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How do I prepare for college applications?

I am a junior in highschool, and I want to start preparing for when I apply to colleges later this year. Any suggestions?

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Doc’s Answer

Raina some schools have very specific requirements for their application, but you can be sure that most, if not all, or the schools you apply to will require the following:

• High School Transcript – Your transcript is a report of all your grades throughout high school. In most cases, colleges will require that they receive your transcript directly from your high school. Go to your counselor’s office and let them know where to send an official document.

• Letter(s) of Recommendation – A letter of recommendation is a testament of your hard work and achievement from a trusted teacher, coach, or mentor. Figure out who you’d like to write your letter and give them ample time to help you. Schools will typically require that the writers of your letters send them directly as well, so make sure your writers know where to submit them.

• SAT/ACT Scores – Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT help display your abilities in relation to other students from all across the nation. Because these exams are almost universally considered on college applications, it’s important to study hard and test multiple times for the best scores possible.

• Extracurricular Involvement – Colleges like to see that applicants have made valuable use of their free time throughout high school. Compile a list of all your extracurricular activities and take note of how you have served as a leader or a dedicated member. You may also choose to write an activities resume so that you may expand on your experiences outside of the classroom.

• Application Essay – In addition to your activities resume, your application essay helps admissions officers get a true sense of your personality, voice, and perspective. Many schools accept applications through The Common Application, which means that you are often able to focus on one prompt as opposed to a different prompt for each school. Give yourself plenty of time to write your essay, get it reviewed by a parent/guardian/teacher, and make it the best it can be.

Hope this was helpful Raina
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Tex’s Answer

The biggest suggestion I would say is to speak to the counselors at school if you have access to them. Also, do a lot of research on what career you want to have after you are done with college. In terms of preparing for college application, make sure your transcript is honest, start preparing your narrative on all the things you are doing and have done, take the SAT/ACT, speak to your teachers about a letter of recommendation, and most importantly, have fun with the process.
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Noah’s Answer

- Familiarize yourself with the FAFSA and start taking a look and different kinds of scholarships
- Have a conversation with your parents about what you can expect them to contribute and the reason you're going to college
- Before thinking about college majors, first consider your interests/passions and how that can fit into a career. Wayyyy to many people waste time and money by switching their majors multiple times. Start from a career-oriented perspective rather than the college side.
- Check out CLEP and Sophia Learning. They are low-cost college credit alternatives that you can complete online and transfer in to save both time and money. I'm personally using them to graduate in roughly 2 years and for $0 debt. If you start now you could finish your degree early, save $20,000+ and start working on the things you really care about.
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Ciara’s Answer

Hi Raina! I see great advice on this thread! Just wanted to add that you should also prepare for the costs associated to each application that you submit for colleges or try to look for a culminated college application program like the CommonApp to reduce your costs or unexpected costs to apply for colleges. As well, a good rule of thumb if you can is to save roughly $250 since some colleges have about a $50 application fee if you decide to not go through a culminated college application program. However, to reduce your cost, a great tip is to reach out to the schools that you really want to go to and ask if they have any fee waivers to submit your application.

Hope this helps!
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Kevin’s Answer


Depending on your learning style, I would recommend the following:
*Every year more colleges are gradually eliminating SAT/ACT as a requirement. If you are not a strong test taker it would be worth checking if the colleges you are interested in still require them. I would still take either (they can help highlight areas of needed improvement to focus on).
* Also, looking at possibly taking your core requirements (Associate of Art) at a community college (lessen the dept as well) would be something to think about. All the best to you.
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