- surviving (and enjoying) the college admissions process -
Completing the college admissions process is a lot like making an ice cream sundae... yes, it can be fun!
The Ice Cream:
For your base, you have numerous resources (or flavors) to choose from:
Your School Counselor: Be sure to talk about…
The Ice Cream:
For your base, you have numerous resources (or flavors) to choose from:
Your School Counselor: Be sure to talk about…
1. what you’re looking for in a college (How far from home do you wish to be? Do you prefer urban, suburban, or rural? Do you want a big school? Or small? What do you want to study?)
2. your senior courses
3. who will write your recommendations
4. important deadlines
College Guides & Websites:
2. your senior courses
3. who will write your recommendations
4. important deadlines
College Guides & Websites:
U.S. News and World Report: Best Colleges
Princeton Review: 368 Best Colleges
College Board
http://www.siena.edu/
http://www.rusiena.com/
The Hot Fudge:
Princeton Review: 368 Best Colleges
College Board
http://www.siena.edu/
http://www.rusiena.com/
The Hot Fudge:
College Visits: Just like hot fudge visits should be fun!
1. Make appointments with different schools. We recommend that you start during the spring of your junior year. Remember, in the summer, college students are on break. So plan spring and fall visits for an accurate impression of the school.
2. Set aside three hours per visit: One hour for an interview with an admissions counselor, one hour for a tour of campus, and one hour to visit the bookstore, have lunch in the cafeteria or visit something further.
3. Pick up materials and take notes of things you want to remember.
For more tips, see Nikki’s last blog, “The College Visit”.
The Whipped Cream:
1. Keep gathering information, like whipped cream, the more you have the better.
2. Start working on your college essay.
3. Attend college fairs and make contacts with admissions counselors (always ask for their business card).
4. E-mail or call the colleges if you have questions.
5. Keep an eye on all application, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines.
The Sprinkles:
1. Start filling out applications and requesting letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of notice along with your resume or activity sheet.
2. In November/December, request your high school transcript and your SAT or ACT scores from the respective testing sites to be sent to all of the college you are applying to.
3. Make sure to fill out any additional components required by that college to complete your application. If you use the Common Application, you may have to fill out a school-specific Supplement.
1. Make appointments with different schools. We recommend that you start during the spring of your junior year. Remember, in the summer, college students are on break. So plan spring and fall visits for an accurate impression of the school.
2. Set aside three hours per visit: One hour for an interview with an admissions counselor, one hour for a tour of campus, and one hour to visit the bookstore, have lunch in the cafeteria or visit something further.
3. Pick up materials and take notes of things you want to remember.
For more tips, see Nikki’s last blog, “The College Visit”.
The Whipped Cream:
1. Keep gathering information, like whipped cream, the more you have the better.
2. Start working on your college essay.
3. Attend college fairs and make contacts with admissions counselors (always ask for their business card).
4. E-mail or call the colleges if you have questions.
5. Keep an eye on all application, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines.
The Sprinkles:
1. Start filling out applications and requesting letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of notice along with your resume or activity sheet.
2. In November/December, request your high school transcript and your SAT or ACT scores from the respective testing sites to be sent to all of the college you are applying to.
3. Make sure to fill out any additional components required by that college to complete your application. If you use the Common Application, you may have to fill out a school-specific Supplement.
At the end of the sprinkle process your applications are completed and submitted!
The Candy Toppings:
1. Follow-up with the colleges you applied to. Make sure your application is complete.
2. Continue to still work hard in school. Senior year counts!!
And finally… The Cherry!
1. Your acceptance letters arrive as early as November and through March. Congratulations!
2. Re- visit the schools you’ve been accepted to.
3. Complete the FAFSA and any other financial aid paperwork. The FAFSA should be filed between January 1 and February 15 of your senior year.
4. Take advantage of online chats, accepted student web pages and read your mail.
5. Keep working hard – your grades still count!
The Candy Toppings:
1. Follow-up with the colleges you applied to. Make sure your application is complete.
2. Continue to still work hard in school. Senior year counts!!
And finally… The Cherry!
1. Your acceptance letters arrive as early as November and through March. Congratulations!
2. Re- visit the schools you’ve been accepted to.
3. Complete the FAFSA and any other financial aid paperwork. The FAFSA should be filed between January 1 and February 15 of your senior year.
4. Take advantage of online chats, accepted student web pages and read your mail.
5. Keep working hard – your grades still count!
6. Prepare for a great four years ahead!
Need help staying organized? Print our College Planning Calendar & Checklist:
Conducting a College Search: Timing is Everything.
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