Schedule interviews with prospective colleges
Not all colleges require interviews for admission. But, many still do. It may seem like a big annoyance, but interviews help administrators view the face behind the application and see what it is about you that makes you so suited for their institution.
It is understandable to be nervous, but you really don’t have to be. The admissions officer is not out “to get you.” Rather, they just want to know what makes you different than the other thousands of students that apply to their school. Some qualities just cannot be adequately reflected on paper. Perhaps you are a very enthusiastic person and have done tons of research about your prospective school. The interview is the time and the place to show this quality.
Another way to impress during the interview is to prepare. While you can’t possibly know what the admissions officer will ask you, you can prepare for some of the generalized questions they are likely to ask. For instance, they will probably as you why you want to go to college, what you want to major in and why and why you have chosen to apply to their school.
Also, reread your application essays to have them in your mind. Many admissions officers reference students’ applications as a conversation starter during the interview.
Another great way to really shine is to have a list of questions prepared. What do you really want to know about the school? Just be sure not to ask anything that is readily available in the materials they sent you!
More than anything, relax! The interview is often not the deciding factor in acceptance. It’s just icing on the cake, really. So take a deep breath and prepare to answer honestly and openly.
Fill out the FAFSA
Beginning January 1, you can fill out the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid makes it possible to be eligible for financial aid. Even if you don’t think you will be eligible, it is still a good idea to fill out the FAFSA.
You will need your parents and your own tax forms and financial information in order to complete the FAFSA. Also set aside a few hours to complete this form. It is quite lengthy and you will be required to answer many questions about your family’s finances.
It is a good idea to fill out the FAFSA with one of your parents. You’ll come across many questions that may need explaining.
The deadline for filling out the FAFSA is March 2. Within a few weeks you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) with your estimated financial aid described in it. If you have any questions at that time, you can contact them for further explanation
Select your school
During the spring, you’ll start receiving responses back from the schools to which you applied. Smile and take pride in all of those acceptance letters! Fours years of hard work and dedication have really paid off!
But come May, you’ll have to let the school you want to go to know you will be attending their school in the fall. You’ll also have to let those schools to which you don’t want to go to know that you’ll be attending somewhere else.
Upon deciding to go to a certain college, you will most likely be sent a welcome package containing many forms, brochures and information on the campus. If you need information on housing, loans or other concerns, contact the admissions office to request the appropriate materials.
Keep housing and financial aid deadlines in order
Being accepted at your dream college is great, but finding you will be unable to live on campus can put a damper on your plans if you live in an entirely different state.
Besides requesting appropriate forms, it is necessary to also keep track of all deadlines related to your college experience. When do you need to have your housing request in by? When do you need to make your housing payment? What about financial aid forms, loan forms and other must-have materials?
In order to stay on top of it all, buy some of those cheap manila folders and label each one “Housing,” “FAFSA,” etc. Keep everything related to each topic inside these folders. Even better yet, you can attach a note, or write on the folder itself the deadlines for submitting all materials. This way, you’ll keep on top of deadlines and have an enjoyable college experience rather than one that is preceded by chaos!
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