AboutTodd Johnson Expertise I can help students and families understand the whole college admissions process from evaluating what a student wants from a college to finding the right college. This includes advising on the college application, the essay, recommendations and visiting colleges. I also can help families understand college financial aid.
Experience I am a lawyer as well as a college admission consultant and have spent the past 8 years consulting with students and families on how to find the right college for each student.
Question Hi Todd. 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.
If you aren't sure what you are looking for I suggest visiting some colleges near your home that are of different types to see if you can narrow your interests. Once you have some idea of what you are looking for in a college then you are on to step two, finding some colleges that match your needs. Go to College Navigator. http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
At this site you can enter in the information about what you are looking for in a college and it will give you a list of colleges that meet your needs.
As far as the "best" programs in any field, it is more difficult to say. There is no real rating system for undergraduate programs, only different people's opinions. One such guide is the Rugg's Guide to Colleges. But remember this is only this person's opinion. Generally, the stronger the college overall, the stronger most of its programs will be. What makes a college strong? In part it is the quality of the students that attend that college.
Summer is a great time to get all of these questions answered and then, when you know where you want to apply, start the applications. The Common Application which is used by almost 400 colleges will have its new application on line as of July 1. Most colleges get their applications on line sometime in July or August. Once you see that a college in which you have an interest has its application out start working on the essay. The more you can get done during the summer, the more pleasant your senior year will be.
You can send applications in at most colleges at any time but make sure you have reviewed all of your answers and essays and think you have done the best job you can. Then you can send the application in.
Good luck, I hope that helps you getting going this summer.
