COLLEGE SELECTION & APPLICATION TIPS

The College Selection and Application process can be overwhelming.

There are so many things to think about...

Choose the topic and click on the link to read it:

IDENTIFY WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

Ask yourself some serious questions: Do I want to attend a large university or a small college? Do I want my school to be in a rural, suburban or urban setting? Do I want to live close to home? What can I afford? Will my family help pay for my education? Do I want to live on campus or commute? What do I want to major in? Answering these questions will go a long way toward helping you create a list of schools that meet your criteria.

SMALL SCHOOL VS. A LARGE SCHOOL. Think about your learning style - if you prefer smaller, more personal learning, you might want a smaller school. However, do not discount larger universities completely, because they often offer things such as specialized residential programs and smaller discussion sections that make a larger school feel much smaller and more personal.

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COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY VISITS.

If possible, plan to visit campuses yourself to get a first hand account of the school's culture, social, and academic life.
Take advantage of the slow summer season to schedule campus visits and set up individual meetings with college admissions officers. Remember that visits to most schools need to be scheduled weeks in advance.

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COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

A two-year community college offers a great opportunity to begin your college career. You can take a wide variety of classes that can help you find out what you are interested in. Community colleges are generally not as stringent in their applicant selection. Many four-year schools are affiliated with community colleges, hence, making it easy to transfer. Community colleges are considerably less expensive.

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A COLLEGE CHOICE IS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

Your best friend is not necessarily going with you to the next phase of your education. Make your college choice on your own.

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HOW MANY SCHOOLS DO I APPLY TO.

First, it’s helpful to divide your choices. Put your top choices into "reach" schools (those that might be a stretch academically); midrange schools where you are likely to get in but are not sure; and safety schools, which you are confident you will get in to. We recommend applying to three "reach" schools, three midrange choices and two safety schools. Keep in mind that most colleges request application fees, usually around $50.

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TALK TO REAL STUDENTS.

Current students are often the best source for the real-deal on a particular school. Talk to college students who are home over the summer about their experience on campus. What do they like best? What do they like least? What advice do they have about applying to college or life on campus?

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SUMMER CLASSES.

Take classes at the school of your choice during the summer. Many colleges offer academic and athletic enrichment programs for high school students over the summer. Spending a summer, or even a few weeks, on campus is a great way to get to know a school. Admissions officers are more likely to believe that you are interested in their school.

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REQUEST INFORMATION.

If you have not already requested brochures and applications, call or e-mail your top schools and ask for admissions packets. Supplement the material you receive from colleges with information from college guides, conversations with current students, friends, family and counselors.

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READ YOUR APPLICATION.

Read every word of the directions before you even print your name.

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COPY YOUR APPLICATION.

Make a copy of the application and use that copy as a work sheet.

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CONSIDER APPLYING EARLY.

There are usually two alternatives -- Early Action (an admission decision that binds the school to the applicant, but not vice versa) and Early Decision (an admission decision that binds both the school and the applicant to one another). Be aware of which schools offer which options and their corresponding early deadlines. Studies show that private universities admit larger percentages of early decision and early action candidates. Plan to get your regular applications in early while there are more spots available. Public universities with rolling admissions fill their classes on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's especially important to get your application in as early as possible.

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SELECT RELEVANT REFERENCES.

If you are applying for pre-med, for example, make sure you have a reference from at least one science teacher, and preferably not just your freshman biology teacher. Select teachers who know you well. Ask them politely to write your references as soon as school starts in the fall.

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