Here is a reminder of things you need to have lined up if you are applying to competitive colleges. What makes a college a “competitive college?” It is different for different students—it’s a college that you will have to make an extra effort to be accepted into.

	1.		1. Know Your College(s): Have done some real research into the college, or colleges this spring and summer. Know all the basic things about it, such as program of study, size, location, the sports or extra-curricular activities that you would like to or are qualified to be a part of, social tone of student body, etc. This will help you make sure you are choosing to put your application efforts into the right college, and make sure you sound knowledgeable as you apply.
	2.		Early Decision: Consider if you are prepared to apply Early Decision or Early Action to one school. If you meet the criteria*, and know you really want to attend this one school by the first week of your senior year, then applying ED or EA can often give you an extra edge in the application process.* See ED criteria listed below.
	3.		The Application: This must be carefully filled out. You are likely to get out of it what you put into it. Admissions representatives are skilled at noticing when little care or attention is put into an application. They are looking to accept students that are very interested in attending their school. If you do it all in the last week before the deadline, it will look rushed.
	4.		The Application II: Essays: Have your parents and a teacher or college counselor read through your Application Essay drafts: an early draft, for content, and a later draft, for final proofreading. This process takes at least two weeks (but still have someone read through, even if you have less time. Mrs. Rauscher will drop everything to review an essay for you.) Pay similar attention to the short essays: “Which extra-curricular activity is most meaningful to you?” and “Why do you want to attend this college?” are the most common, and should also be as carefully constructed as your longer personal essay.
	5.		The Application III: Make sure you don’t leave out activities or talents that you have and that you have spent time on. This is not a time to be humble. Let them know what you have accomplished. If you aren’t able to communicate something in the essays, write the optional essay, if it is offered. (Even if you don’t plan to be a music major, let them know that you’re a great jazz trombonist in the Jazz Band, and have played in clubs downtown, for example.)
	6.		The Application IV: Consider sending extra material, such as artwork, music tapes, written work, or one or two additional recommendation letters from someone who knows you well. This should be someone who has something new to add to your application, such as a coach, arts teacher, or employer.
	7.		Extra-curricular activities: Top colleges, and smaller, more selective colleges want active, involved students, and not just in the classroom. The way you show your energy, leadership, and interest in activities beyond academics is through previous experience in them. Look for leadership positions next year in clubs you have been involved in, and even start something you’ve always wanted to do, or join a club that holds some meaning for you (but do look for quality of participation over quantity, especially at this time).
	8.		Teacher Recommendations: Make sure your teachers know you as a learner, and that the ones you choose will be able to write good things about you (such as your creativity, your leadership in class, you thoughtful classroom participation, your ability and interest in doing extra work, or your genuine curiosity for the subject, etc.).
	9.		Counselor Recommendations: Communicate often and well with your college counselor: what your best, and even minor achievements of the past four years have been, how you spend your time outside of school, and what activities or groups you have been involved in inside and outside of school, what challenges you have faced in your life, and any thoughts on your academic record here at Waterford, good or bad.
	10.		The Admissions Representatives: Get to know which admissions officer(s) will be reading your application, and be sure to meet them if they visit Waterford School in the fall, come to Utah for the College Fair, or if you go to the college for an interview. (Although you may not be able to interview with them.) This personal contact can often help.
	11.		The Interview: If interviews are available, take one. Prepare for it, and put your best face forward. You may have one on a visit to the college, at Waterford School, when an admission officer visits, or by alumni of the college in the Salt Lake valley.
	12.		Finally, be neat, be original, be your best self, and get your application in early.

* ED Criteria

Are you in the right position to make an early commitment? Make sure you can answer positively to each of the following statements**:

	1.		1. You are absolutely certain that ______________is the right place for you. (You will suffer no remorse when others have three or four good choices of college to consider Senior spring.)
	2.		You will have strong grades and SAT scores at the end of your Junior year. You don’t need to round off your record with senior year grades or scores.
	3.		You won’t need to compare Financial Aid packages from different colleges.
	4.		You decided not to apply for the extraordinary full-or half tuition merit scholarships offered to attract talented students to less selective schools.
	5.		You are emotionally prepared to deal with rejection if it happens and then to rush your regular applications into the mail.

**This list compiled with inspiration from James Fallow’s article in The Atlantic Monthly: “The Early Decision Racket,” September 2001.