Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Picking a College; Easier than You Think

By Daniel Kane

With nearly 3,500 universities and colleges to choose from, any student who takes the time to thoroughly explore his or her educational options should have no problem gaining admission to several which meet their needs. In fact, if students realize there are many colleges, not just a few, in which they can be both happy and successful, if they get started on their college search no later than the fall of their junior year of high school, and if they use the informational resources available to them, their college search can be almost anxiety free. Remember that fewer than ten percent of the colleges and universities in the United are highly selective. So, unless you apply to a highly selective college or university, your chances for admission to the institutions you have chosen are probably pretty high if you have been realistic in your choices. Conversely, if your grades and standardized test scores are high enough so that highly selective colleges are a reasonable option for you, you should be a lock for admission to one of the many excellent but slightly less competitive institutions.

A few colleges and universities, places like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, receive so many applications from top students that they can be incredibly selective, admitting just fifteen percent of their applicants (sometimes fewer). But, many good colleges, some with pretty high profiles, admit forty to sixty percents. And, nationally, the acceptance rate is close to seventy-five percent (75%).

Remembering these statistics, you are ready to begin the process of selecting and gaining admission to a college. Look for and find six to eight colleges which offer the major(s) of greatest interest to you, are likely to admit students with your grades and scores, and provide the campus lifestyle and environment you seek. Start by meeting with your college counselor to:

1. solicit his or her college recommendations.

2. discuss the courses you plan to take in future years.

3. sign up for the SAT and ACT.

4. learn which college representatives will be visiting your school.

5. sign up for the college fairs being held in your area.

Don't forget that the web is a great source of information. Do a few searches for terms like "colleges", "college scholarships", "financial aid" and "college admissions" to identify some good online resources.

Once you've done all that you're in great shape. Start early, pay attention to details and deadlines, and do your research and you'll find the college admission process far easier than you've imagined.

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