By Thu Nguyen

SAN JOSE, CALIF.–Navigating the college admission process can be intimidating, especially with how competitive the system has become in recent years. With the toughness of admissions this year, I have learned a few tips from my own college rejections that would have greatly assisted my younger self in tackling the rigorous admissions process.

When I was compiling my application, I researched for ways to stand out among the sea of other qualified applicants. Though the advice I found was reasonably useful, it did not take away my anxiety. Everytime I opened up a college decision letter, there was always doubt in my mind that I did not get in, no matter the acceptance rate at that institution. If I went through the application process again, here are the ways that I would strengthen my application. 

1. Look at the Common Data Set 

The Common Data Set (CDS) is a collection of data on institutions that offer a glimpse of helpful insight into admission. It offers information on the admission rate, average test scores of admitted students, demographic details, and most importantly, the factors they prioritize during the application review process. Looking at my school of interest’s CDS provided me guidance on what part of my application I should focus on and develop. I wish I had learned about it earlier on, especially to cultivate the “level of applicant’s interest” section, which holds varying levels of significance across different schools. Utilizing this public information allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of what an institution prioritizes the most and how to align my application to it. 

2. Use the Net Price Calculator

The Net Price Calculator allows prospective students to see what their estimated cost of attendance would be at a particular institution. The online tool is one that I certainly took advantage of as a prospective applicant. These calculators allowed me and my family to understand how much higher education would cost for us. It took into account federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility based on the information that I input. The calculated amount for the school I eventually enrolled in matched the expected cost, so I would say that it is a very accurate and precise assessment. I would use this feature to calculate the cost of attendance for all of the colleges I applied to, instead of just the schools I was most interested in.

3. Get feedback from at least 5 people on personal statement

While it may be tempting to keep your writing to yourself because of how personal it may be, getting feedback from a variety of people is essential to creating an impactful piece of work. For me, I got five people to review my work; two teachers, two close friends, and a professional admission essay editor. Receiving criticism from a broader range of people helped eliminate possible biases and identify areas of weakness. If I were to go through the admission process again, I would definitely ask more individuals to proofread it to make sure that I’m getting my point across.  

The best approach to the college admission process is with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Through a lot of research, reaching out for help, and staying motivated, I ended up enrolled in the perfect college for me.