Countdown to College

To help y’all dodge a similar bittersweetness and ensure y’all experience a well-rounded higher education, I’ve organized a list of five things I wish I did during college.

You’ve got 650 words to show college admissions officers who you are, what matters to you, and why you’d be a great addition to their campus community. No pressure, right?

It’s the golden question every high school student eventually asks: What do colleges look for in an applicant? Is it GPA? ACT or SAT scores? A moving personal essay? A laundry list of extracurriculars?

The pressure to make such an important decision heightens as family members and friends bombard you with questions about your future, while, in reality, you’re still in the process of figuring things out for yourself.

Whether you’re a parent preparing to send your student off to college or an independent student figuring things out on your own, there are several tasks you can do before narrowing down your list of schools to apply to that could make the college application process smoother. 

Competitive colleges notice students who demonstrate initiative, leadership, and a genuine passion for learning beyond the classroom; interning shows college admissions committees just that. 

Volunteering provides the satisfaction of serving your local–or international–community while allowing you to craft a strong resume for college applications. Volunteering during your break can highlight these qualities and set you apart in a competitive admissions process. 

Graduating high school or passing a GED test are two of many academic milestones students can experience. After earning their high school or GED diploma, students can receive additional educational certificates, from an associate degree to a doctorate.