The college application process is in full swing, and many application deadlines are just around the corner, so Green Ivy wanted to offer some tips and best practices for students to keep up their momentum and put together the strongest applications possible!
Take charge of the entire college application process. Handling the college application process well offers valuable opportunities for self-discovery, increased maturity, and confidence in college-readiness. Actively managing the applications also creates a sense of ownership and accomplishment.
Pay attention to the details, and remember, neatness counts. Even seemingly small aspects like grammar, spelling, and overall neatness can communicate a strong message to admissions officers about the level of care (or lack thereof) invested in the application. 
Write stories that can not be replicated. Try not to worry about a “good” essay topic, rather, focus on your best possible essay topic. Every summer, we run several college application jumpstart workshops (learn more here) and one of our favorite quotes is from a student who proclaimed:
“You can’t mess up your own stories,” she said. “They’re yours.”
Exactly! Openness and honesty about personal experiences, growth , and the challenges students have faced often naturally lead to compelling essays.
Answer every question as completely as possible. We recommend students take advantage of the additional space provided to elaborate on their activities and build a more complete picture.
Compile a list of everything to-dos from now to until application deadlines. We realize there are so many moving pieces! Create a master-list of to-dos and feel the satisfaction of checking the tasks off when completed.
To learn more about our college advising services, please be in touch.