What do I have to do?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I'm a freshman in high school. This is too young to be worrying about college, or so I keep hearing, but I really want to go to a good school and learn as much as I possibly can. Education is a big thing for me. </p>

<p>My course load currently includes Theology (Catholic school), Spanish 2, Health, Honors Lit, Honors Physics, Honors Algebra 2, and World History. My GPA is 3.95 unweighted, and 4.27 weighted. I was wondering what kind of difference the honors label actually makes, if colleges look at the GPA or transcript, and if they do look at the GPA, is it the weighted or unweighted average?</p>

<p>I was also wondering what kind of classes I need to take in the next four years in order to be considered for a highly ranked liberal arts school. (My goal is Williams.) I know my GPA isn't amazing right now, but it will pull up after finals. I'm planning on taking AP Euro sophomore year, AP Stats, AP Spanish, AP Lit, and AP American History junior year, and then AP Calc, AP Comp, AP Gov, AP Eco, and AP Biology senior year. I will remain in the honors program as well. Is this a tough enough workload?</p>

<p>How high do my test scores need to be? Should I take the ACT or the SAT?</p>

<p>How strong does my extracurricular resume need to be? I play volleyball and softball, and am part of my school's volunteer program, but is that enough? Does it look good to have a job?</p>

<p>How much of a difference do essays and letters of recommendation make? I am an exceptionally strong writer, and generally connect well with teachers... Could this push me over the edge?</p>

<p>Oh, and if it makes a difference, I'm a white, middle class girl from Oregon.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading that, and thanks for your help in advance!</p>

2

<p>It sounds like you are right on target. Also, you will have geographic diversity helping you also in applying for a New England college.</p>

<p>Colleges are placing an increasing emphasis on wanting students who take a rigourous curriculum. The words Honors and AP definitely matters. Also, AP classes can save a family tens of thousands of dollars in college tuition by allowing a student to graduate early. When the time is closer, review the AP credit policies of each college you are interested in - some have few limits in granting credit, while others are very strict.</p>

3

<p>You also need to think about how you will pay for college. Talk with your parents about how much money they are able and willing to pay. Find out how they feel about you working during the summers and during the school year. Ask them how much student loan debt they think it is OK for you to take on.</p>

<p>You and your parents can learn more about financial aid in general by reading through the information at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) You can get an estimate of what your FAFSA EFC is likely to be by running the calculator at [EFC</a> Calculator: How Much Money for College Will You Be Expected to Contribute?](<a href=“http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp?noload=Y]EFC”>http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp?noload=Y) If your parents want to know more about the specific factors that can affect the FAFSA results, they can print out <a href=“http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/062810EFCFormulaGuideUpdate1011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/062810EFCFormulaGuideUpdate1011.pdf&lt;/a&gt; and work their way through it in pencil. </p>

<p>Lastly, you should encourage your parents to read through some of the Parent Forum and Financial Aid Forum threads here at CC. You don’t have to share your login with them. They can make their own!</p>