What You Need To Know About College

Finding the right college. Picking out the perfect college amongst the hundreds of college options may seem impossible, but countless high school seniors have succeeded. If you haven't started looking for colleges by the middle of your junior year, it is time to start.

Not sure how to start looking for colleges? A great way to start is by searching online. Several online quizzes exist that will help narrow down the search to colleges that meet your criteria.

Additionally, talk to your teachers and guidance counselors about your college options. If your high school has a college admission fair, or if any college representatives hold informational meetings at your high school, definitely make sure to attend. Check your local area for college fairs as well.

Once you have a list of colleges that you think might be for you, start gathering more information on them. Visit their individual websites and study their programs, majors, activities, etc. If you are particularly interested in writing for the newspaper, check out their newspaper. If you still think it is right for you, try to schedule a visit.



Application Preparation. Before you go any further, buy yourself a nice sized calendar or planner. Trust me, you are going to need it to keep track of all of the deadlines. Next, for each college you plan on applying to, make a list of requirements and deadlines. Do they require the ACT? SAT? SAT IIs? Do they require an essay and, if so, is it based on a specific topic? What about recommendations?

If you need recommendations, make sure to give your teacher (or guidance counselor) plenty of time. Remember, they are doing it as a favor to you. Plus, you want them to be in a good mood when they write it! Two weeks is the absolute minimum.

The Application. Most colleges now offer online applications. While you may think that the college admission officers prefer paper applications, most actually prefer online applications. Online applications eliminate the need to decipher handwriting. In fact, many colleges waive the application fee for those who apply online as a way of encouraging applicants to use the online version.

Many colleges also participate in the Common Application. As its name suggests, the Common Application (http://www.commonapp.org/) is a single application that can be filled out online and sent to multiple colleges. However, some colleges still require supplemental materials or forms. If you are planning to use the Common Application, do not forget to check the requirements for the college you are applying to.

The Interview. Very few colleges require an interview, but many colleges give you the option. When it is optional, choosing to not schedule an interview will not be counted against you. However, if conducted well, an interview can really increase your chance of being accepted. An interview is an opportunity for you to show a college that you are serious about being admitted and allows someone from the college to get a better sense of who you are.
If you are unable to schedule an interview, or if you feel that an interview would be disadvantageous to you, try to find another way to express your interest. It is important for the college admissions officers to feel that you are serious about attending their college. A simple phone call to the admissions department with a relevant concern or question can do the trick.