College Application Tips: Dos and Don’ts

Senior Gwen Scozzafava works on her Common App as she prepares to apply for college. (Juliana Bailey ’25)

Do #1: Set a Realistic Timeline

Nonnewaug College and Career Resource Center counselor Kathy Green encourages students to make a practical schedule.

"Set a realistic timeline to manage the application process," Green says. "That includes creating your activities list, researching what kind of recommendation letters are required and asking the appropriate people. [This] includes research of the anchors of what you’re looking for and making sure it’s an appropriate fit and the best academic fit."
Senior Ava Hustek wears a University of Georgia sweatshirt. (Juliana Bailey ’25)

Don't #1: Fixate on One School

Nonnewaug counselor Christopher Maclean hopes students keep an open mind when picking schools.

"You don't want to make the mistake of in your mind picking one school," Maclean says. "It's a very natural thing to be like, ‘Oh, that’s my favorite school; that's my No. 1.’ I think sometimes students get very entrenched and they find this perfect school and ignore their other options, or they don't do enough searching because they are so fixated on one. The best mentality to have is, ‘Is this a possible good match for me?’"
Senior Liam Sandor, left, talks about college planning with Nonnewaug CCRC counselor Kathy Green. (Juliana Bailey ’25)

Do #2: Set Target, Safety, and Reach Schools

Along with having a target school, Green says students should have appropriate reach and safety schools.

"Another thing is to ensure students have appropriate safety targets and reach on their lists," Green says. "I think that a lot of our students have missed the step of meeting with their counselor in addition to meeting with me to make sure they have well-rounded lists with academic and financial targets, safety and reach."
Juniors Derek Chung, left, and Robert Metcalfe wear UConn apparel as they begin to think about post-secondary options. (Juliana Bailey ’25)

Don't #2: Procrastinate

Not only does Maclean want seniors to complete their college applications, but he wants juniors to start their college search now.

"Overall, just don't procrastinate," Maclean said. "Don't start late. This is directed to juniors, too; we want them to at least start looking. Over the last few years, more students are doing the Nov. 1 deadline. So, if you wait 'til senior year to do a lot of it, it puts too much of a time crunch on you."
Seniors Lexi Sweeney, left, and Emma Jackson pose after Sweeney completed a college application. (Courtesy of Kathy Green)

Do #3: Check Additional Questions for Each Application

Green urges students to check their applications in case additional questions are asked.

"Another tip would be in student's Common App, ... check out the questions under ‘My Colleges’ to see what sort of supplemental essays or questions that are required. Students were alarmed on Nov. 1 when they were completing their Common Apps unaware that there are additional essays that needed to be written."
Seniors Karisa Cizauskas, left, and Eva Ripperger pose after completing their applications for UConn. (Courtesy of the Nonnewaug CCRC/Instagram)

Don't #3: Choose Schools Based on Friends

Maclean advises students to find the best school for them, regardless if they have friends there.

"Avoid looking at places or considering places just because your friends are [there]," Maclean says. "For example, just because your friend is applying to UConn or your uncle went to UConn, that doesn't mean UConn is right for you. You want to really look at schools based on what you think is going to be a good fit for you, not what’s popular or where other people have gone."

NHS Chief Advocate

NHS Chief Advocate

NHS Chief Advocate

NHS Chief Advocate