{"id":27818,"date":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-10-26T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hydroassoc.org\/college-bound-tips-on-the-college-application-process\/"},"modified":"2024-10-11T13:47:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T17:47:54","slug":"tips-on-the-college-application-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hydroassoc.org\/tips-on-the-college-application-process\/","title":{"rendered":"College Bound? Tips on the College Application Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dara<\/a>By Dara Tannariello<\/p>\n

Starting the college application process can be pretty daunting.\u00a0 Here I have written about\u00a0my college application experience and some advice about\u00a0starting the college application process.<\/p>\n

Start early\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Start your college application process early.\u00a0 Start researching colleges, brainstorming unique ideas for your college application essays, and ask for recommendation letters.\u00a0 Even if you do not need a recommendation letter at the moment, it is wise to ask the person you have in mind if he or she would be willing to write a recommendation letter in the future.\u00a0 That way he or she will be prepared, should you decide to ask for a recommendation later on.<\/p>\n

Organization is key<\/h3>\n

Organization is key to successfully applying to colleges.\u00a0 Make lists for yourself to help keep track of things such as which schools you want to apply to, the SAT\/ACT scores that are required for each school, whether the school accepts the Common Application, deadlines etc.\u00a0 Every student\u2019s requirement list is unique based on what school they are applying to and any specialized program they hope to get into, so the list should include whatever they feel is important for them (e.g. art portfolio requirements…).\u00a0 It is very important to include all extracurricular activities and volunteering on your application. Colleges often do not want a student who is only focused on academics. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students so it is important to start being active in extracurricular activities early.<\/p>\n

Know who to contact for help<\/h3>\n

Your guidance counselor is a very helpful person.\u00a0 However, it is your responsibility to ask for his or her help.\u00a0 Schedule appointments with him or her, and make sure you come prepared with a list of the topics you would like to discuss and any\u00a0questions.\u00a0 If he or she cannot answer a question, make sure you ask them to direct you to the person who can.<\/p>\n

Attend College fairs<\/h3>\n

It is very helpful to attend college fairs.\u00a0 College fairs will have representatives from a number of colleges and universities that have very helpful information.\u00a0 They will be able to tell you if you’re likely to be accepted based on your current grades and test scores.\u00a0 They may even tell you if you qualify for any grants, aid, or scholarship money.<\/p>\n

Helpful Tools<\/h3>\n

The Common Application<\/h5>\n

The Common Application (also known as the \u201cCommon App\u201d) is a great tool to use during your college search.\u00a0 The Common App is an undergraduate college admissions application that can be used to apply to any of the 517 colleges and universities that accept the Common App.\u00a0 The Common App makes the college application process simpler because applicants only have to fill out one application for all colleges that accept the Common App.<\/p>\n

Naviance<\/h5>\n

Naviance is a great tool as well. \u00a0Naviance is \u201ca comprehensive college and career readiness solution for middle and high schools that helps align student strengths and interests to post-secondary goals, and improve student outcomes\u201d (naviance.com).\u00a0 With Naviance, you have the ability to choose what you want in a school (size, location etc.) and Naviance will give you a list of schools that fit your desires.\u00a0 It also has specific demographic information for almost all colleges and universities. \u00a0With Naviance you must first check with your school for the school code.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in using the Common App or Naviance during your college search and application process, talk to your counselor.\u00a0\u00a0 He or she will know how to help you find colleges.\u00a0 Your counselor will also be able to explain to you the requirements for different colleges.\u00a0 These requirements include an essay, SAT or ACT scores, etc.\u00a0 Your counselor is the one who is responsible for sending your high school transcripts to colleges.\u00a0 All you have to do is ask them to send your transcripts to the colleges you have chosen.<\/p>\n

Selecting the right school for you: My college application experience<\/h3>\n

Now I\u2019m going to tell you a bit about what I wanted in a college and how my college offered what I wanted.\u00a0 When I was on my college search, I knew I wanted a very small school.\u00a0 My college has less than 2,000 students.\u00a0 One of the biggest advantages of a small school is the wonderful sense of community.\u00a0 Professors know you by name at my school and you truly are \u201cnot just a number.\u201d<\/p>\n

The academic support offered at my school is very helpful.\u00a0 The Center for Academic Excellence will find me a tutor for any class I\u2019m having trouble in.\u00a0 I\u2019m able to make appointments as needed with the tutor and he or she can help me study for exams, help me with homework, and help me write papers.\u00a0 If you have an IEP, 504 Plan, or any other similar documentation, make sure you find a school that\u00a0will respect and uphold that documentation and offer support.\u00a0 Most schools that are comfortable working with these documents will have some sort of disability coordinator whom you can contact with any questions.<\/p>\n

My school is a private Catholic school.\u00a0 My school offers a host of clubs that anyone can join, which I love.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t plan on playing a sport in college, so I joined many of the clubs offered at my college.\u00a0 I\u2019m a part of Catholic Hearts, Campus for Compassion and Psych Club.<\/p>\n

Acceptance letters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After you have applied to all of the colleges you are interested in, you should be receiving acceptance letters around March or April.<\/p>\n

Very important questions to consider when choosing a college:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Do I want a big, small or medium sized college?<\/li>\n
  • Do I want a co-ed school or non co-ed college?<\/li>\n
  • Am I panning on playing a sport? If so, does the school have my sport?\u00a0 Is it the division I\u2019m looking for?<\/li>\n
  • Do I want to be a commuter or a resident?<\/li>\n
  • Can I afford this school?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    I hope this blog\u00a0makes you \u00a0a little less stressed about the process, and, rather, more excited about your college journey ahead!<\/p>\n\r\n

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