Getting Into College - What Do College Admissions Offices Expect To See?
There is no specific formula for getting into college. You probably have thought about going to college for a while and maybe have even done some thinking about where you would like to go. Now it is time to begin some serious college planning and take the necessary steps to get the college admissions process rolling. What should you do first?
1. Do a thorough college search. Begin by considering what you are looking for in a college experience and identifying schools that meet this criteria. Keep your options open and do not limit your college choices. After compiling a list, start to look more specifically at the most important qualities you consider to be necessary. This will help your narrow down your college choices to a list of seven or eight schools.
2. Go to each college website and fill out the questionnaire for prospective students. This will enable you to receive campus highlights, scholarship information, and newsletters that colleges feel will be helpful to you during the college planning process. By filling out the questionnaire you are showing an interest in a school. This will help you with getting into college.
3. Go to the common application website to see which schools will accept that application. Make a list with their deadlines for early action, early decision and regular decision. For schools that do not participate on the common application, go to the individual website for this information.
4. Begin to brainstorm topics for an essay or personal statement that you will need to submit for almost every application. Consider qualities about yourself that a college might find interesting to learn about you. What can you tell a school that will distinguish you from other college applicants? A strong essay can often help students with getting into college.
5. Start the common application or one for another school and fill in as much information as you can. All college applications will be done online, unless otherwise requested. Try to do one application at a time, rather than parts of many as this tends to get confusing. Check to see if there are additional essays or supplemental information that may be required.
6. Request two recommendations from teachers who have had you in class and who you believe can write a strong letter to support your application. Talk with each about what you feel is important to include that they may not know.
7. Make sure you have taken the SAT or ACT and consider what you can do to improve your scores if you are not satisfied with the ones you have. Consider some test prep before the next test. Seniors can take any test through those given in December.
To find out more about getting into college, go to http://collegedirection.org and sign up to receive the College Direction free monthly newsletter. Susie Watts is an educational consultant and college planner and the founder of College Direction. She helps students with choosing a college, applications and essays, college visits, and provides college assistance throughout the college admissions process. She is also a test prep coach for the PSAT, SAT and ACT.
There is no specific formula for getting into college. You probably have thought about going to college for a while and maybe have even done some thinking about where you would like to go. Now it is time to begin some serious college planning and take the necessary steps to get the college admissions process rolling. What should you do first?
1. Do a thorough college search. Begin by considering what you are looking for in a college experience and identifying schools that meet this criteria. Keep your options open and do not limit your college choices. After compiling a list, start to look more specifically at the most important qualities you consider to be necessary. This will help your narrow down your college choices to a list of seven or eight schools.
2. Go to each college website and fill out the questionnaire for prospective students. This will enable you to receive campus highlights, scholarship information, and newsletters that colleges feel will be helpful to you during the college planning process. By filling out the questionnaire you are showing an interest in a school. This will help you with getting into college.
3. Go to the common application website to see which schools will accept that application. Make a list with their deadlines for early action, early decision and regular decision. For schools that do not participate on the common application, go to the individual website for this information.
4. Begin to brainstorm topics for an essay or personal statement that you will need to submit for almost every application. Consider qualities about yourself that a college might find interesting to learn about you. What can you tell a school that will distinguish you from other college applicants? A strong essay can often help students with getting into college.
5. Start the common application or one for another school and fill in as much information as you can. All college applications will be done online, unless otherwise requested. Try to do one application at a time, rather than parts of many as this tends to get confusing. Check to see if there are additional essays or supplemental information that may be required.
6. Request two recommendations from teachers who have had you in class and who you believe can write a strong letter to support your application. Talk with each about what you feel is important to include that they may not know.
7. Make sure you have taken the SAT or ACT and consider what you can do to improve your scores if you are not satisfied with the ones you have. Consider some test prep before the next test. Seniors can take any test through those given in December.
To find out more about getting into college, go to http://collegedirection.org and sign up to receive the College Direction free monthly newsletter. Susie Watts is an educational consultant and college planner and the founder of College Direction. She helps students with choosing a college, applications and essays, college visits, and provides college assistance throughout the college admissions process. She is also a test prep coach for the PSAT, SAT and ACT.
There is no specific formula for getting into college. You probably have thought about going to college for a while and maybe have even done some thinking about where you would like to go. Now it is time to begin some serious college planning and take the necessary steps to get the college admissions process rolling. What should you do first?
1. Do a thorough college search. Begin by considering what you are looking for in a college experience and identifying schools that meet this criteria. Keep your options open and do not limit your college choices. After compiling a list, start to look more specifically at the most important qualities you consider to be necessary. This will help your narrow down your college choices to a list of seven or eight schools.
2. Go to each college website and fill out the questionnaire for prospective students. This will enable you to receive campus highlights, scholarship information, and newsletters that colleges feel will be helpful to you during the college planning process. By filling out the questionnaire you are showing an interest in a school. This will help you with getting into college.
3. Go to the common application website to see which schools will accept that application. Make a list with their deadlines for early action, early decision and regular decision. For schools that do not participate on the common application, go to the individual website for this information.
4. Begin to brainstorm topics for an essay or personal statement that you will need to submit for almost every application. Consider qualities about yourself that a college might find interesting to learn about you. What can you tell a school that will distinguish you from other college applicants? A strong essay can often help students with getting into college.
5. Start the common application or one for another school and fill in as much information as you can. All college applications will be done online, unless otherwise requested. Try to do one application at a time, rather than parts of many as this tends to get confusing. Check to see if there are additional essays or supplemental information that may be required.
6. Request two recommendations from teachers who have had you in class and who you believe can write a strong letter to support your application. Talk with each about what you feel is important to include that they may not know.
7. Make sure you have taken the SAT or ACT and consider what you can do to improve your scores if you are not satisfied with the ones you have. Consider some test prep before the next test. Seniors can take any test through those given in December.
To find out more about getting into college, go to http://collegedirection.org and sign up to receive the College Direction free monthly newsletter. Susie Watts is an educational consultant and college planner and the founder of College Direction. She helps students with choosing a college, applications and essays, college visits, and provides college assistance throughout the college admissions process. She is also a test prep coach for the PSAT, SAT and ACT.
