<p>As you all may know, the college process will commence in a few months. My question is do you guys have any recommendations on how to approach the process? What I should do? Anything you did that you regret doing? Any information would help greatly.</p>
<p>Thanks guys =]</p>
<p>Any recommendations would help guys</p>
<p>It might help if you describe what you’ve done so far. For my son, the order of activity has kinda gone like this:</p>
<ol>
<li> Get PSAT scores. Winter, 11th grade.</li>
<li> Use PSAT scores to make a long list of schools that might accept son.</li>
<li> Weed out the list according to seletion criteria (size, location, price, etc)</li>
<li> Take SAT</li>
<li> Refine list based on SAT</li>
<li> Visit schools on list (as practical)</li>
<li> Finalize list (we are here)</li>
<li> Start working on essay(s)</li>
<li> Study for and take 2nd SAT</li>
<li>Work on applications in due-date order (know EA/ED/RD deadlines)</li>
<li>Submit applications</li>
<li>Follow-through on app documentation the high school provides.</li>
<li> Wait for replies from schools.</li>
</ol>
<p>Is that the kind of info you seek?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Your on break now for summer holiday yes? Perfect your common application NOW and be the first one to give it to your connselour/teacher.</p></li>
<li><p>If you have contact with any of your teachers or coaches, think about whom you would ask, and how you would ask for a reccomendation. I’d suggest to perfect your common app early, give it to them early, and ask for it well before most people, so you avoid them not having time to make one for you.</p></li>
<li><p>If you haven’t already, narrow down your list of colleges. Try not to have more than 10, because then it’s just more work for you, your editors, and it costs more money. So unless you have some money to spare, time to waste, or the apps are free/no essay needed…try not to have more than 10 applications.</p></li>
<li><p>Think about where you are applying to. Apply because the school seems to fit your needs and wants, not because of a fancy name or your friends are going there. Size, location, academics, could be a number of things, but don’t choose it because of prestige or you’ll already know alot of people there.</p></li>
<li><p>I tell people this alot, but few listen. If you were planning on applying to Harvard or some other very high level school, and you don’t think you can get it (IE, you don’t fall in their 50th percentile or above), don’t. It takes more time for the most part, and you spend more money.</p></li>
<li><p>On the same note, if you have the overall stats but are just scared of being rejected, remember 1) undergraduate studies don’t matter as much unless you plan to work right after college, and 2) Admissions come but once in a lifetime! Use them well!</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure to have a good number of reaches, matches, and safeties unless you are a very-very exceptional kid. I know someone who had some amazing stats and to boot was state president of DECA, and he got rejected at 4/6 top schools, waitlisted at one, and accepted to his safety. Remember, safety doesn’t mean you hate it!</p></li>
<li><p>Here is a list of colleges free to apply to. But remember, if you plan on sending anything in, it does cost money as well, but it will cost significantly less. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/444532-list-colleges-free-apply.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/444532-list-colleges-free-apply.html</a></p></li>
<li><p>APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, do it anyway (unless you parents make over 100,000 a year, then I’d say don’t. Purely for the fact that that aid could go to those who really need it). Who knows what you could get.</p></li>
<li><p>Visit any colleges on your near final/final list if you can. If they are within a day’s drive away, make the time to do so.</p></li>
<li><p>Bit harsher, but unless you are an exceptional student on all levels far and above all else, but be prepared to be rejected by some of the colleges.</p></li>
<li><p>Think about your list of colleges, and what you want out a college. If there is a school you know you want to go to, apply ED, especially if it’s loan free/need blind. Do you prefer LACs or research universities? etc, etc.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Sorry it’s a bit unorganized, I thought of them on the spot.</p>
<p>Depending on what types of colleges you are looking at:
Don’t forget SAT IIs</p>