4 answers
Emma
Student
Severn, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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what should i be doing right now to start the college process?
what should I be doing right now to start the college process?
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4 answers
Joel Sprague
Welding/materials engineer
11
Answers
East Bernard, Texas
Updated
Joel’s Answer
There's so much to think about, isn't there? Choosing a career path, picking the best college in your state, or even exploring options out of state. And then comes the big question - how are you going to pay for it all? Will you have help from your parents? Can you apply for grants or scholarships? Or maybe you're considering working part-time?
I can tell you from my own experience, I didn't have any scholarships or parental support. So, I opted for a work-study program. This meant I worked to save up for a semester or two of college, then hit the books, and then went back to work. I repeated this cycle until I had my degree in hand.
My advice to you? Look into scholarships, grants, and work-study programs first, before you start thinking about loans. It's a friendly suggestion from someone who's been there!
I can tell you from my own experience, I didn't have any scholarships or parental support. So, I opted for a work-study program. This meant I worked to save up for a semester or two of college, then hit the books, and then went back to work. I repeated this cycle until I had my degree in hand.
My advice to you? Look into scholarships, grants, and work-study programs first, before you start thinking about loans. It's a friendly suggestion from someone who's been there!
Keonna Nelson
Freelance Writer
4
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Keonna’s Answer
I’m not sure what your interests are but I would start looking into some colleges your close to, like your home town or if you want to go out of state and get information of classes you want to learn. Some places have programs as well to jump start opportunities. Hopefully this helps!
Speak with a school counselor
Explore your career options/ have a plan
Have someone discuss financing with you
Stay focus/ keep up with grades
Learn more of the college you’re looking into
Keonna recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1513
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a good question. Firstly, you may need to identify the career you have interest and explore entry criteria of the college and make application.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you interest, hobbies, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical actor, music producer, music composer, etc.
IF you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, financial analyst, maths teacher, banker, etc.
2. Explore more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek advice from your mentor, school career counsellor, parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college. Prepare the application and submit to the college.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you interest, hobbies, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical actor, music producer, music composer, etc.
IF you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, financial analyst, maths teacher, banker, etc.
2. Explore more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek advice from your mentor, school career counsellor, parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college. Prepare the application and submit to the college.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1180
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
First and foremost you may want to be looking a prospective colleges and figure out if you plan to stay in your town or move to attend college. It's fine if you don't know right now what you want to major in, but give it thought.
You will also want to assess how you will pay for school and if you can possibly save some money now, that will be a big help. Become familiar with the various forms of Financial Aid. Factor in how much family is able to help and with which things they will help with for college.
My advice is to make a checklist of your good skills and skills that you would like to improve on. Namely, organizational skills. You will have a different life, different schedule and meet new friends at college. If you're not already used to keeping an appointment scheduler or book and calendar, start now. It will help you coordinate appointments, events you will attend, get togethers with friends and school deadlines, projects and just about any thing.
Many people use "To Do" lists. I think that is a good idea as a help in remembering things that need to be done but are sometimes put off. These lists are handy in college as a reminder of your personal chores and errands, too.
Your school work will increase in college, so you may want to start reading more than you do now. Always have a book of interest that you are reading. There are a lot of writing requirements in college, too, so you may want to keep a journal, create a blog, spend some time writing several times a week.
When you choose a college, find out if they offer an orientation and attend that. That will be very helpful in preparing you as you will meet other students and get a feel for the campus before you start school there.
College admissions counselors look at extracurricular activities and they look to see that you were in clubs or groups for a long time. I am not sure what grade you are in, but keep this in mind if you are a freshman or sophomore. Do activities for the rest of your time in high school. It's best if you are in a leadership role in the activity because that stands out in the admissions application.
I hope some of these tips prove to be useful for you and I wish you all the best with each step you take !
You will also want to assess how you will pay for school and if you can possibly save some money now, that will be a big help. Become familiar with the various forms of Financial Aid. Factor in how much family is able to help and with which things they will help with for college.
My advice is to make a checklist of your good skills and skills that you would like to improve on. Namely, organizational skills. You will have a different life, different schedule and meet new friends at college. If you're not already used to keeping an appointment scheduler or book and calendar, start now. It will help you coordinate appointments, events you will attend, get togethers with friends and school deadlines, projects and just about any thing.
Many people use "To Do" lists. I think that is a good idea as a help in remembering things that need to be done but are sometimes put off. These lists are handy in college as a reminder of your personal chores and errands, too.
Your school work will increase in college, so you may want to start reading more than you do now. Always have a book of interest that you are reading. There are a lot of writing requirements in college, too, so you may want to keep a journal, create a blog, spend some time writing several times a week.
When you choose a college, find out if they offer an orientation and attend that. That will be very helpful in preparing you as you will meet other students and get a feel for the campus before you start school there.
College admissions counselors look at extracurricular activities and they look to see that you were in clubs or groups for a long time. I am not sure what grade you are in, but keep this in mind if you are a freshman or sophomore. Do activities for the rest of your time in high school. It's best if you are in a leadership role in the activity because that stands out in the admissions application.
I hope some of these tips prove to be useful for you and I wish you all the best with each step you take !