HS Class of 2013 Lessons Learned

Dedalussayshi
Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:25:12 +0000

Research your safety schools, check to see if they have programs you are interested in. Make sure they have a good options in majors that you will enjoy. Sometimes safety schools have unique opportunities that are like diamonds in the rough. Also as someone else said, you only need ONE safety school, but it needs to be a SAFETY, as in the average GPA is 3.2 and you have a 3.6 average SAT is 1800 and you have 2100+. That guaranteed admission made the process of application nearly stress free for me.
Don’t apply to a lot of schools, unless your loaded and can actually afford to go to all of them, or have a decent chance of getting lots of money. Usually there are only a few schools that meet these requirements so that should limit your options. I good number could be 5 or 7; this way you have 1 safety, 3-4 match, 2-3 reach.
Take a chill pill, then hand them out to your parents and family. Try to explain to your parents that not getting into an Ivy or top tier school isn’t the end of the world. (I know its hard, but if they don’t get it just move on and ignore them)
Know what you want to do. I know it sounds simple but it still amazes me how many fellow seniors apply to prestigious schools with no idea what they want to do in life. Knowing what you want out of college will help you choose schools, wright better essays, and if you know what you want to do you can find a variety of programs that others may of overlooked that still cater to your needs.
Use College Confidential. I only got on here once (junior year) till after the entire admissions process was over, and I’d already chosen my school. This website has lots of helpful information, not only for highschoolers, and college admissions but helping you choose majors, finding career and internship opportunities, and more. Make sure you take advantage of it, and try to give back more than you get.
Most importantly remember this: As long as you are determined, work hard, and passionate you can succeed wherever you are. It may mean transferring, it could even mean going to community college (I know people who went to Harvard and Yale from a CC) but life keeps on going as long as you keep trying.