Some Tips May Help College Hopefuls

For high school seniors, the pressures of college can at times be overwhelming. Touring colleges, applying to them, and trying to meet deadlines make for some stressful moments throughout the year.

There are, however, many misconceptions about college and many struggles other high schoolers face when applying or trying to get ready for life after high school. Here are a few tips and pieces of advice to help make this challenging process a little easier.

1. Apply early–the earlier you apply, the more likely you are to be considered for scholarships and early admissions decisions. Applying to college early allows colleges to compare your application against fewer students, which gives you a better chance for acceptance.
2.  Start touring–taking a tour of colleges is a great way to decide if it’s the right fit for you. Many colleges have the dates for their open houses on their websites. Open houses are a great way to tour the college and learn about the different types of majors and clubs that the school offers.
3. Gather information–You should know everything there is to know about the colleges to which you are applying.  Many colleges require you to submit more than just your application. All colleges want some type of transcript from your high school showing your grades. Some colleges also want SAT, ACT scores, and/or letters of recommendation from a few of your teachers or a guidance counselor.

For some students, applying to college is a difficult task. For others, their problem is actually waiting for those results to return.

“The hardest part for me has been searching for scholarships. I mean, I don’t want to have to pay most of my tuition,” FAHS senior Jelissa Cruz said.

So if you’re ready for the obstacles that come with applying to college, take into consideration these helpful tips and advice. Also, remember to take a deep breath and be patient while waiting for those acceptance letters–They will come!