2 answers
Adalee
Student
Wilmington, North Carolina
3
Questions
Updated
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How do I find the right college while still being in highschool?
I want to find the right college hopefully one in NC where I can study abroad for something with either culinary arts, or just theatre arts, or Marine biology but I'm still in 10th grade and I don't know what do to.
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2 answers
Bryanna Sullivan
20
Answers
Appling, Georgia
Updated
Bryanna’s Answer
1. Start with yourself (grades 9–10)
Interests: Which subjects, activities, or careers excite you? You don't need a major yet, but a direction helps.
Learning style: Do you do better in small discussion classes or big lectures? Hands-on or theory?
Must-haves: Distance from home, size, setting (city, suburb, rural), climate, campus culture, sports, religious affiliation.
2. Build a broad list (grades 10–11)
Use free search tools: College Board BigFuture, Niche, College Navigator (NCES), and the College Scorecard (graduation rates, debt, earnings).
Aim for 10–15 schools split into reach, match, and likely schools based on your GPA and test scores.
Look past rankings. Check retention and graduation rates, class sizes, internship and co-op programs, and outcomes in your field.
3. Look at cost early
Use each school's Net Price Calculator. The sticker price is often far from what you'd actually pay.
Talk with your family about budget. Look into in-state public schools, merit scholarships, and community college transfer pathways.
File the FAFSA (and CSS Profile if a school requires it) in senior year.
4. Explore schools firsthand
Go on campus visits, or take virtual tours if travel isn't possible. Sit in on a class and eat in the dining hall if you can.
Attend college fairs and info sessions, and talk to admissions reps who visit your school.
Contact current students or recent graduates (try LinkedIn, Reddit, or your school's alumni) and ask what they'd change.
5. Use your support network
Meet with your school counselor early and often. They know deadlines, scholarships, and where past students from your school got in.
Ask teachers, coaches, and older friends about their experiences.
6. Test-drive your interests
Take AP, IB, or dual-enrollment classes, attend summer programs, or get a part-time job or internship in a field you're curious about. This helps you figure out what you want in a college.
7. Narrow down (grade 11 into fall of grade 12)
Cut your list to 6–10 schools. Ask yourself: Could I be happy here even if my first-choice major changes?
Check application deadlines (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular) and requirements like essays, test policy, and recommendations.
Quick timeline
9th–10th: Keep grades strong, explore interests, get involved.
11th: Research, visit, take the PSAT/SAT/ACT if needed, build your list.
Summer before 12th: Draft essays and finalize your list.
12th: Apply, file financial aid, compare offers, and decide by May 1.
Interests: Which subjects, activities, or careers excite you? You don't need a major yet, but a direction helps.
Learning style: Do you do better in small discussion classes or big lectures? Hands-on or theory?
Must-haves: Distance from home, size, setting (city, suburb, rural), climate, campus culture, sports, religious affiliation.
2. Build a broad list (grades 10–11)
Use free search tools: College Board BigFuture, Niche, College Navigator (NCES), and the College Scorecard (graduation rates, debt, earnings).
Aim for 10–15 schools split into reach, match, and likely schools based on your GPA and test scores.
Look past rankings. Check retention and graduation rates, class sizes, internship and co-op programs, and outcomes in your field.
3. Look at cost early
Use each school's Net Price Calculator. The sticker price is often far from what you'd actually pay.
Talk with your family about budget. Look into in-state public schools, merit scholarships, and community college transfer pathways.
File the FAFSA (and CSS Profile if a school requires it) in senior year.
4. Explore schools firsthand
Go on campus visits, or take virtual tours if travel isn't possible. Sit in on a class and eat in the dining hall if you can.
Attend college fairs and info sessions, and talk to admissions reps who visit your school.
Contact current students or recent graduates (try LinkedIn, Reddit, or your school's alumni) and ask what they'd change.
5. Use your support network
Meet with your school counselor early and often. They know deadlines, scholarships, and where past students from your school got in.
Ask teachers, coaches, and older friends about their experiences.
6. Test-drive your interests
Take AP, IB, or dual-enrollment classes, attend summer programs, or get a part-time job or internship in a field you're curious about. This helps you figure out what you want in a college.
7. Narrow down (grade 11 into fall of grade 12)
Cut your list to 6–10 schools. Ask yourself: Could I be happy here even if my first-choice major changes?
Check application deadlines (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular) and requirements like essays, test policy, and recommendations.
Quick timeline
9th–10th: Keep grades strong, explore interests, get involved.
11th: Research, visit, take the PSAT/SAT/ACT if needed, build your list.
Summer before 12th: Draft essays and finalize your list.
12th: Apply, file financial aid, compare offers, and decide by May 1.
Anna Ick
31
Answers
Turek, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Picking the right college in North Carolina while you're still in high school can be easy if you follow a few steps. North Carolina is great at helping high school students find the right college. Here's how you can find the best fit for you:
1. Use CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina)
CFNC is a free, helpful tool. It helps you plan your college journey:
- Create a free profile to save searches, track deadlines, and send your high school transcripts for free.
- Use the College Search tool to look through 110 colleges in North Carolina based on location, majors, costs, and requirements.
- Complete the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS) to get lower "in-state" tuition rates.
2. Join the Career & College Promise (CCP) program
As a high school student in NC, you can earn free college credits through CCP.
- 11th and 12th graders can take courses at local community colleges like Wake Tech.
- This helps you experience college-level work and see if a field of study is right for you. Plus, the credits can transfer to a four-year college, saving you money.
3. Set your criteria and make a list
Think about what you want:
- Type of school: Do you want a big public university like UNC Chapel Hill, a small private college like Elon, or an HBCU like NC A&T?
- Size and location: Would you prefer a big city campus like in Charlotte, or a quieter place like Appalachian State in Boone?
- Costs and financial aid: Compare tuition and look for scholarships through the CFNC Scholarship Search tool.
4. Talk to your school counselor
Meet with your counselor to:
- Review your academic profile (GPA, classes) and see your chances at different colleges.
- Sort schools into "safety" (easy to get into), "match" (good fit), and "reach" (dream schools).
5. Visit campuses
Visit colleges in person. Attend open days or schedule tours to get a feel for the campus, check out the facilities, and talk to students about their experiences.
1. Use CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina)
CFNC is a free, helpful tool. It helps you plan your college journey:
- Create a free profile to save searches, track deadlines, and send your high school transcripts for free.
- Use the College Search tool to look through 110 colleges in North Carolina based on location, majors, costs, and requirements.
- Complete the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS) to get lower "in-state" tuition rates.
2. Join the Career & College Promise (CCP) program
As a high school student in NC, you can earn free college credits through CCP.
- 11th and 12th graders can take courses at local community colleges like Wake Tech.
- This helps you experience college-level work and see if a field of study is right for you. Plus, the credits can transfer to a four-year college, saving you money.
3. Set your criteria and make a list
Think about what you want:
- Type of school: Do you want a big public university like UNC Chapel Hill, a small private college like Elon, or an HBCU like NC A&T?
- Size and location: Would you prefer a big city campus like in Charlotte, or a quieter place like Appalachian State in Boone?
- Costs and financial aid: Compare tuition and look for scholarships through the CFNC Scholarship Search tool.
4. Talk to your school counselor
Meet with your counselor to:
- Review your academic profile (GPA, classes) and see your chances at different colleges.
- Sort schools into "safety" (easy to get into), "match" (good fit), and "reach" (dream schools).
5. Visit campuses
Visit colleges in person. Attend open days or schedule tours to get a feel for the campus, check out the facilities, and talk to students about their experiences.