By Lauren Stewart

Does the thought of writing an essay horrify you? If someone asks you to name some of your best qualities, do you shudder to your very core? Is the weight of university applications starting to crush you? Fear not, your saviour has arrived. 

To the stressed-out upperclassmen reading this, I’m right here with you. Applying to universities is single-handedly one of the most stressful and time-consuming things I’ve done. The hours would tick by as I typed out essay after essay, listing off every single thing I’ve done that constitutes “good citizenship”. It took a bit of my soul along with my sleep. I spent time searching for pro-tips on applying to universities and asked my peers, teachers, and recently graduated friends for their best input on how to make things easier. Here are my top tips for lessening the workload of applying to your dream school.

Organization 

Whether you’re applying to one school or one hundred schools, organization is the key. Get a calendar or a day planner you like and keep it somewhere accessible. Make a to-do list of all the things your applications need such as essay topics, word limits, transcripts, reference letters, etc. and include deadlines. Keep track of any fees you need to pay or supplementary applications you need to submit (i.e. art majors might need to submit a portfolio of their work). Be sure you make a note of the application deadlines/entry scholarship deadlines. As a bonus tip, write down the contact information of the school’s office of the registrar so you know who to email or call if you have any questions or issues. 

Having connections 

Now, connections don’t necessarily mean you’re best friends with the dean of the university. Having a connection can be anyone who went to the school, a relative with a friend who went to the school, even just emailing the admissions people and establishing a connection that way. Having these resources can be the key to your success when it comes to applying to schools. Additionally, having someone you can reach out to and ask questions is a resource everyone should have. There is no such thing as a stupid question! 

Knowing what you need beforehand 

The worst moment of your life can be realizing you missed an important prerequisite for your dream school. Before you even open an application, make sure you have a list of all the requirements you need to get accepted. This ties into organization. However, keeping track of those tedious pre-requisites and documents you need to send is an entirely separate task. 

Supplementary applications? Here’s what to do: 

Sometimes, in addition to grades, schools ask a little extra. Arts programs, for example, usually means a portfolio or an audition. Get yourself a few folders and make your own university bible. Have a folder with the requirements for your portfolio, with some extra paper for ideas, practices sketches, choreography, or some sample photos if you’re a master photographer. Then get yet another folder,  (I’m serious about the patterns, you will be staring at them a lot) but this time put your good copies in them. Start with a “table of contents” (either a traditional style of context or your curriculum vitae). Finally, keep everything together and in a spot where you won’t lose them, and you’ll have a great portfolio in no time.