College Application Advice

Applying for college is about so much more than grades. Applications are about presenting yourself as a valuable member of the community on campus at the college you choose. When going through the process of applying for college, you ought to keep that in mind.

First, a few dos and don'ts for your senior year of high school:

Do take time to evaluate the list of possible colleges you would want to attend. Include schools that are a safe bet, as well as academic challenge colleges and schools that are a reach. Do some research and get as much college information about the university or college that you're considering applying for. You should not be afraid to go for the ivy league or top end universities or colleges. There's not much to lose by filling out an application. Purchase a calendar or planner and keep the application deadlines for each school.

Get some letters of recommendation from employers, your instructors, guidance counselor, and anybody you do after school or extracurricular activities for. Be sure that you provide you with plenty of time to write your letter, and bear in mind that letters of recommendation aren't always the easiest things to write. Make certain you provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope to send them along.

Do take your ACT and SAT tests at the beginning of the school year. Particularly, if you do not feel you did well enough, allow yourself some time to take them a second time when they are offered in January. These college test exams are extremely important in making a determination about which school you can attend. Some universities or colleges also are going to require you to send them your first semester grades to check on your process for application.

If you're signed up to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered by your school, make sure that you schedule a time to take the AP tests. If you get a chance to take AP exams apart from the rest of the class, the money you spend on them is insignificant, and well worth the gamble. Likewise, taking a CLEP test can save tuition money and help get you admitted to the college of your choice.

Do keep doing well in your high school classes. Though academics are not the sole admission requirement, they're a substantial segment of the admission process. If you are home schooled, take some time to speak with the universities or colleges that you're interested in and find out what they will need as certification for passing classes such as Civics and Chemistry.

Do check into what financial aid is open to you at the college or university you're considering. It may be the perfect school, but can you afford it? Learn what sort of student aid you might be able to get and start going after it as early as possible. Can you get a scholarship? Educational grants? Or do you need to consider student loans in order to finance your schooling?

Begin thinking about your admissions essay early. This admissions essay is the only opportunity you'll get to state, in your words, the reason you should be going to this institution. Use the admissions essay to discuss a couple of things you have done that you are proud of, and relate those things to how you would interact in the college community. Feature what you can bring to the school, that go beyond tuition. Be sure your essay is gone over several times, before sending it. Be sure to include any recommendation letters from advisors and teachers. This essay is, ultimately, your job interview for being a college student, so take time to make it as perfect as it can possibly be.

Now, the don'ts. Don't be tempted by senioritis. Attend all of your classes in your last semester of high school; college admissions boards will screen for this, because students that get senioritis may become lazy students in college as well.

You shouldn't get discouraged if something goes wrong. Leave yourself some extra time to do things again. The only thing that you can't do again is mail out an application after the deadline has passed. Don't forget about submission deadlines.