Refining Your College (or Gap Year) Application
If you are a high school senior, October is an important month. It’s the kick-off for the college application process – a progression of activities beginning with preparing and submitting the application and culminating by May 1, which is college decision day.
If you’ve been super conscientious, perhaps you’ve already spent time touring campuses, gathering information, or even putting the finishing touches on your college essay. If you’re like most of us, though, you probably haven’t been super conscientious. And maybe there has even been a touch of avoidance or anxiety around the process. Not to worry – now is the perfect time to refine that college application and work the kinks out of your essay (or maybe even begin it). You might also consider working with a writing coach if you don’t believe you can write a compelling narrative for your personal essay.
College or Gap Year?
And while you’re thinking about college, why not also give some serious consideration to alternatives? There are many compelling reasons to consider deferring college for a gap year. Perhaps you still need to build a stronger foundation of executive function skills or independent living skills in order to be successful living away from home. Or perhaps you’re burned out on academics and would benefit from a reset and an opportunity to explore things you are passionate about. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t continue the college application process. In fact, one of the best ways to be prepared for a meaningful gap year is to already have your college acceptance behind you.
So set out this October to set aside some time each week devoted solely to post-secondary transition tasks.
Make a list and check it twice.
Which colleges top your list? Now is a great time to organize your application tasks. For each college, make sure you are aware of:
Application deadlines.
Whether you’re planning on applying early admission, early decision, or regular decision.
Information beyond grades, test scores and your essay – for example, have you listed all of your activities, work experience, or family responsibilities? This is another way that colleges get to know their applicants.
Practice adulting.
Which of these tasks come easily to you, and which need practice? All of them will be important for success beyond high school:
Plan ahead for which assignments are due – independently chunk out long-term multi-part assignments with timelines (and take advantage of adult support to check your study plan after you’ve done this yourself).
Wake up independently and get to your classes on time (something you should already be doing if you’re a high school senior).
Take responsibility and advocate for yourself when you need additional support.
Like all tasks, refining your college application and putting the final polish on your college essay should be approached thoughtfully and with a plan. And if you find you need coaching through any part of the process, we’re always happy to help!