Surviving the College Application Process

Jennifer Romano is a high school counselor with over 18 years of experience helping students achieve academic, social, and personal success through their unique lens as they navigate post-secondary goals.

• IntroductionPart 1: Where to apply? 1 College-bound for everyone? 2 Trends of a forever-changing college landscape 3 Two-year vs. four-year colleges 4 Alternative post-secondary pursuits—considering a gap year, immersion programs, travel abroad, or full-year college deferments Part 2: How to apply?5 Common-, coalition-, institution-based applications: What and how do they matter? 6 Data-driven schools vs. holistic 7 Admission types and deadlines 8 The wave of selectivity: Reach, target, and safety 9 When to test, what to test, how many times? 3210 Self-reported academic record (SRAR©/SSAR©)11 Alternative branch campuses and various semester starts (including summer) 12 The value of spiked interest vs. well-rounded Part 3: The parts of the application 13 The essay vs. personal statement 14 Value of the LORs (letters of recommendation) 15 Social media and email etiquette 16 What schools look at: Major-specific 17 World language Part 4: After the application 18 You’ve been deferred or wait-listed. . . . Now what? 19 Transferability vs. apply direct 20 Applying undecided—developmental studies 21 ROTC and service academy candidates 22 Athletes and athletic division I/II and III considerations and recruitment 23 Paying for college 24 ACCUPLACER®/ALEKS® placement exams25 “Thank you”: The power of a great attitude = gratitude Part 5: After acceptance26 Mental health and balance 27 Disabilities: SSD and SDI 28 Senioritis—finishing strong 29 Preparing for successful arrival on campus