By Andres Valle, Montwood High School, District 10 President 24-25
Preparing for college can feel overwhelming, like preparing for a DECA event at the last minute. Just kidding! Well, sort of. The college application process is intimidating for EVERYONE, so don’t stress about trying to do everything perfectly. Colleges want to see the real you – your personality, experiences, and thoughts. My friend, who’s now headed to Yale, gave me the best advice: It’s not about how much you do but what you do with your opportunities. With that in mind, here are a few things I’ve been doing to prepare for college.
1. Start Early!
Do not wait until the last minute to start thinking about college. Start early so you have plenty of time to research schools, prepare for tests, and get your applications in without stressing out.
2. Research Colleges!
Take some time to look into different colleges and find the ones that really fit you. Think about:
Programs: Make sure they have majors and programs you’re interested in.
Location: Do you want to be in a big city, a small town, or somewhere in between?
Size: Do you prefer a big university or a smaller college?
Campus Life: What’s the vibe on campus? Are there clubs and activities you’d enjoy?
Financial Aid: Check out the financial aid options and scholarships they offer.
3. Build Relationships with Teachers!
Get to know your teachers and school counselors well. You’ll need them to write recommendation letters, and it’s better if they really know you.
4. Make Yourself Stand Out!
College admissions see so many applications with the same extracurriculars: student council, Key Club, etc. There's nothing wrong with those clubs, but how do they make YOU stand out? For example, I love video editing. It might sound corny, but I’ve been doing it since I was 12. I have 20K followers on Instagram and even collaborated with a famous artist to help produce a music video with 7 million views!
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health!
The college application process is different for everyone, and what may have worked for me may not work for you. Also, college isn’t the end of the world, so make sure you’re taking care of your mental health while the season comes.
These are just a few things I’ve been doing to prepare for college application season. Remember, it’s all about showing colleges who you are and making the most of your opportunities. Good luck!