You may find that schools that you’d barely considered before end up being top in the country in particular areas. How can you check? First, it’s often helpful to consult the graduate rankings in a publication like US News and World Report; although, keep in mind that sometimes graduate programs and faculty are separate from the undergraduate, and are sometimes shared. Once you have that list, comb the web sites, course guides and published information from colleges to see if they are strong in your area(s) of interest. Finally, call the school or visit and speak to professors, visit the library, check out the holdings — in short, make an informed decision about where you are applying and why.

Also, bear in mind that if you state a reason for applying to a school, it should be an academic reason.  Unless a particular school has an extracurricular program that is truly unique (and, ideally, ties in to an academic interest), the school is going to care far more about what you want to study than about the backpacking trips you want to lead and the underprivileged children you want to tutor.  Those are all great things, but clubs, community service programs, and intramural sports are available at almost every college these days.

But, we encourage students to take some time before the Christmas break to begin researching their summer plans. Many of the top summer programs at colleges and private schools fill up well ahead of the spring deadlines.

Focus on your academic interests: if you like science, then check out top science-oriented programs. If you like writing, then look into journalism camps or poetry workshops. Remember, sometimes financial aid is available on a need basis, so don’t be shy about applying. The internet is a good first step to sifting out your options. Check strong programs like summer school at Cornell, Columbia, Andover, and many others.  Advance planning now will come in handy later when you find yourself scrambling to finish these applications by the appropriate deadlines.

For now, at least, request information from 5-10 programs. You might need to organize teacher recommendations, write essays, and in some cases have interviews – so get started now.

1. Be honest.
Students often assume that admissions office “want” a certain kind of essay, perhaps about an exotic trip or profound community service experience. But essays like those often come off as melodramatic and even insincere. Don’t make an experience sound more profound than it really was. Admissions officers have heard every story – from the trivial to the grandiose – and the subject matter almost never matters. What matters is candor, reflection, and honesty – all of which they can perceive from a mile away.

2. Don’t be afraid to be funny.
A college essay need not be a dour rumination on the state of the world. Admissions officers know that they’re dealing with kids and they know that kids like to goof around. So if a funny anecdote or turn of phrase fits into your essay, go ahead and use it! But do so sparingly: Unless you are the next David Sedaris, your essays should NOT be a comedic essay, nor should it go out of its way to garner a laugh. If you’re not funny, no big deal. Don’t force it. But if you are, don’t stifle your funny bone.

3. Hone it.
Your 9th grade English teacher is right: Make sparing use of the following verbs and verb forms: linking verbs (is/to be); has/have/got; passive voice (”he drove the car,” not “the car was driven by him;” there is, it is). Active verbs are more efficient, forceful, and descriptive.
OK: I am fascinated by Byzantine history.Better: Byzantine history fascinates me.
OK: There was one calculation that kept gnawing at me. Better: One calculation kept gnawing at me.

4.Make it personal.
Every conceivable topic has made its way into college essays. Your topic will never be wholly original, but it can be personal. If you’re discussing an activity, explain why YOU do it, not merely why it’s abstractly nice or fun. If you’re describing an academic pursuit, explain why it captivates YOU – not why it’s generically valuable or worthwhile. What is the source of your interest? What aspect of your personality does the activity/interest tap into? How do you approach the activity/interest differently than other people might?

5. Know your audience.
Assume that you have an unsympathetic or skeptical reader (not such a stretch when they have thousands of essays to read and only a few admission slots for their favorites). Your parents, teachers, and friends all love you and take your virtues for granted. In the college essay, you have to argue your case to readers who know nothing of you other than that which you put on the page. So explain yourself, provide details, show some personality, and help the reader get to know you the same way your parents, teachers, and friends do.

6. Narrow your focus.
Your essay is not your autobiography, just as a first date is not an entire relationship. So don’t be anxious about cramming in every detail of your life. Even the tiniest slices of life can reveal deep truths about your intellect and personality. If you pick the right one, admissions officers might let you in just because they can’t wait to meet you in person and learn the rest of your story!

Josh Stephens is a Princeton graduate, longtime teacher and editor with Application Boot Camp™ and an expert essay editor. Josh has mentored countless students en route to the college of their choice. A professional editor and member of the Application Boot Camp™ team, Josh combines his exceptional editing and mentoring skills with Application Boot Camp’s insights into the college process. Josh works with students around the country via email and phone.