That's
what I hear most often. So here's the scoop.
Think
in terms of four basic steps.
Step 1
 Do you want to go to college? Why? What for?
You may never have stopped to think about this, but it's important. It's
your life and your college education, so to increase your motivation and
your chances for success, you have to begin by being able to provide an
answer to these questions. (If you need some ideas to stimulate your
thinking, check out the list in "Start Here.")
If the answer is "No," OK. But then begin to think about what else you
will want to do when you graduate from high school. You have to make some
plans, identify some goals.
If the answer is "I'm not sure" or "I don't know," then proceed as if the
answer is "Yes" because you don't want to close any doors at this point.
Keep your options open.
If the answer is "Yes," then you're at the right place. Let's get started.
Step 2
Take an inventory: "Am I taking college prep courses? Am I doing the
best work I can in order the get the highest grades I'm capable of?" If
the answer to both of those questions is "Yes" - great!
Also, pay attention in your high school to all the announcements directed
toward college-bound students - things like ACT or SAT registration
deadlines, College Night programs and other opportunities. The academic
work, the standardized test taking and the resume building by the
activities you do outside of school will all be part of the actual
application you write up in the fall of your senior year.
Step 3
Step 3 often is not given enough time or attention
because it is complicated, but it is crucial. What you need to do is begin
evaluating YOU and evaluating colleges. The "You" part is answering the
questions who am I, what are my interests, values and strengths? What are
my goals?
Evaluating colleges begins with actually walking around and looking at a
college. It means getting comfortable with the college environment and
what college is all about. It means reading college brochures, searching
college web sites, going through college catalogs.
The goal of Step 3 is to find the right fit between you and a college.
Services
Step 4
You're beginning your senior year and now is the time the actual
application process begins - you will narrow down your choices, fill out
the forms, stay in touch with your high school counselor to make sure your
transcripts and recommendation letters are ready to go, start the
financial aid process, then choose a place to go among your college
acceptance letters!
That's the outline. Use
CollegeScoop.com to fill in the colors!
Where to begin?
Start here
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