Claire Reintjes on Wake Forest University

So far college life is all what it is cracked up to be. From the first day of orientation, I felt right at home. I never felt that I didn’t belong here. The transition from the strict schedule of high school to the typical college life is refreshing and exciting. Although the classes are harder and the work is longer, the freedom in college outweighs the stress and work load. Looking back on the past year and how my life has changed is incredible. One year ago I was stressed out and having frequent breakdowns about filling out applications and figuring where I wanted to apply to college. The multiple essays and tedious paperwork could only equate to pressure and misery. When I see the tours of prospective students walk around campus, I get the same feeling of anxiety that I had last year when applying to college. One word of hope to all of those who may be feeling how I was last year, don’t worry there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In a year it won’t matter what you got on SAT or ACT, or the topic of your college essay, in a year you will be enjoying the same freedom that I’m experiencing right now. In a year the admission process will hopefully be an afterthought.

With that said, I have a few words of advice on how I would have changed my application process. One of the biggest things that you could do to enhance your application would be to get to know the admission counselor who reads your application. As redundant as this sounds, there is no way to distinguish you from the other 4.0, over-qualified applicants. Making a personal connection with your admission counselor could be a deciding factor when choosing to admit you or not. Secondly, I would not worry so much about creating an essay you think people want to hear, but writing an essay in which the admission counselors can get to know you through the voice in your paper. If you take this advice I can guarantee you that you will only enhance your application.

Lastly, although some people may not agree with my previous statement by saying “what if I don’t get into my first choice school, then I won’t be happy like you are.” Well, in reality, I did not get into my first choice school but could not be happier with the school I’m attending now. Actually, now that I’m at Wake Forest, I could not even imagine going to school anywhere else, let alone my first choice school from last year. Part of this has to do with my school pride. I am so proud to be a Demon Deacon that my school pride has even gotten me into a few arguments with friends and family members who attend other schools in the ACC. You learn to love the school you attend by partaking in all that it has to offer. All these actions make you come to love your new home. So for all of you, who were like me last year, don’t worry about the college process, you will end up at a great place next year and at a place in which you were meant to attend. Also, in just a few months the application days will be done and the admission process will be over. Just stick with it and you too, will find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Claire Reintjes is a Get Smarter Prep alumna and is part of the Wake class of 2012