Applying for college can be a stressful task, especially if you are applying to more than one school at the same time. In order to streamline the process of applying to colleges, College Tutors of Michigan has put together a list of to-do’s for your junior and senior year of high school.
Research and Visit Colleges
It is important to research different colleges in order to determine which school is the best fit for you. It may be beneficial to make a list of things you are looking for in a university. This will help you from getting distracted by all the ‘flashy’ extras you will see on a college tour. Remember, you are going to college to get an education, which should be the number one thing you consider when you tour a university. You may end up touring a school you really love, but if it doesn’t have the major(s) you are interested in, it makes no sense for you to apply to that University.
Take the SAT and/or ACT
Many students end up taking these college admission exams more than once in order to improve their scores. Due to this, it is important to sign up for these tests throughout your junior and senior years of
high school. It is recommended that students take their college admission exam of choice at the end of their junior year of high school and again at the beginning of their senior year.
Fill Out Those Applications
Once you have found a few colleges you are interested in, it is time to apply! Keep in mind that some colleges are extremely competitive, so it is best not to put all of your eggs in one basket. We recommend that you always apply to a “safe” school as well. This way, if you do not get accepted to one of your reach schools, you will not have to panic.
It is important to look through your college applications as soon as you receive them. Since all applications are different, it is good to find out what you need to do in order to complete the application.
Admission essay
Some colleges may have you write an admission essay to go along with your application. This admission essay should be the most polished and well-thought-out piece of writing you have ever produced. Make sure you give yourself enough time to write and rewrite this piece. Also, have multiple people read your essay in order to proofread and give feedback.
Letters of recommendation
Some college applications may ask you to submit letters of recommendation along with your application. Teachers, bosses, and other important adults in your life make excellent resources for these letters. Make sure you give those who are writing your letters plenty of time to write them; do not put it off until the last minute.
