What Can Current Juniors Learn from Seniors about the College Process
What Can Current Juniors Learn from Seniors about the College Process
The end of this school year has been anything but traditional to say the least. But even amid restructured exams, virtual classes, and a disruption in normal activity, rising seniors are still hopeful and excited about their upcoming college process.One of the best ways to start any new task is to seek wisdom from those who have already completed it; in this case, it’s your friends one grade ahead of you. Seniors can offer important wisdom for how to navigate your applications within the context of your high school, giving a clearer idea of how to reach your goals. Better than any advice you can read online or learn from third-party sources, seniors from your high school have valuable and relevant experience that can help guide your own process.As you start to wrap up junior year, take advantage of the chance to learn from them. Don’t be shy to reach out! Find students who were accepted to places that interest you and get as much advice as they’re willing to share about how they were successful.Let’s take a closer look at some of the best questions to ask.
Who were your teacher recommenders?
The significance of teacher recommendation letters often falls under the radar among students. However, admissions committees consider them heavily in making their decisions because they provide a valuable, less biased view of the applicant.Generic letters with broad sweeping positive adjectives will not move admissions officers who read thousands upon thousands of applications. And while most teachers say positive things about their students, it is rarer for letters to be rich with anecdotes that show how an applicant engaged his or her academic interests.Do not take selecting your recommenders lightly. In addition to building meaningful relationships with teachers, you should get a sense of who writes good letters. Especially for new teachers who are unfamiliar to the admissions process, you should gather as much information as possible about the efficiency of their letters.One great way is to talk to seniors who sought the recommendation of the teachers you are considering. What was his or her result? How close was this student to their recommenders? Did they fill out any recommender forms?
What connections did they make with colleges?
Many colleges closely evaluate the degree of a student’s interest when making admission decisions. Some even have a “Contact” section in the Common App where you list up to 10 ways you have learned about their campus, with items such as “campus visit” and “website.”The more you have connected with people affiliated with the university in question—whether current students, alumni, or faculty—the better you’ll be able to demonstrate your interest.Seniors can help you get started. Ask about their experiences of meeting admissions officers, attending local information sessions, and talking with alumni. Remember to also ask them about their favorite schools. If they share your interests, chances are they will have valuable insight on colleges that may fit you well.One added bonus is that you may be able to stay overnight on campus with this senior when he or she is a first year student, giving you even greater access to learning about the school.
What is senior fall semester like?
Junior year—loaded with new leadership positions, honors courses, and test prep—is notoriously known as the most rigorous time in high school, but your senior fall semester is a strong contender for that title.While writing a plethora of standout college essays, you will also be writing papers and taking tests at school. Teachers are sometimes sensitive to students’ workload but other times they unwittingly assign tests around the same time as college deadlines, doubling the stress. The best thing to do is to come prepared. Gain a solid understanding of the academic expectations of senior year from your upperclassmen. Learn the ebbs and flows of your classes. Perhaps there will be a lull in the beginning, then things will pick up quickly with all midterms scheduled within the same week, but then things die down, just in time for you to submit your early decision application. Or maybe it will be the exactly opposite.Gaining a strong sense from seniors of the demands of schoolwork can help you to schedule your time most effectively and plan your schedule and priorities accordingly.
How are they handling rejection?
March and April are filled with high hopes for some and intense disappointment for others. You may know seniors who were accepted to their dream school and seniors who were denied to all their top choices. But as the May 1 decision deadline approaches, seniors will find their footing, one by one, and commit to a school that fits their them.Observe how seniors take their news closely. Seeing their reaction to good news will provide you motivation to work diligently on your applications; seeing them bounce back up from bad news may give you hope and comfort, whatever your outcome next March. And be sure to show support and kindness to your friends as they process their admissions decisions.Even with just a one year difference, you can learn an incredible amount from those older than you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to admissions but taking time to listen to seniors at your high school can propel you in the right direction. Make a point to seek their advice and learn from their mistakes and successes. In no time it will be your turn!The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us