Student Guide

By Katherine Aguiar We are well into the third quarter of this year and many seniors have applied to college and have heard back from at least some of them.   If you're a junior, it is time to start looking at colleges.            

If you take your PSAT score and add a zero to the end, it will give you a rough estimate of what your SAT scores will be.   This will definitely help you narrow down your choices for colleges, especially if you are not sure what your major will be. If you go to Collegeboard.com you can type in your information and your preferences and the site will generate a list of colleges that match your search criteria.            

When selecting potential colleges you should sort them into three categories: a safety school that you know you can get into and can afford with minimal financial assistance, a few target schools that you have a good chance of getting into, and a reach school or two that you may not be admitted to.   You can determine the category the college falls into roughly by where your grades and SAT scores fall among those admitted.   If your SAT scores are in the top quarter that school is a safety, the middle fifty percent is a target school, and if you fall in the bottom quartile, it is a reach school.

Once you are thinking about several colleges, you should check out their websites for more information.   Be careful not to get caught up in the hype of going to a big-name private college.   The University of Massachusetts, which is a state school, was ranked by The Times of London as having the nineteenth best reputation of any university in the world.   Some colleges also have virtual tours of campus, which are especially good if a college is far away or inconvenient to travel to.  

Of course, for closer colleges like UMass Dartmouth and UMass Amherst, it's a great idea to attend an informational session and take a tour of the campus.   This looks good to colleges because it shows interest and it will also give you a good feel for the college.   If you are truly interested in a college it is a good idea to visit multiple times to show a deep interest and confirm your initial impressions.   Keep in mind that you may not get an accurate feel for a college when you visit when school is not in session, such as during the summer.    A campus might seem desolate during the summer only to have a festive atmosphere during the school year.

Another thing that you should do is to check the requirements early for your colleges and major, such as taking so many years of science or history.   Some also require one or more SAT subject tests, especially if it is a well-ranked school or technical college.   Colleges also require varying amounts of recommendations from different areas of study.   A technical college may require recommendations from science and math teachers, whereas liberal arts colleges may require it from an English, language, or history teacher.            

When asking teachers for recommendations, it is best to ask early, even at the end of your junior year.   It is also recommended that you give your teacher a sheet, or résumé, with all of your information (like your after school activities and involvement in the community) on it, so that he or she can write a more informed letter.                   The price of a college is also a major factor.   However, never assume that you can't afford a college because of its sticker price.   You will most likely get financial aid and maybe even scholarships.   Some colleges have tools on their websites that let you calculate your estimated financial aid.   It is also important to note whether the colleges will meet your financial need with loans or grants.            

Your application essay can be just as important as grades and extracurricular activities.   Some schools take the Common Application in addition too or instead of their essay requirement.   Your essay should be carefully planned and written and should really portray your personality, as it can be crucial to getting admitted.   Be aware that when you compose the essay on the Common Application that all the colleges will see it, so don't write that your dream has always been to attend a particular college.  

Although many juniors are now college searching, it's never too early to start looking.   I started looking in my sophomore year in order to find the best fit for me.   The earlier you look, the more time you have to visit colleges and really weigh out your options, instead of waiting until senior year when you're busy with SATs and classes.   Lastly, remember not to let senioritis happen to you or your college acceptance offer could be revoked.
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