Senior Testimonial and Advice for the College Application Process, Part 4

The next senior testimonial is from William Hatheway. Enjoy!


The college process is a very exciting and important part of high school.  It is necessary to spend the time on it because it does decide the next, very pivotal, four years of your life.  It is a time consuming process, but it is well worth it in the end.

            For students just starting the process, it is never too early to start the process.  I would also say to just research colleges based on what you’re interested in studying.  Colleges that you’ve never heard of might make it to your final list as they did on mine.  You’ll be surprised how many schools are out there that have what you’re interested in, so just research all of the schools and add them to your list.  Do not dismiss a school because it may not be ranked high, or not hard to get into.   It is not so much about the name of the school, but rather about finding the right fit for you.

            The most difficult part of the process is filling out all of the applications. They are very time consuming and often require much thought and care.  Essays and supplements deserve their due diligence because they can really make or break your application. This is the chance to set yourself apart from the rest of the applicants by showing your true voice and interests.  Be personal with the supplements and appeal to what the specific school has to offer because this shows much more of a genuine interest in each school.


            Visiting schools is very important because it shows a strong interest to the school, and you can really get a feel for the school to see if you truly like it.  There is no point in applying to schools that you wouldn’t want to go to, so get out there and experience the schools for yourself.  I visited schools throughout the spring and summer.   I wrote draft essays over the summer, which I highly recommend doing because it frees up a lot of time when school starts.  I finalized my list in September and started to work on all of the applications on the Common App.   I worked during my free periods, which was very useful because I did not end up having to do much at home.  Take advantage of all of the free time you have, and use it constructively.  It will be worth it in the end.

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