Akash Khunghar (UVA ´17) shares his SAT prep strategy
What was your SAT and Subject Tests prep strategy?
Practice, practice and practice! I’m afraid there is no shortcut and this is the only way you can improve your score. Time your mocks, mark your weaknesses and work on those as much as you can. Honestly, there is nothing ‘hard’ on either of these tests, but there is that crunch of time you’re bound to. So, I tried my best to get used to the pattern of these tests, create my own strategies for certain type of questions and implement most of them on the test day!
What did you find most challenging about the college app process?
The very vastness I would say. From the series of tests preparations to the never ending drafts of my essays to the college list, etc, it surely is a VERY time consuming process and takes a hell of a lot of planning, something I wasn’t used to at all before. So, if you’re a future applicant, I would say quit wasting your time and start right away.
How did your college list change over time?
Significantly! I still remember how I had all the dream colleges up there initially, but then one has to be realistic. So, over the time, as in and when I kept on researching universities, hearing about some of them from people/past years’ students, the list did go through a complete re-shuffle.
What advice would you give future applicants?
Start early! That’s what I would have done right, if given another chance. So try and make up your mind ASAP. Keep deadlines for finalizing your list, completing your first draft of essays and so on.
On another note, apply early decision if you are REALLY sure about the college/university you want to attend. Don’t miss this chance! It’s worth a shot.
What are you looking forward to the most in college?
Frankly, getting rid of the Indian Education System. But apart from that, the whole feel of independent living, knowing and involving myself with the community there, those weekend escapes to the Blue Ridge Mountains, amongst a lot other things.
What major/s are you considering?
I’m considering Economics and Business with perhaps, Theatre/Drama as a minor.
What excites you about the courses you'll sign up for?
The practical experience, hands down. After having mugged up for so long, its high time to put it to some use (if I remember, that is :P) The case competitions, the strategic-thinking on shoes for real time companies, solving complex business problems is what I’m really looking forward to.
What are your plans for summer?
Interning at an organization or two and researching and reading up about the university where I might end up at.
