Upcoming senior at high school - what to do

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey CC. I am going to be a senior soon, and I wonder what do I need to do to begin with my college application? I hear people talking about college essays and stuff. I have no idea where to begin with my college app; I dont even know where to get one.</p>

<p>Can you please tell me how to start and what are the things that I have to do?</p>

2

<p>Right now you can work on your common app essays. They are online. Search “Common Application”</p>

3

<p>The Common Application is accepted widely. But check the website of each college to see what they want you to fill out, or if they have a separate application.
<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The Common Application essay topics for the upcoming year:
<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/EssayAnnouncementFinal.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/EssayAnnouncementFinal.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Many colleges will also have you write a supplemental essay. Check the website.</p>

<p>Also if you are going to be applying for financial aid, make sure to learn about filling out the FAFSA.</p>

4

<p>Microdot, didn’t you have a counselor at school who walked you through the steps you need to take?</p>

5

<p>micro: You posted a list of potential target colleges. Many colleges don’t even require an essay like BrownParent says. You should peruse those college admissions websites and see what they require.</p>

<p>Have you gotten the requisite tests done or scheduled? See what tests the colleges require as well. Most only need either ACT or SAT. Some require SAT II Subject tests.</p>

6

<ol>
<li><p>Use the super match tool to get a big lists of schools</p></li>
<li><p>Research and narrow down list till you have a reasonable amount.</p></li>
<li><p>Check your chances of getting in. Make sure you have at least two safeties, unless you’re planning on community college. Be open to adjusting your list as you go, taking alternative suggestions into account.</p></li>
<li><p>Present a list of schools you want to apply to with your parents. Make sure they’re on board with the cost of applying, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to them asap, unless you want to retake standardized tests or something.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply for fafsa within the first week of 2014</p></li>
<li><p>Once you receive FA offers from colleges, consider that in what school you want to attend</p></li>
<li><p>Research til you’re comfortable with making your decision</p></li>
</ol>

7

<p>Like others have said, you need to start getting a list of schools to apply to ready. Many of my schools aren’t on the common app and have already released their applications, so I’ve started filling those out… Which would be your next step after determining where to go.</p>

8

<p>Try to visit your top 3-5 choices if you can before summer is over. The school admissions counselors generally want to help you and will get you going in the right direction.</p>

9

<p>Talk to your parents about what they will contribute. Run net price calculators on the web sites of the various colleges you are interested in to get an idea of their need-based aid and net price.</p>

<p>Find your safeties first. These must be assured admission, assured affordable, and be suitable for you both academically and otherwise. Then make the rest of your application list.</p>

10

<p>Thanks everyone!:)</p>

11

<p>You need more advice and you’re going to get in a fwe sentences here. There are many books about the college admission process that explain how colleges make their decisions, financial aid works, how students can find a college that fits them. One book I recommend is called “admission matters”. Get an admission book from your library or favorite bookseller, read through it, and then you will be able to make informed choices.</p>

12

<p>I am in the same position as you-- I have no idea what I am doing, and I will be a senior in September! hahaha. What has helped me was making a spreadsheet on google docs that lists the schools name, location, tuition, if I visited, the distance from my house, if it is a reach, match, safety, etc and it has really helped! Visit schools in your area that you might apply to so you can narrow down your list! cappex(gives you a prediction of your admission chances), and college board’s big future website are good websites! Good luck fellow senior! :)</p>