Your college application is your chance to show your dream schools who you are and what you have to offer. With such a big life change on the line, you’ll need to submit an application that presents you in the best possible light. Luckily, you’ll have plenty of time to perfect your application before you send it in.
Having others review your college application is one of the best ways to improve it and identify and blind spots. They’ll have suggestions and ideas you might not have thought of on your own. Getting a variety of perspectives will help you polish your application, but who should review it? Here are seven people who should look over your application before you submit it.
1. Your Parent(s)
In most cases, your parent or guardian should be the first person to review your application. They have a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, and they’ll also be familiar with your long-term goals. Since you live with them, they’ll be able to support you in real time as you work through the application. Even if your parents didn’t go to college themselves, they’ll have plenty of helpful perspectives to share.
You may also need your parents to confirm some of the information on your college application. Many colleges ask for demographic and family information on the application, particularly if you’re interested in scholarships. Your parents will have to help you apply for financial aid, which happens separately from your initial college application.
2. An Admissions Consultant
An independent college admissions consultant can be particularly beneficial for students who are looking for extra support or are interested in highly competitive schools. These consultants work one-on-one with students and their families to enable them to navigate the college admissions process. While engaging a consultant is an investment, it can result in a huge payoff when you receive your acceptance letters.
Your consultant knows exactly what colleges are looking for and can help you refine your application to match. They can suggest topics for your essays and personal statements. They’ll also make sure that your academic and extracurricular experience is properly represented in your application. If your school counselor is overbooked, an admissions consultant can fill the guidance gap.
3. Your School Counselor
Your school counselor is another excellent person to review your college application. School counselors specialize in guiding students through the application process, so they will have plenty of insight. While you may need to wait a while to get an appointment with these busy individuals, you can do so during the school day.
In addition to suggesting improvements, your school counselor will also assist with securing the necessary documentation. Many applications require you to submit an official high school transcript with a current GPA. You may also want to feature your class rank on your application. Your counselor will be able to provide this information and ensure transcripts are sent to the right places.
4. Trusted Teachers
Teachers are other well-placed individuals who can help you navigate your college applications. Work with the teachers who know you best to get more detailed feedback. They want you to succeed and will be happy to give you some pointers. In particular, your English teachers can assist you in improving your essay.
Many colleges require students to submit letters of recommendation as part of their applications. You will therefore need to ask your teachers to write these letters before you make the final submission. Be sure to give them plenty of time to complete these letters and provide feedback. Keep in mind that they’re likely writing recommendations for multiple students on top of their already busy schedule.
5. Mentors
If you have mentors outside of the classroom, ask them for their feedback as well. These individuals will be able to speak to your abilities and interests outside of school. This is particularly important because college applications aren’t just about your grades — your extracurriculars are just as essential.
There are many different types of mentors who could provide a unique perspective on your application. Coaches, religious leaders, employers, music instructors, tutors, and even older family friends could all be mentors. They’ll have seen you in different settings than your parents and teachers, so they can offer a unique perspective on your application.
6. Close Family Members
If you’re particularly close with a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or even an older sibling, have them review your application. Like your parents, they know you very well and will help you polish up your materials. However, they have different experiences with you than your parents do, so they offer a different viewpoint.
In particular, try to talk to family members who have been to college themselves. If you can find someone in your family who went to your dream school or had your dream major, even better!
7. Close Friends
Don’t rule out your peers when seeking feedback on your college application. Chances are, your friends are also navigating the college admissions process, so you can support each other. You can even designate time to work on your applications together, which can keep you all motivated.
While your friends might not have experience with college yet, they do know you very well. Your friends are also likely to be your biggest cheerleaders. They’ll encourage you to highlight your best accomplishments and can share insights they’ve learned throughout their own application process.
Final Thoughts
Don’t send your college application out without having others review it. Getting outside opinions can make your application better in many ways. Your loved ones want to see you succeed, so they’ll likely be more than happy to help out.
