Top Ten List

The following is a list of my top ten tips for managing the college application process.

1. Start Early In order to make sure that your application process goes the way you want it to, you need to start thinking about college as early as your first year in high school. Make sure you get the grades you'll need and participate in the activities you should in order to get into the school of your choice. You should start narrowing down schools by the beginning of your Junior year.
2. Do What's Right For You Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions of your life, so make it based on what you want and need. Don't listen to peer pressure, advertisements, or popular wisdom. Obviously, you should think about what your guidance counselor and teachers tell you, but rely on yourself for the final answer. If your parents are standing between you and your dream school, don't give up without a fight.
3. Apply Early Decide on which schools you'll apply to by August of your Senior year. Have all of the applications sent in by the end of November, at the absolute latest. If your colleges have rolling deadlines, this will help you tons. If they don't, it is still a really good idea.
4. Think About Standardized Tests More and more colleges and universities are making standardized tests like the SATs optional. Don't write them off just because of this, though! Make sure to take the PSATs in your Junior fall, because they can qualify you for scholarships. Take some practice SATs, ACTs, and SATIIs to see how well you do. Choose the best combination of tests based on what your schools require and how well you do on each. Unless no school you apply to requires any tests AND you do below average on all of them, you should take one.
5. Work for Financial Aid Every dollar off your tuition is worth it. Apply for every scholarship you are eligible for, whether administered by your college, a private foundation, a company, or the government. The idea that there is a scholarship for everyone is a myth, but most people can find some small source of additional money if they try hard enough.
6. Be Well-Rounded Even if you are planning to apply to a specialized program, it will help your admissions chances if you have a well-balanced application. This includes a variety of challenging academic classes, electives in the arts, an assortment of activities and athletics, and evidence of community service and part-time jobs or cool summer programs.