By: Lauren Carlo and Alexa Erickson

College process:  the two words upcoming seniors dread the most.   With all of the applications, essays, transcripts, and resumes, the college process is known to be one of the most stressful experiences in a high school student’s life. Many students are afraid of the process itself and do not even know where to begin. We are here to pass on some helpful advice that graduated seniors have told us.  These words of wisdom are currently helping us go through this now.

The most important thing while you’re going through this dreadful, yet exciting process is to make sure you are not pushing everything till the last minute. It is a longer process than you think as there are numerous steps in making sure your application is one that you are proud of and are confident in sending into the college you see yourself attending.

During your junior year, make sure to complete your junior questionnaire when it is given to you, do not wait until the due date during your senior year to complete it. Another important piece of the process is asking teachers to write your letters of recommendations.  Teachers should be asked before you leave for the summer. If you wait until the fall of senior year to ask teachers to write these letters for you, they won’t have time to. Most teachers prefer writing over the summer and taking the time with them rather than rushing them in the fall by your deadlines.

Another crucial piece of the process to touring as many schools as you can. Viewing the schools online can help; however, you can have a totally different vibe about the school when you actually go see it. You may either really like it more than expected or realize it isn’t the school for you, which is something you can’t tell from online. Tour a school even if you aren’t 100% sure about it because you never know. Once you are able to narrow down your list of schools more, then definitely go back and tour again. Schools keep track of who’s touring and who isn’t when it comes to the applications. Touring a school more than once shows interest in the college and is better on your part when it comes to an admission decision.

Next, we’re sure you’ve heard this multiple times, but if you have any questions don’t feel afraid to ask! Your guidance counselors are here to answer everything you may be confused about or curious, so don’t hesitate to ask them. Even if you think it’s a “dumb” question, no questions are dumb when it comes to your future plans.

Another option is to personally reach out to the college reps at the school. They know more about the school than anyone and it can be very helpful. Once again, reaching out to the school yourself shows interest and colleges take note in who is and who isn’t reaching out.

Lastly, be sure to remember that everything will be okay in the end. Some of you may be worried that you aren’t going to get into your top choice, or second, or any of your schools; but, that isn’t true. You will get into a college. There’s a college for everyone and if you plan to go onto college after high school, then you will. If you just plan everything out, get things done early, and be completely honest and yourself in your applications then there’s nothing to worry about. Take your time with this process, it is long, but in the end it is completely worth it and everything will turn out okay.