How to Submit a Successful College Application

It’s senior year, and you need to start sending in those daunting college applications. You may be thinking to yourself, “Oh my goodness! How do I even begin?”

With these tips and tricks, you’ll have a great application, and you’ll feel good about it too!

With the majority of college applications, you will have to submit an essay. Many say this is the most daunting part of an application. Here are a few tips for going about writing a stellar college app essay!!

Tip 1. Be yourself! College admissions workers read THOUSANDS of application essays, and many of these essays are very forgettable. Many people try and sound smart, rather than sounding like themselves. When you go to write that essay, be yourself! Tell your story, not the fancy, perfect version.
Tip 2. Get a head start! Don’t wait until the last minute to write the essay. That is a rookie mistake. Set aside a few days for writing your essay, make several drafts, then write the final draft. Read it, re-read it, then have your parents look it over. The more time you have to write, read over and perfect your essay the better!
Tip 3. Write about things that you care about! Many times students try to think way outside of the box or try to solve the problems of the world in their essays. Write about you, and the things that matter to you. Get personal, don’t be afraid to talk about your hobbies, sports, cars, life experiences, etc. Colleges want to see the real YOU.
Tip 4. Stick to your topic. Don’t ramble on for three-four sentences about something that could be summed up in one sentence. You want to give your essay an unforgettable touch, but make sure you are concise, coherent, and to the point.

We all know that the essay is the larger portion of college applications, but we still have to fill out the rest of the application.

College apps ask for A LOT of your information. Address, name, phone numbers, social security number, and so much more. It is crucial that when you are filling this information out, that you have the correct spelling and the correct information.

College applications can take up quite a bit of time! Make sure you have a few hours of time set aside, so you can go start to finish. Things like applications generally go better if you can sit down, and do it all at once, rather then have it broken up.

Now that you have these tips and tricks, go get after that “not so daunting” college application!

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

― St. Catherine of Siena