| They’ve sat hunched over their computers for | | | | schools that you have applied to and see if they |
| months, written essays that revealed their | | | | offer any scholarships that require a separate |
| inner-most thoughts, sought out teachers for | | | | application. |
| recommendations, and sweated through the SAT | | | | 4. Contact the College Board and ACT. Some high |
| and ACT. The last application has finally been | | | | schools put test scores on a student’s transcript, |
| submitted and they’re done. Or are they? | | | | but most colleges prefer to receive them directly |
| There are still a few steps left for high school seniors | | | | from a testing agency. Request that your test |
| to take to make sure they have put forth their best | | | | scores be sent to each school. You do not want to |
| effort in the college admissions process. | | | | delay an admissions decision because your test |
| 1. Keep an eye on your email. Most colleges will send | | | | scores were not received by the college. |
| a confirmation email to let you know your application | | | | 5. Keep on studying. Colleges want students to |
| has been received. If you do not receive one within | | | | continue to challenge themselves academically and |
| a week of submitting your application, you should | | | | not slack off once they have been accepted to a |
| contact the school and make sure nothing is missing. | | | | school. No acceptance is binding until your final |
| 2. Consider an interview. Many schools have | | | | grades have been received by the college which you |
| representatives in the community who meet and talk | | | | are planning to attend. |
| with prospective applicants. There is no better way | | | | 6. Don’t be in a hurry. Unless you have applied |
| for you to find out more about a college and give | | | | Early Decision, you should not choose a college |
| them a chance to find out more about you. There | | | | impulsively and for the wrong reasons. Wait until |
| is no substitute for meeting a person face-to-face, | | | | you have heard from every school and are able to |
| but sometimes schools will also do a phone | | | | compare financial aid and scholarships.Re-evaluate the |
| interview. If either is possible, you should do it. | | | | schools where you are accepted and the positives |
| 3. Get serious about scholarships. Whether you | | | | and negatives of each. You have until May 1st to |
| need one or not, who can’t use the money to | | | | make your final decision. Use this time to make sure |
| help pay for college? If writing comes easily, | | | | you are choosing a school that is the right fit for you |
| consider some scholarships that require an essay. If | | | | and where you would like to spend the next four |
| you have hours of community service, research | | | | years. |
| scholarships that are based on that. Contact the | | | | |