Relieving the stress of college admissions
Junior year is a pivotal time in the lives of high school students . Junior year marks a transition to upper classmen , and students begin to ponder their post-high school academic careers around this time as well .
The college preparatory process can seem daunting . Well-meaning parents may want to share their own experiences , but much has changed since parents were looking ahead to their own college experiences .
Paperwork
The Princeton Review says most schools will use The Common Application as part of the admissions process . This enables students to enter all of their information and apply to multiple schools using the same account . However , schools will typically have different supplemental essay topics or test score requirements . Essays typically are required to be around 650 words .
Plan courses
Parents and students can meet collectively with a guidance counselor to talk about goals and coursework . Many high schools offer Advanced Placement classes or dual enrollment courses that enable students to earn college credit .
Discuss activities
Colleges and universities do not just look at grade and test scores ; they consider the entire applicant . Therefore , high schoolers should dabble in various clubs , organizations and sports to make them more appealing to admissions departments .
Test prep course
Though a growing number of American colleges and universities have abandoned ACT and SAT scores as part of their admissions process , many schools still require those scores . Students can benefit from taking test prep classes either in school or through outside tutoring businesses . Learning strategies for the tests as well as seeing sample questions can remove some of the anxiety associated with the tests .
Visit schools and attend college fairs
Parents and students should make appointments to visit several college campuses that offer courses students are interested in . Getting one ’ s name in admissions departments ’ databases also opens up students to emails about upcoming events and application deadlines .
Financial aid
Applying to college and applying for financial aid ( which every student should do regardless of income ) are two separate processes . In the United States , students will start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid . The FAFSA will help determine eligibility for grants , scholarships , federal work-study , and student loans . The FAFSA requires information taken from federal income tax statements . Parents can help guide their students further by following up on school transcripts , teacher recommendations and providing application cost fees , which vary from $ 50 to $ 100 per school . The road to college may seem confusing , but a few simple strategies can make it easier to navigate .
— Metro Creative Connection
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