The senior year of high school comes quickly and finishes just as quick. Planning ahead for college applications during the summer prior to the senior year can prove to be a successful organizational technique. Many activities need to be completed in a short time period during the upcoming fall, so students can benefit from having a list of activities to complete.
Narrowing College Choices
The United States alone has over 3000 different colleges. Prior to the fall, students need to narrow that list to a manageable number. A common goal is to have identified ten or fewer college choices. Students should have at least five colleges that they will apply to in the fall: one should be a dream school also known as a “reach school”; a safety net or “safety school”; and three colleges in between the two.
Students can use multiple internet college searches to refine their college list. These internet resources allow students to reduce the number of colleges in a very short period of time. Cross referencing lists from multiple internet searches can also assist in defining a personalized list.
Contacting and Visiting Colleges
Once colleges have been identified, students should contact the college’s admission office and speak to a counselor. This will establish a working relationship between the two parties. Admission counselors who know students more personally can advocate more for the student during the selection process.
Campus visits are also necessary to determine if the environment is adequate for four years of education. Students not only need to visit the campus, sit in on classes, talk to other students and eat in the cafeteria; they also need to visit the city or town where the campus is located. Notice the types of activities and venues in the town: movie theatres, restaurants, concert/sports arenas, and other fun activities.
College Applications
When at least five college possibilities have been identified, students need to locate the college’s online application link. If two or more of the college choices use common applications, then students should create an account on the common application site and begin to fill out the application; otherwise, students can create accounts on each college’s site and begin to fill out the applications.
Each college application will specify what the applicants need to complete to apply to the school. In addition to the actual application, some colleges will also require essays, faith statements, recommendations, and an interview. Start applications and essays during the summer but do not submit until the fall. Also contact teachers or other recommenders and ask them if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you by September.
Organizers and College Applications
The more organized a student can be prior to September, the easier the college application process will be. Students should create an organizational chart on paper or on a computer program like WORD or EXCEL. The chart should include the following information: name of school, application deadline, application components (check off when finished with each), campus visit checkbox, and submission date.
The next part of being organized is to set goals to complete each tasks. Remember that everything does not need to be completed at once. Establish deadlines for each application task and a larger deadline to finish the entire process. Break the components down into small, workable elements and stick to the deadlines. Completing the smaller components in a timely manner will save on the stress in the fall.
Utilizing the previous suggestions will help immensely during the college application process. Students who begin these activities prior to September will find the entire process to be more manageable and less stressful. Students can also utilize similar steps when preparing applying for financial aid and scholarships.
