Just when you are about to finish high school, it is time to plan ahead. College brings both more freedom and more responsibility. The time to apply gets closer and closer. Preparation is extremely important, but you also have to meet your responsibilities associated with finishing high school, including keeping up your grades. Follow a few tips and the decision-making process will go much smoother, and your college experience more rewarding.
By now, you probably have an idea of the type of school you want to be in. Decide if you are comfortable in a big, urban campus with lots of people or a smaller university with more personal space. Do you strive for a general, liberal arts education, or have one subject in mind that you are ready to pursue head on? There are many other factors to consider, but narrowing them all down can make it easier to choose from the many universities across the country. Consult college guides and websites that list schools and what they offer.
Take a trip. It is always exciting to get away, so use that excuse to visit the schools of your choice. You don't know what the college is like unless you've been on campus. Its programs, activities, location, and reputation say a great deal, but once you've spoken to staff and administration, even students, and even roamed the campus, you will have a feel for what is like for you to be there. With this impression, you should know whether or not you would fit in there.
If you are interested, find out when all the deadlines are. Be aware of when the application is due as well as deadlines for registering for tests, financial aid, housing, and classes. Write all of this stuff down on a calendar. Multiple deadlines mount quickly, so don't rely on just memory alone. If you miss one, you blew it. Nobody's going to extend a deadline just to accommodate you.
Once you've gotten this far, it is often a good idea to consult with professional counselors, whose job it is to offer advice and guide you in the process. Talk to your family too, since they know you well, have maybe been through the college experience, and can see what choices may or may not work for you. Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek opinions and advice.
After this time of decision making, you are weary, but now is the time to apply. Be familiar with the application process and what the school requires, whether it is just a form or if other materials such as an essay or test are needed. Always have a few choices. Submit to your top choices first, but have others in mind in case those don't accept you for whatever reason. Be patient with the application; don't make silly mistakes on the forms that could disqualify you. If some schools have accepted you, this part has been successful. Now it's time to plan your move.
By now, you probably have an idea of the type of school you want to be in. Decide if you are comfortable in a big, urban campus with lots of people or a smaller university with more personal space. Do you strive for a general, liberal arts education, or have one subject in mind that you are ready to pursue head on? There are many other factors to consider, but narrowing them all down can make it easier to choose from the many universities across the country. Consult college guides and websites that list schools and what they offer.
Take a trip. It is always exciting to get away, so use that excuse to visit the schools of your choice. You don't know what the college is like unless you've been on campus. Its programs, activities, location, and reputation say a great deal, but once you've spoken to staff and administration, even students, and even roamed the campus, you will have a feel for what is like for you to be there. With this impression, you should know whether or not you would fit in there.
If you are interested, find out when all the deadlines are. Be aware of when the application is due as well as deadlines for registering for tests, financial aid, housing, and classes. Write all of this stuff down on a calendar. Multiple deadlines mount quickly, so don't rely on just memory alone. If you miss one, you blew it. Nobody's going to extend a deadline just to accommodate you.
Once you've gotten this far, it is often a good idea to consult with professional counselors, whose job it is to offer advice and guide you in the process. Talk to your family too, since they know you well, have maybe been through the college experience, and can see what choices may or may not work for you. Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek opinions and advice.
After this time of decision making, you are weary, but now is the time to apply. Be familiar with the application process and what the school requires, whether it is just a form or if other materials such as an essay or test are needed. Always have a few choices. Submit to your top choices first, but have others in mind in case those don't accept you for whatever reason. Be patient with the application; don't make silly mistakes on the forms that could disqualify you. If some schools have accepted you, this part has been successful. Now it's time to plan your move.
About the Author:
Anne Bradley is an adult education counselor who writes on online degrees, and online colleges.
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