Application Concentration

by Jerald Ooi

            In the aftermath of a fun, destructive Sneak, a new, threatening challenge emerges. Application season begins! Get ready to be judged based on your bland transcript and underwhelming SAT score!

The week after Senior Sneak marks the end of relaxation and the beginning of frustration. With the bleak deadlines of early decision and early admission on the horizon, many seniors are now frantically scrounging for anything that may make them seem more appealing to their dream universities.

            After a liberating week away from the stress and responsibilities of school, the thought of application season looms even greater. Application season is when Senior year goes from a stroll in the park scenario to a ‘sprint or you’ll do more burpees’ moment. The immense weight of performance in the next few weeks can make or break plans for the future.

“The idea of applying to college and all the responsibility it entails is scary to think about,” says Celestine Teoh (12). The reality of the application progress can seem intimidating for anyone, and rightly so.

University admission is a daunting, life-changing juncture and it’s essential that all steps in the process are completed with precision and rigor. The journey to forming an appealing character in the eyes of a college admission official begins the moment you enter high school. From then on, grades, behavior, and attitude must constantly stay at top priority. Any mishaps or shortcomings can seriously corrode your on-paper image.

If you manage to emerge unscathed from 3 years of good behavior and work ethic, the next step may be somewhat relieving. It is considerably helpful to have an outstanding track record when formulating the content of the ‘brag sheet.’ Brag sheets allow students to record achievements, activities, and their personal impression of how great and worthy they are. These listed qualities aid the ‘lucky’ teachers that get the privilege of recommending the student. As scary as it may seem to ask for a LOR, teachers at Dalat genuinely care about making a significant impact in the lives of students and most are more than willing to write.

Maintaining a clean track record and receiving good reviews from credible teachers are only two of the many stages of college application. The next few weeks are of paramount importance to the lives of 60-odd students living on Penang Island as they each individually begin the next phase of achieving their dreams.