Here at UES, our job is helping students make successful applications to US (and other global) universities. The US application system can seem complex, and forward preparation is key. There are many factors influencing application success, including an element of luck (particularly in applications to extremely competitive universities!), but there are some things students can do to help ensure their application is as strong as possible. Focusing on the things they can control about the US application process and taking proactive steps to tackle them can also help students feel a sense of mastery, relieving the stress and anxiety that can accompany the college application process.
Driving the process + showing initiative
At times, students might find themselves allowing others like parents, teachers, and counsellors drive the application process, and taking a back seat for things like college visits and managing the various elements of US applications. However, this stance won’t make the best impression on admissions officers: they are curious about the student and their motivations, personality, values, and goals. Additionally, allowing others to drive the application process means students miss out on the important opportunity to think through their future plans and make their own decisions on what they value from the educational experience, and for their own careers and futures. Students applying to university are at a key stage of identity formation and are learning skills for adulthood: parents, teachers, and counsellors should facilitate this growth and independence by encouraging students to centre themselves in the application process.
Students can show initiative by emailing universities from their email address when getting in contact, and at college visits, engaging with tour guides and admissions officers by asking questions themselves (rather than parents leading the conversations). When working with a counsellor, students can set themselves up for success by being proactive, rather than relying solely on their counsellor. If students ask their counsellor questions, make sure they understand what’s required of them, respond to counsellors’ prompts to do tasks, and learn to take feedback on board, they will build important skills that also often underpin successful applications.
Teacher recommendations
US applications made through the main application portal, the Common Application, typically require two recommendations from subject teachers. Policies vary, but these tend not to be arranged by the school; students should choose the teachers who will write these recommendations, and approach them to ask whether they would be willing to do so.
To ensure strong teacher recommendations, students should think carefully about their recommenders. In US-style references, teachers should not only speak to students’ academic achievements, but also their personality (e.g. are they good group workers? Are they dedicated or curious in class?). They should also write about students’ broader character—who are they as people, beyond their engagement with the subject? The teacher for the subject in which a student has the highest grades may not always be the best choice for a teacher reference, due to this more personal component.
Students can also set themselves up for good references by approaching their chosen teachers politely and far in advance of application deadlines—the end of year 12 is a good time. Students can also let teachers know how the reference system works: students nominate their referees in the Common Application portal, and the teachers receive an email notification inviting them to make an account and submit the reference through the portal. Even after this, students should check their own application portals, which show the status of each teacher reference, to ensure that these are submitted in time.
Standardised testing
One unique aspect of US applications is that they often require students to sit standardised admission tests (the SAT or ACT). In recent years, many universities went test-optional in response to the pandemic, but there is beginning to be a shift back to requiring the tests. This year, Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, and Yale announced their return to requiring standardised testing. Even at test-optional universities, good test scores will benefit applications, so one step applicants can take to set themselves in good stead is to prepare for and take either the SAT or ACT. Generally, students should begin preparing in autumn of year 12, and sit the test in December or spring of the same year.
Being open to good-fit unis
Another way students can set themselves up for success is by being open to universities that may not initially be on their radar. There are lots of excellent universities in the US, but many UK applicants are only aware of universities with widespread name recognition, which are hyperselective: even excellent students have no guarantee of admission. Students should think more closely about what they want from universities, to deepen their university search. Do they want academic excellence? A path into a successful career? Other amazing universities will offer the same opportunities.
Organisational skills
Good organisational skills are necessary in today’s educational and professional environments, so one way that students can set themselves up for success is to create tools that help them manage their responsibilities and tasks, like to-do lists and online calendars. Everyone benefits from organising themselves in different ways—some do well with written lists in a specific notebook, and others might do better with online to-do lists, like Notion or iPhone reminders. Whichever format students choose, it’s important to write down everything they need to remember in one place, and get in the habit of recording important things to do. It’s also good to get into the habit of checking important email accounts—like school emails—at least daily, and politely and promptly responding to important messages, especially from teachers, counsellors, and the careers office.
By centring themselves in the application process and being proactive about the different elements of the application, students can take clear steps to do well in their US applications. To find out more about the US application process and how UES can support students in making their applications, book a free call with an expert counsellor at www.ueseducation.com/free-call!