The process of applying to college can be an intimidating one–but who better to offer guidance than students who have recently been through it themselves? We asked college students across the country to give advice to high schoolers navigating their college application journeys. Read more below to learn from their experiences and take your next steps with confidence! 

Note: Some responses have been slightly edited for clarity. 

Start early

Starting your research early will give you plenty of time to explore your many college options! The more informed you are, the easier you may find it to start taking steps toward applying. Get started:

• Read these articles to help you choose your path.
• Save our Get Accepted Guide, which walks you through every step of the college application process.
• Download and use our free College List Builder.

Stay organized

Keeping all of your application materials organized can reduce stress when you’re applying. Start getting organized: 

• Use our College Application Requirements Tracker to keep track of deadlines and deliverables.
• Learn how to keep your email organized for school.

Be yourself and follow your heart

No matter what you pursue after high school, you deserve to feel happy and fulfilled! While we recognize that there are many practical and financial considerations when choosing your path, we echo what these students said above–you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Take some time to complete our Self-Exploration Worksheet to identify your values, skills, and goals to make your vision for your future even clearer. 

It’s also worth mentioning that when applying to any postsecondary institution, especially four-year colleges and universities, authenticity matters! Good grades and test scores tell one story, but your values, goals, and interests tell another. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality in your college applications. Whether you love cooking, know three languages, or experienced something that changed your point of view on an issue, be sure to talk about it on your application and in your essays! Get started:

• Read about how to make your college application stand out.
• Learn from these students about how they discovered and pursued their passions in college.

Be persistent 

Navigating college, careers, and life requires persistence and determination! Persistence is an essential life skill that helps you overcome obstacles and face challenges with confidence. Learn more about what it means to be persistent and advocate for yourself to achieve your goals: 

• Learn from these students about how they received the support needed to persist in college.
• Take steps to start building self-confidence.
• Read about why being assertive and advocating for yourself matters.

Finances/FAFSA

Finances are a very important thing to take into consideration when deciding which path to take. Exploring financial aid options, comparing prices between schools and programs, and learning about smart money management practices now can set you up for long-term financial success. Learn more here: 

• Use our Scholarship Finder to find and apply for 16,000+ college scholarships.
• Keep your scholarship applications organized with our Scholarship Application Requirements Tracker.
• Receive financial aid help from us.
• Learn about the FAFSA and state-based aid for college.
• Learn about money management.

Practice self-care

You can’t pour from an empty cup! In the midst of all these life changes and transitions, make sure to take care of yourself and build out intentional time to recharge and rest. Learn more: 

• Read our self-care resources.
• Know when and how to ask for help.

Have advice for college-bound students that we didn’t share here? Leave us a comment on Instagram! 

Have any questions about applying to college? Text #College to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!