How to Write a University Application

Don't be intimidated by the college application process; it's easy.

Every year, thousands of high school seniors go through the process of applying to colleges and universities across the world. With so much emphasis being put on higher education, many of these students feel a great deal of unwarranted stress and anxiety when it comes time to fill out those applications. If you happen to be one of these students, stop worrying. Filling out your application--including writing your personal statement--is a lot easier than it seems.

Instructions

1. Get yourself into the right state of mind before starting the application process. Think of it like taking an important test. You should be well rested and well fed. Remove yourself from any distractions; choose a quiet, well-lit location with a clean workspace and a comfortable chair...and turn off your cellphone. Bring a snack and a bottle of water, particularly if you're filling out multiple applications.

2. Fill out the basic information fields on your application. This includes your personal information: name, mailing address, physical address, citizenship status, ethnicity and so on.

3. Fill out the family information portion of the application. Typically, you'll need to give the names, addresses and levels of education of your parents and siblings.

4. Provide your academic information. You'll need to fill in the name and address of your current educational institution, the date you'll graduate, your counselor's name, your course load for the current academic year, AP/IB test scores, SAT/ACT scores and a list of your extracurricular and volunteer activities. You should also supply any academic distinctions: awards, honors and/or any involvement with the National Merit Scholars or National Honor Society.

5. Write your personal statement. This is going to be, by far, the hardest part of filling out your application, but don't be intimidated by it. Many colleges will give a fairly broad writing prompt to give you a framework upon which to build your essay. Typical prompts ask you to give examples of how you triumphed over adversity, why you feel you're a good fit for the university, what life-changing experiences you've had and so on. Do your best to write clearly, concisely and comprehensibly. Have a teacher or guidance counselor look over your essay before submitting it.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the writing prompts very carefully before attempting to write your personal statement to make sure you fully understand what information you're being asked to provide. Keep the writing prompt in front of you while writing your personal statement; this will help keep you focused on the subject.

References

• Articles Base: How to Write the Perfect Personal Statement for your University of Choice Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/how-to-write-the-perfect-personal-statement-for-your-university-of-choice-215962.html#ixzz0o8OChiEW Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
• Youth Canada: How to Write a University Application Essay
• Indiana University: Personal Statements and Application Letters

Resources

• Universal College Application