete from each school. Be sure you know which schools REQUIRE or PREFER online submissions of applications. Keep in mind that many schools will not require an application fee (or will offer a reduced fee) if you apply on line. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to work on the applications, especially if you are new to online forms.

• If you are using the Common Application, check its list for College Deadlines, Fees and Requirements: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/common2009_Grid.pdf

• Make a list or spreadsheet of all the essay questions and short answers that each school requires. Decide which schools will accept the same essays.

• Work on your essays well in advance. Be sure to give yourself and your advisers/editors ample time to finalize them. Your counselor and/or your English teacher may expect to review them before they are in final. Note: The more people who look at the essays, the more feedback you'll get. Don't get flustered if you get mixed signals. Pay attention to word limits, especially the ones that are going to be submitted on line, because the essays may be truncated.

• Fill out a practice application for each and proofread. Make sure all parts are done.

• If auditions are required or portfolios or tapes need to be send, factor in the timing.

• Check and double check all deadlines. Be sure to release test scores.

• Email or mail the applications with all parts, including relevant special supplements (Arts, Athletics, etc.).

• Ask your parents to begin gathering necessary information for financial aid forms.

• Participate in alumni interviews if they are offered. See website for suggestions about practicing for interviews. Send a thank you note or email.

• If you receive any more awards or notifications of accomplishments, notify your colleges even after you have submitted your applications.

• Be ready to send out regular admissions applications before you hear from early schools.

• Ask your counselor to send midyear reports as needed.

• Once you hear from schools, and you have made your selection, send in all of the appropriate paperwork. Don't forget to notify everyone who was instrumental in helping you with the process. Buy a sweatshirt, keep your grades up, and enjoy the rest of your senior year!