Writing a good college admission application is an art. You have to portray authenticity, show forth your personality, tell your unique or special story and let them know how much academic prowess you possess.
How to write an application for college admission
Your application should be compelling enough to enable the college to acknowledge you and give you a chance. You should aim to portray yourself as well-rounded and able to face challenges heads-on. You should let them know, through your application, that you are able to contribute positively to society and, potentially, the world at large.
This essay is written with the intention of guiding you to writing a winning college application and enabling you to avoid unnecessary hitches which may likely occur during the process of your college application.
1. Understanding the College’s Requirements
Every smart traveler knows that before embarking on a journey to an unknown place, he needs to study the map and know what his destination looks like. In the same way, you must study your college’s requirements, understand them and internalize them. It will be your guide throughout the entire process; it will ensure you don’t leave anything half-done and allow you to navigate the entire process smoothly. A saying goes, “Well begun is half done.”
Whatever your college of interest demands of you, ensure you meet your criteria to a T. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) emphasizes that adhering to these requirements can significantly enhance your chances of acceptance (NACAC, 2020).
2. Crafting a Personal Statement
There are many opportunities to shine, and your personal statement is one of them. This is your advantage over all other applicants-your unique story.
Because you have a narrative that is only yours and can’t be taken away from you, this opportunity is golden. Take advantage of it.
“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories.” author and educator, Anne Lamott.
Take some time to think about all the experiences you have had. Take some time to think about the different things which have shaped you into the person you are today. Did you face and conquer a big challenge some time ago? Do you have a passion that sets your heart on fire?
Was there a project you worked on that you would love to share with the world? Write it down unapologetically. This is your story. Tell it.
Narrate it with vivid detail and instill your emotions into it. This is what will make you shine. Describe all of it and relate it to your future goals.
According to Dr. Karen G. Hinton, a compelling personal statement often includes personal anecdotes that demonstrate resilience and growth (Hinton, 2018).
3. Highlighting Academic Achievements
Now, this is one of the stars of the show. It is very foundational in your application.
But however important it is, it is still good to know that it is still part of the big picture.
Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”
The most important thing admissions officers would want to know is how much you are willing to grow, your response to challenges and your commitment to learning.
If there are courses in which you performed exceptionally well, write them down here.
Also include your honors or any awards you have received. This is not pride but a display of your ability. You should also let them know how every challenge you have faced has built you up and prepared you for the likely challenges that will come with school work.
In all of these, try to be as detailed as possible, painting vivid pictures and not holding back too much. This is because the College Board highlights that detailing your academic journey with context can make a significant impact (College Board, 2019).
4. Securing Strong Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are the endorsement every individual needs. Rather than hooting your own horn, it is better when someone does it for us instead. Choose recommenders who can speak for you genuinely and who have insight into what is required by the college you’re applying to.
In order to find recommenders in the first place, you should prioritize friendships and building connections.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
Building true and meaningful relationships with your recommenders enables them to easily provide authentic and compelling endorsements.
Ensure you provide your recommenders with a detailed resume or summary of everything you want them to write in your letter of recommendation.
This is very important, as it will help them write a more personalized and effective letter.
A report by the Princeton Review indicates that detailed and enthusiastic recommendations can play a pivotal role in the admissions process (Princeton Review, 2017).
5. Preparing for Interviews
In some cases, your college may require you to present for an interview as well.
For this, you have to make a lasting impression by properly preparing for all commonly asked questions. Curate and write down possible answers to these questions, then rehearse them thoroughly. Prepare to talk about your interests, both academically and otherwise.
Do not slough or drag. Speak smartly, brightly and like someone who is ready to live life. Show how enthusiastic you are about college through the way you speak, your eyes and the tone of your voice. Who will want to deny such energy? Present yourself so lovable, self-aware and brilliant that they can’t resist you.
But most of all, be genuine in all of your responses. Honesty always wins. The Harvard College Admissions Office emphasizes that genuine and self-aware responses during interviews can set you apart from other candidates (Harvard College Admissions, 2021).
6. Proofreading and Revising
Beethoven was a renowned composer and pianist who could not be ignored. One of his secret weapons? Revising.
He was often called a perfectionist. He never failed to revise his work until he was satisfied with what he had created. This was how he was able to create some of the most enduring art in music history. No masterpiece is completely finished without a final touch.
You should endeavor to proofread and revise your application as soon as you are done and right before you submit. This will hopefully help you to avoid any mistakes or errors that could possibly sweep your efforts under the rug.
If you have trusted friends, seek feedback from them. Adding this extra layer of review will enable you to see your essay from a perspective different from yours. It will ensure that your application is polished and you will be more confident in what you have written.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) highlights that careful revision and external feedback are key to presenting a strong application (ASCA, 2022).
7. Submitting the Application
The end of it all is submission. This is probably where all the jitters come. But if you have done the previous steps properly, you will submit with confidence.
It may seem a little difficult to do, but it is not.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done. But it’s not impossible. It’s just hard. And if you’re not willing to put in the effort, then maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. But if you are willing, then you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”-Kobe Bryant.
You have come all the way to the point of submission. Now, you need to be meticulous, making sure that all required documents are included and there may not be any chance for resubmission.
You must also ensure to adhere to all the deadlines, as this demonstrates your commitment to the entire issue and also minimizes all the risks that come with the rush of the last minute, like leaving out essential documents, not proofreading properly, disorganization and overall misrepresentation of the kind of person you truly are.
Conclusion
In summary, rather than dread this application process, enjoy it. Enjoy every step of it, because you may not find an opportunity like this for deep personal reflection on your whole life.
Strategically plan for this application and judiciously carry out your plan. Understand what is required of you by the college, source for information needed, document in detail, write and write, curate a personal statement, craft your essay for all the extracurriculars you engage in, prepare for and smash your interviews and leave the admission officers amazed.
Also remember that college applications do not define you but rather play a role in shaping you into the person you’re meant to be.
