 The
pressure of college admissions is at an all time
high. Statistics for admissions this year
were lower than any other in history. And,
worst of all, the process itself is not transparent.
Best-selling authors Mimi Doe (parenting guru)
and Michele Hernandez (college consultant extraordinaire)
– together they wrote the acclaimed book:
DON’T WORRY, YOU’LL GET IN (Marlowe
& Company) have come to the rescue with a
collection of tips and strategies.
Follow their advice, take a deep breath, and
Don’t Worry, You’ll Get
In!
1. Create a printed list of all
the schools to which you are applying.
Give it to your guidance counselor so that he/she
is sure to send the official school report to
every college on your list. Your application is
incomplete without the school’s documents
even if your send in your part.
2. Keep in mind that there is a college
for everyone. Sure, the Ivy Leagues are
extremely tough to get into, but the truth is,
once you get past the top 20 most competitive
colleges most schools admit the majority of applicants.
3. Studies have shown that applying
early decision increases your odds for acceptance
dramatically. So, get going.
Spend time the summer before your senior year
discerning your clear first choice college, than
prepare your application.
4. Keep it to yourself.
Don’t enter into the frenzy of
talk about colleges. This is your personal
journey to finding the right college and getting
crazy about everyone else’s opinions will
only bring you down.
5. Identify the teacher who is
your strongest supporter, and then do
everything you can to stand out in his or her
class. This is who you’ll go to fist
for that ever important recommendation.
6. Learn the fine art of saying
“no” to activities that take
you off course. Focus on a few things that
you love and become really good at them rather
than frantically trying to do everything.
7. Set up a specific schedule during
the year to study for any upcoming standardized
test: For instance, Wednesday evenings from
9-10:00.
8. Make time to relax!
High school shouldn’t be all SAT prep, hours
of community service, and three different tutors
in the name of “getting in.”
Get a life and you’ll be much happier.
9. Let your academic passions guide
your class choices. No college
likes a “cookie cutter” applicant
who follows the prescribed path and nothing else.
The most interesting candidates follow their own
interests and it shows.
10. Don’t believe
all you read – the best way to find
out about a particular school is to visit in person,
speak to students, observe a class and meet professors.
Otherwise, you’re just responding to slick
marketing rather than actual traits of a college.
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