Liberty Counseling

General Stuff

  • • Visit the College Answer Guy (www.collegeanswerguy.com) and CollegePrep-101 (www.collegeprep101.com) and read the chapters on "Application Process" and "Choosing a College", among others.

  • Continue to challenge yourself and take solid elective courses (don't

    take a blow-off schedule, fight senioritis).

  • Attend college fairs in your area.

  • Visit college campuses, visit many, visit often. Attend events at the colleges you are interested in.

  • Go stay with friends who are ni college. Find out what they like and

    dislike.

  • Explore careers and job opportunities in those careers. Talk to your

    parents and your friend's parents about what they do.

  • Make sure your high school counselor knows what you're looking for

    in a college so he/she can help you choose the best one for you.

  • Talk to your friends about what they plan to do after high school.

Early Fall

  • Read the College Answer Guy's "Making the Most of your

    Relationship with your High School Counselor".

  • Gather applications to the schools you are considering (note deadlines

    for admission, scholarships, housing, etc.).

  • Sit down with everyone who has a stake in your college decision and

    solicit their input. Listen to what everyone has to say.

  • Line up people to write letters of recommendation (choose people

    who actually know you, not just those with a cool title). Give them

    plenty of time to write the letters).

  • Borrow scholarship information (contact names, addresses,

    applications, etc.) from someone a year ahead of you who received

    several scholarships and/or had the same major as you, or someone

    with comparable involvements and activities.

  • Get to know the admission criteria for your top schools. Know where

    you stand in relation to those requirements and work toward changing

  • Talk to people whose opinions you respect about the schools you are

    considering what you can (if you fall short). If you do fall short of the

    requirements, the early application could be your ticket "in".

  • Take the ACT/SAT in September/October (repeat as necessary or

    desired).

    • Apply for admission (if seeking early admission).

Mid-Fall

  • Talk to your high school counselor about local scholarships and get

    the applications.

  • Keep checking back periodically throughout the year for information

    on the latest scholarships, but don't drive them nuts!

  • Apply for admission (unless you already have).

  • Apply for scholarships before Christmas break if the application deadline

    isn't earlier. (verify the arrival of your application, transcripts, etc.).

Spring

  • Attend a financial aid workshop with your parents.

  • Apply for financial aid (as soon after Jan. 1 as possible)

  • Take CLEP/AP Tests (if applicable)

  • Go back for a second or third visit to campuses you really like

As Soon as You Choose a School

  • Apply for Housing

  • Get familiar with your college and what you will need when you get

    there.

  • Learn about:

    • Housing options (on-campus, off-campus, Greek, etc.)

    • Course selection/scheduling

    • Faculty/Programs ni your major

    • Do you need a car?

    • Where will you park?

    • Do you need a bike?

    • Should you have your own computer? Desktop or laptop?

Summer Before College

  • Enroll as early as you possibly can. 

  • Attend a summer orientation program. Also be sure to enroll in a freshman orientation class, even if it isn't required. 

  • Make a list of what you will need to take to college (coordinate with your roommate so you won't have two of everything). Carpet? Refrigerator? Microwave? Stereo? Computer? Etc. 

  • Work with your parents on a financial plan or budget. Where will your money come from? Who pays for what? How/When to ask for more? What constitutes an emergency? Consider a credit card - really, just for emergencies. 

  • Make a list of personal care items you use and go price shopping. You won't believe how much a toothbrush costs! 

  • Start planning for how you’ll communicate with your parents and friends while you’re at college – e-mail, cell phone, IM, etc. Consider cost, availability and ease of communication. Ensure clear and easy communication with your folks and see if they’ll pay for part or all of that. You should probably pay for the rest. 

  • Make sure to take a tour of YOUR classes before school starts so you won't get lost or look foolish on the first day of class.

Copyright 2007 Lance A. Millis All Rights Reserved www.collegeprep101.com