hi my name is Jessica and i’m currently a sophomore, I know it really early to getting ready to apply for college but I like to be prepared. I currently have a list of 10 colleges that I think might be right for me, how do I narrow it down. i also currently wanted to start with my college essays but turns out the topic changes every year so I can’t do that, what other steps can I take to be ready for the next 2 years.
Best thing you can do is work to get your best grades this semester and prep for any board exams. Take steps to get involved too.
that’s what i’m currently doing, i do volunteer work and i’m working and going to a high school program over the summer.
Sit down and talk with your parents. Ask they what they are able and willing to pay. Then all of you run the Net Price Calculators on each school’s website. If your parents are unwilling or unable to pay that then cross that school off your list.
It’s great you are looking ahead and preparing. That’s important. AND, remember to enjoy high school. It’s not pre-college, it’s its own thing. People grow and develop a lot ages 14-18. Just look at 8th graders and 12th graders. You are on that path between those points. It is an important time for you to reflect on who YOU are, what YOU like, what motivates YOU, what inspires YOU, who makes YOU your best person. Younger teenagers very naturally look to other to signal them on these areas. Part of being fully developed is learning to do this on your own terms. The answers for different for different people. And have fun. You have the gift of youth, enjoy that.
In terms of college, yes, definitely keep affordability in mind. That’s essential. Also, think about what fits you. Would you love s small walkable environment with small classes? Then maybe a small liberal arts college (LAC). Do you want to go to football games and cheer your basketball team? Maybe a larger school in a power sports conference. If you went to one of the great LACs in New England, would it be hard to get out of bed every morning when it’s icy and blistering cold outside? Or is that just fine? Do you want to be in big city or a small college town? There’s not a right answer, but there is an answer for YOU.
Maybe try to visit a couple of different types of colleges. You don’t have to go far to do this. Is there a small LAC near you? A larger state university? It can be an “official” visit, or just stopping by, including a local school, or a school where you are visiting family or traveling. We traveled in the West one summer, and drove a route that passed by several different schools–University of Colorado, Colorado College, etc. We just stopped by and looked around to get a feel of things.
And have fun with the process. It’s a great way to learn about different places and different cultures and to think about how they might fit with you. One of mine felt like one school that we visited would bring out their intellectual side and another their social side. That made them think about those different aspects of themselves, and which they might want to emphasize and nurture more. Doing all this, I think, can make the process less stressful.
And I’d suggest you wait on essays. You’ll grow. You’ll be a different person in 1-2 years when you are applying. Embrace that and write the essays when the time comes around.
Good luck!
To help identify schools that fit your preferences, list your known preferences. For additional ideas on fit variables:
Academics
- Majors offered
- Type of curriculum (regular, open, core)
- Class sizes
Social vibe
- Sports scene
- Party/Greek scene
- Level of activism
- Clubs
Environment
- Size of school (area and population)
- Location/weather
- Logistics
- Setting (urban, small city/suburban, small town/rural)
Selectivity will help you establish Reach/Match/Safety
- Admit rate
- Stats among admits (check CDS)
- Difficulty of getting into desired major (if stats are available)
Cost - Check the Net Price Calculator on all schools of interest to see if they will likely be affordable. There is no sense in applying to an unaffordable school.
Most kids on this board apply to some reaches, matches, and at least one safety. The only absolute rule is, you should apply to at least one safety. A safety is a school with at least a 50% admit rate where your stats are at or above the 75th percentile.
Great advice from @prezbucky. I would just add that a fourth category should be considered. I would call a school with atleast 50% admit rate (and stats above 75th percentile) a likely. However, the higher stat a student is, the more likely a school may perceive you using it as a ‘safety/likely’, and the school may defer or deny you for yield. Make sure every school on your final list is one you would be truly happy to attend, and demonstrate interest to all.
FWIW, the only colleges I consider a ‘safety’ are ones with automatic admission.
The very first step, however, is a very candid conversation with your parents regarding finances. If finances are a concern, your list should be built with that in mind. Think about whether you will likely attend graduate school, and if you would prefer to reserve parental financial support for that. There is a lot of money out there and many great colleges to choose from. Now is the time to learn more about yourself and what type of environment will help you thrive. As a sophomore besides keeping up with school and extracurriculars, visit colleges and pick up a Fiske guide. This may also help you identify the characteristics in a school you want.
I’d also add to @prezbucky 's list: Check out the 4 or 6 year graduation rate for each of the schools. Stay away from schools with a low 6 year graduation rate.
Start touring colleges, get a feel for what you like and don’t like about each one. Take notes too. I remember that I loved the first 3 or 4 colleges I looked at, but after I honed in on what I wanted, none of them offered the experience that I was really looking for. Try your best in your classes and take the most rigorous schedule that you can succeed in.
Don’t be afraid to push yourself, try to go just beyond your comfort zone to build your academic skills. Be sure not to procrastinate on your standardized testing, get it done junior year or over the summer. I’m bad at standardized testing and procrastinated until this fall (I’m a senior) while taking four AP’s and doing 22 college apps. It was very stressful and could have gone very poorly. I’m not sure how I survived, I’ll blame excessive amounts of late night fast food and studying.
Develop some extracurriculars that YOU like and can take a leadership role in. I took many leading roles in music and won regional/state honors on trombone as well as took on reasonably important mantles in my antique collecting circles. You will be much happier if you are doing what you like and hopefully that translates to something that will stand out to admissions officers.
Be prepared for rejections. I have yet to hear back from all my schools, but have faced a rejection thus far. It doesn’t feel good, rather, it feels quite terrible. However, I recommend applying to a range of safety, target, and reach schools. You’ll figure out what those ranges are when your GPA and test scores are solidified. Remember this: you do not deserve admittance to any school, regardless of how good of a fit you think you are.
I hope this helps you in your search. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
lots of good advice above. What I’d recommend is reading a book or two about college admissions where you can get chapters fully fleshing out the ideas above and more. One I like is “Admission Matters” 4th ed. Ask your GC what she/he recommends. Speaking of which, if you are at a large public it’s a good idea to begin meeting every semester with your GC since many colleges will ask for a GC rec and at many schools they barely know the majority of the students.
I agree with those who said it’s too early to be writing application essays.Also it is good to visit colleges & get a feel for what you like (big/mall, urban/suburban/small town, etc).
But some of the advice you get at this point might not be relevant to your situation. A lot depends on the part of the country you live in, what you want to major in, & how competitive the colleges are that you are interested in.
For example, your extra-curricular activities are more important if you are aiming at elite colleges and/or you are applying for competitve scholarships. However, there are plenty of fine colleges and scholarships that are mainly interested in your grades & SAT/ACT scores, & don’t care much that you were treasurer of the French Club.
If you are mature & eager, ask your guidance counselor about the possibility of taking a college class in the summer or next school year. This works especially well if there is a community college near where you live. Taking even one of these classes will take some of the mystery out of college & lower your anxiety about the future. It might also tell you something about how you compare to other students. The class might also count towards your college degree, especially if it doesn’t count towards your high school diploma. This, like how much credit you ger for AP exams, varies greatly from college to college.