Tips for Applying to Colleges

When it comes time  to apply  to college, there are several things that students can do to set themselves apart from other applicants. One way  students can do this is go out of their way to show their enthusiasm for a school. For instance, a student can visit a college’s campus and then write a letter to school officials describing how much they enjoyed the trip. Signing up to receive updates on a college’s social media page is another idea for students who want to express their interest. Also, if a college gives applicants the chance to write an optional essay in their application, then a student may want to take advantage of that extra opportunity to communicate their desire to be admitted to that school. Lets take a look at some other tips for students who want to outshine the competition when applying to college: Consider the Early Action Admissions Option Some students who are applying to college may not be aware of the various admissions options available to them. Some of these options can potentially increase a student’s chances of being accepted to their preferred school  Ã‚  Early Action is a great example of this. Early Action requires students to apply to a college  earlier than students who apply during the regular decision period. Early Action applications are typically submitted in November or early December, whereas regular decision applications are usually due in February. Submitting an Early Action application means that the student will receive  an answer in early February, however, if a student is accepted at this time, they don’t have to make their final decision until May 1. The Early Action admissions option is ideal for students who know exactly where they want to go to school   they have done the research and  made a reasonably definite choice. If a student is not accepted via Early Action, they can still apply to other colleges during the regular decision period. It’s important for students to keep in mind that the Early Action option is different from the Early Decision admissions option. If a student is accepted to a college via Early Decision, they must go to that school  (whereas a  student who is accepted via Early Action can choose to go to a  different  school). Write a Summary for Letters of Recommendation Students who apply to college  must arrange for letters of recommendation to be sent along with their other application materials. These letters are usually  written by a student’s teachers, employers, or counselors, and they describe the students  best qualities. College officials who are evaluating a student’s application appreciate hearing different impressions of the student via these letters. It’s helpful for a student to write down a summary of their own strengths and accomplishments to give to their potential recommenders upon requesting a letter of recommendation from them. Though this may seem like a student’s effort to guide the tone of a recommendation letter, it’s more of a practical step   for example, a high school teacher  who teaches many courses may be writing letters of recommendation for a dozen or more students, so they will  be grateful for a quick summary from a student so their letter can include all of the right components. Follow Up on Submitted Materials When students apply to colleges, there are several documents that must be sent in from different locations. For instance, SAT results are sent from the College Board  to the colleges themselves. Transcripts are also sent to colleges from students high schools. It’s a wise idea for a student to call the admissions officials at the schools they are applying to and  make sure they’ve received these, and other documents. If not, a student will have  the opportunity to check into the problem. Alternatively, if college officials did receive these documents, calling in gives the student an opportunity to reiterate their genuine interest in attending the school. Veritas Prep specializes in partnering with students who are applying to college. Our  admissions consultants have an inside take on what college officials are looking for in prospective students. We help students with all aspects of the college admissions process. Evaluating transcripts, assisting with college applications, providing guidance on essays, and keeping track of deadlines are just a few of the services we offer. We also provide test prep for the SAT, the ACT, and other exams. Students utilize our study resources, learn test-taking strategies, and practice with our experienced instructors  so they can truly master these exams. Contact Veritas Prep today to learn more about our expert academic services. Do you still need help with your  college applications? We can help! Visit our  College Admissions  website and register to attend one of our FREE Online College Workshops!  And as always, be sure to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Google+, and Twitter!