The college application process is a stressful rite of passage that brings high levels of anxiety to both students and their parents. Competitive schools have gotten even more competitive, and students are piling on the AP classes, extracurricular activities, and test prep tutoring to keep up with the pack. It's no wonder, then, that application deadlines tend to cast a shadow over college-bound students, even after they've submitted all the required paperwork.

While nothing can diminish the great sense of accomplishment you have when you get into college, what can be reduced is some of the angst that comes along with preparing for that moment of truth. Let's take a look at the breakdown of the college application:

The grades
Students with top grades will always breathe a little bit easier around college admission time, but that doesn't mean that those who got off to a shaky start in high school are left gasping for air. Did you hit your stride later in high school? Then tell the admissions committee about it in your essay. "If a student can get it together as a teen, they can get it together in college," says Dr. Linda Metcalf, author of How to Say It® to Get into the College of Your Choice.

The essay
Dreaded by even those students who excel at writing, the admissions essay can be a very stressful component of the college application. You need to be formal, but let your true self shine through; stay on topic, but be creative; be witty, but not inappropriate. So what's a student to do?
 
"Remember the cardinal rule of writing an application essay: your reader should know you better after reading your work," says Chris Markle, Director of Admissions at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. "It's important to keep in mind that you are the star of your essay, so be sure to involve yourself in your topic."

The test scores
To SAT or ACT: that is the question. Shannon Meairs, Co-Founder of University Drive, addresses this very dilemma in #9 of her "How to Avoid the Top 10 FATAL Mistakes When Applying to College" handout that she distributes to students and their families.

"The most common mistake I see students make with testing is taking both tests several times," Meairs writes in her list. "This is the most flawed approach to testing a student can take because the ultimate goal is a high test score on one of the two tests, not high scores on both." 

Meairs suggests taking both the PSAT (practice SAT) and the PLAN (practice ACT) in the fall of your junior year to see which test is best for you. Does it matter which test you ultimately choose? Nope. "Colleges only care about a single high score," insists Meairs.

The recommendation letters
Recommendation letters can sometimes be the scariest part of the application process because you have the least control over them-or so you think. Sure, you might not be writing those letters yourself, but you have complete control over whom you ask to write them, and so you should take your time in making your choices.

Dr. Metcalf says that students should approach teachers and administrators that "they had a relationship with-not just someone who gave an A." Dr. Metcalf suggests a school counselor, a favorite teacher, a boss, church minister, or any one of the many adults who can recognize a student's leadership skills and their potential ability as a college student. If a teacher only knows you as a grade in his or her book, you should move on to a better choice, no matter how good that grade happens to be.

Your extra-curricular activities
Just as job seekers keep their resumes updated for their next big opportunity, college students need to keep their list of extracurricular activities current. Dr. Metcalf says that students as early as 7^th grade can start maintaining a list of clubs, sports, and other activities. Building an extracurricular resume is a great way of helping students to recognize the skills that they are building along the way. It's helpful to keep an electronic version of your activities so that you can easily add to the list, as well as quickly hit "print" to send off a copy to each of your prospective colleges.

Don't get too carried away, though. While you might very well have been the Student Council president, captain of the tennis team, and a member of 15 other clubs during your senior year, it's important to focus on the best of the bunch, says Dr. Metcalf. The author suggests that you "look at your top five activities-the things that you are the most proud of." So while that can of spinach you donate to the food pantry each year is thoughtful indeed, it doesn't have to take up space on your activities list.

Your interview
The on-campus interview is a chance to show an admissions counselor how charming you really are in the flesh. Yes, they'll have a pile of your pertinent information tucked away on their clipboard, but this is your one chance to show them that you are not a mere test score, but a living, breathing student who really wants to go to their college. Wait a minute-you do want to go to their college, right?

Carol Wasden, Director of College Counseling at The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas, says that a student's number one mistake is to miss the opportunity to let an admissions counselor know that you want to go to school. This doesn't mean showing extreme interest by painting your face in the school's colors or camping outside the admissions office on campus, but there are other, more appropriate ways of showing your interest-as well as showing your distinct lack of interest.

"Colleges want to offer admission to students who want to attend, and when students clearly indicate they are not interested in attending, that does not help them in the process," says Wasden. She recalls a time during her career as an admissions counselor when she encountered a sullen young man in an interview. Wasden says: "When I asked what brought him to my institution, he shrugged and said his parents made him come." Truthful, yes-but an answer like that won't endear you to the admissions committee.

What will catch the eye of an admissions committee? A completed application submitted before the deadline, for starters. You could have the best grades, best scores, and best letters ever, but if you miss the deadline, you've got the worst chances for getting into colleges. So hunker down on those apps and be sure to edit, proofread, and check (and recheck) to make sure that you've met all of the admission requirements for each school.

"It's all about those extra little steps that you take to make sure it's done to the best of your ability," says Dr. Metcalf.

Sound Off! Post Your Comments