**THIS IS LONG** 

Guide:

High School applying to university: 1st-9th

Freshman/undergrads already in college: 4th-7th, 9th

Grad School potential/fellow applicants: 6th (kinda), 7th, 9th-end

Hello to the lovely person taking the time to read this! 

It is the time of year that many of you may be doing college/university applications. As a college graduate now doing grad school applications, I have some advice for any of you who may find this process (or school itself) daunting. 

It kinda is. 

Or, at least it feels like it. Everybody is asking you what you want to do, where you're thinking of going, what test scores you have, what your GPA is, how you plan to pay, etc. And I'm here to tell you that it's okay and is going to continue to be okay. 

First, and maybe most important, if you have motivation and big ideas, it's alright to think or say that college just isn't for you. Even if you're not that motivated and just plan on getting a job that provides what you need and you're okay with that, it's still alright to decide to live that path. Generations before us worked to put their children through college and now it's become the standard and, sadly, a requirement to be hired in places. If you can make it and be content without the 2-4 years, I highly encourage you to do that and save your money, because even in-state or community college and then in-state tuition isn't cheap. People are STILL successful without college. They just live a different sort of life. (Tech. schools are also frowned upon but I love them and was intending to attend one this year or get a certificate in gemology, but both of those have to wait. I want to learn trade skills because they're valuable, despite society and media putting them down). I found counselors and teachers made university seem like the ONLY option after high school. It is not. You find all types of people that are doing just fine without degrees. Don't cave to parents or any other authority figure to make you go if you really feel it's just not in your best interest. That mindset alone may make you have a poor experience. (But also note, having little butterflies about starting college and worrying about this new phase of your life may not indicate that this is a bad decision for you. Give it a few weeks or maybe even a semester. Most freshman adapt very well, and the time goes so fast you may not even want to leave when you're a senior). 

Second, I have seen many people who went to Ivy League schools end up in similar positions as those who went to public institutions. As somebody who is a er for those "preppy"  and prestigious reputations, I still think you can have excellent connections and experiences without spending $70k a year. In my opinion, I would love to see people push their potential and get into these schools, but I would encourage people, if they go, to be so impressive on your application that you receive a FULL scholarship, or at least half. Student loans are real. $200k+ for 4 years of YOU busting your to stay in the school may not be worth it for some people in the long run. Granted, many students there are going for law and medical degrees that give them an excellent shot at paying back those loans, but it's still a very steep price to pay when people can end up in the same place in life by going to a C rated school and finishing school somewhere better and only pay 2-3 years of that $70k tuition. 

Third, if you can afford all of the application fees, APPLY EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO. I really, really mean this. You're too young to sit there at your chosen school and dream a "what if I had gotten into another". Your parents are going to tell you where to go and what they want. Your cousins will put in their opinion. Your aunts and uncles will all try to sway you. Apply to where YOU think you may fit. If possible, email professors in departments you're interested in, or visit the school itself and envision spending a few years rushing or walking to classes. If allowed, sit in on a lecture. (I realize Covid may affect a LOT of this right now, but I think you should still be able to visit and sneakily sit random places to get a feel, just wash your hands or take their free sanitizer). Inspect every school on your list, to whatever degree you can. Your application will most likely ask: "Describe in 650 words or less why you'd be a good fit for _______ university" or "...why you want to attend..". If there's a school on your list that you can't answer this for, not even a BS answer, either take it off your list or go through their website again and find the answer. If you can't find a reason on your application, you probably won't be happy to stay. 

Fourth, "But my parents are paying and if I don't go to the school they want and do what they want, they won't pay". I'm so sorry. I know that there are times you can't just "apply where you want to go". My only advice for this situation is (if you can) sit down with your parents and have everybody discuss your future career. What they want, what you want/like, and then schools that maybe you can double major in or add a minor. The way your tuition works (for the most part) is part time v.s. full time. Over 12 credits= full time with a fixed rate. No matter if you take 18 credits, 16, 15, 12, 22; you pay the same price that semester. Under 12 credits, you pay by credit hour, and summer tuition is usually credit hour (and more expensive) as well. Winter... works the same way, I think because the winter credit limits are usually very low (1-3). So it does not cost more money to double major or have a minor. It will, however, cost you more time, and that may become important when you have internships taking the places of classes in the future. Even if your parents remain steadfast in making you do what they want, make sure you let them know that you need an outlet that will make you happy (ex: a club you enjoy that has nothing to do with your major, a gaming system?, a spot in your housing that is completely in your control and makes you content, small shelf for casual reading). I did what I hated for years and I could feel it weigh on my shoulders and take a toll on my health. Your parents do love you, and they would rather see you healthy than struggling under a dream that's not yours. Maybe it will take a semester or two for that message to sink in, but they may relent in the end for you to at least change your career path within a field. After all, it's going to be YOUR life that you have to live after college, not theirs. 

Fifth, Don't really be afraid to have a major/change focus. It only really starts getting bad when you're on year 6 of school and have yet to earn a 4 year degree. I was accepted to a school and spent a month as a Linguistics major before I decided I hated it (and changed majors 5 times before that). You have to try things to know if you can do it for a career or not. Also, it will depend on the college, but sometimes you can have programs that allow you to try more than one thing, or closely related things to have credits overlap and still count toward your degree. Check in with the college advisors; they are the ones that count your credits and allow you to register for classes. Be their friend, check in at least once a semester, ask how to make programs flexible enough that you can get what you want without an open degree. They're paid to know the overlapping courses, and they will gladly tell you. If they don't, make an appointment with somebody else because you don't need that negativity in your life. FOR APPLICANTS: It's probably frowned upon, but if you do your research and apply for a ____ degree because the school favors it or is funding it or is specialized in it, but you really want to be apart of their ___ program instead because you want to attend that school but the other is competitive or not your strong suit, I will tell you right now that they can't really stop you from changing once you start attending. Unless they have a strict internal transfer process (NYU Tisch) *cough*. Also note, some colleges may focus on wanting direction from students, others don't mind if you're undecided. Both types are accepted, just make sure you know what the schools on your list prefer. 

Sixth, I keep saying list, so back to actual application technique. Yes, have a list of schools you're applying to. 1 is too hopeful. 14 is probably a little much. Even if you only really want to go to one school, have a back up. Admissions are, to be perfectly honest, bull. They sit in a pile, or in a file, and somebody skims them, looks for their keywords, maybe reads out loud to a group of admissions officers, and they vote (usually by show of hands) on which pile the application is RE sorted into. Accepted, waitlist, rejected. You can look this up; I swear I am not pulling this out of my . For the most part, THAT'S how random it may be. So try not to feel too disheartened if you get rejected. I was rejected from my dream school and may be again. It's not the end of the world, but I think it's absolutely okay to cry about it for a few days. But, this is why you need a back-up, or "safety school". I attended my safety. In your range of schools, they say you need to have your "reach" (impossibly out of your league to attend, for a lot of people that's the Ivy category), your "target" (ideal choice, whether it's a dream school, priced right, has your program, whichever), and your "safeties". They'll break down however many of each you need, but I suggest only 1-2 reach schools, 2 max. dream schools (maybe one you like more just in case you get into and can afford both), and 3 safeties. So anywhere from 5-7 schools (more if you have a long list of "everywhere you want to go. Just know which ones you prefer). I keep it lower because I feel it's more realistic. If you want success, you have to research the school. Name drop professors in essays if you must, or email them so your name is familiar. This is not playing dirty, this is just paying attention to details and taking the initiative to show your interest so they know you're serious. But doing this for 5+ schools is EXHAUSTING and it will take you a while to personalize each essay. Start early, research, email, THEN write student statements and essays and submit. I don't mean to freak anybody out, but it's mid-October. If you're completing Fall 2021 applications, no matter if the due date is in February or April, start now. Sometimes the earlier submissions are more likely to get accepted and you may have more time to figure out your college funding plan. Price may be another factor, but that is different for everybody, so I won't get into it. The cheapest options won for me out of necessity, but they weren't bad schools. 

Seventh, For the sake of everybody involved, ask for recommendation letters (or letters of reference, as I've seen written) NOW. Give at least 2 months ahead of your deadlines. People are busy. And people need to think of you fondly when they write them, so giving them as much time as possible is definitely better. I speak from experience, and I speak as somebody who has heard professors complain that students only give them 2-3 weeks, sometimes even 1. DO NOT BE THAT PERSON. If you are right now, just try not to do it again. 

Eighth, It's okay to go to schools where you don't know people. I think some people get uncomfortable at the thought of not going to school with their friends anymore, or going places where nobody knows them. Go where YOU and YOUR CAREER CHOICES will thrive, not your best friend's. It may be hard, but it's like your parents: in the end, you have to live with your college decision and career path, not your friend. You will make more friends. Clubs are a great way for that, or even Greek life (though I'm not a fan myself, I know many people love it). College changes classmates every 15 weeks. Don't worry about somebody not liking you or sticking out. Trust me, you won't. Too many people, too many faces. Nobody is really going to care when there's 200 of you and you're a freshman, and if THAT concept bothers you, maybe consider joining a sports team or making sure your mentally state is balanced. That sounds mean, but I mean it in the best way. Either find yourself a way to be that center of attention, or address why you feel that way, because that is something that will extend farrrrrr beyond college and may affect your performance while you're there (speaking as a fellow attention ). Also, just because you go to a different school does NOT mean you'll lose your friends! If anything, it will prove which friends were actually there for you as you'll learn who bothers to text or call when you don't interact every day.  

Ninth, coming to a close (for high school) here, if you ARE set on a path/career, and you have things planned out and are NOT a pre-med or pre-law OR pre-engineer(?) student, consider whether or not you want graduate studies to be a part of that path. I am an arts and humanities student and decided to go to grad school a few months ago. Do you want to teach? Demand a higher pay grade? Spend more time researching what you like? Think about what you want in 3-4 years and if grad school is right for you, and then start this who research and emailing process over again. 

Tenth, Start your grad school app work ASAP. If you know what you want to go into during undergrad, start taking courses that you want to pursue in a Master's or Ph.D so you can have the opportunity to write a large (15-20 page) writing sample for your applications that deals with the field. Narrow your topic and find the schools with the FACULTY that overlaps with your intended research. Email these professors, ask them about the program, students' careers afterward, their own research. There's a large chance you'll be working with them in the future. Start this well in advance of the due date. 

Eleventh, find somebody who knows this process. Choose anybody who's applied for grad school and have them read your CV and other application materials. Get feedback from multiple people. Universities with fully funded programs take this extremely seriously because a lot of the time you're getting a stipend AND free tuition to make progress on research in the university's name. You need to be motivated, showing interest, and be fresh to be their candidate. Cater to the program. Don't propose research on penguins if the university is focusing on whales. Know what their research goals are and either adapt to them or find a university that promotes your original topic. Attend info. sessions, contact current grad students and professors and talk with them, attend a seminar if you can. Interest and dedication, as well as initiative are important. 

Twelfth,  really make sure that whichever institute you choose has something you're interested in, and has the financial programs you need. Fully funded is best, always. Also, due to Covid, some universities/departments have decided not to accept graduate applications for Fall 2021, but others have waived the GRE requirement. If you were worried about not passing a section or torn about putting it off another year, seize the damn moment, it may not come again. 

Finally, this is a longer, more technical process than undergraduate applications. Know each universities specific requirements and research goals. Every single one has different criteria, and you will have to shape your application to attempt to be the best fit for their school. You can't start the process 2 days before the deadline and expect to be accepted or finish on time. This is meant to separate those who genuinely want to pursue higher education, and those who just want to stay in school. 

Everybody applying, you'll be alright. I just dumped a lot of stuff into this blog post, but trust me that a path will work out in the end, even if it's not the one you wanted or envisioned. Enjoy this moment in your life. It's a unique experience, because job interviews really don't come close to the level of college interviews. Jobs are more frequent. Auditions are frequent. Auditions and interviews for colleges have too much pressure because it feels like your whole future rides on it. It doesn't, only your immediate future. You are still in control of your life, and you can take you acceptance or rejection however you like and shape a new path. This is not the end of your story; it is only the beginning. :).