The college search is one of the hardest processes ever created,
at least to high school students and their parents. Some get
lucky and hear about a wonderful college from a friend’s
college visit, and others find their school in a more ambiguous
manner like, “My younger brother’s girl friend’s
older brother went there.” A far greater majority must
go through the multi-year process of constantly searching for
universities and colleges that fit their needs.
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Students who are first generation in search of higher education
may find it hard to understand the process, and may see
more setbacks, because of the lack of family modeling. |
Students who are first generation in search of higher education
may find it hard to understand the process, and may see more
setbacks, because of the lack of family modeling.
It all begins with the PSAT test (Preliminary SAT®/National
Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), taken in either the sophomore
or junior year. There are options at the beginning of the standardized
test that allows colleges and universities with the programs
you are interested in to contact you with information about
their schools. This is a great beginning step for many people
to take.
Colleges from all over the country, and even some outside the
USA, will send packets explaining their school and what they
have to offer. Though this test is offered in many schools,
it is not a mandatory standardized exam. Yet it is strongly
recommended that this test be taken in your junior year, at
the very latest. It is a way to be introduced to the SATs (Scholastic
Aptitude Test I: Reasoning Tests), which are taken a bit later
on down the road to universities.
Though it is a test, many times students do not study for them.
It is a test asking for the basics of what you have learnt at
school over the last years. Specific names, dates and the like
are not asked on the PSAT, and in fact are not asked on the
SATs.
Why take this test in the first place if it does not bear the
same weight as the SATs? This test will show how well you might
do on the SATs and enters everyone who takes it in a nation-wide
scholarship corporation. Also, taking the PSAT a few times will
definitely improve your test taking skills, give you practice
for the SAT and your scores will let you know where you stand
and in what areas you need help with.
For more information on the PSAT, visit: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html.
This site helps you in understanding the importance of the
PSATs and in beginning the search for colleges and universities.
It also explains things from both a student and a parent’s
point of view. The PSATs only introduce you to a small fraction
of the colleges and universities. One of the best ways to find
out about a wide variety of schools is to do an online search
or to go to the school guidance counselor or college advisor
and look through the huge books of colleges. The best way to
search is to use both. What may be shown in the books as a small
liberal arts college may be a great school for a specific subject,
which may only show up in online searches, and vice versa.
Many schools now have virtual colleges tours to take online
to help with some of the decision making process. Students also
go and see the schools they like to help them decide what schools
may be best for them, and some wait until after they have been
accepted to the school to go on a visit, but the former would
be recommended.
Links to online resources:
http://www.collegenet.com/
This is an interesting site, which does not require email
addresses or even a profile so you won’t get junk mail
from places you don’t want to attend.
http://www.collegeview.com/
A much more student-based college search engine.
http://www.petersons.com/
Focuses not only on undergraduate degrees, but also on graduate
studies. It also has an application letter editor within the
site.
Late junior and through senior year in high school is when
many students begin to seriously look for schools, and finally
take the SATs (the Scholastic Aptitude Test). The SAT tests
your verbal and math skills. The verbal section tests if you
have a way with words, as in, know the meanings and in what
context you use them. It will be easier to know difficult words
if you learn to break it down, as in, knowing what a specific
prefix or suffix means. The math section tests your basic math
skills, not 2+2=4, but more advanced. It is wise to take a look
at sample SAT tests and previous SATs. There are also several
study guides and computer programs out to help, but the Kaplan
series (both computerized and as books) for SAT prep is considered
one of the best. Your local library will definitely have a section
on books that focus on the SATs and it is wise to frequent these
areas.
Another important fact about the SATs that most people are
not familiar with is the SAT Subject Tests. Some colleges require
you to take the SAT specified to subjects such as Biology, Chemistry,
and etc. depending on the program that you wish to apply to
in that specific college. Therefore, it is imperative for you
to have all your college applications before your senior year
in high school, so you know beforehand if you do have to take
any SAT Subject Tests.
After the SATs come the process of applying to the various
colleges that made it to your final list, getting recommendations
from teachers and employers (applies to a few colleges), writing
application essays and going for interviews (applies to a few
private colleges).
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Applying to a college is a soul-searching process, especially
the application letter/essay, which provides the challenging
opportunity of having students present and market themselves
to each school. The college essay should also be seen as
a medium through which you let the colleges know more about
yourself and not simply remember you as a SAT score or your
overall GPA. |
Applying to a college is a soul-searching process, especially
the application letter/essay, which provides the challenging
opportunity of having students present and market themselves
to each school. The college essay should also be seen as a medium
through which you let the colleges know more about yourself
and not simply remember you as a SAT score or your overall GPA.
Your college essay is what sets you apart from all your fellow
highschoolers, therefore, think hard before you choose your
topic, sometimes colleges give you a list to choose from, so
choose with caution.
Also, some colleges require interviews with the potential students
to make a final decision as to whether the student is fit for
the school or not. It is important to be yourself when going
on such an interview, being truthful and having a clear perception
as to why you want to attend that particular college. The rest
is up to the evaluator to decide whether he/she believes that
you will be an important part of that college.
Furthermore, another crucial factor to consider when applying
to colleges is the money factor. Colleges require you to submit
a specific amount of money (processing fees) with your application
forms and sometimes you can fill out a waiver if you are eligible
for it. It is best if you talk to your high school college advisors.
If you are not eligible for it, then I guess you have to ask
your parents to pay for it or pay for it yourself, that is,
if you have enough saved money in the first place.
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When you are accepted to a college, you need to realize
that you are in a good negotiating position to ask the college
how much financial aid they can give you — not just
for the first year, but through your time there. |
After applying, and investing your time and money (maybe not
yours, your parents, but it is yours either way) in the process,
the hardest part of the college search and application process
is waiting for the acceptance or rejection letters. When you
are accepted to a college, you need to realize that you are
in a good negotiating position to ask the college how much financial
aid they can give you — not just for the first year, but
through your time there.
How in the world do people pay for higher education? Through
Federal grants, scholarships, and student loans. Prospective
colleges will have several programs, but other funding sources
include your community or foundations that address your community
needs. As with finding colleges, the search for college funding
starts with both the guidance counselor and high school college
advisors, who have huge books of national grants and scholarships
as well as local scholarships, and the Internet. There are many
online scholarship search engines (see below) and many can personalize
the searches to your needs; another round of application and
letter writing.
Although this is one of the most demanding processes, it is
a most rewarding experience when you eventually step onto the
campus as a student and you know that you are there to make
a difference in not only your life but in others’ as well.
Online scholarship search engines:
http://www.collegescholarships.com/free_scholarship_searches.htm
This really isn’t a search engine but it gives links
to various other scholarship sites so sort through.
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/signup.jsp?sourceid=yahoostart
This engine requires a personal profile to be created but
it is well worth the time spent creating the profile.
