| College admissions continues to be a competitive and | | | | used. Students may also need to provide |
| confusing process. Many parents realize for the first | | | | supplemental information or essays. Students should |
| time that planning for college is very different from | | | | be aware of all deadlines for college admissions, |
| when they went to school. They often have | | | | including those for applications and scholarships. |
| questions and do not know where to turn for | | | | Many schools require two teacher recommendations. |
| answers answers. Sometimes they are frustrated | | | | Students should request a recommendation no later |
| because they are not sure how to help their | | | | than the beginning of their senior year, preferably |
| college-bound student. | | | | sooner. They should make sure they have been in |
| In order for students to find the best college fit, it is | | | | the teacher's class at least one semester and that |
| important to consider many different factors: size, | | | | the teacher knows them well enough to write some |
| location, academics, social aspects, and special | | | | insightful comments. |
| interests. Most importantly, families should look at | | | | Most colleges require at least one essay or personal |
| schools that encourage students to grow | | | | statement. This is an opportunity for students to |
| academically and personally. This process takes time | | | | show a college what interests them, what they are |
| and research, but finding the right schools is well | | | | passionate about, or what makes them unique from |
| worth the effort. Schools should not be eliminated | | | | other college applicants. Students should write a |
| because of price because many colleges are | | | | number of drafts and make sure they have |
| generous with financial aid and scholarships. | | | | proofread their final essay and that it contains no |
| After an initial list of schools is compiled, families can | | | | grammatical or spelling errors. |
| access information on specific college websites. It is | | | | Applications are almost always submitted online, but |
| always a good idea to sign up online as a prospective | | | | students need to find out how their schools handle |
| student at a college website so that a student will | | | | the recommendations and high school transcript. Most |
| receive newsletters and mailings. Students should | | | | colleges also want to receive the SAT and ACT |
| narrow their list down to about six or seven schools | | | | scores directly from the testing agency. You can |
| and make sure they have at least two or three | | | | contact both the College Board and ACT online to |
| colleges they feel admission is almost certain. Too | | | | have your scores sent to each college. |
| often students do not consider their "safety schools" | | | | Helping students through the college admissions |
| as carefully as they should. | | | | process can be a stressful experience for many |
| Students should sign up to take the SAT and ACT | | | | families. Parents sometimes feel that their students |
| sometime their junior year. Some good test | | | | do not get enough college counseling from the their |
| preparation is important so that students do their | | | | high school counselor. If they want to work with a |
| best on these tests. Often times test scores are | | | | college consultant, they can go to the Higher |
| used not only for college admissions, but for | | | | Educational Consulting Association (HECA) website to |
| scholarships as well. Students should consider taking | | | | find a list of qualified consultants. These individuals |
| the tests two or three times to get the best results. | | | | have the expertise and time to assist students with |
| Many colleges encourage students to apply using the | | | | the college search and application process. The |
| common application which is available online. This is | | | | services are affordable and worth the investment. |
| one application that is submitted to any number of | | | | The internet and library are also good sources for |
| schools using the same information and essays. Other | | | | college information and a place to begin your college |
| schools have their own online application which can be | | | | planning. |