Apply early decision somewhere if you can
As you apply to college, it’s important to be strategic and realistic. Although this approach may not work for everyone, applying early decision is the best opportunity to get into a top-tier school. Acceptance rates can double or even triple for selective schools in the early decision pool, and many colleges select a substantial portion of their incoming class from an early decision pool.
Many top-tier schools, including Harvard, Yale, Georgetown and Princeton, offer restrictive early action in place of an early decision. They allow students to apply early, but acceptance does not commit them to the school. I knew nine highly qualified students who all applied REA to a school, and only one was accepted. Based on my experience, REA does not offer the same boost to your chances as ED, and we would advise against opting for it.
Take advantage of summer programs and opportunities
The summers before junior and senior year are crucial. We would recommend applying for summer programs, finding jobs or internships and using this time to tour and research colleges. Begin planning how you will spend your summer in January, when many summer program applications are due. Some schools offer selective summer programs that may have high matriculation rates into their college for undergraduates. If you already know your “dream school” or have a particular field of interest you’d like to study, look for summer programs that pertain to you.
Delete Instagram in December
At the peak of application and decision season, the best thing to do is block out the noise. Instagram often becomes a sea of commitments and comparisons. Although it’s a great opportunity to celebrate and cheer on your peers, it becomes easy to question where you’re headed and become clouded with self-doubt.
Apply for scholarships and look at the cost of schools
College is expensive. Before you apply to schools, make sure to have a discussion with your parents about what you can afford and how you intend to pay. Many schools offer financial aid packages when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but tuition prices can still add up to hundreds of thousands. Paying off student loans is a burden that can last for years after graduation, so consider tuition as soon as you begin researching colleges.
Buy prom dresses early and make your plans well in advance
Senior year gets to be incredibly stressful; there are many ways to reduce this stress and one of them is through shifting your focus to something more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the cliche about senior year flying by is true; it’s better to find a prom dress in January rather than wait and end up with a dress you don’t like. As far as plans go, there is nothing worse than scrambling to find a group last minute, so it’s imperative to get your friends and your plans together.
Take an online class if possible
When selecting classes for next year, talk to your counselor about taking an online class. FCPS offers a plethora of online AP courses that allow you to learn the material on your own, freeing up your schedule. Without an additional in-school class, students have a free period off-campus that they can use to sleep or catch up on work. Taking an online class was one of the best decisions I made in high school, allowing me to get at least nine hours of sleep every red day. Pick a class like English, History or Government to take online.
Be careful when discussing college information
At the start of senior year, everyone will talk about college. Where they’re applying, what their stats are and what essays they’re writing. You’ll even encounter the occasional person who will pry for information from you. Be careful about what information you disclose to whom, because telling the wrong person can result in your personal information becoming a topic of discussion for other students.
You don’t owe anyone your SAT score. You don’t need to share your GPA. Talking to people can be helpful to process the shared difficulties of the college application season, but sharing too much can contribute to the toxic, competitive atmosphere that forms in senior year.
Begin your Common App and personal statement in June
When school ends in June, it’s time to open a Common App account and begin filling it out. Make a resume, start piecing together your college list and begin your personal statement. The beginning of senior year will be extremely busy, so it’s important to take advantage of your summer to get ahead, as tempting as it may be to procrastinate.
Writing a personal statement can feel daunting. It will usually take a few drafts of completely different topics until you settle on one topic. Be genuine, show your personality and get creative with it. Sometimes the words will flow out easily, especially if you’re feeling a strong emotion or have a spark of an idea in your head. Other times it will take ages to begin putting words on paper. Either way, get some words down before the school year begins.
Don’t put a lot of expectations on senior year
So many people will tell you that senior year is the best year of high school. To be completely frank, it had its moments, but it was not a scene from some coming-of-age movie. Senior year is filled with burnout, jealousy, insecurity, loving your friends, hating your friends, relief and nostalgia. The harsh truth is that senior year is no different from the other years of high school, except for the fact that you learn that nothing in high school is as permanent as it feels. Your grades will tank, you’ll push them back up. Your peers will get into better schools than you, you will be fine. Your friends will exclude you, you’ll create memories with new people. The world will continue to spin before, after and during senior year.
If you get into a car accident in the J Lot, get their information because they will ghost you
Do not book it after you hit a car. Car accidents are serious. No matter how bad the damage is, do the honorable thing, stay and trade information. Worst case scenario, leave a note. Don’t be the dirtbag who’s known for hit-and-runs. The worst day of anyone’s senior year is coming to the J lot after a test and seeing their car banged up with no explanation for how it happened.
Talk to people you’ve seen but have never spoken to; don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
The best thing you can do for yourself this year is shut off the voice that holds you back and talk to people you’ve never interacted with. Knowing that you’re likely never going to see most of these people should be a relief, but also an opportunity to shake off any bad feelings about yourself or others. Take the time to sit near new people, interrupt conversations and let loose.
Focus on spending time with your family, your friends and your teachers
The most important thing you will leave high school with will not be present on your transcript. That thing is the memories you create through the relationships you build. We all become products of the experiences we have. The relationships you have with your family, your friends and your teachers greatly shape those experiences.
Take the time to hug your parents each time you leave the house; they are your biggest cheerleaders. They put up with every snarky remark and eye roll you send their way. They act as pillars holding you up through childhood and adolescence. Let them do their job for as long as they’re willing. After all, you’ll miss them the next time you’re doing your own laundry and packing your own lunch. Stay out a little too late with your friends at least once. Break curfew, and profusely apologize the next day. You will reflect on the nights you spent laughing with your friends more than the nights you spent crying over a math grade. Remember to thank teachers after classes. There may be moments where you get a grade you don’t agree with or a lesson that just doesn’t make sense, but McLean has built a support system made up of teachers who show up each day to help each student.
