Dear Class of 2021,
The college application process has many unexpected challenges that are hard to anticipate until you dive in head-first into the application process. Because of this, we decided to gather recent graduates from the Class of 2020 to provide advice they wish they knew before starting the college process, insight on how seniors should approach the application process during the pandemic, and what aspects of their application made them stand out. Read the following article, the second in a three-part series, to hear insight and encouragement from fourteen wonderful and brilliant college freshmen.
Question #2: What advice do you give to seniors completing the college application during the pandemic?
Ask For Advice
Suggested by Audrey Erickson and Ania Szydlowski.
The college application process is difficult to get through without help, so utilize people who have already been through the college application process. Many people are more than happy to help you and can provide insight that you may not be able to find online. Additionally, teachers and guidance counselors can also be a huge help in giving advice based on their experiences or experiences with prior students. If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to anyone, feel free to reach out to us at applicationoverloadblog@gmail.com or on Instagram @applicationoverlaod. We welcome all questions and want to support you!
“People are more than happy to help, so don't be afraid to ask teachers and other people for help.”
- Audrey Erickson, Butler University
Designate A Place Specifically For College Apps
Suggested by Hannah Hansraj, Naomi Wu, and Michaela Zollicoffer.
During the pandemic, when you’re spending the majority of your time staying at home, it’s hard to separate school life from your home life. That’s why it’s crucial to find places in your house where you can work comfortably and without distraction, if possible, and designate this space for your work. An example of this is finding a desk or table you can work at rather than working while laying down or sitting on your bed. Designating these spaces can greatly improve your focus and, hence, the quality of your application.
“Find a place in your house that allows you to fully concentrate that is NOT your bed! Psychologically, your brain associates your bed with sleep. If you work in bed, you will want to sleep. Or vice versa, if you always do work on your bed, your brain will associate your bed with work and you won’t be able to sleep. Give your brain a break and designate a space specifically for work.”
- Naomi Wu, Northwestern University
See How Colleges Are Handling The Pandemic
Suggested by London Anderson and Jenna Kim.
Colleges have all approached their response to COVID-19 differently. Because of this, be sure to stay on top of any updates about your prospective schools because colleges and standardized testing companies are making changes to their policies due to the pandemic. Additionally, look at how schools have implemented protocols and how the student body has fared to see if this matches what you want your student body to look like.
“How do you think you would behave if you were a freshman right now? How would you LIKE to think you'd behave if you were a freshman right now? Are you interested in attending a school that has taken a lot of risks in opening, some risks in partially opening, or minimal risks in going fully remote? These questions are important to ask yourself, as each school and their student body's reaction to the pandemic is indicative of their regard for others.”
- London Anderson, Kenyon College
Don’t Write About COVID-19
Suggested by Jenna Kim.
The hot topic for personal statements this year will be COVID-19. Although you may be tempted to write about the pandemic, keep in mind that college admissions officers will likely be reading thousands of essays about the pandemic. If you have something extremely significant and unique that happened to you during the pandemic (not about something such as the struggles of online schooling or social distancing), use the 250-word designated space on the Common App to talk about it, not your personal statement.
“Unless you have an amazing story to tell about COVID-19 that is genuinely compelling, colleges do not want to hear the same ol' stuff about quarantine. I don't say that to invalidate your struggles, but I rather want to point out that we have all undergone adversity during this time. You want to stand out to colleges, so write about something unique."
- Jenna Kim, Northwestern University
Stay On Top Of Schoolwork and Extracurriculars
Suggested by Yuri Coleman and Hannah Hansraj.
While it can be really easy to get caught up in all the aspects of the college application that need to be completed, it’s just as important to maintain the same academic standing and extracurricular involvement that you had before starting senior year. It's really easy to lose steam, especially since school is also from home, but try to find ways to stay motivated. Colleges want to see that you can maintain the rigor of your schedule in addition to the added pressure of college applications. A dip in grades or substantially lower commitment to extracurriculars without good reason can reflect poorly on your application.
“When I was applying to college, I definitely let my applications take priority over school. In hindsight, I wish I prioritized them both equally—it would have definitely saved me the stress of worrying about how my senior year academic performance would affect my decisions.”
- Hannah Hansraj, UC Berkeley
Work With Others
Suggested by Hannah Hansraj and Michaela Zollicoffer.
Having someone to hold you accountable and motivate you to do your work is extremely valuable. Ideally, this person is someone who works at the same pace as you, is willing to bounce ideas with you, and is not a distraction to you. Finding someone with these qualities will help you be productive and be a comfort to you as you both conquer the college application process together (even virtually!).
“Sometimes working in the presence of a peer can hold you accountable to your own goals and deadlines; even if this is just a FaceTime/Zoom/etc. call with a friend to set some time aside and just work (not socialize!) next to each other – virtually, that is!”
- Michaela Zollicoffer, McGill University
The college application may seem daunting, but there are numerous people who are willing to help you throughout this process. If you ever have any questions or need support, email us at applicationoverloadblog@gmail.com, we are more than happy to help! To find more advice from recent graduates, visit the "Tips From c/o 2020" page on our blog. To current seniors: good luck! We know that this process is challenging, but we are rooting for you every step of the way.
Sincerely,
The Class of 2020
A special thank you to the following Class of 2020 volunteers for sharing your insight, encouragement, and honesty: London Anderson, Hannah Chen, Allison Chhay, Yuri Coleman, Audrey Erickson, Miclo Gonzalez, Kayla Huang, Jenna Kim, Emmanuel Nidea, Jessica Schnoll, Ania Szydlowski, and Michaela Zollicoffer.
Visit the "Meet The Contributors" section on our About Page to learn more about them!
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