How to Make the Best of the College Admissions Process
Kate talks about her college application process and what advice she has for anyone who might be struggling
Kate talks about her college application process and what advice she has for anyone who might be struggling
As we start to get to the end of the calendar year, I am reminded of my college application process from two years ago. I was so stressed out about choosing the right school that I ended up applying to 23 colleges in the span of my three week winter break. In the end, I was burnt out and had no idea how to make a decision. If there’s anyone out there who is considering following in my footsteps, I’m here to give you some advice that I wish I had heard before I launched into my college admissions process.
Do your research
I know you’re probably sick of hearing this, but it really does help to compare things at different schools. One of the reasons I was drawn to Carleton was the range of interesting courses in the course catalog. I didn’t see any other school that offered courses in archaeology and astronomy to first-year students. It’s also fun to look into the traditions and student orgs to start to figure out where you would fit in your new college community.
Visit The Campus
It’s always awesome to feel the vibe of each college campus. If you have a chance to tour Carleton, or any other school, it can be a great opportunity to figure out what you do and don’t want for your future college. If you can’t come in person, there are always other options! Carleton offers a ton of virtual events, from tours to Q&As. You can also talk to current students to see if they have any specific advice about the school.
Don’t Procrastinate
Trust me. Please. As someone who spent the entire winter break rewriting essay after essay, it’s not worth it. If you can, try to block it out early and dedicate a few days to each college. It’ll also help with the admissions requirement essays, which can be really hard if you’re bouncing from school to school.
Be intentional
As I said before, I applied to 23 schools, which is (in my opinion), way too many. When acceptances started coming out, I forgot even applying to some of them, and it was impossible to dedicate enough time to exploring all of them. Things like research and visits can help you narrow your search before you’ve even applied so you don’t waste time and energy on a school that might not be right for you.
Trust your gut
In the end, I chose Carleton because I felt at home on my accepted students day. I met so many people who I really connected with, and started to feel really excited about my future here. Everyone always talks about “the feeling” that you get when you know a school is right for you. I am lucky enough to have experienced it, but even if you don’t, you know what’s best for you and what feels right. Make sure that you’re honoring your own opinion, and don’t let anyone change your mind.
In the end, you’re going to end up exactly where you’re supposed to be. Whether that’s Carleton or not, you will find some place that makes you feel both challenged and welcomed. Although I rant about how much I hated my college admissions process (mostly because of a series of bad choices on my part) I wouldn’t change it for the world because I’ve ended up exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Kate (she/her) is a sophomore from the Bay Area, California. She loves Carleton’s artsy community, and is involved in both the Theater and Dance department and Vocal Studies Program. Kate’s favorite places on campus are the practice rooms, either in Myers or the Weitz, where she is often making music with her friends. When not in class, you can find Kate either walking in the arb or forcing her friends to watch bad movies in a study room.