| It's fall-senior year of high school. The weather is | | | | quite advantageous. Guidance counselors know more |
| getting cooler and the amount of school events and | | | | about the college admissions process than most |
| activities planned are piling up. Buying class rings, | | | | other people students may have access to. Also, |
| preparing for Homecoming and senior class trips are | | | | running important decisions by parents and other |
| all many students can think about at this time. | | | | family members can also be helpful-as some of these |
| Despite all the excitement and the crush of planning | | | | people have gone through the same stressful |
| that happens in senior year-no amount of reveling | | | | situation, too. |
| and celebration can surpass the frenetic pace of yet | | | | Knowing the criteria that a college uses for admission |
| another high school senior tradition-applying to | | | | is the most important part of applying to college. |
| colleges. College admission becomes a very real part | | | | College admissions criteria can be myriad and |
| of life that can sometimes be overwhelming. | | | | different from one school to the next. While most |
| If senior year of high school is the first time a | | | | school are very strict about deadlines for applying, |
| student even thinks about applying to a college, then | | | | for instance, some school have what's called open |
| the college admissions process will be that much | | | | enrollment, which allows a student to apply year |
| harder for them to navigate. The key to success in | | | | round without penalty. Also, while test scores from |
| college admissions is to start early; preferably in junior | | | | SAT's and other standardized tests are important |
| year of high school. Most colleges have application | | | | with some colleges, others put more emphasis on the |
| and admission deadlines that are open months, and | | | | student being well-rounded and multi-talented. The |
| sometimes, in excess of a year before the expected | | | | point is, knowing what is most important to a |
| starting date. | | | | particular school is important. |
| College admissions can be a tricky part of the college | | | | Many students, although they are wise enough to |
| search process. It's the time in a student's life when | | | | start early and get outside help, do themselves a |
| they have virtually no control over the outcome. | | | | disservice by not properly weighing their options. It's |
| Once an application is sent and all transcripts, | | | | easy to not properly research schools enough before |
| reference letters and other accompanying documents | | | | applying, or to only research a few options. Having a |
| reach the school-the decision is pretty much in the | | | | small college pool or too many options can be limiting, |
| hands of admissions officials. | | | | and makes the admissions process more complicated |
| There are, however, many things that a student can | | | | than it should be. Three to five colleges is a good |
| do in order to increase their odds of admission into a | | | | range to consider when applying to colleges. |
| particular school. The first thing a student should do, | | | | Taking the process of college admissions in stride is |
| as was mentioned before, is start early. Waiting until | | | | important. Obsessing over details can distract a |
| the last minute to search for colleges or apply can | | | | prospective student from what's really |
| mean that many spots will be taken by early decision | | | | important-acceptance into a school of choice. The |
| students who've already applied. | | | | more organized and thought out the approach to |
| Another tip for college admission success would be | | | | college admissions, the more time a college senior will |
| getting others involved in the application process. | | | | have to think about more pressing matters; such as |
| Asking pertinent questions of guidance counselors | | | | booking a limo for the prom. |
| and using the resources they have available can be | | | | |