What if someone told you that applying to university isn’t about getting in to the one and only dream school, but about having options among several schools that are right and good choices for you. What if this shift in focus helps you build confidence and reduce anxiety, and makes the entire application and admissions process – we’re talking a big chunk of your last high-school years –
altogether less scary, and exciting instead? You can do this.
University admissions are unpredictable – and teenagers are known to change their minds – so it makes little sense for students to pin their ambitions to one school. That’s a risky strategy with a high likelihood of stress and disappointment. And it’s unnecessary. There are loads of schools in lots of places that offer amazing educations and experiences. Let your strategy be one of choosing among them to create a set of options you're enthusiastic about and that are likely to lead to multiple offers. This is the purpose of a “smart” university list. It reduces risk and maximises choice. It sets you up for success.
Spring is here and it's a great time to get to work.
G9,10/Y10,11/Freshman & Sophomores: Get excited now about school and start building a profile that leads to great options ahead. Unis will look at your academic record for these years to see how you performed and what choices you made. Work hard, pay attention to the skills and subjects that interest you, start developing good learning and study habits, and challenge yourself. In addition to doing well inside the classroom, do good outside of it. Extra-curricular activities, jobs, service, and volunteering are fun! And they allow you to learn about yourself and have an impact on the world.
G11/Y12/Juniors: This is your moment. You don’t need to know what you want to be, but you’ve had enough schooling and experiences to have an idea of what you’re interested in (or not), what you’re good at (or not), or what you want to do (you guessed it). The work of building a university list that produces good options begins in earnest now. Start thinking deeply about your priorities and needs. Which schools have the programs you want and entry requirements you can meet? Where will you have the experiences that are important to you? How close, or far away? What can your family afford? What about campus size, facilities, student life, diversity, and climate? If your list of criteria is long, that’s fine, and it’s even the point. What matters at the end of the day is not choosing a “good” school according to some opaque ranking system, but schools that are good for you. It’s absolutely personal. Tune out the noise. Know your motivation. Know your needs and your limitations. Be honest, and find schools that are a good "fit." Visit them if you can, and do research.
G12/Y13/Seniors: If it’s time to choose among offers, first take pride in your hard work and your accomplishments. Congratulations. Then, be mindful of the privilege it is to have options, and exercise your choice with care. If you are still applying to schools, make that smart list and get excited and decide to be successful wherever you go.
University admissions aren’t transparent. We all know of acceptances and rejections that we think don’t make sense. Make the process one of creating good options. Having good options will make you happy. That’s the best outcome you could possibly have.
>> University Bound can help.
Contact us at joanna@universitybound.io
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