Introduction
Getting to college is an exciting dream for most youths all over the world and many look forward to it with fervor. Planning for it is another exciting affair but sometimes can be very stressful since numerous things take place before moving to college. The exact time when this process starts largely depends on the individual student but it is advisable to start it early. Application for admission in college starts during this time and concludes by April of the senior year of high school. This is when the all-important news comes of whether one has been accepted or rejected by the college of their choice.
What it takes
It is important to know that there are numerous colleges and universities in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, and throughout the world and they have different admission strategies and requirements. It is therefore important for a student to identify his or her abilities to be able to identify the most appropriate college for him or her to apply to. If one is suited to the requirements that a particular college is asking for and likes the college and what it offers, then he or she should go ahead and apply.
One of the most important steps in making sure one gets admission to a college is planning a rigorous high school schedule and performance. A student should realize that keeping one’s grades up is the easiest way of confirming your chance and position in college. One thing that colleges look for is high school results that have sciences, languages, social studies, math, and other areas of study. The colleges look for good transcripts and preferably with many honors in the above areas of study.
Good grades are a guarantee to not only going to college but a good one at that. Having a wide range of areas of study is another strength that colleges look for in their applicants. Someone ready to take risks is also ready to take challenges and also rise to the occasion and meet them. Getting relatively good grades in many subjects may be a thing for consideration by the colleges. A college may prefer a student who has taken many subjects and scored good grades than the one who has exemplary grades in two or three subjects. Colleges also scrutinize a student’s performance and they like to see grades on an upward trend rather than plummeting ones.
Another key factor to confirming a place in the college is by following one’s passion. Colleges prefer students who have a passion for something and show it. It is also of paramount importance for a student to identify what he or she is good at and likes too. Having something one likes and is good at is an ideal combination for someone who has an intention of going to college. This should not be the end. A student should embark on making his or her passion known and prove that he is good at it. It is also advisable for a student to pursue a course or a career in line with one’s passion. For instance, if a student feels that he likes history, he can join a club that has an interest in that and perhaps go the extra mile of heading it. This way, the college will acknowledge the sheer interest of this student in the course of his choice.
If one is good, has what it takes to go to college, and has applied well, college brochures soon start to come to the mail. Now, a student should be organized and set aside a place to put the college brochures. It is important to check the mail regularly like weekly or even daily if you can. This helps one in tracking the admission office’s addresses, deadlines, exam dates, and other things that might be of importance to you. If this is not properly followed one may lose a chance of a lifetime.
As soon as one gets the brochures, take time to focus on the essay and how well to tackle it. Different colleges will have different essays with a number of the types of results they are looking for. Even if a student has to look for outside information to fill the essay, the most important thing is to be you. Write about yourself and who you are. Expound on your roots and the things that make you happy and excite you. Write about your hobbies and talents.
Things like whether you like football, comedies and so on. Write about what is unique about you and what makes you stand out in the crowd. Personal stories are moving and there is no reason why they should not move those responsible for admitting students to colleges. Some colleges seek to take the top applicants by having them apply early and giving their feedback early. This system is sometimes criticized for discriminating against some applicants.
It is seen as a way of discriminating against less sophisticated students. It is also criticized for locking those applicants who must wait to compare financial aid offers of different colleges. This means applying early may have a student get little financial aid offer compared to those who will apply later. Applying early may have the following implications:
- One may get fewer financial aid offer compared to those students who will apply later date. This is because one is applying in very few colleges that prefer this system mainly to pick the best and more sophisticated students or applicants.
- It has the advantage of a less stressful final year in high school. This is because the student can consider himself or herself to have acquired a place in college.
- It gives the student less time to research his or her options. Waiting for the regular application time gives the student ample time to do or the research one needs and weighs all the options.
- Applying early has another downside. It leaves the student with no choice to change one’s options.
The student should also seek and be sure of the teacher’s references. The references should preferably be enthusiastic about you and indicate how you stand out. The student can ask their teachers if they know them well and if they can give them good or great references. If a teacher thinks otherwise, it is advisable for the student to gracefully bow out. The students should also be at the best of their character since colleges nowadays have become vigilant about how students behave. They won’t hesitate to lock out aggressive students, show social insensitivity, or are lawbreakers. Colleges nowadays confirm details about a student’s previous college enrollment, education, health care, criminal record, and so on.
Conclusion
The issues discussed above show the fundamental areas of concern that a student or a college applicant should take note of. If one has prospects of joining the college then he or she should be ready to fulfill these requirements and others too. After all, it is the applicant who has the best knowledge of what is important to him. He is better placed to know what kind of college he wants to attend and what his dreams and aspirations are.
Work Cited
Getting to college. Web.
Strategy for applying and for top colleges. Web.
How to make colleges want you. Web.
How to enter University. Web.
Students trade up for better college. Web.