Application daze

Many seniors soon will be saying goodbye to high school and hello to college.

While many college-bound seniors have finished the arduous application process, some may just now be putting the finishing touches on their essays and forms.

Think again if you're a high school junior who considers the task too far away to contemplate. The key to the college application process is this: It's not too early to get started.

Applying to college doesn't have to be exhausting. If you use your time wisely and follow the tips suggested here, you'll be a pro before you know it.

At many schools, students are urged to start thinking about college early in high school. Ann Kukuk, a Gonzaga Prep counselor, tells freshmen and sophomores to concentrate on their grade-point average.

Once a student has worked hard and shows interest in a college education, "we begin the formal process of test-taking and college reflection during the spring of junior year," Kukuk said.

Juniors are urged to visit local colleges and include stops at potential schools on family vacation itineraries.

At the same time, students should sign up to take the SAT and ACT. Taking the test once at the end of junior year and once during senior year is a good idea. You may be surprised at how much your scores can improve the second time.

This year, March 7 is the late registration deadline for the March 31 SAT assessment. March 2 is the early registration deadline for the April 7 ACT assessment.

Once you start your senior year, you should begin filling out your college applications. At Gonzaga, students are urged to finish them before Christmas.

Alena Ovitt, 17, a senior at West Valley High School, said starting early keeps students from feeling frenzied by the process.

"If you don't, you will get really stressed out," Ovitt said.

Cory Fitzsimmons, 18, a Gonzaga Prep senior, can relate to that. "I wish that I hadn't procrastinated," said Fitzsimmons, an honors student who applied to schools such as Notre Dame and the University of Portland.

Filling out the applications got the best of his free time. "I had no time to walk away from my essays and take a break," he said. "One essay was due today, and I finished it at lunch."

Katie Codd, 17, also a Gonzaga Prep senior, said that finishing applications early helped relieve some of the pressure. She could take a break when things got overwhelming.

"If I got sick of doing (applications), I'd just stop and pick it back up again another night," she said.

Seniors in the midst of the application process noted three areas - extracurricular activities, essays and recommendations - that required careful attention. Some needed it sooner than later.

School counselors tell students to get involved in extracurricular activities early in their high school careers.

Jon Simmons, 18, a senior at Inchelium (Wash.) High School, plays middle linebacker for the Hornets football team. He also is busy with 4-H and student government.

"You have got to sell yourself," Simmons said. "Colleges really look at whether you're active in your school or community."

Simmons said he keeps a written record of all the events he's been involved in over the past few years. That way, when a college application asks for him to list his activities, he has accurate information.

The most personal part of the application is the essay, where both your writing talent and your personality are on display.

"What (colleges) want to hear is you, so whatever you put down is the right answer," Fitzsimmons said. "A cheesy essay that tries to sound impressive will only hurt your chances. Be honest."

Gonzaga counselor Kukuk added that starting essays early gives you time to revise and edit.

Recommendations help verify all the information the applicant has given to the college. Kukuk tells students to request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and administrators who know you well and can help you put your best foot forward.

Kukuk said a last step students should take is to say thanks and send notes of appreciation to the people who helped them along the way, including parents and teachers.

Each student takes a different approach to completing college applications. But nearly everyone agrees that each step of the process demands close attention. No matter what you've done in the past four years, you're condensing your merit and potential into a collection of forms, letters and essays.

So start early, work productively and heed the advice of those who've done this before. The payoff is a college education, and it's worth every bit of time you put into it.

Copyright 2001 Cowles Publishing Company
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.