College Admissions Secrets

by Carissa
(South Carolina)

Worried about how to get into the college of your dreams? Here are some useful college admissions secrets that helped me.

1) Work hard to keep your grades up!

When I was in 7th and 8th grade I really did not care about the grades I got and I did not have any motivation to get them up. When I got into 9th grade, I realized that my dream of becoming a nurse was not going to happen unless I got my grades up. With a lot of hard work and dedication I have had mostly straight A's throughout high school. Having these grades was VERY important for getting into the college I wanted.

2) Visit!

Probably the most important thing you can do in the application process is visiting the college you want to go to. Stay overnight and ask LOTS of questions. The more you get involved, the more they will remember you.

3) Apply early

Start applying to schools that you want to go to in your junior year of high school. If you do not get accepted the first time, wait, then try again.

4) SAT/ACT

I HIGHLY recommend taking the SAT/ACT very early, as in your 8th-9th grade years. The more times that you take the test, the higher your score will be! I also highly recommend getting the practice books for the tests. I did a little snooping and found out that Baron's was one of the top choices in practice tests. Develop a study method and keep at it diligently. Again, the more you test, the higher your score will be. This is also one of the MAJOR things admissions looks for. It will get you an interview and MORE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES! Some schools will even take your individual scores to determine what year of a certain subject that you should start on.

5) Keep in contact

Constantly be talking to your admissions counselor and get to know them and develop a relationship.

6) Passion

Try to have an idea of what you want to do when you go to college. Pick a career that you love! Don't pick something you don't like because you don't think that you are talented enough or because you want the most money you can get. Pick something you are PASSIONATE about and express that passion to your admissions counselor, they want to see that you have more than just academics and that you are going to do something that you LOVE.

6) Get involved

Get involved in your community as much as possible! That is a HUGE thing that admissions looks for in your application. The more community service and volunteering you do, the more likely you will get into the college of your dreams!

GOOD LUCK!

Read more College Admissions Help from other students and parents who have been through process.

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Comment from your friendly team at College Financial Aid Advice

Thank you Carissa for sharing your College Admissions Secrets with our readers. These are all good tips. Best of luck to you.

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College Admissions Help - Choosing a College

(Shanelle, Georgia)

When choosing a college, make sure you do not reach beyond your means academically and financially. Choose at least five colleges and include at least two safe schools. These safe schools are schools that you can easily be admitted into based on low-end test scores and your GPA. Start preparing yourself for college early. You must take school seriously at least from the ninth grade up to the twelfth. Your GPA starts from your ninth grade. Take advantages of the resources that are offered by your teachers and your counselors. Start studying for the SAT and ACT by your junior year. Take the prep classes for these test. It is important to take both the SAT and the ACT because you may tend to score higher on one that the other. Take the test early and take more than once; sending the highest scores to the schools of your choice.

Take the time to speak with both current and alumni of the colleges. They can give you very important information about what the school is looking for in prospective students. Research their school profile as well because that will give you important information on what they need. I must reiterate that you must takes your tests early and apply for the schools early. The later you wait, the less opportunity you will have in being chosen due to the number of applicants.

Once you have applied to your colleges of choice, follow-up on all steps that you have made regarding your application. Once you send off your application, call to see if that have received it in their office. Make sure you do your FAFSA as soon as possible and check to see if that school requires the CSS form. If so, make sure you send that off ASAP, even before they ask. Check with the schools to see if their is any other information that they are requiring of you. Whenever you call the office, make sure you get the name of the person that you speak with each time. More importantly, make sure they know your name. The more they here your name, the more they become familiar with you and your name, the more they will feel like you're already a part of the school.

Once you get your financial package, review it very carefully. If they do not offer you what you wanted or needed, file an speak with someone and inform them that you want to file an appeal. Once you have filed and appeal and get your findings, make sure you speak with them at length of your decision. Once you have decided on your school of choice, pay your enrollment fee as soon as possible. Many schools let you pay on-line. Reserve your housing as soon as possible; pay the reservation fee. Some schools may run out of housing.

Read more College Admissions Help from other students and parents who have been through process.

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Comment from your friendly team at College Financial Aid Advice

Thank you Shanelle for some good tips for choosing a college and college admission help. Good luck to you in college.

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