College: The Next Step of Your Life
By:Hayoung Choi
By:Hayoung Choi
College is becoming more competitive, and students are applying more than ever; with
the ever-growing amount of high-schoolers, many wonder if college is as attainable as it
seems. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the number of
students enrolling for college, increased from 16.9 million to 20.4 million since 2003
to 2013. With the world becoming more globalized and technologically innovative,
higher levels of education are becoming prioritized and students are getting ambitious to
search for the best of the best.
At first, the process seems daunting, many often don’t know where to start. Students
often wait until the last minute to get their prerequisites in and end up rushing their essays
and applications which would lower their chances to get into the college of their choice.
However, by understanding exactly what the college process is and by following a few
steps, students can overcome the pre-college application anxieties head on and get
accepted to the college of their dreams.
Applying to college is a big job, but by breaking the process down into a series of small
steps it can be a stress-free experience for everyone.
Throughout your high school life, choose the kinds of extracurriculars that interest you,
not the ones that look the best for a college application. Colleges appreciate it more when
a student is passionate about their interests rather than a student who is trying to join
multiple clubs and sports they may have no interest. List the accomplishments that you
take the most pride in and write the essay that best represents who you are - make your
voice unique.
2. Get Connected:
Talk to your family, friends, or anyone else you’re close to about your college plans. Talk
about why you want to go to a certain college; this will be great preparation for
interviews later on when you apply for colleges. Also, get to know your teachers and
guidance counselors. They all have been through the same experiences you’re going
through and can provide you with tips and advice to help make your experience the best it
can be.
3. Research Research Research:
Start conducting on the kinds of colleges you might want to attend. Find colleges that
offer or provide the best support and attention to the major(s) in which you are interested.
Get informed about the different kinds of programs and special activities that each
individual college offers. For example, Brown University provides a BS/MD program for
undergraduates the opportunity to graduate earlier than standard medical schools and
does not require students to take the MCAT test. For medically interested students, this is
an opportunity of a lifetime. Get to know the requirements some of these schools have
and work your way towards achieving each and one of them. Getting started junior year
for college prep is never too early because it allows more time for students to prepare
without stress and eases the overwhelming amount of work.
For many high school students, college is just a step away. College is not only an
unforgettable experience, but it is a step into adulthood freedom and a time to learn life
lessons. By following these three steps, anyone can make their college application
process simple; you can expect your acceptance letter in no time.
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