College Planning
Timing Is Everything-The most important thing to remember about your college planning is to start early. If you are applying to many colleges or universities, your sophomore year is when you should start.College Entrance Exams
The dreaded SAT's and ACT's are one of the first things you should consider when planning to attend a 4 year college or university. Most college freshmen we talked to agreed that taking these tests twice was a good idea. Most said that they got higher scores the second time or merely confirmed that their already high scores were no fluke. The best time to take these tests for the first time would probably be in May or June of your junior year. (If you take the PSAT or the PLAN tests, this should be done while you are still a sophomore.) There are many test preparation courses you can take to help you prepare for these exams. Some are offered at your local high school, while others are offered by big companies that exist just for this purpose. They specialize in preparing students for college entrance exams. Or you can buy a test preparation book with tutorial for your computer, and go it on your own. Decide on the method that is best for you and your budget, and go for it! The students we talked to indicated that they felt the preparation classes they took helped them tremendously when taking these tests. If possible, you should have these scores in time to be sent with your college application.College Application Deadlines
Check the schedules of the colleges to which you are applying. All have specific application deadlines throughout the school year. Some require a complete application in November, and some have "early admission." (You may only apply to one university by the early admission process--but these deadlines can be the earliest of any--sometimes as early as September.) Some colleges and universities have a process called "rolling admissions," where students are admitted or rejected within six weeks of application processing. Whatever the college, there are application deadlines, so find out what they are for the college to which you are applying.Scholarships and Loan Applications
You should investigate all possibilities for scholarships and loans immediately. The summer before your senior year in high school is not too soon to start. There are many unique scholarships being offered, so do some intensive investigation into what is available. Your high school should have a Career Center or College Counselor that specializes in scholarships. Go there and ask for assistance. They may have a computer listing that would help you to find something. You could also contact the university or college you will be attending. There are often alumni that donate scholarship money to their alma maters. (We found one sponsored by the Daughters of the Confederacy that could be given only to a student at the University of Virginia whose ancestor was a Confederate Civil War Veteran with an honorable discharge!) The moral to the story is--don't give up--if you do your research--there will be unique scholarship categories that apply to you.Visit Campuses
A suggestion we would like to make is that after you have narrowed down the list of colleges you would like to attend to 3 or 4, go visit the campuses before making your final decision as to which you will grace with your presence next Fall. Reading and hearing about a school is very different than going there. Many universities have programs where you can stay in a dorm overnight with a student who is already attending the college. That way you can see the dorms, eat the food, and talk to student first-hand about their experiences. It will be a wonderful opportunity to enable you to get an idea as to whether that place is for you or not. Where you go to college may be the most life-altering decision you have ever made. Take your time. Listen to other people's advice, and then do what is best for you. You know better than anyone what will make you happy for the next four years.Don't Overlook Your Career Center!
Most high schools have some type of career center. These places are loaded with good information for all aspects of college.Don't get discouraged, and good luck!
College Essay Do's and Don'ts
Relax.
Writing a college essay can actually be fun. It's a chance for you to show an admissions committee who you are and what you have to offer. Be funny, sad, abstract or literal, but, above all, be creative and be yourself! Here are a few tips to help you through the process:Don'ts
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Writing your college essay is an important task to be taken seriously, but have some fun. Start early and think of it as an opportunity to strut your stuff, not as a chore to get over with.Don't tell- show. An essay with lots of description is more interesting and will hold a reader's attention longer. Writing about wrestling an alligator is pretty interesting-throw in some descriptive phrases about what the experience looked, felt and sounded like to make it stand out that much more.
Don't write an essay on something you think an admissions committee would want to hear It's important to the college folks that you write a thoughtfully prepared essay. It's very clear who believes in what they're writing and who doesn't.
Don't submit your essay until you have had someone else (or several someone elses) proofread it.
Having a few extra pairs of eyes looking over both your essay and your application can help catch those little mistakes that you might miss. (like misspelling your name or sending your "Why I Love the University of X" essay to College Y - you'd be surprised how many times that happens!).
Do's
Do brainstorm. When settling on an essay topic, sit down with a piece of paper and write down every idea that comes to mind, no matter what it is. One of the items might trigger a brilliant idea for your essay.
Do bring your unique perspective and qualities to the essay Show multiple sides of yourself. If you're very active in your school's marching band and your talent for playing the trombone is mentioned throughout your application, write your essay on your butterfly collection. Let the admissions committee know what makes you different.
Do stay true to yourself. Everyone has his or her own writing style - what's yours? Follow basic rules of grammar, etc., but let the voice be your own. Have someone else read your essay and ask them if it sounds like something you'd write or say. If not, go back to the drawing board. This particular piece needs to be about you, written by you. Let your voice be heard!
Do spend time on your essay. It's a very important component of your application and taking the time to do a good job and write a strong essay will payoff in the end.
