September 27, 2023

Students all over the United States face the daunting task of finding the right college to attend after they graduate high school.

Whether you know someone who has gone through the process of applying to colleges or not, high school peers may find it challenging as they navigate the starting point of researching the thousands of colleges. Gathering resources and information about the college application process during your sophomore year of high school is the ideal time to start preparing for college.  

Applying to a school does not necessarily need to be as tedious as it sounds to some people. With an organized plan in place to research and apply to universities, high school students are setting themselves up for success when taking the proactive approach to prioritize their futures.  

You may be wondering how you begin exploring the diverse range of education available for high school graduates? Rather than putting the idea of college on the back burner, establishing a plan of action early on is the best place to start or plan out the foreseeable future.  

Take a seat; here is a high schooler’s guide to picking a college. 

SPRING SEMESTER OF SOPHOMORE YEAR 

  • Begin researching different universities based on these factors to consider… 
  1. Location 
  1. Size 
  1. Private v. Public Institution 
  1. Tuition Cost 
  1. Major or Degree Path 
  1. Standardized Test Score(s) needed for admission- ACT or SAT. 
  • Utilize the Fisk Guide to Colleges book to begin looking at the top 320 colleges available with information regarding the factors listed above. 

FALL SEMESTER OF JUNIOR YEAR 

  • Craft a list of 10 colleges you are interested in visiting.  
  • Establishing a list of diverse colleges sets a student up for success because it allows one to explore what they may or may not prefer in a college.  
  • Begin contact with your school’s college advising office or college advising counselor to collect information on the list of schools you are interested in touring.  
  • Research potential college fairs in your local area; meet with college advisors to hear about the campus and degree programs. 

SPRING SEMESTER OF JUNIOR YEAR 

  • Make a list of your top 5 schools to consider touring virtually or in-person.  
  • Remain in contact with your college advising counselor or office for specific information about the admission process for each of your top 5 schools and what GPA, standardized test scores, etc. is needed for acceptance.  
  • Establish an objective plan to meet with a college advisor to see what your top degree path would look like. Find out more about what you would be studying and what a career with a specific degree would look like in the future. 

FALL SEMESTER OF SENIOR YEAR 

  • Begin touring your list of top 5 schools virtually or in-person.  
  • Mark the opening of admission applications to your calendar for each school. 
  • Research local and national scholarship opportunities to apply for. 
  • If a school offers a scholarship application and supplemental essays are required or recommended, ask a fellow student or teacher to guide you in the direction of success when writing.  
  • Finish taking your lasts of standardized tests if necessary. Reference the official ACT and SAT websites for registration of testing dates and designated testing locations. 
  • Know when early admission applications are open and when they are due.  
  • Begin to create a financial plan for college expenses: 
  • Tuition 
  • Textbooks 
  • Fees 
  • Living & Food 
  • Begin applying to schools and for scholarships.  
  • Utilize the Common App, an online college admissions portal that allows students to apply for various colleges on one site. 
  • APPLY, APPLY, APPLY to your choice of schools. 

SPRING SEMESTER OF SENIOR YEAR 

  • Narrow down your list of top schools to potentially attend from five to 1-3.  
  • Once you hear back on whether you were accepted, declined or waitlisted from the colleges you applied to, begin to narrow down your list once again. Picture yourself where you would best fit in and what college makes the most sense for you.  
  • Take any last-minute virtual or in-person tours of different schools if needed.  
  • Accept an offer of acceptance from a school and decide which college you will be attending after graduation in the upcoming fall semester.  
  • Complete any room and board assignment request forms and roommate assignment portals needed from your college you will attend.  

Most importantly, be kind to yourself through the process of finding the right college for you. Everyone’s path to picking a college looks different. Remember to take care of your mental health as you navigate this new chapter of life. Listen to your gut as you take on the task of researching, visiting and choosing the college that best suits you and your desires and needs.