Helpful Tips
Here's a secret: Application reviewers don't want to waste your time any more than they want you to waste theirs. They are looking for the best candidate to attend their institution or earn a scholarship, and the best way to do that is to evaluate your best work. Here are some tips to help you present your best self and use the resources you've created for a variety of institutions.
Make the most of your time! The vast majority of colleges and scholarship providers are asking for the same things. You can get yourself ready by preparing in advance to provide the following information:
- Detailed information on the activities you've participated in during high school
- Academic information
- Responses to short-answer questions
- Personal essay
- Letters of recommendation
- Admissions interview (less common)
A word of caution however - institutions want to know how you fit THEIR institution. Although the questions may seem similar it will be important to make sure the application reviewer knows you are addressing them specifically. You will want to adjust answers to be more personalized to each college and scholarship application you complete. Insert a phrase or two that shows you are familiar with the institution.
Nail the Basics!
Follow the Instructions: This may seem obvious but you'd be surprised at little steps that are designed simply to make sure you are paying attention within the application. Read the instructions carefully. When the application gives length requirements, follow it. If it asks for supplemental information, provide it.
Meet deadlines: don't wait until the last minute. You may have follow up questions. Many students have accidentally submitted the wrong application and don't realize it until long after the deadline has passed and they call to inquire about why they've not heard anything.
Test Scores: These need to be sent from the testing agency (SAT or ACT). The score reports institutions receive contain more information than just your overall scores and schools want to see them. This takes extra time and typically costs money. Plan ahead.
Proofread: Spellcheck is NOT proofreading. Although avoiding typing errors is important read your answers aloud to someone else before hitting submit. This is how you will spot the 'form' when it should have been 'from' etc.
Think of your application as a whole: Reviewers will read your application from start to finish is one sitting. Make sure you are letting them know you, not just your statistics. Avoid inconsistencies in your story; don't contradict yourself. You do not need to reiterate that you were NHS president multiple times for example; but if you were be sure to mention it somewhere. If the application doesn't ask specifically for an accomplishment you've attained make sure you bring it up in your personal essay. If you read your entire application in one sitting and you've covered everything about you in one way or another the reviewer will get a chance to know you.