![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/05104919\/iStock-1300934295-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Having a firm foundation of good grades, diverse coursework, volunteer projects, and extracurricular activities will help a student stand out from the crowd. Following are a few things to think about:<\/p>\n
- \n
- How early is too early to start planning for college? This comprehensive guide from the U.S. Department of Education<\/a> suggests starting as early as elementary school to instill a love of learning in children \u2014 and to start a college fund.<\/li>\n
- While early planning is critical, there are options available if you get a late start.\u00a0This article<\/a> outlines what you can do even if you haven\u2019t thought about college until your senior year of high school.<\/li>\n
- You don\u2019t have to be an insider to know what admissions counselors are looking for in applicants.\u00a0This CollegeData article<\/a> shares what matters most to colleges.<\/li>\n
- The classes a student takes in high school will be factored into their college application. Choosing advanced and honors classes, accelerated sequences, and challenging electives clearly show that a student is serious about their education and prepared for the challenges of a college course load. For example, here\u2019s what Harvard University expects of its applicants<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Whether a student plays sports, performs in the marching band, writes for the school newspaper, or all of the above, extracurricular activities show that they\u2019re well-rounded and motivated, with the ability to manage their time \u2014 a very attractive quality for potential college students. USA Today<\/em>\u00a0illustrates the power of extracurricular activities<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- High schoolers may think social media sites are simply a place to interact with friends, but an increasing number of colleges are factoring students\u2019 social media activity into their decisions. Read this article<\/a> for a few cautionary tales. Remember, what you post matters \u2014 the internet is forever!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
II. Standardized Test Prep<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/05105123\/iStock-183325917-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nStandardized tests are often one of the most dreaded parts of the college application process \u2014 trying to keep the PSATs, ACTs, PLANs, SATs and AP exams straight is enough to give anyone a headache. However, with the right preparation, students can pass these hurdles without breaking a sweat. Some useful tools include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Understanding if you should take the SAT or ACT is an important step. Different students test better on different tests and virtually all schools accept either.\u00a0Review this information<\/a> to decide which is optimal for you.<\/li>\n
- Knowing exactly when students will be taking each test \u2014 and planning accordingly \u2014 is a powerful way to stay calm and have plenty of time to prepare.\u00a0Here\u2019s a basic outline<\/a> of when most standardized tests are given. This also allows students the ability to re-test prior to applications being due, if needed.<\/li>\n
- Standardized tests require a high level of preparation. Here are some basic tips for being ready<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Many students experience test anxiety. Here\u2019s an article with some simple ideas for coping<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
III. Finding Your Dream School<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/05103915\/iStock-1450330487-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMany factors come into play when choosing colleges, including location, price, academics, and culture. There\u2019s often a debate over public or private and big versus small schools. It\u2019s important to target a range of safety schools, reach schools, and \u201cgood match\u201d schools to increase acceptance chances. Applying to just one \u201cdream school\u201d is never a good idea. Some ways to jumpstart your search include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Before you start the school search,\u00a0peruse this guide<\/a> to help identify which factors are most important to you. This can help you target your search more effectively.<\/li>\n
- Most experts recommend applying to five to seven colleges. This article explains why<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Wondering where a school ranks? Browse this list of rankings from Forbes<\/em>.<\/a><\/li>\n
- Touring colleges is an essential part of the school selection process. This article includes tips for making the most of your campus tour<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- For some students, working closely with a school guidance counselor can help in the college decision process. Here are 10 questions you should ask your high school counselor sooner rather than later<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
IV. The Application Process<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/05105330\/iStock-1429136291-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCollege applications require a serious time commitment, so it\u2019s a good idea to start early. Following are a few of the steps for you to look into as you begin the application process:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Application deadlines vary from school to school, but you can use a general timeline to help stay on track throughout high school \u2014 and avoid missing deadlines. This article offers a basic timeline for applying to college<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t get caught at the last minute scrambling for lost documents. Here\u2019s what you need to have on hand for most college applications<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- College application essays are one of the most time-consuming and challenging parts of applying to college. Check out\u00a0the blog at EssayEdge<\/a> for advice on writing a winning essay that will make you stand out from the crowd.<\/li>\n
- The Common Application is accepted by more than 400 schools. Here\u2019s what you need to know about it<\/a>. Additionally, here\u2019s what not to do on the common app<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- If you catch a college recruiter\u2019s eye, you may be invited in for an interview. This article outlines the dos and don\u2019ts of college interviews<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Figuring how to stand out is critical to succeeding in today\u2019s competitive environment. You need something to\u00a0find your X factor<\/a> that will make you jump off the page of your application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
V. Financial Aid<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/05105542\/iStock-1340553077-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCollege is more expensive than ever before. According to The College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2013\u20132014 school year was $30,094 for private colleges and between $8,893 and $22,203 for public colleges (depending on residency). And it\u2019s still going up \u2014 studies show that college costs are rising at the average rate of 5 to 8 percent each year<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Still, college isn\u2019t just a luxury for the lucky one percent. Scholarships, grants, and financial aid are available to make college a reality for anyone; you just have to understand how to work the system. Links below offer you some useful information on the financial aid and scholarship process:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Learn the lingo of financial aid options in order to avoid being overwhelmed. This article lays out the basics<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- These tools<\/a>\u00a0will help you figure out how much college will cost, how much you need to save, and how much financial aid you may be able to receive.<\/li>\n
- In recent years, some aspects of scholarship search have dramatically changed. This article outlines some tips\/tricks to finding relevant or less obvious scholarship opportunities<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- The Free Application for Student Aid \u2014 a.k.a. FAFSA \u2014 is the largest provider of student aid in the country. Here\u2019s where you can find information about applying<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Many students go through their four years of college without really considering the financial burden they\u2019ll be under once they graduate.\u00a0Make sure you fully understand student loans<\/a> before<\/em> making major financial commitments.<\/li>\n
- Want to know how to get scholarships? Here are some helpful tips<\/a>. Other places to find scholarship information include guidance counselors, community organizations, and individual colleges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
VI. The Acceptance Letter and Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/05105803\/iStock-1370203527-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCongratulations! You\u2019ve received your long-awaited college acceptance letter. Now what? Get ready for the next few months \u2014 and in fact the next four years \u2014 to be a blur. Here\u2019s some information about what to do next:<\/p>\n
- \n
- How to choose between multiple admissions offers? Weighing options for similar types of schools can seem difficult. Here are some tips on how to pick the right school after acceptance<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- The summer before heading to college is an incredibly exciting time. What should you do with those three months? Here are some dos and don\u2019ts of how to manage the time until the start of college<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Now that you\u2019re in college, choosing your course load is entirely up to you. Here\u2019s a guide to selecting your first semester of courses<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- What do you really need to bring to college?\u00a0Use this checklist to help you think of items you may not have remembered<\/a> \u2014 but don\u2019t go overboard. They probably have Target where you\u2019re going to school.<\/li>\n
- Your freshman year roommate can end up being your best friend or your worst enemy. Here are some tips for getting along with the stranger you\u2019ll be sharing a room with for the next year<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As stressful as the college application process can be, take heart in knowing that you\u2019re embarking on a new and exciting adventure \u2014 and this is just the beginning!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
American colleges are growing more competitive and costly every year, and the pressure is rising for students who hope to continue their educations beyond high school. Getting into college is rarely as easy as turning in an application to one or two schools. Shrewd students begin preparing for college years before it\u2019s time to apply<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-197","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-colleges"},"better_featured_image":null,"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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The summer before heading to college is an incredibly exciting time. What should you do with those three months? Here are some dos and don\u2019ts of how to manage the time until the start of college<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- These tools<\/a>\u00a0will help you figure out how much college will cost, how much you need to save, and how much financial aid you may be able to receive.<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t get caught at the last minute scrambling for lost documents. Here\u2019s what you need to have on hand for most college applications<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Most experts recommend applying to five to seven colleges. This article explains why<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Knowing exactly when students will be taking each test \u2014 and planning accordingly \u2014 is a powerful way to stay calm and have plenty of time to prepare.\u00a0Here\u2019s a basic outline<\/a> of when most standardized tests are given. This also allows students the ability to re-test prior to applications being due, if needed.<\/li>\n
- While early planning is critical, there are options available if you get a late start.\u00a0This article<\/a> outlines what you can do even if you haven\u2019t thought about college until your senior year of high school.<\/li>\n