Looking for tips for college application season?
Fall is here, signalling a new beginning for all of us at UNH. It's also a new beginning for high school seniors who are working on submitting their college applications.
Fall can be a stressful time of year for college-ready high school seniors. If you're feeling the added pressure of college applications on top of your packed school and extracurricular schedules, you're not alone.
That’s why we’re here with some of the best advice from admissions counselors and current students for navigating application season with less stress – and more success. Read on to hear from UNH student Thiri San ‘23 and the UNH social team on how to take care of yourself and stay on track while submitting college applications.
Keep following our Becoming a Wildcat blog series for the inside scoop on the application process and UNH admissions events.
Prioritize your health & wellness
The first and most vital tip to getting through the application season is to make your physical and mental health your number one priority.
How can I de-stress while sending in apps?
When you feel yourself starting to get overwhelmed, it means it’s time to take a step back and reevaluate what you truly need to get done. Practice self-care by getting enough rest, drinking enough water, maintaining your friendships, and asking for help when it is needed.
When you feel yourself starting to get overwhelmed, it means it’s time to take a step back and reevaluate what you truly need to get done.
Utilize your surrounding resources
Who should I reach out to?
Do not be afraid to reach out to your teachers and mentors throughout your time in school, as building good relationships with them may benefit you in terms of letters of recommendations, which are requested by many colleges.
School counselors are also very helpful during your senior year, given that they are often a go-to resource during the application process. If you have any questions about applying to schools, your school counselor will likely have the answers.
Start writing your college essay as soon as you find the perfect idea and request your transcripts and letters of recommendation ahead of time.
Don't procrastinate
This goes for your schoolwork as well as your college applications. Stay organized! The Common App opens early for a reason—take this opportunity to begin applying to your top schools so that you can get the stress out of the way.
Start writing your college essay as soon as you find the perfect idea and request your transcripts and letters of recommendation ahead of time.
UNH uses the Common App
Keep an open mind
Where should I apply?
It's important to keep an open mind when it comes to choosing schools to apply to. Apply to as many schools as your finances will allow so that you have a broader range of options to choose from.
Maybe you’re certain you want to study at a big or small school, pursue a specific major, or live in a major city, but we encourage you to apply to schools that offer a mix of opportunities – like UNH. You never know what might draw you to your campus home away from home.
You never know what might draw you to your campus home away from home.
Apply for scholarships
Similarly, it is important to apply to as many scholarships as you can. Applying for scholarships takes nothing but some time out of your day and can be truly life-changing!
Challenge yourself
Fall is the perfect time for a fresh start and to challenge yourself in healthy ways. Admissions counselors are looking for ways you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone and grown as a person, student and leader.
What are some healthy challenges you can focus on this fall?
Make time for fun
Don’t forget to stay in the present moment. Your senior year is your last year to spend almost every day with the friends and family that you have grown up with. Take in all your experiences and appreciate who and what you have right now. Before you know it, you’ll be moving onto your next chapter of life.
There are still some spots remaining for our Fall Open House (8:15 a.m. session on Saturday Oct 1). This is a great way to engage more with UNH this fall.
sign up for our Fall Open House
add UNH to your list of favorite schools on Naviance!
