Boost your record
Grades. Grades top the list of what matters on your high school record. Keep your grades up—from freshman year on. Get good grades and take the most challenging courses you can. Colleges tell us they're looking at the quality of courses as well as the grades. That's the bottom line."
Extracurricular activities. Colleges also consider extracurricular activities. Colleges don't look for specific activities, just that the student has been involved in things outside the classroom Also try to take college prep classes advanced placement (AP) courses.
Community service. Also get involved in community service. This is especially helpful if you're applying for scholarships. This can be a way to stand out from other applicants.
Entrance exams. ACT and SAT college entrance exam scores are also a factor. You can use test-taking courses, programs or books to prepare for the tests. Some kids take them four or five times, but one or two times is average."
Deadlines. Meeting application deadlines is important too. If you get your application in past the deadline, it's likely you won't be accepted.
Hedge your bets
Timeliness and your high school record can go a long way toward getting you accepted at colleges. It also depends on who else applies. There are only a certain number of spaces available for new freshmen each year. Colleges choose the ones they think will be the best fit, based on their academic records and their backgrounds.
That's why it's important to apply to more than one college. You may not get into your first-choice school, so you need alternatives. Apply to a good mix of schools. You might choose the best school you think you can get into. Also apply to one that's close to home, one the furthest away you think you can handle, and one you're sure you can get into. Apply to colleges with the academic program you want and where you're comfortable with the school setting. Since application fees can add up, you may want to limit yourself to three or four colleges.
Research
It's never too early to start researching. Start narrowing down your choices.
When you take the PSAT/NMSQT test, check the box asking to receive college-related mailings. You’ll start receiving mountains of materials. Throw away the ones you’re not interested in, and check the Web sites for those that do look interesting.
If you know you want to go into the science field, for example, look at how many federal research grants different colleges get. Also check out books from the library that talk about colleges from a student's perspective.
Academics are important, but also consider location. Look at schools in nearby states, as well as California.
As part of your research, take a College Matchmaker survey at the College Board's Web site. It lists colleges you wouldn't have thought of, like liberal arts or private colleges.
Visit Campuses
Visiting is very important. It can help you determine where you feel best and most comfortable, location-wise, and just with the feel of the campus.
When you visit a campus, meet with an admissions person to talk about the school's programs and requirements. You can also take tours, meet with professors in your areas of interest, with coaches if you're an athlete, and look at the dormitories.
It comes down to what you want to get out of it. You can go to a college that's tailored to your major, or one that your friends are going to that will be more fun. It depends how far away you want to be, too.
Didn't get in?
It's definitely something to think about. The admissions process is very competitive at many schools. Colleges are only able to accept about half of the applicants to their freshman class, and some take far fewer. If you're not accepted at your first-choice school, realize that it's not personal. It's all about how many spaces we have available and who fits into them best.
When applying to colleges, you need a Plan B. Ask yourself, “If my first choice doesn't work out, what am I going to do?'"
Plan B
If your first-choice doesn't work out, what can you do?
Appeal. Sometimes you can appeal a decision. If you have circumstances the school isn't aware of, such as poor grades because of a death or divorce in the family, you could make the school aware of it. It depends on the school—whether they'll consider something like this and you should include the information with the original application.
Wait. Some schools have wait lists. They'll automatically put you on the list if you're not accepted. Ask the admissions department how likely it is you'll get accepted on this basis, but don't count on it. That's where it's important to have applied to a school you can definitely get into, as a safety net. If you're accepted to your 'safety net' school, you can delay replying for a while to see what happens with your favorite college. Just don't miss your deadline!
Transfer. If you do end up attending your second- or third-choice school, be sure to keep your grades up. You may be able to transfer to your favorite school after your freshman year. It's usually easier for transfer students to get in to colleges than for incoming freshmen. The requirements aren't as stiff, and they'll look more at your college grades than at your high school record.
Look for the positives
It’s common to transfer. Many kids go to a community college for a year or two to get their liberal arts requirements out of the way. Then they transfer to a college that has their major. It saves a bit of money.
If you're not accepted, apply to more schools. You'll get in somewhere. Some smaller schools, especially private ones, accept applications until later in winter.
Many students who aren't admitted to their favorite schools end up staying at the schools they attend. They establish relationships, and they find the quality of education is just as good. They have no reason to transfer back. It ends up working out just fine.
No matter what college you go to, you'll find something you like about it. It may become the right place for you.
Parents: Use the equity in your home to pay for tuition expenses!
Our easy home equity loans are generally tax deductible. Check with your tax preparer.
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