Things College Applicants Should Know

1. UNDERSTAND THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The first step to answering them is to get a grasp on the admissions process - when, where, and how to apply, and how to figure out how you (and your family) are going to pay for it.

After getting all the information, your goal is to end up with a list of target colleges; places where you would like to go and where you have a reasonably good chance of being admitted.

2. APPLYING EARLY

Some colleges and universities offer alternatives to the regular admissions procedure. Schools that offer 'early admission' programs give students the chance to apply before the regular admissions deadline. Not only do students apply before the regular deadline, they also find out the school's decision early; sometimes it's so early that their friends haven't even submitted their applications yet. It is possible to be notified of a school's decision in December!

a) ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EARLY DECISION

Well, by applying to an early admission program, you are making a commitment to attend that school if you are accepted. Some colleges do not permit students applying early admission to apply to other schools until they have received their early admission notification.

(Three results are possible: acceptance, rejection, and deferral to the regular admissions pool.) So, before applying early decision, you must know that the school in question is your top choice. If you expect to receive financial aid, know that by committing early you will not be able to compare financial aid offers from different schools.

Applying early decision has some advantages. A student who applies early decision clearly demonstrates to the college that the school is his #1 choice. Admissions committees also like early decision programs because they can use them to increase the percentage of accepted students who actually attend the school.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED

By Now, you must know that grades and standardized test scores are an incredibly important part of your college application, but the other things matters too.

No matter what your "scores" look like, chances are that there will be other people with similar scores who are applying to the same schools as you are. If admissions people have to decide between you and a person with similar scores, they will have to look at more intangible factors, such as those represented in your essay, extra-curricular activities, and recommendations.

Colleges and Universities want a student who will be a positive addition to the school; contributing to the school community and giving the school a positive picture.

a) MAKE AN EARLY START

You definitely should start thinking about recommendations well before your junior year. Right from the start of their high school career students should make an effort to get to know teachers. That doesn't mean you have to become a consummate brown-noser!

It just means that you should take the opportunity to get to know teachers when you can. Seek teachers' help or advice when you have a tough paper or want to discuss problems on a test.

By visiting teachers outside of the classroom, the teachers will have a better chance to get to know you academically and socially. Teachers who have such interaction with you can write more impressive recommendations, because it will be apparent to the admissions committee that the teacher actually knows you.

b) KNOW WHO TO PICK

Colleges review a lot of recommendations written by teachers who know little about the student beyond his or her grades. To impress the admissions committees, make sure you pick a teacher who knows you well, and to whom you are sure will write a persuasive and enthusiastic endorsement of you and your stellar qualities. Don't be afraid to ask potential recommences whether they feel comfortable writing such a recommendation for you.

C) STAY POLITE
Make sure that you give your recommences plenty of advance notice that you want them to write your recommendations. Remember to write them a "thank you!" Note - they just helped you get into college!

4. REAPPLICATION

Reapplying could be just what it takes to get in.

Submitting an application again a year later won't magically open doors, but a transcript polished by a strong final semester and a fresh essay made compelling by thoughtful reflection on a life-changing experience could tip the scales in your favor. At colleges with rolling admissions--where applications are considered until a class is full--candidates improving their test scores or demonstrating real academic progress their senior year may even land a place for the fall without formally reapplying.

5. INTERVIEW TIPS

You definitely shouldn't let your parents try to accompany you into the interview. In fact, it's better to keep them out of the building altogether. The college wants to hear from you not your parents.

Admissions officers don't like having your mom or dad in the room with you any better than you do. Most will tell parents to sit in the waiting room.

Admissions officers will see right through your act. But, no matter your personality, to have any chance of being admitted, always use your best manners: be polite, be respectful, be alert, be clean, and be friendly.

At the same time the admissions officer should hopefully present the school in a true light so you can tell whether it is a place where you'd be happy. Think of this as a time for you interview the school; just as much as they are interviewing you, so come prepared to ask them questions too.

If you have interviews at more than one school, you'll get better as you go along. Try to arrange your schedule so that your first interviews are at the schools you care about least or at any rate the schools you are most likely to get into. You can even schedule interviews at schools in which you have no interest at all, just for the practice. This way, by the time you get to your top-choice school, you'll be much more comfortable with the whole interview process.

6. TEST PREP-PUZZLE

Will a test prep boost your overall score?

I say, whatever it takes to attain the required score to get admitted into the College or University of my dream!

In today's ultra-competitive admissions climate, many college-bound students seem willing to go to any length to achieve top scores on their SAT. And the booming test-prep industry is more than happy to accommodate students. In the recent year, a record-breaking 2.2 million students sat for the SAT, and more than 1.7 million took the ACT, which dominates at many Midwestern and Southern universities. Overall, the test-prep industry pulls in nearly $100 million each year. The same is demonstrated among International students who must also score well in their TOEFL exams that is a requirement in almost most Accredited U.S. Colleges and Universities. Often times when international students are exempted from taking TOEFL in their indigenous country, they would wind up take the ESL courses, but not always.


	7. YOU, TOO, CAN WRITE COMPELLING ESSAYS The best way to write great essays come up with something original, one that it not already known! Starting with the easiest; always answer the question. i.e. if the essay is "Why do you want to attend University of Bridgeport?" Do Not talk about your life-long ambition to be a dance. This two have nothing to do with the other and are completely irrelevant to the question. Pick a good topic to write about. something you are comfortable talking about and may display some uniqueness about you. Try to talk about yourself selectively, i.e. your accomplishments, goals and something you have done to help someone else. These tend to demonstrate your character but also keep you honest. COMMON ESSAY TOPICS Write about someone you admire. Write about something you have read. Why do you want to attend this school? Where do you see yourself ten years from now? Write about a meaningful activity.

8. APPLY AND STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

Most high school students applying to college worry about getting lost in the thousands of applications that flood admissions' offices each year. "How can I let them know what I'm like?" is a question we hear often. "How will they know that I'm more that my TEST* scores, more than my grades?"

These are important questions. It's true that admissions officers read large volume of applications, and they often lose sight of the person behind the TEST* scores. Your job is to make yourself known in every way possible.

Tips

Let the admissions committee know that you like a challenge by taking the most rigorous courses your school has to offer.
Take math and science, English, foreign language, and history all 4 years.