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First Steps to College

Give Yourself Time to Explore

With over 3,600 colleges and universities across the country, you will quickly discover lots of options. Some are well-known. Others are new to you. You don't need to get to know them all. However, in order to make a reasonable search you need to give yourself time.

The best time to start the college search process is the middle of your high school junior year. It's okay to begin collecting information prior to that but be prepared for fairly light treatment by colleges. On the other hand, don't put off the start of your college search. The longer you wait before getting started, the more you compromise your ability to get good answers to important questions, gain access to resources, and present yourself effectively.

Getting Organized
Get ready for the avalanche!

If it hasn't hit you already, the avalanche of mail (much of it unsolicited) from colleges will arrive soon. At first, you will be impressed that colleges around the country find you highly desirable. Such feelings of satisfaction will soon be replaced by growing annoyance and questions such as: "How did they get my name?" "Why are they mailing to me?" "Are they really interested?" "When will it stop?!"

Amidst the avalanche, there will be materials from colleges that may be of real interest to you. It is important to be systematic in your review of these materials. Develop a spreadsheet. Organize them by content, point of origin, and date received. Look for opportunities to cross-reference information you are receiving directly from the colleges with data from independent sources such as handbooks and websites.

Finally, become engaged with the colleges you really like. You'll be surprised at what you can learn about them as they try to become acquainted with you.

Campus Visit
Let your "gut" go to work for you

Late in your senior year, you will begin to feel like a celebrity as people congratulate you on your college enrollment.

Invariably, they will follow their good wishes with the question: "So, what made you decide to enroll at _________? At first, you may be dumbfounded. Then, you will likely respond with: "I don't know. It really came down to a gut feeling." What a remarkably honest and insightful response!

As you get to know colleges, it will be important for you to visit the campuses of those that seem most interesting to you. When you do, give yourself the time and opportunity to immerse yourself in the campus culture. Let your instincts take over; develop a feeling for the place. This is when your "gut" begins to work for you.

As you contemplate campus visits, develop an agenda that includes the things you would like to accomplish. Interview. Take a tour. Visit a class. Keep in mind, the more perspectives you can tap into while on campus, the more discriminating you can be later when the choice is yours.

Course Selections

What do your course selections say about your passion for learning?

You will learn quickly that your performance in high school weighs heavily when your application is eventually considered for admission. Colleges like to see that you use each year of high school to stretch yourself academically and intellectually. They like to see that you care about learning, that you move to the next logical level of rigor each year. Treat each year as though it's the "most important year" by putting yourself in an appropriately rigorous program-and doing well in it. The most selective colleges will focus on the effort you put forth in the senior year.

For many students, this revelation hits them at a time when they can no longer make adjustments in their course selections. That's why it it important to think about the message you are sending to colleges when you choose your curriculum for the senior year.

Watch for upcoming issues of TAG E-News to learn more about First Steps!


 
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