From warm, crackling fires to vibrant decorations and delicious food, the holidays are a time for rest and relaxation. However, for the diligent, a holiday break can provide an opportunity to get ahead. With no homework due for weeks, this is the perfect time to prepare for college applications.
By dedicating some of your time now to preparation, you can significantly reduce stress during the application period. Your application could also be stronger as you’ll have spent more time working on and refining it ahead of time. Here are three practical ways you can productively prepare for college apps during the holidays.
1. Research Colleges
You’ll need to do some research before you actually apply anywhere. You don’t want to waste money on applications to schools you wouldn’t want to attend. Start by looking online. Explore academic programs, faculty profiles, campus facilities, extracurricular offerings, internship opportunities, and more. Likewise, pay attention to factors such as size, location, tuition, and campus culture.
You can also talk to family, co-workers, and other graduates about where they went to school. You can learn a lot about campus culture, facilities, and faculty by asking others in your life about their education experiences. The strength of each institution’s alumni association is an underrated factor also worth considering. Also, pay attention to what application methods and platforms each college uses — this will matter later.
Write down the pros and cons of each institution as you research them to make a side-by-side comparison. Identify which pros are more important to you, and which cons are complete deal-breakers. No school is perfect, so doing this will help you narrow down your options.
You can then bring your preliminary research to a college admissions consultant. They’ll help you hone in on what you really want out of your college experience. Then, once you’ve got a few top contenders picked out, you can start thinking about applications. A consultant is a great resource who can help you narrow down your options and strengthen your applications.
2. Gather Application Materials
Part of applying to college involves gathering the materials you’ll need to apply in the first place. These are important documents like official transcripts, standardized test scores, and recommendations. Many of these documents involve a period of waiting before you actually get them. So it’s a good idea to request them ahead of time to avoid missing deadlines.
Transcripts provide a comprehensive overview of your academic history. They’re a crucial element of applying to any school. It may take some time for your school to process your transcript, so get ahead of the game by requesting it now. If you plan to take or retake any tests, holiday break is a good time to register for upcoming exams. Once you have a score you’re proud of, download a PDF copy of your scores to attach to your college application(s).
Reach out to potential recommenders, such as teachers, employers, or mentors before break. Inform them of your plans to apply to college and kindly request a letter of recommendation. Provide them with writing materials, such as a resume, personal statement of intent, or any other guidance. Recommenders may be flooded with requests later in the year. So asking ahead of time ensures them plenty of time to craft thoughtful and personal recommendations.
Finally, begin gathering or drafting any extra materials needed for specific curriculums or application platforms. For example, if you’re looking to get into a photography program, they’ll likely want to see a portfolio of your work. Whether physical or digital, create folders to store this information so it’s on hand when you need it. If you’re looking to be a professional creative, you might make yourself a website or online portfolio you can update over time.
3. Draft Application Essays
For most people, essays are the part of the application process that requires the most work. Unless you’re only applying to schools with the Common App, you’ll likely need to write unique essays for each individual institution you apply to. All those essays can take a lot of time to write, so it’s better to start now when you have more free time.
In your application essays, you’ll want to focus on conveying your personality, achievements, and aspirations. Take some time to reflect on your life up until this point. Identify key, transformational experiences in your life and craft a narrative that ties them together. The goal is to showcase who you are while demonstrating how you relate to a possible future at this school. Why are you a good fit for their institution? How will attending make a difference in your life?
Reach out to teachers, mentors, friends, and family for inspiration. They can help you workshop different ideas and narratives. They may also be able to edit your work so that it’s well-refined come time for applications. Having someone read your work before you submit is always a good idea because they’ll review it with a fresh perspective.
Don’t be afraid to infuse your essay with your unique voice. Keep in mind that admissions officers aren’t just looking for a report on academic achievement alone. They could just read your transcript if that’s all they wanted. Be genuine and transparent in your writing so your true self shines through your words.
Create a Timeline
If you do anything for your apps during this holiday break, at least create an application timeline. This timeline should break down the entire application process into smaller, more manageable steps. Identify key milestones such as completing essay drafts or compiling recommendation letters. Allocate specific timeframes to each task, keeping various deadlines in mind.
There’s a lot that goes into the college application process, especially if you plan to apply to multiple places at once. So, it’s a good idea to use some downtime to get ahead of the crowd. By being proactive, you’ll reduce the likelihood of stress and last-minute rushes and errors when the application season is in full swing.