After spending too much time going through the college application process, I have some advice for juniors at City High who want to get into a top 20 school: You are not only competing with other students to get into college; the colleges are competing for you.
You may imagine an admissions officer as an enemy, or at least someone predisposed to judge and nitpick your life decisions. Try to think this way instead: your admissions officer wants to argue for you, not against you. You must help by giving him reasons to make that argument. In many offices, your admissions officer reads your application, takes notes, then presents your file to the other admissions officers in a committee for discussion. Admissions officers are excited about the students in their geographical location and often wish they had more spots.
DECIDING WHERE TO APPLY
“Fit” is important. Each college envisions its own ideal community and tempers its admissions decisions accordingly. If you liked a college’s essay questions, or got a good feeling from a visit to campus, you’re likely a good fit for that school.
Do you know exactly what you want to do, or would you like the room to explore a range of subjects? In general, liberal arts colleges are more open to students whose major is undecided than universities to which you apply to specific majors and programs…