The process of applying to and deciding which college is best for you or your child does not have to be nearly as stressful as it is for many students and their families. While dedication and persistence are vital, organization and efficiency are equally important. For a smoother experience, here are several tips that can help students both find, and get accepted into, their ideal college fit. 

1. Avoid the Cost. For most schools, the application fee ranges from $20 - $100. I personally applied to more than a dozen schools, which would mean spending hundreds of dollars on application fees alone. To avoid these fees, simply call the college or university’s admissions office, preferably your assigned admissions counselor if you have one, and ask for a fee waiver. Almost all private schools will be glad to waive your fee, and in some states, public schools offer fee waivers as well. This simple measure saved my family more than $350.  
2. Make Visits Worthwhile. If you are going to visit a school, make it worth the effort! Trips take a lot of planning, so if possible, visit schools in the same vicinity in the same trip to save time and travel expenses. While visiting, be sure to set up both a tour and an interview. The tour will give you a more thorough view of the campus, including allowing you to see the dorms and living areas. The interview, however, is the most important, because it helps the admissions office to put a face and personality with your application. Dress professionally and take these interviews seriously. An interview is not only invaluable to your personal decision, but a good interview also boosts your chances of admission, and of further financial aid from private schools. 

Make your application shine. If you are applying to as many schools as I did, you will be asked to write a seemingly endless number of essays. To avoid having to write a completely original essay for every single application, take a look at the prompts before you begin writing. They tend to be very similar. Perhaps you can modify one essay and use it for three different applications. Also, don’t be afraid to include copies of certificates, awards, and extra references in your application. These items will only help you to stand out. Speaking of references, choose wisely.  Ideal references are teachers who know your work ethic, but also have seen your personality and strong character. Teachers who know you in and outside of the classroom are also ideal. And, of course, be sure to write thank-you notes to each and every person who gives you a reference!