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