5 answers
Kenny
Student
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
4
Questions
Asked
619 views
What are some college application tips for this upcoming fall.
So the time has come, and all our hard work in the school system will soon pay off in our new chapter of education. So, now that we have entered the college application period, and the stresses of college essays; what would be some tips you can give to a first-in-family college applicant that we can take into account. Any help would be great! Thanks!
#college #university #stress #collegeadmissions #collegehelp
Login to comment
5 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1336
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Kenny before you even begin to think about filling out college applications, you might want to narrow down your list of schools to around five that are the most appealing to you. Applying to many colleges and universities might mean you have to compromise the things you want most in the institution you end up attending. The colleges you apply to should be a good fit academically and socially. In addition, they should be in a location that appeals to you. Making sure your potential colleges are a good fit for you in all of these important areas increases the likelihood that you will stay for all four years.
SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR
• START YOUR COLLEGE LIST – This summer is a great time to work on your list of colleges. By the end of the summer, you should have narrowed your list of 12-16 schools down to 8 or 10, including reach, match and safety schools. Common Application – Many colleges and universities use the Common Application, which can be found online. You can register a Common Application account and get familiar with it during the summer. Know what is required, sketch out an application timeline and begin thinking about your essay, a critical component of any application.
• ACT – You can usually begin taking the ACT in September. Go online to confirm testing dates and register now. This will give you time to take the test again if you're not happy with your first score.
• CAMPUS VIST(S) – Before you're loaded up with homework and extracurricular activities, us the idle months of summer to visit some of the campuses on your list. Almost any college will be conducting tours throughout the summer.
SEPTEMBER
• GUIDANCE CONSOLER – Hopefully you've already talked about college with your guidance counselor during your junior year. Now that you've had the summer to explore your options, sit down again to review the whole process. Your counselor will give you valuable perspective about the schools on your list and help you chart out the application process. Also make sure that you're fulfilling all of your requirements for high school graduation.
• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS – As soon as you possibly can, ask two teachers to write you letters of recommendation. It is wise to ask teachers from your junior year, especially if you have a good relationship with them and participated in their class. If a teacher doesn't really know you or hasn't heard much from you in class discussions, they won't have much to write about.
• SAT – Register for the SAT, which is usually administered in October, November and December. You can also take SAT Subject exams, which is a good idea if there is a particular subject you excel in.
• REQUEST COLLEGE APPLICATIONS – It's time to start getting applications from the schools on your list. By now you want to have your list down to 6 or 8 schools, tops. With each application, write out a schedule of deadlines so you don't miss anything down the road. This is especially important if you're thinking of applying early decision or early action.
• COLLEGE ESSEY – Allow yourself plenty of time to formulate your essay. This is crucial. Students who have spent months reflecting on the essay will stand out. These essay questions can be very broad, and it can be a real challenge relating it to your life. Make sure you talk to others about how to approach the essay.
*Remember, don't let your grades sink. Admissions counselors will look at the first half of your senior year to see that you're still challenging yourself and succeeding. If you've already been active in extracurricular activities, explore leadership opportunities. This can mean being captain of a sports team, starting your own club or getting involved with student government. Senior year is your opportunity to transform from a young adult into a student leader.
OCTOBER
• NARROR YOUR COLLEGE LIST – By this point, your list should be whittled down to a handful of schools, and you'll probably have a favorite. Know whether or not your grades are in line with the academic standards of each school. This will help you break your list into three categories: reach, match and safety. With fewer schools to consider, you can now begin working on your applications in earnest. If you're using the Common Application, make sure each application is tailored to the school. Don't make the mistake of copying and pasting and forgetting to change the name of the college.
• COLLEGE FAIRS – Most colleges and universities host college fairs in the fall. This is an open recruiting forum where students and parents are invited to see the campus and learn more about academics and student life. These days, most schools also offer virtual fairs online. Find out the fair schedule of each school on your list and take advantage of this opportunity. It will reveal a lot about each school.
High school transcripts – Request your high school transcripts and verify that they are accurate. If anything is wrong or missing you'll need time to correct it. Reviewing your transcript is also a good reminder to maintain your grades through to the end.
• SAT TESTING – Around this time you should be taking your SAT and ACT exams. The sooner the better, as you may get a lower-than-expected score and will need time to take the exam again. This is common.
*If you are applying to a school through early decision or early action, you will need to complete your application in October. Deadlines for these admissions programs are usually the end of October or the beginning of November.
NOVEMBER
• APPLICATIONS – By now you should know what schools you're applying to-4 or 5 ideally. You've had a few months to look over the various applications and think long and hard about your essay. Give yourself ample time in November to complete all the applications and get feedback about your essay. Have parents, teachers and other adults in your life read your essay and try to keep an open mind to their constructive criticism.
• FINANCIAL AID / SCHOLARSHIPS – Deadlines for financial aid and scholarships are still further down the road, but the sooner you apply the better. Knowing what kind of aid packages are available will help you weigh the cost of different schools.
• SAT TESTING – November is still within the normal window to take your SAT and/or ACT, but December will probably be your last opportunity to do so. If you haven't taken or would like to retake either one, make sure you register now for the December test. Retaking in the spring will be too late!
* November is also a critical month for your high school classes. The semester will end in mid-December, so if you need to improve any grades, now is the time to get serious. Even if you are accepted to a school, the decision can be reversed if your grades take a nosedive.
DECEMBER AND JANUARY
• SUBMIT YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS – Most colleges have regular application deadlines sometime in December. Make sure you've been keeping track of all deadlines; they can vary from school to school. Don't leave anything to the last minute. For most people, the month of December is always filled with extra holiday-related activities, not to mention the end of the fall semester. By now you've taken your exams, written your essays and secured your letters of recommendation. Confirm that your test scores have been officially submitted to every college to which you're applying. Also verify that any letters of recommendation have been mailed.
• SENIOR GRADES – As soon as possible, send your fall grades to every school to which you've applied. Even if this is after the application, admissions counselors will incorporate it into their decision. If your high school grades started out poor but steadily improved, your senior year transcript is a way for you to demonstrate this upward trend.
FINANCIAL AID – Most colleges require you to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Start exploring financial aid and scholarships at the colleges you applied to. By the time you start receiving acceptance letters, you're going to want to have a grasp of how much you can save, and aid packages can differ a great deal from school to school.
* Make sure you completely understand the timetable and all deadlines. It's also a great courtesy to notify the other schools you applied to. This will help them open up your seat to another applicants.
FEBRUARY AND MARCH
CONFIRM APPLICATIONS – Most colleges will send you a confirmation that your application has been received and is being processed. If you haven't gotten receipt confirmation on any of your applications, do so as soon as possible.
FINANCIAL AID – You submitted your FAFSA in December, and by now you should be receiving a Student Aid Report, or SAR. Review this carefully and verify that everything is accurate. Discrepancies on this form may result in the loss of thousands of dollars in financial aid.
Hope this was Helpful Kenny
Allow enough time for your plan. Kenny estimate that it takes about 80 hours to complete 4 to 5 college applications. Scheduling that much time will prevent high-schoolers from scrambling at the last minute which can lead to mistakes. Budget 80 hours and if it doesn't need that much time, congratulate yourself.
Know what the application requirements are for each school. A college application is not a single document that you can complete online. In addition to an application, you might need to submit supplemental material. Colleges also routinely require a high school transcript, test score report and a recommendation from teachers and/or a counselor. The application process might also require an interview. International and home-schooled students may face even more requirements.
Beat the submission deadlines by one to two weeks. College application submission deadlines are firm and there is little or no forgiveness for those who miss them. Fail to submit your application on time at many colleges and your admission chances are zero. And it won't matter what your excuse is or how much you beg.
SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR
• START YOUR COLLEGE LIST – This summer is a great time to work on your list of colleges. By the end of the summer, you should have narrowed your list of 12-16 schools down to 8 or 10, including reach, match and safety schools. Common Application – Many colleges and universities use the Common Application, which can be found online. You can register a Common Application account and get familiar with it during the summer. Know what is required, sketch out an application timeline and begin thinking about your essay, a critical component of any application.
• ACT – You can usually begin taking the ACT in September. Go online to confirm testing dates and register now. This will give you time to take the test again if you're not happy with your first score.
• CAMPUS VIST(S) – Before you're loaded up with homework and extracurricular activities, us the idle months of summer to visit some of the campuses on your list. Almost any college will be conducting tours throughout the summer.
SEPTEMBER
• GUIDANCE CONSOLER – Hopefully you've already talked about college with your guidance counselor during your junior year. Now that you've had the summer to explore your options, sit down again to review the whole process. Your counselor will give you valuable perspective about the schools on your list and help you chart out the application process. Also make sure that you're fulfilling all of your requirements for high school graduation.
• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS – As soon as you possibly can, ask two teachers to write you letters of recommendation. It is wise to ask teachers from your junior year, especially if you have a good relationship with them and participated in their class. If a teacher doesn't really know you or hasn't heard much from you in class discussions, they won't have much to write about.
• SAT – Register for the SAT, which is usually administered in October, November and December. You can also take SAT Subject exams, which is a good idea if there is a particular subject you excel in.
• REQUEST COLLEGE APPLICATIONS – It's time to start getting applications from the schools on your list. By now you want to have your list down to 6 or 8 schools, tops. With each application, write out a schedule of deadlines so you don't miss anything down the road. This is especially important if you're thinking of applying early decision or early action.
• COLLEGE ESSEY – Allow yourself plenty of time to formulate your essay. This is crucial. Students who have spent months reflecting on the essay will stand out. These essay questions can be very broad, and it can be a real challenge relating it to your life. Make sure you talk to others about how to approach the essay.
*Remember, don't let your grades sink. Admissions counselors will look at the first half of your senior year to see that you're still challenging yourself and succeeding. If you've already been active in extracurricular activities, explore leadership opportunities. This can mean being captain of a sports team, starting your own club or getting involved with student government. Senior year is your opportunity to transform from a young adult into a student leader.
OCTOBER
• NARROR YOUR COLLEGE LIST – By this point, your list should be whittled down to a handful of schools, and you'll probably have a favorite. Know whether or not your grades are in line with the academic standards of each school. This will help you break your list into three categories: reach, match and safety. With fewer schools to consider, you can now begin working on your applications in earnest. If you're using the Common Application, make sure each application is tailored to the school. Don't make the mistake of copying and pasting and forgetting to change the name of the college.
• COLLEGE FAIRS – Most colleges and universities host college fairs in the fall. This is an open recruiting forum where students and parents are invited to see the campus and learn more about academics and student life. These days, most schools also offer virtual fairs online. Find out the fair schedule of each school on your list and take advantage of this opportunity. It will reveal a lot about each school.
High school transcripts – Request your high school transcripts and verify that they are accurate. If anything is wrong or missing you'll need time to correct it. Reviewing your transcript is also a good reminder to maintain your grades through to the end.
• SAT TESTING – Around this time you should be taking your SAT and ACT exams. The sooner the better, as you may get a lower-than-expected score and will need time to take the exam again. This is common.
*If you are applying to a school through early decision or early action, you will need to complete your application in October. Deadlines for these admissions programs are usually the end of October or the beginning of November.
NOVEMBER
• APPLICATIONS – By now you should know what schools you're applying to-4 or 5 ideally. You've had a few months to look over the various applications and think long and hard about your essay. Give yourself ample time in November to complete all the applications and get feedback about your essay. Have parents, teachers and other adults in your life read your essay and try to keep an open mind to their constructive criticism.
• FINANCIAL AID / SCHOLARSHIPS – Deadlines for financial aid and scholarships are still further down the road, but the sooner you apply the better. Knowing what kind of aid packages are available will help you weigh the cost of different schools.
• SAT TESTING – November is still within the normal window to take your SAT and/or ACT, but December will probably be your last opportunity to do so. If you haven't taken or would like to retake either one, make sure you register now for the December test. Retaking in the spring will be too late!
* November is also a critical month for your high school classes. The semester will end in mid-December, so if you need to improve any grades, now is the time to get serious. Even if you are accepted to a school, the decision can be reversed if your grades take a nosedive.
DECEMBER AND JANUARY
• SUBMIT YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS – Most colleges have regular application deadlines sometime in December. Make sure you've been keeping track of all deadlines; they can vary from school to school. Don't leave anything to the last minute. For most people, the month of December is always filled with extra holiday-related activities, not to mention the end of the fall semester. By now you've taken your exams, written your essays and secured your letters of recommendation. Confirm that your test scores have been officially submitted to every college to which you're applying. Also verify that any letters of recommendation have been mailed.
• SENIOR GRADES – As soon as possible, send your fall grades to every school to which you've applied. Even if this is after the application, admissions counselors will incorporate it into their decision. If your high school grades started out poor but steadily improved, your senior year transcript is a way for you to demonstrate this upward trend.
FINANCIAL AID – Most colleges require you to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Start exploring financial aid and scholarships at the colleges you applied to. By the time you start receiving acceptance letters, you're going to want to have a grasp of how much you can save, and aid packages can differ a great deal from school to school.
* Make sure you completely understand the timetable and all deadlines. It's also a great courtesy to notify the other schools you applied to. This will help them open up your seat to another applicants.
FEBRUARY AND MARCH
CONFIRM APPLICATIONS – Most colleges will send you a confirmation that your application has been received and is being processed. If you haven't gotten receipt confirmation on any of your applications, do so as soon as possible.
FINANCIAL AID – You submitted your FAFSA in December, and by now you should be receiving a Student Aid Report, or SAR. Review this carefully and verify that everything is accurate. Discrepancies on this form may result in the loss of thousands of dollars in financial aid.
Hope this was Helpful Kenny
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Thank You Sagar. “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” – Denzel Washington
Doc Frick
Thank You Iris. “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” — Helen Keller
Doc Frick
Darcel Bowles
Academic/Career College/University Counselor
27
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Darcel’s Answer
First you have to identify you major. That is one of the first thing they ask for on college application. Most college applications are done online. Second you explore campuses and college major a year before you apply. Have you considered going to a local community college to save time and $$$; complete your college transferable general education courses and you transfer prep courses. First in your family to attend college I highly recommend a community college. Here in California the first year of community college tuition is free. There is a wonderful support system with counselor, resources and all type of assistance for first generation community college students especially if you are low income. Both my sister and I started off at a community college; transferred to a public college/university directly into our major and graduated within in five years. I hope you have take Advance Placement Course. Going to a community college is a great start for first generation students the classes are smaller; if you qualify for financial aid you will have support fund for your transfer courses and college degree. Good luck. It's hard to advise you when I don't know you major. I wish I could have been more helpful. College application process can be very time consuming a tedious. The essay will ask about my your chose this major etc. If you apply to public universities and qualify for FAFSA financial aid you may get an application fee waiver. Yes it cost money to apply to colleges/universities. Various colleges/universities an popular major require certain GPA. Many of my formal students who wanted to go to (transfer) from a community Los Angeles CA or California State community college needed a 3.6 or 3.8 for certain UCLA majors.
Check online for free career assessment based on interest to give you major options.
Visit and go on local college/universities tour ( public) in your city and state this includes community colleges.
If you can (it's hard during the pandemic) find a summer or part-time job to help you pay for college.
Seriously consider staying close to home or living at home while attending college. Living on campus can be more expensive than you think
Strive for As' and Bs' in all your high school and college prep courses. Good luck
Darcel recommends the following next steps:
Kasseem Cartwright
Project/Program Manager
1
Answer
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kasseem’s Answer
Here are some college application tips to consider this fall:
1. Make sure the schools you are most interested in are aware of your interest in them. School Admissions can identify and track which applicants have shown an interest in their school. Some schools rely heavily on this information when deciding which applicants to admit.
You can show your interest in schools by:
A. Signing up for and participating their in-person or online campus tours.
B. Attending in-person or virtual meetings that colleges/universities host at your high school.
C. Requesting specific information about programs or degrees from college/university websites.
2. Some of the colleges and universities you are interested in may usually require SAT or ACT test scores but could be making those tests optional for students who are applying to them during the Covid-19 pandemic. If so, you may want to take advantage of not sending your SAT or ACT scores to a school if you feel your scores will hurt your chances of being admitted.
3. Check to see if the schools you are applying to are waiving their application fees. Many schools are waiving their application fee whether you apply to them using their specific application or via the Common App. NOTE: There is usually a code you need to use add to your application submission in order to have the apply fee waived.
4. Check to see if the schools you are interested in participate in the Common App. If so, you may want to take advantage of the Common App to apply to them. College applications ask you to provide your personal information, high school academic background, extra-curricular activities, awards and honors received, etc. The Common App allows you to enter this information once and reuse it when applying to multiple schools rather than having to re-enter that same information over and over again each time you apply to a school.
1. Make sure the schools you are most interested in are aware of your interest in them. School Admissions can identify and track which applicants have shown an interest in their school. Some schools rely heavily on this information when deciding which applicants to admit.
You can show your interest in schools by:
A. Signing up for and participating their in-person or online campus tours.
B. Attending in-person or virtual meetings that colleges/universities host at your high school.
C. Requesting specific information about programs or degrees from college/university websites.
2. Some of the colleges and universities you are interested in may usually require SAT or ACT test scores but could be making those tests optional for students who are applying to them during the Covid-19 pandemic. If so, you may want to take advantage of not sending your SAT or ACT scores to a school if you feel your scores will hurt your chances of being admitted.
3. Check to see if the schools you are applying to are waiving their application fees. Many schools are waiving their application fee whether you apply to them using their specific application or via the Common App. NOTE: There is usually a code you need to use add to your application submission in order to have the apply fee waived.
4. Check to see if the schools you are interested in participate in the Common App. If so, you may want to take advantage of the Common App to apply to them. College applications ask you to provide your personal information, high school academic background, extra-curricular activities, awards and honors received, etc. The Common App allows you to enter this information once and reuse it when applying to multiple schools rather than having to re-enter that same information over and over again each time you apply to a school.
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1322
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Many colleges have rolling admission, especially in Texas. Apply early!
Kiirsten Suomu
Sales Representative at Universal Orlando Resort
96
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Kiirsten’s Answer
Hi Kenny!
Everyone has given such great advice so far! A few things I would add are to be confident, push through, and don't give up. Confidence can be seen through your entrance essays, and phone calls if the school you choose interviews potential students. Pushing through is another bit of advice, applications can be daunting, and you'll be repeating yourself a lot-- but block out time a bit each day to chip away and the applications so you're not rushing at the deadline. My last piece of advice is to not give up if you don't get into your dream school-- one of my friends grew up dreaming to go to Notre Dame-- he got excellent grades, was active in sports and the community, but unfortunately was not accepted. He ended up going to another reputable school and loved it! It's easy to lose interest if your top choice is out of the cards-- but college is what you make of it no matter which school you attend, so keep that in mind.
Congratulations on taking this awesome next step!
Everyone has given such great advice so far! A few things I would add are to be confident, push through, and don't give up. Confidence can be seen through your entrance essays, and phone calls if the school you choose interviews potential students. Pushing through is another bit of advice, applications can be daunting, and you'll be repeating yourself a lot-- but block out time a bit each day to chip away and the applications so you're not rushing at the deadline. My last piece of advice is to not give up if you don't get into your dream school-- one of my friends grew up dreaming to go to Notre Dame-- he got excellent grades, was active in sports and the community, but unfortunately was not accepted. He ended up going to another reputable school and loved it! It's easy to lose interest if your top choice is out of the cards-- but college is what you make of it no matter which school you attend, so keep that in mind.
Congratulations on taking this awesome next step!