It’s no secret that the college application process is competitive. But there are steps you can take to help your teen put their best foot forward. From writing a strong personal statement to acing the interview, there are several ways to improve your teen’s college application. Keep reading to find out more.
Preparing for the College Admissions Process
The college admissions process can be overwhelming for both students and parents. The good news is that there are many ways to improve your teen’s college application. The first step is helping your teenager understand the basics of the admissions process. Then, work on strengthening your teen’s academic record, preparing for standardized tests, and crafting a compelling personal essay. You may also want to consider college admissions counseling as a way to increase your student’s chance of getting into a top university. Finally, make sure your teen is well-networked and has participated in some kind of extracurricular activity.
Mission Trips as Extracurricular Activities
Mission trips for youth groups are a great way to help improve your teen’s college application. Organizations like Build Momentum partner with churches to provide teens with the opportunity to give back to their community, learn about other cultures, and develop leadership skills.
Mission trips can also help teens build their resumes. Teens who have participated in mission trips often have stories to share about their experiences that can set them apart from other applicants. Mission trip experiences also demonstrate that teens are willing to take on new challenges and are committed to making a difference in the world.
Pay Attention to Deadlines
When it comes to filling out and submitting applications, one of the most important things a teen can do is to pay attention to deadlines. Missing a deadline could mean that the teen’s application is not considered at all, or worse, it could mean that the teen loses their spot in the freshman class at the school of choice.
Most colleges and universities have specific deadlines for when an application must be received in order to be considered for admission. For example, Ohio State University requires that all applications be received by November 1st for fall admission. The University of Texas at Austin has a deadline of December 1st. And Harvard University requires that all applications be submitted by January 1st.
In addition to submitting an application on time, there are often other deadlines that students need to keep in mind. For example, many schools require letters of recommendation and transcripts to be sent directly from high schools, and these documents often need to be received weeks or even months before an application is submitted.
Your Teen’s Personal Statement
One way to improve your teen’s college application is by helping them write their personal statement. The personal statement is an essay that allows your teen to share their story with the admissions committee. This is a great opportunity for them to discuss their accomplishments and explain why they chose that particular school.
To write a successful personal statement, your teen should start by brainstorming some ideas about what they want to say. They should then organize these ideas into a rough outline. Once they have a good idea of what they want to say, they can begin writing the draft.
It’s important for teenagers to be truthful and honest in their personal statements. They should avoid exaggerating or lying about their experiences. Instead, they should focus on highlighting their strengths and explaining why they are interested in the school.
Financial Aid Options
When your teen is ready to apply for college, one of the most important things you can do to help them is research financial aid options. There are a variety of scholarships and grants available, as well as student loans. The key is to find the right ones for your teen and to complete the application process early.
One great resource for finding scholarships and grants is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing the form is free, and it can help get your student set up with grants, scholarships, and student loans.
Improving your teen’s college application is important because it can help your teen stand out from the rest of the applicants. The tips in this article can help your teen improve various parts of their college application, such as their essays and extracurricular activities. Focusing on these aspects of their application along with getting professional advice from a private college counselor can help your teen increase their chances of being accepted to their top-choice schools.