Advice from Seniors as they near the end of their college admissions processes

Middlesex Seniors on the College Admissions Process

This fall, Seniors applied to their early decision and early action colleges and universities, and I wanted to talk to them to get some good advice for the junior class and beyond. While getting this advice, I found some common themes and categories of advice.

The first piece I got was from Luca Raffa to be “authentic.” He first told me how important it is for underclassmen in Middlesex to spend time exploring and finding what they like in terms of clubs and then by the time Middlesex students are Juniors, they should be focusing on finding leadership opportunities in clubs, academics, and outside of Middlesex, particularly during the summer. Luca then told me how his interests in studying languages, soccer, and photography came from clubs here at school and his identity as someone who grew up in Toronto and has an Italian heritage.

 Luca told me how schools are looking not only for well-rounded students academically but also for students who have really gone down the rabbit hole in the aspects of their lives that they’re truly passionate about and these passions are central to one’s application. In Luca’s case, he spent his summers continuing his language studies while seeing the world. On the topic of summers, Luca says, “Don’t waste ‘em.” This advice was seconded by other students I spoke with who told me how they spent last summer doing programs centered around subjects they like and by students who went to athletic camps which have helped them get recruited for the sport they like.

Joey Caspar added that being authentic is also the most enjoyable way to go through Middlesex. “Do things at Middlesex because you enjoy them, and if you don’t enjoy the things that’ll get you into college, instead of just grinding away mindlessly, really try to find the fun in the grind.” 

But what happens when it comes time to actually fill out the activities sheet, find recommenders, and write supplements? Luke Power talked to me about how to handle the stress. “College stress is mostly in your head, [and] if you take the process one step at a time [rather than] thinking of the bigger picture, [the college admissions process] will be less stressful.”

On the topic of supplements, many students told me the importance of getting it done early. Luke Power also told me how it is “much easier to write an ok draft and edit it … than write a perfect draft first.” I was also told how important it is to start taking standardized tests as early as possible. Some students recommended getting a tutor or taking classes, and some students recommended self-studying for the standardized tests instead, but most students whom I talked to on the subject reiterated the importance of standardized tests even in a time where most schools are test-optional because of an expectation of high scores from Middlesex and other well-performing schools.

Overall, the main tips from the Seniors are to be authentic, relaxed, and on top of work throughout the process.

Ben Feuer