College hunting? Stuck with your application? What to do and what not to do.

Is it already time for you to look into your future and start college hunting? It’s not all that scary once you’re in college! So here are some guidelines or tips that you can follow when hunting. The guidelines given below are split into perfect sections to help you. We’ve condensed them so you don’t stress out. Also because we hope you’d schedule a tour with us for being this amazing.

Where do I start?

1. Calm down and don’t rush things!
2. Start a folder/file for your college searches.
3. Document EVERYTHING that you find and EVERYTHING you think is important. Chances are, what you thought was important, actually is
4. Pick your dream school / top choice.
• “Top choice” – a term you’re definitely going to hear for the next few months.
•  Having this dream school in mind keeps you focused and motivated to reach for your goals. (Lesson #1 of being a college student – Reach your goals.
5. Apart from this school, look at a few others. Preferably 5-6 more.
• It’s always nice to have 3-5 schools congratulating and wanting you!!! Think of all the boasting you could do at all those awkward family gatherings!
6. Note down ALL DEADLINES in your file, and keep track of them.
7. Take your SATs, TOEFLs, IELTS, and/or any required tests!
8. Keep calm and carry on!
   

The dreaded essay!   (THE ONLY RULE: DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!)

• 1.     Stop running back and forth between which topic to write your college essay on. Pick ONE and do it NOW!
  2.     Highlight / underline the keywords of the essay topic.
  3.     Start drawing up your plan for your essay.
  a.    Please, for crying out loud, do not jump right into writing it.
  b.    What do you think they want to hear? What do you think this school’s looking for?
  c.     Keep all this in mind, but please be yourself! Write about you, not the “ideal” student you think they want. There’s no such thing as an ideal student. Everyone wants a piece that can be improved on, to finally create a masterpiece. By the end of your 4 years, you will be that masterpiece.
  4.     Once you feel confident about this draft plan. Re-do it. Re-read it. Proof read it, at least 3 times before it’s final.
  a.    Don’t do this in one day. Do it over a stretch of a few weeks.
  b.    Experiences build you. Experiences build your essay.
  c.     They want to hear your story.
  5.     Now, start writing. Write your first draft in one sitting. Of course, get up if you want a cup of coffee, but not if you want to go watch the latest Fifty Shades of The Rainbow movie with your friends and come back.
  6.     Re-read. Re-write. EDIT EDIT EDIT. Keep your eye on the word count.
  7.     Get a close teacher and a close friend to proof read your essay before you decide on the final copy.
  a.    Don’t rely on your chosen ones! Proof read it yourself after they’ve given feedback, to see if it still sounds like you.
  8.     After all this tension and stress, go get yourself some good gelato and celebrate your first hurdle.

      What now?

           1.     Go back and stalk every single website for every single school you’ve put in your folder.

           2.     Look carefully for any changed deadlines and make necessary adjustments.

           3.     Are you using The Common Application?

           a.    Slowly and calmly start filling in all of the required fields.

           b.    In the meantime, gather necessary documents from your high school.

           4.     Finished filling The Common App?

           a.    CHECK AGAIN.

           b.    Ask your mom/dad to check it for you to make sure you’ve got everything down.

           5.     Now:

           a.    Submit that masterpiece of an essay that you worked so hard on!

           b.    Make your payments.

           c.     Hit “submit” with nothing but CONFIDENCE!

           d.    Own that moment.

           6.     Go get gelato again to celebrate your second hurdle. 

      Word of advice:

       It’s always great to apply to Ivy League Universities, but also apply to a few smaller schools. Becoming a shining star will be secure within a smaller school. Not to mention, the great one-on-one attention you’ll be getting from your professors.

    Happy Hunting! Don't forget to call us or email us if you have any questions! Also, swing by for a tour and get a glimpse of the beautiful campus at Adelphi University.