The whole process of getting ready to go to college can be stressful. From keeping up your grades for four years to studying hard for the SAT or ACT, the college admissions process is something that almost everyone goes through, and having some type of guidance can be extremely helpful. After speaking with and interviewing some of my senior classmates, we have put together some guidelines that will help the underclassmen who are starting this process.
The most important point many of my peers mentioned during their interviews was that applying to many different schools is beneficial. Although this may mean spending a little more time writing college essays, the pros outweigh the cons. Applying to a lot of schools can give you a sense of security throughout this nerve-racking process. I know from experience that I had no idea what to look for in a school and keeping my options open helped me narrow down my choices. Franco Bitar, senior, was in a similar position. He had some idea of what schools to apply to, but like the majority, he was stuck.
“I didn’t know what school I wanted to go to, but I was able to narrow down my decision to schools in bigger cities,” Bitar said.
In Bitar’s case, having more options and being open helped him end up at a school that was fit for him.
Another helpful tip that is probably the most crucial of them all, is having good relationships with your teachers and more importantly, your counselor. Meeting with your counselor to go over your common app essay or to discuss potential schools is something that you need to take advantage of. Our counselors here at Gonzaga are excellent and can help you find your perfect fit school. On the other hand, if you know that you have a better relationship with a certain teacher, they can be wonderful resources as well. For example, Matthew Casler, senior, met with Mr. Patrick Welch, English teacher, multiple times while writing his college essay. He said that Mr. Welch improved his writing and gave him “well-needed criticism.”
Keeping these tips in mind before and during your college process can alleviate some stress of a significant part of life. All seniors now have gone through the same thing, so stopping one in the hall to pick their brain about college applications may just change your plan for the better.