The college application process is a critical part of a senior’s final year in high school. In order to begin, there are several steps recommended by our Hidden Valley High School counselors for seniors to follow.
Students should start off by making an account on Common App; this is where people can apply directly to colleges. Next, individuals should choose colleges with desirable majors which adhere to their specific interests. Then, seniors can add the schools they are interested in attending to the list and can complete all the necessary information required for each school. Students must submit their high school transcripts, along with teacher recommendations in some cases, as they apply for colleges. Ms. Laubach, a counselor here at HVHS, recommends making a chart with important deadlines for certain parts of the application.
One crucial piece of advice some may overlook is retaking required tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT). Improved scores can always augment a college application. The number of colleges an individual should apply to varies on the person. However, HVHS life counselor Ms. Williams suggests applying to at least three to five schools.
When applying to schools, there are three main categories of schools to aim towards: safety schools, match schools, and reach schools. First off, safety schools are colleges where an individual has a relatively high chance of getting in; our counselors recommend applying to at least one or two, including the Virginia Western CCAP program. Secondarily, match schools are where a student has a realistic possibility of being accepted; these are the colleges and universities that one is typically most suited for. Finally, there are reach schools, which are also known as “dream schools.” Reach schools are typically the most challenging to get accepted into for students.
Another significant part of college applications are the personal statements. Personal statements are essays that give admission officers an insight into one’s life that aren’t easily presented on the rest of the resume. Experts mention writing about something meaningful that they are passionate about. College applications can be stressful for numerous seniors, but by following these steps, students will have a better experience when applying to college.
