By EMMA CASTRO February 17th, 2022
You do not need to apply to 20 colleges.
Full disclosure: I applied to 18 colleges. Admissions trends have changed since the pandemic began, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get in anywhere. Personally, I applied to too many “safety schools” because I was afraid I wouldn’t get into any selective schools. Really, though, you only need two or three. There’s nothing wrong with aiming high, so long as you have a few backup plans. If you’re not sure what schools qualify as safeties for you, talk to your guidance counselor!
People are going to be judgmental.
As decisions come out, the CHHS air gets a little tense. You might think that the tension will be worse during application season, but I’ve found that the awkwardness actually peaks as the spring approaches. Many people will be applying to the same schools as you, and you’ll likely receive frequent questions about where you applied, where you were accepted, etc. Others will judge your college list, potentially making comments about having too many reaches or safeties. And, unfortunately, not everyone will congratulate you for your success. Do your best to be respectful to others, and remember…
You’re only in this for yourself.
Let’s face it: Everybody is going to apply to the same colleges (I’m looking at you, Cornell). Although it’s tempting to compare yourself to your peers, remember that every college is looking for different qualities in prospective students. There’s no telling who will be accepted, waitlisted, or denied from a given school. It’s easier said than done, but it’s important to not be discouraged by what everyone else is doing. This is YOUR college application process. Find schools and programs that excite you, regardless of what others will say.
These are the boring logistical (but important) tips:
A) Keep a timeline. Let’s be realistic here: You’re going to end up submitting some applications the day they’re due. However, I’d recommend starting your Common App over the summer. Since most EA/ED applicants are due in November, it's best to chip away at your personal essay and any supplements throughout the fall. Since these extra essays will end up being quite time-consuming, try to fill out the "General Info" sections of the Common App in the summer.
B) Build a resume! It’s not required, but it can help enhance your application, and it’s a great way to consolidate your activities into one document. If and when you decide to do interviews, offering to email your interviewer a copy of your resume post-meeting looks very professional.
C) Use ONE email address for all your schools. When the time comes to set up your applicant portals, try to use the same password for everything (or, if you’re concerned about security, write them all down somewhere).
D) Show interest! While many schools no longer track demonstrated interest, attending campus events (virtual or in-person), talking to current students, and doing interviews are great ways to see if a college is right for you.
You can’t predict your college decisions.
More specifically, you can’t gauge where you will or will not get in based on one college decision. For example, I was deferred from a school for which I thought my chances of acceptance were decent. I know several other people who experienced this same thing. Since I had viewed this particular school as a “target,” I began to panic, thinking I wouldn’t get into any of my more selective schools. Two days later, I was accepted into a school from which I was sure I was getting deferred or rejected. At the end of the day, you’ll never know why you were accepted or rejected from a school. Remember that regardless of where you’re accepted, your hard work will pay off, and you will end up where you’re meant to.