First in family to go to college in US, I am LOST

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, college application deadlines are approaching and I am lost as a "stranger in a strange land." My parents and relatives have never attended college in the US before and can't really help me. </p>

<p>Things about me:
I live in NC, have 2000 on SAT and 28 on ACT (only took it once, should I retake?), 3.98 unweighted GPA, took/taking lots of honors and AP classes (4's and 5's on AP exams), pretty good EC's, and my LOR's are ready. I want to head down the Pre-Med track, but I have no clue what to major in, and very little on how to even apply. I am thinking on applying to UNC- Chapel Hill, NCSU, ECU, and USC- Columbia, but I don't know what other schools to apply to or how many more. I would appreciate some recommendations. </p>

<p>I have profiles in Common-App and CFNC, but am having trouble finding the required essays. Furthermore, I don't know how/when to submit the applications, send the transcript and required test scores, and pay the required fees. </p>

<p>I feel really stressed and lost and I would appreciate it if someone could please help guide me through the process and/or offer advice/tips on what to do next. Also, is it worth retaking the SAT or ACT in the little time that I have before early decision applications are due?</p>

<p>Thank you for all your help,
SS</p>

2

<p>I think you need to have a long talk with your guidance counselor when school starts- she could explain the specifics which apply to your high school (sending transcripts, etc.)</p>

<p>I can’t help much but:</p>

<p>1) If you’re going pre-med, it’s smart to save as much money as possible now bby going to an in-state public (unless you get a lot of need- or merit- aid from other schools). </p>

<p>2) Your SAT and ACT are fine (though I would just send the SAT to colleges- a 2000 is better than a 28). Don’t bother retaking them.</p>

3

<p>What kind of cost constraints are you looking at?</p>

<p>Go to each college’s web site and search for the net price calculator to get a financial aid estimate.</p>

<p>Also consider whether to retake the SAT for a higher score, perhaps for more access to large scholarships:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-19.html#post16145676[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-19.html#post16145676&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1461983-competitive-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-4.html#post16224918[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1461983-competitive-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-4.html#post16224918&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>I think you should retake the SAT for merit possibilities …especially for USoCarolina…otherwise you’d have to pay OOS costs.</p>

5

<p>If you retake ACT or SAT be sure to prep well or your score isn’t likely to increase. There is an SAT-preparation subforum with pinned threads that contain extensive tips but you must put work into it.</p>

<p>I don’t know why you can’t find the essays on the CA. But if you want to start working on them, and it is time, here are the prompts to pick from. There may also be a supplemental essay depending on the colleges you fill in.
[Common</a> Application’s New Essay Prompts | Inside Higher Ed](<a href=“http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/02/05/common-applications-new-essay-prompts]Common”>Common Application's New Essay Prompts)</p>

6

<p>Some good resources for you:
<a href=“https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started[/url]”>https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started&lt;/a&gt;
Common App has some videos in their help section - <a href=“https://appsupport.commonapp.org/link/portal/33011/33013/Article/780/Training-Resources[/url]”>https://appsupport.commonapp.org/link/portal/33011/33013/Article/780/Training-Resources&lt;/a&gt;
[Prepare</a> for College | Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college]Prepare”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college)</p>

7

<p>Some resources can be found here:
[First</a> In the Family](<a href=“http://www.firstinthefamily.org/]First”>http://www.firstinthefamily.org/)
You can borrow books from the library, such as Fiske guide to the colleges, Princeton Review’s Best Colleges, or Colleges that change lives.</p>