Between deadlines, campus visits, essays, and extracurriculars, the pressure can feel overwhelming for high school juniors and seniors. 

American University (AU) students help to answer the question: What if there was a way to lighten the load during college application season? 

For more tips, check out how to make the most of your summer.

Seeing is Believing—Listen To Your Gut

Campus visits are often the game changer for students during the college search and selection process. While emails, brochures, social media, and websites still offer valuable information, the best way to fully capture what it’s like to be part of a campus community is by touring it yourself.

Walking the grounds, meeting with faculty and current students, and feeling the energy of a campus in person can reveal whether a college’s environment, culture, and values align with your interests and aspirations. At American University, student ambassadors bring their experiences to the forefront of our campus tours.

To get the most out of a college visit, you’ll want to engage deeply: Ask students about their campus involvements and the resources they utilize, strike up a conversation with a professor or staff member, and pay attention to the little details along the tour route. What is the vibe on the quad? Do people hold open doors for each other? Are the student resources accessible? These conversations and observations will help you paint a clearer picture of what your daily life might look like on that campus.

Lean On Help When You Need It

Whether it’s a dedicated college counselor, mentor, or someone who has already walked this path, leaning on a support system while navigating the college application process can make all the difference—especially if you’re the first in your family to do it. AU can also be that resource for you. Forming connections through your campus visit or reaching out to your dedicated admissions representative can be a great starting point for getting questions answered and figuring out your next steps.

As junior Ava Terry put it,

Having a college counselor/advisor/someone in your life who has gone through the process and can guide you through it is incredibly helpful. I felt pretty blind going through the Common App because I am the eldest sibling and my parents had no idea how to help me. College counselors and advisors have incredible expertise and are great at helping with the application process, recommending schools that fit what you’re looking for, etc.

Insights from these individuals can help turn confusion into clarity, uncover new opportunities or avoid pitfalls, and tailor your applications to the schools that truly fit your values and goals. Not only can they bring expertise but also the calming and reassuring presence you may need during an overwhelming time.

When senior year arrives, this level of preparation transforms what could feel like an overwhelming scramble into a manageable, even empowering, process.

A campus visit can help you move beyond imagining “What if?” to confidently saying, “This feels like home.” Likewise, asking for help and listening to those who can guide you through the process will replace any question marks with stronger, more confident decision making.