The college process can seem scary and daunting. Please don’t stress about it. This is something that shouldn’t tear your family apart. I have a few tips that I think might help you…

1. The common application is not something to agonize over. Fill out the questions to the best of your ability and when you get to the essay section, pause for a moment and then think about what you want to say. Write something that you would like to read. Don’t write something to show off your resume or to list all the difficult classes that you may be taking. Take your time with the essay, and be sure to edit it. Have friends and family read it and have them tell you if they think your personality is shining through. The counselors want to get to know you as a person and the essay is a way to help them do that.
2. STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE TEST SCORES! I cannot emphasize this enough. You are more than your test scores. Study for the exams, but remember that the counselors take a holistic approach to your application. Also, don’t feel like you have to compare your scores with your friends. It doesn’t reflect your intelligence.
3. Ask lots of questions on the tours. Speaking from experience, tour guides LOVE questions. When you ask questions on a tour that shows us that you are engaged, it helps spice up the conversation, and you get the benefit of having all of your questions answered. What’s not to love?
4. Have fun with this. Go to cool restaurants. Get to the people who are showing you around. At the end of the day, lots of schools have great programs and facilities. What sets a school apart, for me at least, is the community and the people. Sit in the dining hall and listen to conversations. Imagine yourself walking around the campus and hanging out with other students your age.
5. Let this process be about you. You are not choosing a college for your parents, siblings, friends, or community members. Ultimately, this is about you. Pick a school that you like, that you can see yourself living at for the next four years, and that you know is the right fit for you. Don’t select a school just based off of rankings. Find what you love and don’t let anyone sway your decision.