What is the freshman-to-sophomore retention rate? Every college search should start with the same basic activity: sitting down with your computer or a piece of paper and brainstorming. How friendly and welcoming do the students and staff seem? © Copyright 2003-2020 But keep in mind that there’s little to lose by starting earlier. Can I live off campus? Not getting accepted to any of the colleges a student applies to can feel like the end of the world, but take heart: it’s not. According to advice provided by The College Board, students should plan to apply to one or two safety schools, two to four match schools, and one or two reach schools. It also helps if you can set aside any financial concerns or affordability judgments for a moment (we'll get to that). Being accepted by more than one school is undoubtedly a good problem to have, yet it can be tough deciding between schools that, in many ways, seem very similar on the surface. Visit any colleges on your list you haven’t seen yet, if you possibly can. Obviously, a big consideration is cost, and it’s true that public state schools usually charge less for tuition than private schools, especially for in-state residents. What kind of accreditation does the school hold? What health and wellness services are available, such as mental health counseling and fitness facilities? The requirements for getting into college are numerous—from keeping grades up and writing entrance essays to taking standardized entrance exams and gathering recommendations, there are many steps to complete. Government websites may also provide information about college admissions or provide links to sites where such information is available. The science of deciding where to apply is largely based on common advice from admissions counselors to apply to a range of schools with varied requirements for academics and extracurricular activities. If you attend a small school with kids you’ve known forever, do you find it comforting or boring? Before the panic sets in, start considering about ways to differentiate schools and think about the setting you see yourself in. Fees, nonrefundable costs, and fee waivers, Pick colleges that reflect who you are and what you want from life, Nontraditional Student College Acceptance, It may be hard to dig up necessary papers, Financial Aid for Online Graduate Degrees, To learn more about nontraditional students, see our guide on college students who are parents. Finding your college match boils down to one question: does this college have what you’re looking for? How many letters of recommendation do you need? Because of this, many four-year schools have forged partnerships with local community colleges to ensure students aren’t frustrated when transferring to a different school. You never know if you’ll need your college research again, whether you give it to a younger sibling or use it as a transfer student.). Can students start their own clubs? Don’t treat your safety schools as throwaways, and don’t make your reaches the three most selective schools you’ve ever heard of. (Especially if you use this guide!). Admission College in High School For students who want to take college classes during high school. All of your college research has lead to this: where will you apply? And they can help you develop all kinds of useful skills, from teamwork to creative problem solving (among other things employers like to see). For this reason, students who are added to wait lists should not lose all hope. In the meantime... College fairs are often high school students' first taste of the college admission experience. It’s also important to define what the right college match for you is not. Directory Data is copyrighted material under license to CollegeXpress and which is reproduced by permission of CollegeXpress. Other data provided, like SAT and ACT scores and tuition costs, could help students narrow down their choices. Big schools offer a wide variety of classes and majors, but they can also be a bit daunting and professors may be less accessible. And who cares if a small school doesn't offer a bajillion academic and extracurricular offerings as long as they have a handful that matter to you? You will also start to accumulate notes from campus visits, talks with counselors and admission reps, brainstorming activities, etc. What kinds of extracurricular opportunities exist on campus in art, music, theater, community service, athletics, etc.? While state universities have a reputation for larger student bodies, classes, and student-faculty ratios, don’t base your college search decisions on this generalization. In fact, you may be better off looking for schools that are the exact opposite, because they can challenge you and help you grow more. For many students, college success means tutoring. What kinds of experiential education opportunities, such as internships, co-ops, and volunteering, exist on and around campus? How easy is it to do? A few of the points to be aware of so they aren’t stressful when the time comes include: Because the ACT and SAT were developed to test a high school student’s familiarity with recently learned materials, these exams aren’t commonly used for students who have been out of high school for many years. What is the average cost of living and general quality of life? Plan what you want to learn on each campus visit in advance, and be sure to ask questions that are important to you and your family. Students should be aware that two…. This is it. finding the right college So follow your potential colleges’ complete social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, etc. So when you need some help, ask for it. Sit down with your family to see what they have planned, and start saving your own hard-earned cash and, Do some preliminary college search prep. Whether conducted by an admissions professional or an alumnus, these interviews provide information on the student’s ability to interact with others and how they carry themselves. (Most Regular Decision applications should be finished by February. Depending on the size of the university and their housing process, transfer students may also be expected to find their own off-campus housing. What is the “on-time,” four-year (or six-year) graduation rate? Cohesion is something I find most lacking in college applications and something that most applicants can easily improve on. Request recommendations or follow up with people you talked to in the spring. And you can get this kind of education without breaking the bank and taking on crazy amounts of student debt. If you can't visit your colleges at all, it's important to do additional research. Students should carefully confirm the college code or college EIIN number before applying for HSC college admission. Your future self will be, Get involved in extracurricular activities you truly care about. The supplemental essay is the perfect time for you to show how you would make their campus better and in turn the campus would make it better. The majority of colleges now use online applications, although some institutions may still require students to complete paper forms. What is the weather typically like during the academic year? Before sending it off, have a trusted advisor or parent read through the document to ensure your thoughts are clear and your grammar is correct. Depending on the location of the school to the student, these may be conducted in person or via telephone. to your own. (You'll find a list of college fairs here.) Living there? So you can go to any number of the thousands of colleges and universities in the United States and graduate ready for whatever the real world throws at you.