Planning for college applications can seem like a super daunting task. There are so many options, so many choices to make. How do you even begin?
Well, we’ve got you covered! Here are 8 practical tasks you can do over the summer to get a headstart on college applications.
Note: You don’t have to do this in chronological order!
Make a spreadsheet of the schools you are applying to
A spreadsheet can be handy for tracking application deadlines and acceptances without having to repeatedly open so many sites. This saves you a lot of time, especially when you have to meet multiple deadlines.
A sample spreadsheet you can use for college applications.
Want to explore more schools? Thinking of studying abroad? Feel free to check out more of our university prep articles right here in IBlieve.
Note important dates on a calendar
With a lot of tasks coming up this application season, you would need a way to stay on top of them. Mapping out important dates such as deadlines, information sessions, and interviews can help you estimate how much time you have to prepare for them. Always read carefully so that you don’t miss one!
Discuss finances with your sponsor(s)
Financial sponsors are the people contributing funds to your education, including family and scholarship providers. Before applying, it is always best to have a conversation with your financial sponsors and come up with a reasonable plan for financing your education.
Apart from school fees, these are some areas you may want to consider when applicable:
- Application fees
- These may be for individual schools or for application services (e.g. Common App, UCAS)
- Processing fees for getting important application documents
- Exam fees (e.g. IB exams, SAT, ACT, and/or university entrance exams)
- Living expenses (e.g. housing, food, hygiene)
- Health expenses (e.g. medical check-ups, vaccinations)
- Visa application payments
- May include expenses for biometrics and travel to interview venues
List down all requirements
When you have identified the schools and the programs you want to apply to, it is essential to list down the things you need to complete your application. Program requirements can typically be found on the school’s website, where you can note them down on paper or digitally.
Another sample spreadsheet I used for tracking application requirements (second sheet in the link). Many schools share the same requirements, so having a sheet like this allowed me to see how many recommendation letters I have to ask for, how many essays I have to write etc.
If you are applying to a school abroad (i.e. located outside the country you are currently studying in), do not forget to check the visa guidelines of the country where the school is located. This will help you determine whether you need a visa to study in that country and how to obtain one if needed. You can check out the school’s page for international students for other requirements you may need for admission.
Request important documents ahead of time
Documents may sometimes take time to process, so requesting them in advance of the application deadline is a good practice. This is especially helpful if you are applying for scholarships or financial aid, as it is common for them to ask for tax documents and bank statements as evidence of financial need.
Pro tip: Keep scans or digital copies of all documents! Most universities now do their applications online, so having digital copies on file would make them a lot easier to upload in application portals.
Compile material on your extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities can be a way to stand out as an applicant for scholarships or for admission to certain schools. To make applications easier to fill up, log your extracurricular activities in a document. Your log can include:
- the title of your position
- short descriptions of each activity (ideally 50 words or less)
- date(s) of participation
- contact details of referees (i.e. people who can attest to your participation in the activity)
Having a folder or album with photos, videos, certificates, and other important material showcasing your extracurriculars can also make it easier to upload evidence of your participation in these activities.
Pro tip: These tips can also come in handy for recording your CAS activities!
Draft your application essays
With no school in session, summer might be a good time to get started on any essays or personal statements you have to write for applications. You can start by checking the essay prompts and coming up with a rough outline for each one, listing ideas on what you want to say in bullet points. From there, you can later expand on those points into a full draft when you have the time.
Harvard Business Review, College Essay Guy, and Indeed have some wonderful resources you can check out to sharpen your college essay game. Your guidance counselor or language teachers at school can also be great sources of feedback that will be useful for refining your writing.
Breathe!
Yes, breathe! College application season can be quite stressful, especially since it may entail planning a huge change in your life. As such, it is natural to find yourself feeling pressured, frazzled, or anxious about this.
Try not to dwell on things beyond your control such as what your recommendation letters will say, whether you will be invited to an interview or not, and whether or not you will be ultimately accepted to certain schools. Remember to enjoy your favorite stress-relieving activities from time to time, be it watching movies, cooking, playing sports, indulging in your hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. As long as they are done in a healthy way, these activities can help you relax and stay optimistic ahead of these big decisions.
Wishing you all the best with college applications!
