So what now? Advice from a College Senior

isayhello
Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:07:10 +0000

Hello NewHaven!

Grr, so much to say, I have to keep editing it down. Sorry about the length. All of it seems important.

For your daughter as a rising junior, with the summer ahead of her-


Testing and money were really important for me.
PSAT/SAT practice tests. Lots of them. Start trying now if you haven’t already. I took a course through my school district to learn “the rules” (in either the fall or spring of junior year? I think?) and then bought books just for the practice tests. I was able to make it to a 2290 on my last SAT (took it twice.)


Once you have the scores, a lot of the pressure is off because you have a good shot at finding a full ride somewhere. I found an LAC I liked with a full tuition scholarship I researched and figured I could win, and eventually got that. There are also tons of schools that give out full tuition and full ride scholarships to people with strong testing.
Knowing I would get a sizeable merit scholarship from the LAC freed me up to apply wherever I wanted. I only applied to six schools total, schools I really liked. (Upon reflection, I spent much more time studying for the SAT and freaking out on College Confidential than I did writing essays or filling out apps.)


Obviously right around now is the time to show that you’re really involved in a couple of activities. Leadership positions are nice. Winning or making stuff works.
Recommendations. I also spent junior year getting close to my English teacher, who was a great mentor to me. He then wrote me a recommendation letter that I got to hear part of in a scholarship interview. It was really kind. Making a connection like that is a good idea for a lot of reasons. He also had my essays in good shape.


-Have your subject tests taken on time, and know how many you need and by when (I couldn’t apply to one school because I didn’t realize I needed three subject tests, not just two.)


Senioritis is awful. My grades started to really slip in my second semester of senior year, so that they weren’t in good shape for my waitlists- I made it to the last round of the waitlist at the only HYP I applied to, but then they asked for my latest grades and I was making two C’s. Senioritis can also flow into freshman year of college and make adjusting harder.
Build organization and study skills even if you don’t need them to do well yet.
I was able to skate through most of high school because I was a good writer and had strong short term memory. I never really built the skills that become your lifeblood in college. Even if it’s all easy for your daughter, she should spend time getting these systems in place.
I was able to visit or talk on the phone to students of color at the competitive schools I applied to, which was a source of comfort. If your daughter cares about the multicultural community on campus, you can probably call the admissions office and ask to be put in touch with someone.
OH! I almost forgot. I read 'How to Get Into the Top Colleges" by Richard Montauk obsessively. He talks a lot about ‘personal themes’. I used the book to help make myself sound cohesive as a package, and easier for an admissions dean to understand. I would read that.



(Keep in mind- I applied to college when I was in the top five percent of my public school and made a 2290 on the SAT, and was able to make it into my Ivy; but my sister applied to college in the top 30% of her class at the same high school, with a ~1900, and is studying at a top 5 LAC. After she was admitted, we heard back that they were really invested in her personality and her drive. She only made it into one other LAC, but it doesn’t matter because you only really need one.)

I would keep my head up and work my essays if I was already a rising senior. I would also just go ahead and apply, and see what happens.

Best of luck to your daughter! It’s a really scary and exciting time. I think it’s great that you’re helping her through it.