With the new school year comes new seniors, and with seniors comes college planning! It may seem scary initially, but here is some advice to alleviate some of those worries. My first piece of advice is don’t procrastinate. The process of applying may seem daunting, but it will help if you try to finish those applications early on. When it comes to writing supplemental essays or your CommonApp essay, start as soon as you can! That way you will have A LOT more time to look over your work no matter when you’re applying.
Some seniors choose to hire college counselors to help them with this process. It does cost money, but remember you don’t HAVE to get one, but many people recommend one. Other options include asking friends, teachers, parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings to help out with proofreading or answer any questions, so don’t be afraid to ask! No matter what path you choose, all will be fine.
Students can apply to college in multiple ways at different times including early decision, early action, and regular decision. Early decision applications act as a form of relief for students. It provides a quick and easy way to apply to a college or university and guarantee that, if accepted, you will automatically be enrolled.
By applying to college through early decision, you are locking yourself into a position at a certain college. If you are accepted, that college will automatically commit you and give you a spot in the school. This is really helpful for students that have one dream school. Also, early acceptance indicates to a college that you have immense desire to be enrolled, therefore, it can give you more opportunities for scholarships and an advantage over normal applicants.
There is one main drawback: early decision acts as a binding contract for that college. If you are accepted, you cannot enroll in any other college besides that one. This means that if you change your mind or become interested in somewhere else, you do not really have a choice. It is up to you to decide if you want to apply early, or apply to commit. Another option is applying early action, which has around the same deadline as early decision and provides an advantage but is not binding. Regular decision has a later submission date and may be better for students that want to showcase their grades for the first semester of senior year. So, make sure to work on those applications and get started towards your future!
Off the topic of college, remember that it’s senior year, so make the best of it! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy your last year of high school. Remember it is okay to take breaks sometimes; we all need them. However, try to be mindful of your academics and grades. Don’t stop trying to achieve your goals both inside and outside the classroom! If you have any more questions about college or plans after high school, the Wayne Valley Guidance Counselors are a great resource that are always available to chat. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them!
