Applying Yourself

Do's and Don'ts of the College Admissions Process

By CAITLIN J. NORIS
Special to The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition

Before you can start worrying about that first year on campus, future freshmen, you've got to think about the year before that, your senior year of high school. That's when you start the process of applying to colleges. For a lot of you college-bound seniors, this process is taking shape right now.

So in this month's installment of Freshman 101, I'll take you behind the scenes of the admissions process and reveal some of the little nuances that can make your application shine-or stink. To do this, I've enlisted the help of Philip Cauley, director of admissions at Western Carolina University, who has about 20 years of experience in college admissions. Together, we've developed this list of do's and don'ts to keep in mind during application season:

DO research the schools you're applying to. Each university is unique. Some schools are small; others are massive. Some colleges offer certain majors like pre-medicine or pre-law, and others offer liberal-arts programs only. Find out as much information as you can to ensure that your personality will mesh with the atmosphere of the school. Tour the school, talk to students or even sit in on a few classes.

DON'T apply to colleges based on reputation or rank. A lot of people in my high school applied to Ivy League schools just for the cool decals they could potentially plaster on their rear windshields someday. In the end, that isn't what really matters. "If you find the right fit where you can excel, four years down the road, people are going to hire the best individual, not the best college or university," says Mr. Cauley.

DO complete the application carefully. It may seem obvious, but read all the directions and make sure to fill in all the information. When I was applying to schools, I almost committed one of the worst sins-my application for my favorite school was messy and illegible. Luckily, my mom happened to look over my shoulder and kindly suggest that I fill out a fresh application. "Take your time," advises Mr. Cauley. "Be neat!"

DO proofread your application and your essay before you mail them out. It's even better to have a parent or teacher check it over for you. Applying for college is comparable to applying for a job-no one will hire you if you misspell words or use poor grammar. Mr. Cauley also warns of the hidden dangers of not proofreading. He recalls numerous incidents where students sent him a letter listing reasons why they dreamed of attending his college-except they accidentally named a college in another state. Committing such a grave error drastically reduces your chances of getting admitted, and it's a mistake that can easily be avoided.

DO put a lot of effort into your essays. A great essay can change your status from borderline to accepted. The essay is an opportunity to show the admissions officers that you are a unique, motivated person. It's difficult to figure out what you want to say-trying to write about the most significant event in your life is never easy, especially when you don't even think you've had a significant event yet. However, always remember to ask yourself, "What insight is that [topic] going to give to my character, my academic ability?" Mr. Cauley advises.

DO try to "bring a fresh perspective" to the essay question. One of the worst things you can do is restate the obvious, such as your SAT scores or GPA. Tell admissions officials something they don't already know. Mr. Cauley says the essays that catch his attention often describe an important event in the applicant's life, and do so with creativity. "Unique writing will stand out of the crowd," he says. For example, instead of writing about how community service sharpened your leadership skills, you could open with a description of the exact moment you realized you had changed someone's life for the better.

DON'T let your application and essay stand alone. You're more than just a few sheets of paper. Send the admissions officials any supplementary information you have to offer, even if it's not required, such as recommendation letters, AP scores, or interviews. But always remember that everything you send them should highlight your aptitude for learning.

DON'T let your application sit on your desk and collect dust. When you apply early in the year, you show the admissions board that you are eager, motivated and organized. It may be your dream to attend the University of Wherever, but the admissions officials are going to have trouble believing that if you wait until March to send in your application. In the college application process, the early bird truly gets the best worm. Early applicants may have a better shot of getting admitted and getting financial aid. When you do choose a college, be kind enough to write to the other schools that accepted you and let them know you won't be attending.

And finally, as always, DO stay true to yourself and your goals. Avoid being pressured by parents and friends to apply to schools you don't like. If there is something special about you that admissions officials should know, tell them. Don't be afraid to go chase your college dreams!