Of all the qualities that breed success, careful planning and diligence are among the most essential ones that every student should focus on. When you are in high school, the future seems so far off and time seems plentiful. But it won’t be long until you find yourself in a situation where the hour of change draws near quickly and you feel the need to act fast. There is no better time to start fostering these qualities than now when all you are is potential.
In this article, we thought to provide some insightful pieces of advice on college preparation to help you with just that!
Start Eyeing Colleges and Universities
In the United States, there are roughly 5000 institutions of higher education. Expectedly, your aim is to attend the school that best suits your situation but there are many variables that you need to take into account in your college hunt.
First, start with your academic and career goals that exemplify the accomplishments you aspire to. See what areas of study match and overlap with those goals. Remember that this is a slow and steady learning process since you are taking on the challenge early. It is possible and completely normal that you feel ambivalent about your course or shift direction altogether. Likewise, you might not be able to put your finger on a specific field in which case it is better to opt for colleges that offer the broadest variety of programs.
Another very important consideration is location. Going away from home often gives college students a newfound feeling of independence which can be a priority for many. This is while for some it can be a source of emotional distress. Financially, geographic location can make a huge difference as well. Students who attend a public school in their home state can cut a significant amount of expenses both in terms of in-state tuition and living expenses such as rent, food, transit costs, etc.
Other deciding factors may include college rankings and ratings, selectivity, cost of attendance, financial aid options, and median post-graduation salaries. You can use sources such as Authority.org to further scrutinize each institution by comparing its stats with others and weighing their pros and cons.
Be Proactive and Start Preparing Early
Going to college will be the most expensive decision you are going to make for a while. But finances are not the most impactful effects of this decision on your life. College can be a stepping stone to your lofty ambitions regarding your career, social circumstances, and personal accomplishments. Do yourself a favor and give yourself an ample head start so you can devise the perfect plan. By preparing proactively, you gain a holistic view of the college admission process early on which helps you perform better at every step of the way.
Starting early gives you plenty of time to self-reflect and ponder your interests, skills, and passions. It also provides you with enough time to exhaust your financial aid options as well as figure out how you (and your family) can pay for your college education.
Determine College Requirements for Your Desired Admission
To avoid remedial courses which are a waste of money and time, make sure to complete a standard core curriculum in high school. Although each college has different admission standards and gauges your level of college readiness arbitrarily, there is not much deviation from the norm in most. For the most part, you are required to have studied 4 years of English, 2 to 3 years of foreign language, 3 years of math, 2 to 3 years of science, 2 to 3 years of social studies and history, and 1 year of art.
It is important to note that some institutions require additional years of study in certain subjects. So, it is imperative that you check the requirements of the colleges of your choice to prevent automatic disqualification. The requirements generally are not hard to meet. They just need careful planning.
Make the Most of Your Time with Your Guidance Counselor
There are so many areas your guidance counselor can help you with that not taking advantage of them would be a shame. Your school counselor is there to support you in understanding your educational goals and developing the skills you need to succeed at them. But your counselor is especially helpful when it comes to college applications. Your counselor can help you with choosing the fields of study that fit your interests. He or she can also aid you in creating a list of suitable colleges to research, and then help you understand the requirements of each.
Counselors are valuable allies but they are not supposed to take charge of your situation. This is your future and it is up to you to establish a relationship with them and seek their guidance.