| It's fall-senior year of high school. The | | | | questions of guidance counselors and using |
| weather is getting cooler and the amount of | | | | the resources they have available can be |
| school events and activities planned are | | | | quite advantageous. Guidance counselors know |
| piling up. Buying class rings, preparing for | | | | more about the college admissions process |
| Homecoming and senior class trips are all | | | | than most other people students may have |
| many students can think about at this time. | | | | access to. Also, running important decisions |
| Despite all the excitement and the crush of | | | | by parents and other family members can also |
| planning that happens in senior year-no | | | | be helpful-as some of these people have gone |
| amount of reveling and celebration can | | | | through the same stressful situation, too. |
| surpass the frenetic pace of yet another high | | | | |
| school senior tradition-applying to colleges. | | | | Knowing the criteria that a college uses for |
| College admission becomes a very real part of | | | | admission is the most important part of |
| life that can sometimes be overwhelming. | | | | applying to college. College admissions |
| | | | criteria can be myriad and different from one |
| If senior year of high school is the first | | | | school to the next. While most school are |
| time a student even thinks about applying to | | | | very strict about deadlines for applying, for |
| a college, then the college admissions | | | | instance, some school have what's called open |
| process will be that much harder for them to | | | | enrollment, which allows a student to apply |
| navigate. The key to success in college | | | | year round without penalty. Also, while test |
| admissions is to start early; preferably in | | | | scores from SAT's and other standardized |
| junior year of high school. Most colleges | | | | tests are important with some colleges, |
| have application and admission deadlines that | | | | others put more emphasis on the student being |
| are open months, and sometimes, in excess of | | | | well-rounded and multi-talented. The point |
| a year before the expected starting date. | | | | is, knowing what is most important to a |
| | | | particular school is important. |
| College admissions can be a tricky part of | | | | |
| the college search process. It's the time in | | | | Many students, although they are wise enough |
| a student's life when they have virtually no | | | | to start early and get outside help, do |
| control over the outcome. Once an application | | | | themselves a disservice by not properly |
| is sent and all transcripts, reference | | | | weighing their options. It's easy to not |
| letters and other accompanying documents | | | | properly research schools enough before |
| reach the school-the decision is pretty much | | | | applying, or to only research a few options. |
| in the hands of admissions officials. | | | | Having a small college pool or too many |
| | | | options can be limiting, and makes the |
| There are, however, many things that a | | | | admissions process more complicated than it |
| student can do in order to increase their | | | | should be. Three to five colleges is a good |
| odds of admission into a particular school. | | | | range to consider when applying to colleges. |
| The first thing a student should do, as was | | | | |
| mentioned before, is start early. Waiting | | | | Taking the process of college admissions in |
| until the last minute to search for colleges | | | | stride is important. Obsessing over details |
| or apply can mean that many spots will be | | | | can distract a prospective student from |
| taken by early decision students who've | | | | what's really important-acceptance into a |
| already applied. | | | | school of choice. The more organized and |
| | | | thought out the approach to college |
| Another tip for college admission success | | | | admissions, the more time a college senior |
| would be getting others involved in the | | | | will have to think about more pressing |
| application process. Asking pertinent | | | | matters; such as booking a limo for the prom. |