Students and parents alike often find the college admissions process inordinately stressful. This need not happen. The following tips are simple but important guidelines to complete the college application types that will lead into the college of your choice. All these recommendations are based on more than a decade of experience in college preparation and application assistance. Each part must be handled by the students in the order presented. Parents might consider hiring professional college applications to assist their children in completing all of the elements included in this article is to increase the opportunities for entry and reduce stress.
- Work with your guidance counselor throughout your high school experience to ensure that you enroll in courses that fulfill your graduation requirements and align with your interests.
- Enroll in Advanced Placement courses in subject areas that you are interested and successful in, as the completion of each course and passing its accompanying test will lead to college credit.
- Take standardized tests in your junior year. The SAT and the ACT are the most commonly accepted examinations.
It is important to keep in mind that colleges and universities typically weigh standardized tests as heavily as your grade point average, that is, your academic achievement throughout your entire high school experience. Therefore you must prepare for these tests and perform to the best of your ability on them. There are resources to help you do well such as classes in school, classes offered by private companies, individual tutors, and written and computer bases study guides. You should also consider taking SAT Subject Tests for classes that you enjoy and are successful in. Once testing is completed, it is time to start thinking about what type of college or university you are interested in attending.
- Begin to research colleges and universities no later than the summer preceding your senior year. Take into account factors that are important to you such as academics, location, size, qualifications, diversity, athletics, and cost.
- Choose approximately 6-10 colleges to apply to. Choose colleges and universities that have GPA and standardized test score requirements that match your ability closely, those that are more challenging, as well as those that you meet all requirements for.
- If you are interested in a specific major, ensure that it is offered by all colleges you are applying to. Visit as many prospective colleges and universities that you can. Read more…