A 1600 SAT score is amazing! But, it's the person behind that SAT score that truly makes "amazing" come to life. Your story is not meant to be an exact carbon copy of another individual's storybook. You don't have to be the most intelligent, or the most innovative, or even the wealthiest. You just have to be genuine and unapologetically yourself. It sounds cliché, but truthfully, it's an imperative factor in the writing portion of the college application process: your personal essay. The essay/short answer process is simply a time to address yourself, your interests, your successes and failures that you progressed from, your dreams and aspirations. So, talk about yourself. It may seem arduous, but it makes all the difference in the end.

College advice for 11th graders:
Make sure to be in contact with admissions counselors at schools you’re interested in. They are always kind, helpful, and willing to answer all your questions, whether you are wondering about the application process, sports, activities, academics, or anything else! Their contact information is always easily accessible on the college website’s admissions tab. Good luck!

First of all, please do not overstress your daily lives. Just take it one day at a time and do not leave today’s work for tomorrow. If your deadline is tomorrow but you have other assignments to finish that day, don’t add another burden; finish it or start some of it.

Secondly, you are still young. Well, we all are, but you are never going to be 17 again, or maybe 16, so value your age. Have fun! I know I did, but don’t overdo it. Remember that a number does not necessarily define you as a person. School and youth are two separate, but equally, important parts of your lives. If one of them is affecting the other one, reconsider it.

Youth is the only thing that you can’t replace. By youth, I mean health as well. Please take good care of yourself and know that you matter as much as anyone. You may be a straight-A student or an average student, like me, but in either case, your grades have nothing to do with who you are and your personality. You are beyond your grades and test scores, and if the colleges cannot see the awesome person you are, let them be.