Path to a Successful College Application

Author: Grant Oh
Published: 9:17 PM, August 13, 2020

    Although applying to colleges may seem like a complicated task, it is fairly a step-by-step process that is far from what one may perceive of it. So, how can students nail this process? First, we should talk about the start of the journey: high school.

Image source: The Web

Choosing the right path in high school:

    In highschool, students are able to be involved in activities, take good classes, and prepare for a particular field of interest that would apply to their desired major. Understanding the ins and outs of what one may want to pursue is always a good indicator as to whether a specific college is a perfect fit. Some ways students are able to pursue a field of interest, however, are not always limited to high school. By taking classes at local colleges, students are also able to explore more classes and likely find what they want to study.

Junior Year:

    Junior year is perhaps the most important year of high school. And for the most part, it’s the college application that holds this reputation. From the start of their summer break, students should research colleges, prepare to write their essays, and, most importantly, create their common application. In addition to these tasks, many will also begin writing their resumes, an important part of the application process to showcase all activities done throughout high school. Essentially, when the applicants have finished this application process, they will continue onto senior year, which is mainly a continuation of courses, activities, and preparation for college. Though these last two years may seem to be the toughest aside from freshman and sophomore year, they are likely to be your most memorable part of high school.

What should I know when applying to UC colleges?

    One of the most important factors to look out for when applying to a college is the deadlines. UC colleges, particularly, set their deadlines for November 30th. This may seem to be far earlier from the deadlines for applying to other universities outside of California; however, the process of applying to UC colleges is less pressuring. Once the UC application opens on August 1st, students will have to complete four essays, submit standardized test scores, and any additional information on awards and scholarships. With nine universities available for applying, there is also a $70 application fee in the U.S. and a $80 fee for international students.

Platforms like EdX provides college accredited courses online.

Image source: The Web

Early Decision/Action or Regular Decision?

    Early decision deadlines are exactly what they sound like. Students will not only be able to apply early to one specific college, but they will also receive an early response. Once admitted, students must attend the college, as provided by a contract. But what are the reasons to apply early? Well, there are multiple reasons why students may choose this college process path. First, students are able to show commitment to the school. And second, a faster response could lessen the pressure on the backs of the applicants, if they were to be admitted.

    Now onto the early action college process, the concept might sound similar to the early decision process. However, there are many differences. With early action, there is no binding contract that will oblige students to attend the college that they are accepted to. Additionally, students are able to apply to multiple colleges—only those that have early action—rather than having to apply to only one. With both early action and early decision, there is also one key piece of information that should be noted: with fewer applicants, the admission rate is higher.

    Aside from the “early” process of applying to colleges, regular decision is the same, but the deadline is on January 1st. A major difference? Since students are able to apply to multiple schools through regular decision, there will be a higher applicant pool. The percentage of admission in respect to the higher number of applicants, however, is quite on the lower side. Top tier schools, for example, maintain an early admission rate of almost two times the regular decision admission rate; so statistically speaking, there is a smaller chance of admission.