College Application Tips 

By Harper Gardner 

As the deadlines for college applications are coming closer, it’s important to plan and prepare to make the process much easier. For starters, do not wait until the night before to submit your application. Starting early not only relieves stress but improves your chances of getting into your preferred college. You will have more time to edit and proofread your essays and check if you filled out your application correctly. It also is important to keep track of the deadlines to submit your application. Many colleges have different deadlines for early action, and regular decisions so it’s important to keep note of the deadline dates for the colleges you want to apply to.

Also, you should not be discouraged if your stats are currently lacking, as colleges care more about seeing growth. For example, if your GPA went down from the previous year there is still time to pick it back up, and improving your GPA shows commitment and growth. Essays are typically underestimated by students for the application; however, many admission officers say that it is one of the most important pieces of the whole application. So, it is important to have the time to put a lot of effort into your personal essay. You also want to make sure your essay is authentic, admission officers read thousands of essays a day, so you want to make your essay stand out from the others.

Additionally, to have a strong essay, it is recommended that you show interest in the schools that are your top choice. The ways you can accomplish this are by taking a campus tour, partaking in information sessions, or emailing the school questions. Demonstrating interest can really support your application, if your application is like other students but, you show more dedicated interest, the more likely you would get in than the other student.

Finally, do not forget about scholarships and financial aid. Students often forget about these and miss out on many chances of paying less money. Take the time and look for local scholarships near you because many go unclaimed. Ultimately, college application season can be stressful, but following these tips will help with the process.  

Sources:

“Graduation Photos – Download Free High-Quality Pictures | Freepik.” Freepik, 2016, www.freepik.com/photos/graduation. Accessed 26 Sept. 2025.