By Cheryl Mattox Berry
It’s the middle of summer. You’re enjoying carefree days doing whatever you like. No fuss. No stress. School is still weeks away, and there’s no need to even think about the SAT, ACT or GPA. Right? Not exactly. Now is the perfect time for seniors to prepare for the college application process.
I know, you’re thinking you have plenty of time to do that. Not really. You can apply to college soon as you start senior year, the first day of class. Applications are available online in August. The application deadline for early admission is Nov. 1 at most schools with notification in early December.
There are some benefits to applying for early decision, such as consideration for competitive scholarships. Once you’re admitted under early decision, you must withdraw applications for other schools.
Because there are no tests coming up, papers due, sports practice or meetings, you can concentrate solely on applying to college over the next few weeks. First, narrow your choice of schools. Decide if you’ll attend a large or small university, public or private, in-state or out-of-state school. Minority students might even consider enrolling in an Historically Black College or University (HBCUs.) Note: HBCUs are open to all students.
Select at least five, including public and private universities. Check online for admission requirements and application deadlines. Create a file for each college to keep track of what you have submitted. Take time to write and rewrite the essay part of the application. After it’s completed, ask a teacher or professional writer to critique it.
If you have visited colleges, make notes about each one in the respective file. Check out the schools that you haven’t visited when you have a three-day weekend. Don’t go during a holiday weekend because you won’t get a real picture of campus life. Call the admissions office if you have questions. Just make sure you talk to the same person each time you call if that’s possible.
It’s important that you get organized before school starts. After classes begin, you’ll be busy with regular activities and senior activities, and some things may slip through the cracks. The application process can be stressful for you and your parents, but you can minimize the stress by planning ahead and staying on schedule. Don’t forget to keep your parents abreast of how things are coming along.