<p>I graduated high school two years ago in 2008. I decided I didn't want to go to college right away because I felt like I needed some time off to get my life together. </p>
<p>Anyway, after some much needed time off, I have decided I'm ready to go to college in the fall. This is what I've done so far:</p>
<ul>
<li>Studied for the ACT the past two months. I will be taking the test in April, and I am confident I will score a 30+. </li>
<li>Picked 4 universities/colleges to send ACT scores to</li>
<li>Recently filled out the FAFSA. </li>
</ul>
<p>I know, I haven't done too much. That would be why I'm panicking right now. I'm scared I may have missed deadlines for something, but I don't even know what those deadlines are because I'm completely ignorant about the whole college admissions process. </p>
<p>So, here is my question: What else do I need to do to?</p>
<p>Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Check and see if any have Spring admits and what those deadlines are. </p>
<p>All those schools have websites that answer most of your questions.You can also google common data set and the colleges name and learn a bunch very quickly. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch for recommending the Common Data Set. It definitely helped answer some of my questions. This is what I found out:</p>
<p>After looking over the CDS for UCO, it seems that they have rolling and spring admissions. However, it did not specify a deadline for spring admission.</p>
<p>The CDS for OU and DU state that both have spring admission but, like UCO, no deadline was specified. DU and OU do not have rolling admissions.</p>
<p>Apparently, University of Tulsa does not have a CDS, so I could not find any information.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids</p>
<p>The Fall deadlines are:
UCO - No closing date for fall admission
OU - April 1
DU - January 15
TU - February 15</p>
<p>I could not find out if they will accept ACT scores for April. I bet UCO will, but if if I had to guess on the others I would say no. Though that is only a guess. I’ll make sure to call and ask tomorrow.</p>
<p>I come from a low income family ($18,000 - 24,000), so their contribution is not much at all. I would tell you the exact amount, but I have not received my Student Aid Report.</p>
<p>None of the schools that you’re applying to promise to meet the full demonstrated financial need of even their in-state residents. For public schools, in state residents are more likely to get financial aid, but still, only 2 public schools – UNC and UVA promise to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of all of their students.</p>
<p>Typically, aid at public schools is doled out on a first come first served basis. Consequently, your chances of getting the aid you need so late in the application season are extremely low.</p>
<p>Your best chance of being able to afford to go to college would be to spend 2 years at a community college that you can commute to from home and then transfer to an in-state public. There may even be some in state publics that give excellent merit aid to in-state transfer students from community colleges.</p>
<p>Looking at the admission and financial aid sections of the web sites of colleges that interest you will tell you what you need to do to apply. Looking at their common data sets will give you info about your odds of getting aid and about your odds of admission. However, the later you apply to rolling admission public universities, the higher their admission standards because as their classes fill up, the colleges get more picky.</p>
<p>One advantage of a community college at this point is that you won’t need as much lead time to apply. I think it is possible to apply to the community college in my city mere days before classes start. If you are now ready for college, you could perhaps even start this summer.</p>
<p>Another advantage is that you might find more students whose situations are similar to yours. Some will have come straight from high school, but others have taken a few years off.</p>
<p>You might feel that you’d rather go to a four-year college, particularly with your high anticipated ACT score. My SAT (in the dark ages) was in the 99th percentile, I went to a four-year college but I took five courses (over two summers) at a community college. It didn’t prevent me from being accepted at two highly respected law schools later on. Good luck!</p>
<p>Community College! This is the normal route for a person re-starting their college aspirations after a so-so high school academic experience, and then a break of more than one year before starting college.</p>
<p>Community Colleges have smaller classes, and Professors who have an interest in helping re-starting students, or untraditional students, get on the correct path to the BigU.</p>
<p>Community Colleges are typically much cheaper as well. Just remember to register for classes at the VERY earliest opportunity, as classes fill up very quickly and procrastinators end up shut out or on long wait lists.</p>
<p>With a family income that low, you may qualify for full Pell…about $5500. Obviously, that’s not enough for tuition, books, room, board, etc.</p>
<p>That said, you’re better off living at home and going to a cc for the first two years. You’ll get some Pell money to pay for tuition, books, and some incidentals (as long as total is under what you qualify for Pell). Then transfer to a university. That will minimize any loans you’ll have to take out. Seriously, MINIMIZE any loans!!!</p>