AboutBruce Expertise Choosing a college, college admission processes, admission for homeschoolers, preparing for the college interview, searching for scholarships, Christian colleges & universities, colleges in general.
Experience 22 years in higher education, including eight in admission and financial aid, 15 years interviewing students for admission and places in honors programs, academic advising, transfer counseling.
Education/Credentials BA psychology. MA Behavioral Science
Question Hi Bruce. I just started Summer Vacation and I am going to be a high school senior next school year. I have all ready taken my SAT and ACT tests but I am very confused as to what I should do now in the admissions process. I have a few schools that I plan on visiting. But when do I need to start filling out the paperwork and beginning my essay? When do colleges make these applications available? Also even though I have a few schools in mine, where can I find information on what schools have the best programs for business/medical etc.. ? What can I do over the summer to be more productive towards the acceptance process for colleges? ...I would really appreciate your help on these topics considering your expertise.
Thanks.
B. Johnson
Answer Hi Bob,
Things to do this summer:
visit a few colleges, and try to build a varied list; large, small, urban, rural, liberal artsy, techie - so you can get a sense for how these different settings fit you.
Line up recommendations - you should have a couple of teachers and or community people who will do references for you. It's good to ask them now, rather than spring it on them with a tiht deadline. They might want to do a letter now and give them to you in sealed envelopes - so you can send them to schools; or you could line them up and confim that they will send references for you come fall.
Essay - it would be good to start outlining this about now
Application - mid August is a reasonable time to start filling out college applications.
If you can suggest a region and type of school you want, I may be able to suggest places to check out.
