How Students Can Thrive During the College Admissions Process

It’s the end of the school year, the time when admissions officers, college counselors, students, and parents alike typically breathe a sigh of relief that the college admissions process is over for this year’s seniors. However, before we close the books on this academic year, let’s take a minute to reflect on how things went this time around. 

Once again, the number of applications to colleges broke records, admit rates fell, and colleges continued to fill significant portions of their incoming classes with Early Decision applicants. With all the mania, it seems that college outcomes are becoming increasingly unpredictable. 

Still, in the midst of this frenzy, our students had a very successful year. Most of them had good news early, and even more importantly, our students are enrolling this fall at colleges they would describe as “best-fit” choices. What do we mean? Best-fit colleges provide outstanding academics, of course, but they also offer opportunities to broaden students’ extracurricular, social, and personal horizons. In short, our students are headed to communities where they can be happy and grow.

So, how did they do it? What do students and families who found very different “best-fit” colleges have in common with one another?

They identified and enjoyed authentic interests and pursuits.

People often ask us if there are specific activities that will look good on college applications. Our answer is always the same: No. Of course, students should take an appropriately rigorous course load, but colleges also value the investment a student makes in developing his or her own interests in ways that are fun and challenging.

One of our students enjoyed a part-time job that helped him learn how to work with demanding customers because he wanted to explore his interest in business. Another discovered a passion for public policy by volunteering for a non-profit that delivers health care to uninsured patients. In both cases, our students bridged existing interests with new ones and had fun along the way.

They kept their college list focused and realistic. 

We specialize in helping students create best-fit college lists. We encourage them  to seek out institutions where they can not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to the campus community through leadership, service, and collaboration. Successful students spend time looking into the specific resources and support systems each college provides and what extracurricular activities offered resonate with their passions. Not only does this help promise that students are making a choice that fits with their ideal lifestyle, but this knowledge can come in handy when it comes time to write their “Why us?” college essay in the fall.

They started writing their essays early!

We don’t just suggest that you start writing your essay on the earlier side to nag you. Besides the clear benefits of having more time to draft and revise, starting early gives you time for unrushed introspection and self discovery. A truly great essay has given credit to both. Most often students skip this step, but when they do, it’s not uncommon for their essay to come off as flat or uninspired. You need to budget time for this kind of brainstorming– and if you wait until the last minute, it’s much harder to come by. 

They set limits and respected them.

Each year, students’ schedules get more and more packed, and they just can’t do everything. For some, setting limits meant creating a testing plan and sticking to it, instead of wondering if “just one more” retake would boost their scores. For others, it meant shutting off electronics 30 minutes earlier than usual – even if their homework was not absolutely perfect – to go to sleep.

The college search process forces students to ask themselves big questions about who they are and what they want. Students who invested in forward planning were better able to manage their time. They could set limits, get enough sleep, and carve out time with friends and family, and because of this, they were better able to consider and complete essay and application work thoughtfully and productively.

They formed meaningful relationships with adults.

Colleges want to admit students who are a fit for their campus and community, as well as their classrooms. Thus, articulating who you are, and what you value, becomes ever more important. A key way for students to develop this ability is by sharing their interests with adults and asking for feedback when appropriate.

One of our students found it helpful to talk to her Chemistry teacher about summer programs to confirm an interest in engineering. Our athletic recruits chatted with coaches to express their interest in being scholar-athletes, and some realized small, liberal arts colleges might be a great option. Talking with adults early and often paved the way for these students to express themselves clearly when writing application essays, speaking with admissions officers, and attending alumni interviews.

The more opportunities our students seized to get to know themselves, the easier it became to prioritize their wants and needs for their college choice. Finding a best fit isn’t magical, it’s methodical, and it can be done.