What should seniors in high school know

Review whatever research resources originally helped you build your list. How about a good, old-fashioned pro and con list, or even a detailed spreadsheet comparing all the aspects you care about for each college? Data : Do you love to crunch numbers? Use some resources to compare costs, graduation rates, retention rates, degrees awarded, and much more.

Social media: I know you might not spend much time on Facebook, but join the admitted student groups for each college make sure they are the official ones and see who is planning to attend. Some students even find roommates that way! Also, jump onto Instagram and Twitter feeds for the schools and enrolled students.

There are usually many different accounts for each school, so follow admissions plus a few others that interest you. Virtual campus tours : Look for a link on the college website, use Campus Reels , or watch YouTube videos. College admissions Offices: Search for announcements for organized virtual tours and special admitted student events.

They may already be in your emails! Contact your regional admissions representative to ask what they are planning and for their recommendation on how best to experience the college virtually. Spend some time with your family and loved ones. Stop fretting so much about college and your future plans. Rejections are not the end of the world. Learn to take care of yourself. Enjoy your free time. Stop comparing yourself with your classmates. Start earning and saving for college.

Let's Talk! Subscribe to our blog! Follow us on social media. Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin Reddit. Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin. College Admissions. Career Coaching. One of the easiest ways to ruin your college applications is to take the college essay too lightly.

The more competitive the school, the more important it will be to have a stellar admission essay. Plus, a little extra cash is always a plus. Maintaining a steady job shows that you have a work ethic. An internship shows that you are willing to learn from others. A volunteer position shows that you will be helpful on campus. Spend your summer making money, learning a skill, or helping others.

Do yourself a favor, and begin a conversation with your guidance counselor. Send him or her an email that tells them a bit about your future goals and your current interests, and ask a question. The more your counselor knows you, the more he or she can help you make good decisions for your future.

In addition, many colleges require a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor. The more she knows about you, the better your letter will be. Your school set these up for a reason. The more you learn about the college application process, the better off you are. College fairs typically have admission officers who come to tell you a little more about their schools and who can answer any questions you may have about the process and how they judge candidates.

It may also benefit you to frequent college fairs or panels if several are offered at your school. Proximity is power, and if you have several positive interactions with the admission officer from your dream school, you may have a higher chance of being remembered when they get to your application.

Attend financial aid night with your parents to learn about government grants and student loans. Ask questions and keep detailed notes in your binders. An open line of communication with your parents is often the best way to tackle finances. How much will your loans cost each month when you graduate?

Where will you live after college? Are there ways to make money during college to help pay your tuition? Do not rely on anyone except yourself to stay on top of your applications. No one is going to sit over your shoulders in college to direct you or to keep you organized, so start to transition to independence now. Make a detailed calendar of school application deadlines, college nights, financial aid nights, and college guidance appointments.

Schedule in time to revise your essays, write your activity list, and to fill out your online applications. This is also really good practice for college. Watch your behavior, keep up your grades, and don't get into any serious trouble.

Try your best to keep calm and remember that although college may seem confusing and scary, it holds many new opportunities. Senioritis may be real, but graduation day comes and goes quickly. This is your last year of high school. Make the most of it! We try to make content available to you on CollegeData. The content may include articles, opinions and other information provided by third parties.

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