The final push towards our finish line is here. A time otherwise known as the final weeks before the highly anticipated early admissions deadline of November 1st is a period where applications are finalized, testing is submitted, and essays are entering the final chapter of scrutiny. During this time, it is important to remember three main points to keep your eye on the prize and make sure that your essays are fit for submission.
Cross Your T’s and Dot Your I’s:
Over the past few months, our seniors have been painstakingly brainstorming, writing, and refining their essays in anticipation of submitting their applications by the upcoming early November deadlines. And now that the time is near, it’s important to take one final look at your essays to make sure that everything is in line. Do you notice any rudimentary spelling or grammar issues that may have been missed in your last review? For supplemental essays, have you made sure that the right university/college references are included in your essay? Is this/are these the most updated versions of your essays that you’ve entered into the application portal? As the saying goes, “the devil is in the details” and when pushing for an acceptance at the college of your dreams the details definitely matter.
Remember, Authenticity is Key:
As you review the details or your essays you should also make sure that everything you’ve written is a passionate, informative, and accurate representation of the young adult you are. Authenticity is key when it comes to your essays as the rest of your application may overlap with other applicants in the pool, your essays are the only chance you have to be truly individualized in the pool of seniors you’re competing against. Whether it’s your personal statement, why college essay, or any of the shorter personality driven prompts, when it doubt make sure that whatever writing you’re submitting is a clear and authentic representation of the person who the colleges are reviewing. Whether you’re accepted, denied, or deferred, leading with the most authentic version of yourself will ensure that you don’t have any nagging “what if” questions post submission as you receive your application updates.
Comparison Is The Thief of Joy:
Finally, while slightly cliche, we agree with the timeless adage that “comparison is the thief of joy”. While it is true that you will be compared to other students based on your academics, major, extracurricular activities, region, high school, etc it’s best to leave that comparison to the various offices of admissions. Remember, you are in control of your application and your application only. Your friends, family, and other students across the world will be submitting applications that you will never see and never have control over. The stories you’ve written about, the activities you’ve focused on, and the application you’ve prepared are the only things you’re in control over. And as a former director of admissions myself, believe me when I say that the last thing any admission officer wants is a thousand students submitting the exact same applications. Embrace your individuality, your personality, and the way you’ve chosen to put together your application, even when it’s radically different from your friends. Don’t make any last minute changes, they rarely end well.
With these tips in hand, our seniors should feel confident as they begin to hit submit on all of your upcoming applications. And for families who have more students eyeing this same application process in the coming years, remember that this work is made much easier by starting your essays the summer before the senior year. By doing so you not only provide more than enough time to brainstorming essay focuses and begin working on the writing process but, you also plan ahead for unplanned challenges. Whether those are writer’s block, an unexpected injury, spur of the moment family vacation, or anything else under the sun, bumps in the road will happen and starting earlier will give you enough time to navigate them. The essay process is a long one that is filled with many twists and turns, so let the college counseling team have your back in this process by working with your students to create the well planned, polished, and authentic essays that lead students to the best chances of being accepted into the colleges of their dreams.
