Maybe it’s two weeks before your college application is due. Maybe you’re annoyed at yourself because you procrastinated, or stressed because you underestimated the amount of work these applications require.
Or maybe someone just forwarded you this link and was like, “Um, maybe try this?”
Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here.
But it’s time to let the past be the past and get to work.
Quick note: I do not recommend changing your personal statement topic at the last minute (like two weeks before the application deadline) unless you have a counselor or essay coach who a) can help you find a new topic asap, and then b) is willing to ride along with you and send you lots and lots of notes up until the last minute, if needed. If you don’t have this person, I’d recommend going with whatever topic you have for early applications, and considering new topics for Regular Decision applications.
Here are five ways to up-level your college application and essays right now.
Tip 1: Create an “Almost Done” document
Copy and paste the following items onto a single document:
Personal Statement
Activities List
Additional Info Section
Supplemental Essays
Label the document with your name and the words “Almost Done.”
Here’s an example of an Almost Done doc.
The goal here is to have everything in one place so you can see what the college admission reader will see when they read your application. It’ll also show you where things stand, and keep things organized for the steps below.
Should take you about 5 minutes.
Tip 2: Up-level the verbs in your Activities List
Let’s start with the low-hanging fruit, then move to the parts that may take longer.
Take a look at your Activities List (aka your brag sheet) and highlight in bold your active verbs that show what you’ve done. If you don’t have many verbs, that might mean you can more effectively demonstrate the range of skills, qualities, and values you’ve developed. How?
Suggestion: Use this Epic List of Activities List Verbs to up-level your verbs.
Should take maybe 10 minutes.
If you haven’t completed your activities list at all, here’s a complete guide + YouTube video walk-through.
Tip 3: Double-check your Additional Information section
FYI: The Common App has an Additional Information section where you can include content that didn’t fit elsewhere in the application. This information (as in, not just an essay copy/pasted) should help add to the context of your application and give the reader a sense of the skills/qualities/values/interests you’d contribute to a college campus.
Important: it’s fine to put nothing here. So don’t just toss stuff in here to fill the box.
But if you feel like you’ve got some stuff to share, or explain, take a look at the list in this guide and see if any of these things apply to you.
Tip 4: Double-check your COVID Additional Info section
FYI: There’s an additional section on some applications that allows you to add extra information about the impacts COVID has had on you and your family.
Again, it’s fine to leave this blank. But first ask yourself: Did the pandemic impact me/my family at all?
If you or your family did experience challenges, answer these four questions in 1-2 sentences each:
What challenges did you experience?
What were the effects of those challenges?
What did I do to overcome these challenges?
What did I learn?
Even those four bullet points might help give the reader some useful context. No need to be fancy in your wording here; straightforward is fine (probably even preferable).
If you did not experience challenges, but you did grow somehow:
Take a look at this Values List and ask yourself: What are 1-2 values I connected with more deeply during the pandemic?
Write 1-3 sentences about how your connection to that value strengthened or developed.
Again, no need to be fancy; straightforward bullet points are fine.
Click here for a complete guide to this section, plus examples.
Tip 5: Scan your personal statement and answer these four questions:
If your essay is not primarily about overcoming a challenge, ask yourself…
Is it clear what my topic is?
Are the examples in each paragraph strong, specific & visual?
Is it clear what values I’m trying to show in each paragraph?
Can I spot at least 2-3 insights, or moments where I answer “so what?” in the essay?
If your essay is primarily about overcoming a challenge, ask yourself…
Is it clear what my challenges are? Are they compelling (i.e., do you believe they will make for a stand-out essay)?
Is it clear what the effects of the challenges on me were?
Is it clear what I did to overcome my challenges?
Is it clear what I learned from these experiences?
If any of these things are unclear, edit accordingly.
And once your essay is done, or almost done, here’s a great college essay test.
Bonus Tip: If you’ve written a “Why us” essay, cross out and rewrite/replace any sentences that may appear in someone else’s “Why us” essays.
Why do this?
Your goals in a “Why us” essay are to:
Demonstrate fit with the school
Show you’ve done your research, and
Stand out among other applicants.
If your sentences could be in someone else’s essay, chances are it may not be doing all (or any) of the things above.
Once you’ve deleted those sentences, research and include specific opportunities that—and this is important—connect back to your specific interests or desires.
Want examples? Here’s a complete guide to the “Why us” essay + YouTube walk-through.
Important Q: Are you applying Early Action or Early Decision and feeling SUPER stressed after reading all this—like there’s way too much to do in the time allotted?
Then it may be time to ask: Is applying early even right for me? Early Decision can, in some cases, help your chances, but can you show your best self with the time remaining? Should you maybe wait to apply Regular Decision? Here’s a guide to help you think it through.
If you’re asking yourself this question: Email your school counselor. Maybe right now. In fact, send them your Almost Done doc and ask them, “Do you think my application is almost ready for XX school, or do you think I should maybe wait to apply Regular Decision?” See what they say.
Last bit of advice if you’re stressing:
Close your eyes, take a breath, then ask yourself:
“What can I control right now?”
Then go work on that.
Here’s our library of free resources—and here’s one for international students. This is the one to bookmark for future reference.
Okay, deep breath.
You’ve got this.
