As we pass the six-month mark of the school year and finish midterms, many juniors are beginning to consider which colleges they intend to apply to. The process requires extensive research, intention and significant thought. Here is a step-by-step guide to navigating the complicated process of college admissions.
- Create a spreadsheet
The search for a suitable college can be overwhelming when faced with thousands of schools to choose from, all with different advantages and disadvantages. Creating a college spreadsheet can help you stay organized and easily differentiate between the schools. What did you like? What did you not like? This is also a chance to record your desired major (if you have one) as well as the characteristics of each college. Record what features of the college you like as well as dislike such as population, size, programs, etc. Acknowledging the pros and cons of a school can be an efficient way to characterize the schools and rank them in order of your preferences.
- Find Your interests
Some students have already decided on their desired major, but many are undecided or have only a general idea of what they want to study. Deciding a major is not required to apply to college, but having an idea of what you want to study can help in the college search process. Certain schools are largely STEM-based, focusing on the sciences, while others are liberal arts-centric. Liberal arts is a vague description of anything that does not fall into the STEM category, from history to art. Deciding which pathway is best for you will allow for a more concise search process that tailors to your interests.
Although most schools have the same majors, the courses are taught very differently. Many schools contain course catalogs that describe the course and include information on the specific classes a student would have to take. To ensure a major is suitable for you, browse through the catalog to get a sense of the courses and teaching methods.
- Consider important factors
Many factors impact a college experience and each person has specific preferences. College sites such as College Board give a questionnaire that includes many of these factors including distance, size, activities, clubs, location, and more. Knowing what you would like to see in a school plays a significant role in your final decision. The college experience is a factor of its own, and each student will find their optimal experience in different characteristics. The most important factor may be the tuition and cost of living. Decide your budget, but do not be afraid to apply to schools that may be unaffordable. Most colleges offer merit scholarships and financial aid, so the price you see online will likely be higher than what you would pay.
Be sure to look at the academics of each school. Average test scores and grade point averages can be found online; compare your current grades to the average. Anything that exceeds your scores is considered a “reach”, a “target” is anything close or considered achievable, and a “safety” is somewhere that you are confident you will be admitted due to their lower academic standards.
As juniors, there may be little time to increase your GPA, but there is currently spring and summer testing for the ACT and SAT. Some students find the ACT easier and tend to receive higher equivalency scores than their SAT. Others decide that the SAT is better suited for their skills. What’s the difference? ACT is a three-hour test consisting of four separate multiple-choice sections: reading, writing, science, and math. There is also an optional writing section that can be taken, requiring the student to write an essay. It is totaled to be worth 36 points and contains many more questions than the SAT. The SAT is a two-hour test with only two sections, reading/writing and math. Each section has two modules that differ slightly in content. According to College Vine, the math section gets harder with the questions you get right in the first module and easier with more incorrect answers. The same cannot be said for English, which remains consistent throughout the test. Review online resources to decide which test suits your strengths, or take both. Sign up for the ACT at myact.org and the SAT at College Board.
- Show your Interest
Schools like to see that a potential student is interested in attending their college and has spent time exploring it. Go on guided tours to meet current students and see the campus. Take the time to talk to admissions officers, either in person or over email, to ask questions about a specific major or program. The difference between identical candidates in the selection process can come down to the perceived desire to attend that school.
Aside from the benefit of speaking to current students and professors, exploring the campus and the city around it can give a sense of what it would be like to attend such a place. Consider if you could see yourself going to school there.
- Prepare Your Application
Create a list of your hobbies and interests. What have you done over the last three years? What clubs, sports, activities, or volunteering have you been involved in? What personal projects have you completed that demonstrate your capacity to learn? This is all about recording what you have done to make your application seem more desirable. Have you faced any struggles? How have you overcome them? Begin to think about a topic for your application essay. This is a chance to stand out from the other applicants and ensure the admissions officers notice you.
According to Mrs. Cockrum, one of Manheim Township’s guidance counselors, “the most important thing would be getting connected to the colleges and sitting in on the representative visits.”
She also advises that students create a list to remain organized and encourages students to get involved with admissions before applying.
The college application process contains several steps and requires extensive research. The information provided above is just the surface of the information that can be used for college admissions but is not the only way to go about college searches. Make sure to do your research before any application is submitted. Good luck!
