Last-Minute College Application Pointers
It’s the midnight hour! If you are a high school senior, October is the time to submit your applications. Many students don’t realize that in order to be fully considered for merit aid, they have have to get their main application in early - usually by 10/15 or 11/1.
If you are still finishing up (or, God forbid, just starting!) an application, here are some key last-minute resources to make sure you are putting your best foot forward.
MONTHS LEFT?
If you are reading this article months before your application due date, then start here. This will help you decide where you’re aiming, clarify your messaging on who you are, and efficiently manage the application workload.
DAYS LEFT AND NEARLY DONE?
If your application is nearly done, then your main order of business is having someone you trust (parents are good) read it over and give you feedback.
Don’t let them rewrite it - it needs to sounds like you - but do ask them questions like:
Does this give a consistent message of who I am?
Are my essays engaging? Do they have good opening hooks?
Do you see any typos or errors? (Nothing like a glaring grammar mistake to say, “Hey, I’m a slapdash kind of a student.” )
NOT CLOSE AND RUNNING OUT OF TIME?
If you have just days to go and you’re stuck on one of the application elements, here’s what to do.
Essays and Activity Lists:
Start with College Essay Guy's excellent brainstorming activities (“Application Pre-Work”). After you’ve done those, look at his specific articles on preparing your college personal statement, supplemental essays, activity list, and interview.
Or, if you prefer, PrepScholar’s blog also has spot-on advice writing your essay, filling out the activity lists, and more.
A key pointer: you must, must, must do multiple drafts of your writing to make sure it is the best it can be. I know you’re busy; do it anyway. This is important.
Reference Letters:
If you haven’t requested letters yet, do so TODAY, and apologize profusely for asking so late. Tell them if they don’t have time to write you a letter, you understand (and then pray they do have time). Normally, you should give a recommender 30-days’ notice if you are requesting a letter - hence the need for an apology.
After they submit your letter, give them a nice thank-you gift since it was such short notice. Something along the line of flowers or chocolate chip cookies and an appreciative card. Once you hear back on your application, let them know the results; it will make them happy to know they helped.
If you have already requested your letters, check with your colleges 4 days before the due date to see if they have been submitted. It’s not unusual for a recommender to completely forget to send one in, so you need to follow up to make sure the letter arrived.
Prayer:
Are you continuing to pray fervently throughout the application process?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” – Prov. 3:5-7, ESV
The Lord knows where you need to be after high school. Seek Him first, and He will guide you and provide. Skip this heart attitude, and you may wander down the wrong path.
Parents:
Send your folks to the Mastering Homeschool Transcripts video. It should tell them everything they need to know to make a professional transcript for free.
Our website also has information on the parent portion of the Common App, including guidance on the school profile and counselor letter.
Dual Enrollment Transcripts:
If you have taken college courses while in high school, don’t forget to order transcripts to be submitted directly to the schools you are applying to. Even though you will be including these courses and grades on your homeschool transcript, you are ethically required to submit all dual enrollment transcripts, too.
Search on the name of the dual enrollment school and the word “transcript” to figure out how to order one.
Portfolios:
Have a special skill, like art, music, or engineering projects? Or did you complete a capstone project? A portfolio is optional, but it may make a real difference in your application.
You can upload a compilation file or video to Google Drive, set the permissions to anyone with the link, and then make a tinyurl that redirects to your file. Share that link with the college on your application.
Note: only submit a portfolio if your skill is impressive in the context of the school you are applying to. If you are just a run-of-the-mill guitar player, don’t send a video to of your playing to an elite college. It won’t help.
Pray more.
You can’t overdo this one.
And when you have finally hit the submit button, breathe a big sigh of relief and celebrate with a pumpkin spice latte.
(And then... start applying for scholarships.)
OK, maybe two pumpkin spice lattes first.
Photo credits: Alexas Fotos: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-an-alarm-clock-7808704/, CollegeEssayGuy https://www.collegeessayguy.com/about, PrepScholar https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/, Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-printer-paper-48195/ , TEP RO: https://www.pexels.com/photo/clasped-hands-on-open-book-13101383/, FoxbridgePrep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5WBYwWgcS8, Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-pinning-sketch-to-wall-9849323/, Melike B: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-cup-of-coffee-8613328/
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