Jon Hancock, Hancock Advisors LLC
As a high school student getting prepared for college, it’s normal to feel both excited and overwhelmed. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that you succeed as you embark on this new path.
The most important thing you can do is to establish a well-structured plan. With a clear roadmap to guide your planning, you can make the process smoother and alleviate any worries that you might have.
Here are seven boxes you can check off to help you on your way to success.
1. Find the schools you think will be a good fit
Choosing a college is a big decision that involves many factors. Some of the questions you might want to ask yourself are:
– Is it a state university or a private college?
– Do you prefer a large or small school?
– Do you want to stay near home, or would you prefer an out-of-state college?
– Is there a specific career or major area of study that will influence your choice?
2. Sources of college funding
If you need extra cash to attend university, it’s important to remember that loans must be repaid. Take on as little debt possible; you don’t want to have an onerous repayment schedule that continues for a long time after graduation.
Before turning to student loans, you should consider scholarships and grants, which do not have to be repaid. These are often overlooked as a valuable resource and that may leave free money on the table.
3. FASFA is key
Complete the FAFSA for free to access thousands of dollars in financial help. Don’t put it off because some of the funds are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
The FAFSA application normally opens on October 1 each year. However, the opening date has been pushed back to December 2023 due to fresh amendments to the application.
Even if you don’t plan to borrow money for school, you should still think about filling out the form. Otherwise, you risk accidentally losing out on opportunities for work-study, fellowships, and scholarships.
4. Test-taking diminishes in influence
Nationally, the SAT or ACT is less of a requirement, and many colleges and universities now allow students to apply without taking the test. There are online test preparation classes and practice exams if you’re thinking about taking the SAT or ACT.
5. Increase your chance with essays and letters of recommendation
The most crucial thing to do is to begin writing your essay and to request and gather letters of recommendation that highlight your talents and accomplishments from instructors, guidance counselors, and even your principal.
6. Take a trip
Visit the school or schools you want to attend. Every campus is unique. The school, the residence halls, the library, the classrooms, the dining hall, the student union, recreational facilities, campus hangouts, off-campus life, and much more can all be explored during an on-campus tour.
7. Your guidance counselor will help you
Applying to college can seem overwhelming, but you can seek help from your high school guidance counselor, who can provide valuable advice that will make the process easier.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
If you’re going to college next year, or even in the next few years, breaking your prep work into smaller tasks can help reduce stress and give you a sense of accomplishment. Start your preparation today and you will be surprised by what you learn and the admissions challenges you can overcome.