College Application Help!?

College Application Help?

• I'm a high school junior, and I want to begin preparing for college applications next year. I'm asking for the best way to get advice on each individual school and their different essays, as well as my application "plan." What is the best way to inform myself? Is it worth the money to hire a college applications counselor, or would I be better off with the internet/older classmates/library? I am aiming for the very best schools, as in the top 5. My SAT and GPA are perfect, so just for this question, assume that I stand a decent shot. Here are some specific questions, please answer any you know with the number of the question next to your answer. 1. What additional essays do Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale require in addition to the Common App? 2. How much do these change every year? 3. Does the main personal statement still stay the same? 4. Do they even use the Common App? 5. Which top schools have unrestricted Early Action? 6. Which top schools do not have Early Action? 7. Please post any application deadlines/acceptance release dates that you know of for any top schools. I know this is a lot of information! Thank you! And I'm sorry if I sound arrogant...=( If it bothers you, please tell me where I sound arrogant so I can change it in the future.

• Answer:

  Usually the common application is reserved for schools in the same system. For instance, the UC system uses one application for all of them, but you check off the ones you want to apply to. It's unusual for different private schools to be under one system. I've only ever seen them for public schools. You will usually get the same question though. It's always a variant of where you came from and why you want to go there. Make sure you specifically say why you want that school's program. Mention summer programs only they have, a faculty member you would love to work with, a specific class you have always wanted to take, etc. Most private schools have early action and usually you have a 20% chance of getting in versus 6%. The release dates should only be after May when this cycle's applications will be completed. Good luck!