Stress about college applications is common. What can parents do about it? Here are some helpful tips.
Continue readingProcrastination and Stress About College Applications
10 Questions About The Best Ways To Get into College
Get answers to the 10 most often questions about how to get into college. What are the most important aspects of the college admission process that you should master?
Continue readingThe 7 Most FAQ’s About How To Get Into College
How to get into college?
The college application process can be confusing, and the vast majority of students applying to college have never done it before! So, of course there are going to be many unknowns when it comes to how to get into college. Here are some of the most common questions people have when they are considering applying to college:
1. Should I take hard classes and risk my GPA, or take easier classes and get straight A’s?
It’s all a matter of balance. The joke here is to take hard classes and get A’s. But, you have to make a decision based on your abilities and interests, and challenge yourself as much as you can. If you want to be a serious candidate for college, you must push yourself, but ultimately you must perform. Taking the easier class and getting an A+ is not too good either. The trick is to lean into your strengths. If you’re good in science, then push there. More of a writer? Then write. If you have to roll back in math, then do that. You are an individual human being, not a formula.
2. If I get bad grades, can I still get into college?
Of course, yes. There’s a college out there for you, especially a community college. The question is this: are you prepared for college? If you get bad grades, then maybe you’re not prepared for the rigors of a self-motivated academic life that college requires. Also, can you afford to go to college? If you get bad grades, then you won’t get scholarships.
If you made bad choices that led to bad grades early in your academic career, are you making good choices now? Is it your junior year, and do you have time to get back on track? The U.S. is the land of second chances. At the very worst, you can go to community college for 2 years, excel academically, and then transfer to the flagship college in your state to receive your degree there.
3. Are my ACT or SAT test scores really that important?
On the one hand, no, because standardized test scores are not an indicator of future success. Also, not all colleges look at these scores. But, yes, you should endeavor to do well because your scores are how scholarships are determined. So, take them seriously and do as well as you can.
4. How can I get a scholarship?
Get good grades, get good test scores. The vast majority of scholarship money comes from the colleges themselves, so apply to colleges that will give you the most scholarship money. They always give money to the best students. Think about it. Who plays in the NFL? The best football players. How do you get to the Olympics? Be really good at an Olympic sport. Want a scholarship? Then excel at academics and extracurricular activities.
5. How do I get good letters of recommendation from my teachers?
Go above and beyond what is required by your teachers. Talk to them, get to know them, treat them like human beings. Build a relationship. Let them know what is going on in your life. Most of all, your relationship with your teachers is about school. So, it’s most important to be a good student. Do your work, and hand it in on time. Demonstrate to your teacher that you care about their class. Just remember, it’s about being a good student first and foremost.
6. Which extracurricular activities should I do?
The ones you enjoy, and the ones you’re good at. The specific extracurricular activities you choose don’t matter. There is no formula. Spend time doing activities you like, and aim for excellence in those areas. It’s not about numbers, it’s about how well you perform. If you play a musical instrument, they do not measure how much you practice, they measure how good you are. The same is true for sports, and all other activities.
7. How do I decide my major?
Ask yourself, what are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Remind yourself that it might not matter when you start college. Do what you enjoy and you will excel at it. Place your focus on the subjects you enjoy. You may want to be an engineer, but if you struggle with math, then you may not succeed in an engineering program. It’s all about aiming for excellence. Employers after college are not hiring you based solely on your college major. They’re hiring you for what you know, and for your habits. Demonstrate a rigorous work ethic through academic and extracurricular success and you will continue to succeed beyond your college life.
8. Where can I get help to get into college?
Do you have questions about the college application process? The experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate the sometimes confusing and overwhelming task of getting accepted into college. Contact us at greatcollegeadvice.com to find out how we can help you master the college application process, and ultimately be able to attend the college of your dreams!
Getting Into A Top College: Expectations vs Reality
As you begin to consider your college application process, you are going to be hearing a lot of details from those who have gone before you, and gathering a lot of information from various sources. Some of this information will not be accurate or helpful to you as you map out your plan for your admissions journey. You may have some preconceived notions about what the college admissions process is going to be like. It’s important to understand the difference between your expectations of getting into a top college and the reality.
Expectation:
Good grades and high test scores are all that matter to get into a top college.
Reality:
Good grades and high test scores are certainly important. They identify you as a serious scholar and as someone who can handle the workload of a rigorous academic schedule. However, your extracurricular activities and personal interests are also of critical importance when applying to college. It is these activities that will set you apart from other applicants. In addition, it will demonstrate you are able to achieve a balance between your academic workload and the other interests you have.
Expectation:
It is important to involve yourself in as many extracurricular activities as possible in order to stand out as a top candidate to get into the college of my choice.
Reality:
It is true that extracurricular activities are an important part of your high school experience and will be considered seriously by college admissions officers. However, quantity does not measure up to quality when it comes to your life outside the classroom. Admissions officers will not be looking simply at the number of clubs, teams and societies you joined. They will be considering if you made an impact. It’s important to show a record of achievement, not just participation.
It is also important to consider your interests and spend your time where your passions lie. Love music? Audition for a county or state level ensemble. Love computers and video games? Consider leading a game building or coding club. If you go where your interests take you, you will enjoy yourself and find success in those areas. And leadership outside the classroom will make you stand out to a college admissions officer.
Expectation:
There is only one college that is right for me. If I don’t get accepted there, my future will be in jeopardy.
Reality:
There are literally hundreds of great colleges and universities to choose from, and many of them would be thrilled to have you as their student. All you need to do is be aware of what is out there and choose a small group that would be right for you, based on your achievements, abilities and budget. This is where seeking professional help is crucial. The experts at Great College Advice have intimate knowledge of the college landscape, and they know which colleges are right for you.
Do you have expectations about your college application process that are worrying you? The experts at Great College Advice can help you debunk the mysteries and clear up the misconceptions you may have.
Contact us to learn about our wide range of services and find out how we can help you get into a top college.
Getting Into College – The Worst Advice
Getting into college is one of the most important aspects of your child’s life, and it’s your responsibility as the parent to help in any way you can. There are many choices to make. Many sources of information out there to choose from, not all of it accurate.
Here are some assumptions you may be making, or advice you may get, that is definitely not the right advice to follow.
‘Apply early decision, even if acceptance into that college is a stretch for your student, because you never know.’
The reality is that early decision is not a lottery. Even students that may get accepted under normal circumstances might not get accepted early decision. Colleges are looking for the strongest candidates to lock them in early. If your student does not fit that category, then don’t waste your money and effort on early decision.
‘Don’t worry about the cost. You’ll pay for it somehow.’
Not every family can afford every college, and not every dollar you invest in your college education is created equal. Finding the right school is the most important aspect of the application process. Finding a program where your student is a strong candidate, and that you can afford is a big part of your decision. College loan debt is a real problem for so many graduates. It can affect your student for years to come. Aggressive saving and proper budgeting is a crucial part of the college application process.
‘Colleges have “holistic” evaluations, so even if your grades and test scores are bad, they might still accept you.’
College admissions officers do consider many aspects of your student’s record beyond grades and test scores. But, the fact is that your grades and test scores are considered first and foremost in your college application. Being the first thing they look at, if your scores don’t pass muster, then your extracurricular activities will not outweigh a record that demonstrates that your student has struggled in an academic environment.
‘Do whatever it takes to get into an elite college, because it’s worth it.’
An elite college is certainly attractive to consider. However, if your student is not a strong enough candidate, that may be a sign that they will struggle in that particular environment. And low test scores means a lack of scholarships and higher tuition costs for you. What you need to do is find the college that is right for your student. Not only will you be getting the highest value for your student’s education, but you will be doing everything you can to ensure that your student will be placed in an environment where they can thrive, learn and grow.
As you consider your child’s college application process, do you need some good advice? The experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate the complicated and sometimes overwhelming process of getting your child into college.
Visit greatcollegeadvice.com and find out how we can help you.
Which College Is Right For You?
There are many aspects of the college search that you must consider when deciding to apply. Among the most important is where to apply. It may be easy to consider applying to a college or university that is nearby, or that your best friend is applying to, or is where a parent went to college. But the right college may be one that you are unaware of.
Here are 4 questions you must ask yourself if you are to make the right choices of where to apply.
1. Are you considering school size and student to faculty ratio?
You may thrive at a large school with huge class sizes, like many state schools. However, you may consider a smaller school, a school you might otherwise overlook, if smaller class sizes are a positive feature for you. Do you know where to look?
2. Does a college offer a strong program in an area of interest?
Do you excel in a particular area of academics? Do you love physics, chemistry, or biology? Or, are your strengths in the arts such as drama, music, or design? Knowing how to find the right college that aligns with your strengths is a crucial part of the process of finding the school that is the right fit for you.
3. How does the college you are considering fit with your budget?
Is the college you are considering realistic given the amount of savings that has been set aside for your education? Do you know how to apply for scholarships? Are you aware of financial aid packages and what you might be eligible for?
4. Are you aware of colleges that are far away, which may be a good fit for you?
There are literally thousands of colleges and universities, in every corner of the country, that have much to offer hopeful high school students. Are you aware of a wide range of schools and the programs they offer? Finding a college or university that is a good fit for you is a critical step in the life of any aspiring student, and the choice you make will affect the rest of your life.
The process is complex, and there are many factors to consider. However, the experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate this complicated process, and help you zero in on colleges and programs that are a good fit for you. They are familiar with thousands of programs all over the country and the world. And, they get to know you, the student, to help you find the right match, so you can find success.
Contact us to find out how we can help you.
