Getting a Jump on the College Application Process

Juniors who plan on starting the college application process next fall have a lot to do right  now.  Here's a list of the steps to take to prepare for the upcomming application whirlwind.

• Develop a senior year class schedule with the most rigorous academic classes possible.  No fluff!
• Develop a list of colleges you want to attend.  Research each college by visiting the college website and by visiting the actual college (if possible).
• Make a calendar of application deadlines for each college on your list.
• Conduct a family conversation about college costs and paying for college.
• Complete a draft of your college essay/personal statement.
• Make sure you have completed your SAT testing.
• Engage in a meaningful enrichment activity during the summer.

Which College is the Best

Which college has the best nursing program?  Engineering? English Literature?  Political Science?  Everyone keeps asking for help directing entering college freshmen to the best college for one planned major or another.  That is the wrong question.

The overwhelming majority of entering college freshmen don't know what they want to do when they grow up.  Most college students change majors several times while attending college. (And I'm not talking about mechanical engineering switching to electrical engineering! Often college students switch complete fields such as from engineering to political science.)  Therefore, it is not really wise to put too much emphasis on picking a college based on preliminary major choices.

The best way to pick a college for undergraduate work is to develop generalized criteria (location, size, religious affiliation, entrance difficulty, prestige, etc.) and then match colleges to the criteria.  Make sure the college has a wide range of majors including the types of majors the entering freshmen is considering.  After identifying colleges that match your criteria, take a road trip and visit each college.  The feel of the campus is extremely important as you will be spending four plus years there.  The college that best matches the criteria and has the environment desired is the best college to attend.

The Importance of Summer Enrichment

College-bound high school students should plan to spend some of the summer engaged in either a community service activity or a specialized learning opportunity.  A great variety of community service activities can be found  from parks and recreation programs to working at a local animal shelter.  Be creative and please, don't just tutor at the library or help out with your church youth group- everyone does that.  Set yourself apart with an interesting and unique activity.

Summer learning opportunities can include creating your own summer reading program, teaching yourself a new skill, or enrolling in a class at the local community college.  Whatever you do, don't spend the whole summer sleeping and playing video games!

What to do When Financial Aid Isn't Enough

Financial aid award letters can bring happiness or they can bring misery.  If you are fortunate, your college has offered you a sweet financial aid package that covers all of your financial need without too much loan burden.

If you are less fortunate, your college has offered you a financial aid package that leaves you facing a future of mounting financial debt.  Don't give up yet!  There are a few steps you can take to try to get a better deal.

1.  Contact the financial aid office at the college.  Explain why you believe you need more grant (gift) money to make it possible for you to attend that college.  You've been admitted and it is the financial aid office's job to help you find a way to afford the cost.  Colleges sometimes end up with a little more available money as students begin informing them that they will not be attending after all- make sure you get in line for any new money that become available.

2.  Request work study from the financial aid office if they haven't already offered it.  With work study you can get a job, earn money, and use that money to help you pay for your college expenses.

3.  Keep applying for scholarships.  There are still many opportunities.

4.  Compare the financial aid letters from all of the colleges that have admitted you.  They will be very different and you can select the college that offers you the best financial aid.