College applications are intimidating. They can seem tedious, with their seemingly endless questions and requirements. To take a closer look at the college application process and the expectations of those applying, insight has been taken from a senior applying for college, as well as a college application officer, to give us insight into the minds of both parties involved.
Students often consider the process of filling out college applications as daunting as a final exam for a class. The seemingly endless list of forms, questions and check boxes make it all feel suffocating and overwhelming. Although, as stated by Cody Macagba, a prospective college applicant, the toughest part of the application process by far is the college essay. “It’s just hard because you want to write something unique, because everyone is trying to write something unique, which makes it tougher.” What doesn’t help the pressure is the anxiety from choosing a major, as well as college debt. Some students have decided on their majors, whilst the majority are still undecided. This makes students worry that if they don’t declare a college major, then they have a lesser chance of being accepted. However, Justin Roy, a college application reviewer, assures us, that is in fact not the case. In fact, around 40% of the freshmen at the college in question start off undecided in their major, so there isn’t any rush.
To get into the mind of the college application reviewer, Justin Roy was interviewed to find out what they look for when considering potential college applicants. “Something new. I want to see something in your application that makes me pause and read it again, in a good way that is.” He went on to elaborate about how since they see so many applications and essays about the same thing over and over, something new and surprising is the best way to go when writing your application and essay, since it will capture the attention of whoever is reviewing the application. Other ways they gave to boost your application is to consider the SAT and get your essay reviewed. Look at the average for the separate colleges you are applying to, then, compare them to your own SAT score. If your score is at their average or above, send it in, if it isn’t, then don’t. The good news is that most colleges no longer require the SAT, although they will still consider your score if you send it in. As for the essay, there are many many teachers and counselors who can review your college essay, and give you feedback on how to improve it.
The greatest fear of a college applicant, besides the application itself, is adapting to the college life, to living alone, independently for the first time in one’s life, which was confirmed by Cody and Justin. Justin, however, reassures us that there will always be help for those adjusting to college life, whether it be from staff, older students who have gone through the same experience. Justin assures us that for those who wish to go to college, there will always be someone to help them, at college and in the application process, every step of the way.
