Even though it may seem like the year’s only recently begun, the truth is that for upperclassmen, it’s already time to think about the next step on the school pathway – college and beyond. For many students, there are three big questions:
Today, we’ll briefly explore each of these questions.
How do I choose a college?
The key word to remember is “fit.” At the end of the day, you should look for a college that feels like it understands you, your needs, and your hopes for the future. Check out this video for more information:
(Of course, you can disregard the part at the end about Iowa. The same general ideas apply around the country.)
What’s the best way to apply?
Many students want an answer sooner rather than later, but applying early is something which takes a little bit of advance research. In short, there are generally two ways a student can apply “early” to a college: Early Decision and Early Action. Early Decision is what is known as a “binding agreement” – if you are accepted on an Early Decision application, you must agree to attend, and you must withdraw any other open applications you have to other schools.
Early Action, on the other hand, offers more flexibility. It’s simply a way for students to find out admissions decisions earlier in the year, especially for those schools they really hope to attend.
What are the skills I need to succeed?
Getting into college is important, but staying in college is even more important. In all likelihood, you will have the potential to do the work at your selected college or you would not have been admitted. That said, pay attention to the following skills:
College is a big change, to be sure. However, by asking the right questions early, you can make the process much easier.
- Article Written by College Placement Counselor, Mr. Ian Supak, M. Ed.
