WEB SITES & TIPS
There's a lot to think about when choosing a college, but you don't have to do it alone. There are many resources available to help ensure a smooth transition into this new life adventure:
GENERAL HELP
These sites provide information on an array of topics, and can help guide you from your research to your first college experiences.
www.collegeboard.com
Created by the College Board, a
nonprofit association dedicated to
preparing students for college. Includes
a financial aid estimator; a college
search; tips on planning, preparing and
applying for college; information on
SAT and AP testing; and more.
www.ed.gov
Maintained by the U.S. Department of
Education. Includes college search,
financial aid assistance, college
planner/time line and other useful tips
for college-bound students.
www.mapping-your-future.org
One-stop site for advice on career
planning, financial strategies and
choosing a college. Sponsored by
participants in the Federal Family
Education Loan Program (FFELP).
www.nacac.com
Site of the National Association for
College Admission Counseling.
Offers information on college fairs
and financial aid seminars.Archived
newsletters offer parents and students
tips on preparing for college,ways to
maximize resources for scholarships,
career development, college searches
and more.
RESEARCHING SCHOOLS
Tip #1: Ask admissions offices for current freshmen's e-mail addresses.
Ask what they like or dislike about the school, and what they wish they knew when they were applying for admission. Meet a current student for coffee on campus - it's a great way to make a new friend and find out more about the school from someone firsthand.
Tip #2: Attend college fairs early in the decision process.
College fairs are a great way to meet admissions staff from different colleges one-on-one.Ask questions, collect materials, and use this opportunity to narrow down early which schools you might consider and which ones don't seem like a good fit. Don't miss the 2005 Michigan College Fair, on April 7, at the Macomb Expo Center in Warren.
Tip #3: Check out a copy of the Princeton Review's Best 357 Colleges from your local library.
Published yearly, this in-depth guide contains valuable information that most college Web sites don't provide, such as student narratives, what the typical student wears and drives, the most popular student activities, and what the campus atmosphere is like.
www.campustours.com
Operated by CampusTours, an
organization that works with more
than 800 colleges and universities
throughout the United States to build
and offer students virtual college tours.
www.macac.org
Site of the Michigan Association for
College Admission Counseling. Includes
local college fairs' calendars and online
registration forms, plus a link to
nacac.com.
www.michigancc.net
Site of the Michigan Community
College Network. Provides contacts
for and links to community colleges
throughout Michigan.
www.nces.ed.gov
The National Center for Education
Statistics provides a college search by
state or region, as well as pertinent
information for each school, including
campus crime stats, tuition costs, and
student diversity and enrollment.
www.usnews.com
Site of U.S. News & World Report.
Features college rankings and guides,
discussion forums, college search based
on your specifications, college
comparison worksheets, articles,
standardized testing calendar, financial
aid planner and more.
FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIPS
Tip #1: Don't eliminate any college because of costs.
Develop a plan on paper to finance your education. Investigate all possible resources, including parents, savings, summer earnings, financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans,work-study) and any other sources you can think of.
Tip #2: Consider less expensive options.
Because public universities receive money from state and local governments, these schools offer lower tuition (especially for in-state students).Attending somewhere close to home also will save on expenses, such as dorm living.
Tip #3: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
You'll need this financial aid application form to apply for federal and state student grants,work-study and loans. Complete income tax returns before filling out the FAFSA - much of the information requested is the same. But you don't have to file your income tax return with the IRS before you fill out the FAFSA. Submitting your FAFSA online reduces processing time and costly errors.To get your PIN (which you'll need as an electronic signature and to access information about your application), fill out the brief application at www.pin.ed.gov.You can complete the form a year early if you want to see for what you will qualify.
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Site of the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).Walks
you through getting organized for
the FAFSA application (documents
you need, etc.), filling the form out
and following up on your application
status online.
www.michigan.gov
Operated by the State of Michigan;
offers information on Michigan-based
scholarships, as well as choosing a
college, planning a career and more.
TEST TAKING
Tip #1: Stay on schedule.
Your first round of the ACT or SAT should be in March/April of your junior year, and your second go around in May/June.These dates are suggested for fall application deadlines. For spring application deadlines, it's suggested you take or retake tests by December of your senior year.However, the tests are administered almost monthly and you should consult your school of choice to determine the best schedule of testing for you. Many high schools offer review courses.
www.act.org
Site of ACT, Inc., a nonprofit
organization that provides services in
education and workforce development.
Includes a college search, admissions
applications, ACT registration and test
center locator, ACT sample questions,
student testimonials, financial aid
estimator and more.
www.ets.org
Site of the Educational Testing Service.
Offers tips on locating centers, and
registering and practicing for a number
of tests, including AP and SAT.
www.kaplan.com
Site of Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of The
Washington Post. Includes information
on preparation for and taking college
and graduate school tests, as well as
college admissions and career planning.
APPLYING TO SCHOOLS
Tip #1: Avoid application pitfalls.
If applying online, print out the application 4 or 5 times if necessary until it's perfect, before sending it - you want to be sure it's complete and thoroughly proofread. Keep a printed copy in case of computer malfunction and data loss. And, keep in mind, transcripts and recommendations may need to be sent separately in the mail.
Tip #2: If you're not accepted to your colleges of choice, consider attending community college for a year.
Most universities accept transfer credits, and many students get in the second time around because admissions offices aren't focusing on GPAs or standardized test scores.
Tip #3: Start writing your essays the summer before your senior year.
The fall of your senior year will be stressful enough with taking the ACT/SAT, keeping your grades up and attending senior class functions. Don't wait until the night before to write your college entrance essay. Start early, take some time and then go back to it. Sometimes re-reading your work can give you a new perspective and make for a stronger piece.
Tip #4: For schools with rolling admissions, apply early.
Many times schools with rolling admissions get back to you with a decision within a month or two. By knowing an answer, you can eliminate nail-biting nervousness. If you are admitted, make sure you visit the school before making a final decision. If you are deferred, make sure to contact someone in the admissions department and talk to them about why you were deferred and what you can do to increase your chances of acceptance.
www.macrao.com
Site of the Michigan Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
Officers. Provides transfer requirements
for Michigan colleges and universities,
as well as information on transfer
student fairs, college nights and online
admissions.
www.theadmissionsoffice.com
Operated by The Admissions Office, a
college selection online resource.
Offers college admissions essay editing,
information on college tests, college
applications, news stories and links to
summer study opportunities.