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Lara Sahinoglu (Editor-in-Chief)
Applying for college in the US? Here are some things I learned during my application process.
Whether it is the food that intrigues you or the vast amount of possibilities, the US is filled with educational opportunities and an unforgettable college experience. With approximately 50% of the world’s top 50 universities located in the US, students engage in learning diverse subjects and can become part of groundbreaking research.
However, applying to the US does have the opportunity cost of expense and heaps of essays (on top of IB or HSP work). Nevertheless, the tips I will offer should give you an idea of what you can do to ease this process which many find stressful.
- Constructing your list
Before you do anything, you will need to have a list of colleges that you want to apply to. AISJ offers up to 10 schools for the US, therefore you should be aiming for 5 and up. Before I made my final list (which was variable until not too long ago) I watched a bunch of YouTube videos from students who went to the colleges I was applying to, researched about the programs I wanted to apply to, and looked at student facilities (campus, dorms, dining halls) in addition to the food (which is a very significant factor for me).
Much of us prospective US college students are familiar with the terms, “safety, target and reach”. I suggest having at least 2 safety schools (schools you can easily get into with your SAT/ACT scores if you took these tests, your semester reports, etc.), and you can decide how many target schools (schools you have a probable chance of getting into) and reach schools (schools that you could get into) you want to apply to depending on your preferences (state, climate, city/rural). So many schools are great in the US, remember that. Having more than 2 safety schools is still okay…these schools are just guarantees in case you don’t get admitted to your target, reach, or dream schools.
But when do you know your college list is complete? Well, once you feel butterflies in your stomach for each college you’re applying to, your job is done.
- Start early!
The ability to manage your time doesn’t only prove to be useful in senior year. I started building my college list in Junior year, although nearly half of the colleges that were on my first list I am no longer considering. The earlier you start researching, the better, as it will relieve a lot of pressure and anxiety about the uncertain future.
Starting early also helps you look at more colleges. Once you’ve done your basic research (program, state, etc.) you will have a clearer idea of what you are looking for in college. When I first started my research, college was a big question mark, so know that it might be difficult at first to find exactly what it is that you want. Plus, you can always change your mind as deadlines are usually between October-January of senior year (at least for early decision/action)
- Be organized
Organization is key. Whether you like keeping track of your ideas on pen and paper or are a google doc fanatic like me, you should take note of your thinking and deciding process. When it comes to writing down your college list, I suggest you use google sheets. This tool not only enables you to keep a structured table format but also allows you to create multiple pages so that you can refer back to previous lists. You can make a column for the colleges, and add to the columns next to it by including, for example, the acceptance rates, the deadlines, and more, and color code them according to “safety, target, or reach”. I also hyperlinked my essays on separate google docs so that I could access them from the same google sheets.
- Be creative with your essays
The most notorious yet important stage of applying to the US is the essays. Personally, despite not being done with my applications, I have written more than 20 essays. Now, don’t be daunted. These essays range from 150 words to 650, depending on the colleges you are applying to. Some colleges don’t even ask for essays whereas some may ask for 4, and this number can increase if you’re considering some Honors colleges too.
Now, I have come across three types of questions you are sure to be asked. First, there is the “why us” question. This can come in many forms, perhaps the university can ask you how you would contribute to this college, or what you find intriguing about it. This is simple…you can dive deep into the university’s website and find activities, classes, and services you are excited to take part in and list a few things that they’ve already included on their website…are they a top liberal arts college? What makes them a diverse school? Etc. Secondly, there is the “why this major” question. This one is personal. What is pushing you to study your selected major? Is it a talent, an experience you’ve had, or an interest? Get creative and be honest. Thirdly, there is the community/leadership essay. Now, not all schools may have this, but most of the schools I’ve applied to had a question where I had to talk about my experience as a leader or community builder. This can range from being the leader of the service to contributing to community efforts elsewhere, yet this one is mostly rooted in personal soil although you can connect back to the school and how you’re going to continue to do /expand your efforts there.
For all three essays above, you can use a frame story. A funny anecdote, a past experience, a dialogue you’ve had that prompted you to choose this university, major, etc. Through this frame, you can explicitly state the reasons why you’ve decided to do what you’ve chosen.
- Remember: this is an individual journey
Much of social interactions could be surrounding the topic of college applications, but keep in mind that this is a personal journey. It’s easy to get swayed by others’ ideas, but the schools you apply to or go to do not define your abilities and not at all who you are as a person. Don’t doubt yourself or your gut feeling because you know best where you’re going to thrive. If a safety school is for you, then it is for you and nobody’s opinion should pressure you into thinking you can’t go there. If you want to apply to a top Ivy League school, then you do that. Although this is a personal journey, you should probably consult your parents, definitely your counselor, and if you feel up to it, seniors or alumni. And remember, oftentimes, graduate school matters more :)
Take a deep breath and relax. A year ago today I had no idea where I was going to apply, and now I got accepted. Just know that you will get there. This shouldn’t be a stressful experience, but rather an opportunity to find out more about yourself and your interests.
