When should I start the application process?
Start assembling materials, drafting essays, and making checklists in the summer after junior year.

How many schools should I apply to?
Aim for three reach schools (you don’t quite meet all of the criteria), two match schools (you meet most of the criteria), and one safety school (you exceed the criteria).

What are colleges looking for?
The most important criteria is a history of academic success in increasingly challenging courses. However, it’s also crucial that you demonstrate a strong sense of personal identity that matches the school’s. You can do this through your choices of extracurriculars, volunteer hours, personal statement, and campus visits / interviews.

What are my chances of being admitted?
If you’re a good fit for the school, your chances are great. Only a tiny handful of schools are super selective (accepting less than 25% of applicants); most fall in the 50 to 75% range.

What part of the application do colleges care about most?
Liberal arts colleges tend to prioritize written materials, while larger universities often use a formula based on data before they get to the application as a whole.

Is there anything I should avoid doing on an application?
Yes! Avoid having too many errors; writing generic essays; and getting too much obvious help from parents or other adults.