Thursday, September 23, 2010

12th Graders- Strategies for managing the application process

Many high school seniors and their families are beginning the college application and admissions process. Here are few suggestions on how to make the process less stressful.

- Be smart about your short list. Five to seven is a good number of schools to submit applications.

- Make sure you feel good about the schools to which you are applying. Don’t apply to a school if you would not consider enrolling should you be accepted.

- Develop an application tracking document.

- Read the Supplemental Forms. Schools that use the Common Application or
the Universal Application may require additional information and/or essays.

- Know and follow know your high school’s procedures for getting transcripts, grade reports and recommendations to your colleges.

- Create a personal data spreadsheet. Include all the data that might be
required on an application (from social security number to your parents’
middle names to the dates on which you sat for the SAT/ACT). Doing the
research once will save you time and energy as you begin filling out
applications.

- If you are applying online, print out a copy of the application. Fill it out long hand.

- Continue to express an interest in schools that interest you. Attend local information sessions and college fairs. Identify the school's admissions representative for your area and direct any questions you have about the school or admissions process to the representative.

- Continue to visit college campuses. It is important to experience
first-hand the campus culture of any college you are considering. Take
tours. Visit classes. Whenever an interview is offered, take it. Talk with
students and faculty. Ask questions.

- Don’t procrastinate! It might be easier said than done but you need to
be disciplined about managing the application process. Putting things off
will only make it harder for you to do a good job as you approach
deadlines.

Best Wishes,
A2Z College Planning Team
www.a2zcollegeplanning.com
info@a2zcollegeplanning.com

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