What I Wish I Knew Before Applying to College

I had a one track mind when it came to choosing the schools I would apply to. I knew I wanted to apply to NYU, but unfortunately I didn’t pay much attention to the other schools on my list. After I sent out my applications I realized that I wasn’t enthusiastic about some of the schools I applied to, and I wish I had applied to other schools. 

If I could do things differently I would have thoroughly researched each school I applied to. I wish I had gone on a few more campus tours, or attended a few virtual information sessions. This would have given me more information to help me determine whether each school would be a good fit. I would not apply to any school I couldn’t seriously envision myself attending. Students often ask me what they should be “looking for” on my tour, and I always reply with a question:

When I was applying to colleges, I didn’t realize the Common App opened so early. The Common Application opens every year on August 1st, which for most students in the US is during the summer. I wish I knew that I could’ve taken advantage of those valuable summer months as I was developing my application. The summer is a great time to schedule college tours, narrow down your list, and even start your application. Even before the Common Application is open you can start getting your application materials together. Ask your teachers for letters of recommendation, start working on a portfolio, and draft your personal statement. This will help lighten your load for the fall semester of senior year. 

My senior year was incredibly hectic. Partially, that was because I did not start my application soon enough. It was also because I did not know the value of a good planner. I somehow survived high school without ever touching a planner, but now I’m not even sure I would remember to put my shoes on before walking out the door without mine. As a major procrastinator, my paperback planner has helped me avoid turning in many essays and projects at 11:59 PM on the night it’s due. I wish I had a planner in high school so I could better keep track of deadlines and nightly tasks. It would really have helped me avoid turning in my applications on the due date.

If you haven’t already heard — college is expensive! While most NYU students receive some form of financial aid, it can never hurt to have more money. My aunt, who is a college counselor, even recommends her students who have received full scholarships to apply to outside scholarships as well to help pay for indirect costs of attending college, like travel and food. As I stated, my senior year was hectic, and I didn’t spend as much time as I would like applying for scholarships. Scholarships are literally free money! Make sure to schedule in extra time to apply for scholarships, big and small. This could save you a lot of money in the long run.