Must Read Articles for College Selection
Every year, nationwide, senior students rush to get their college applications in– hopeful that they’ll get into their dream college. But what about the students who haven’t even started the college process, or even know where to start? Do they just not get to go to college? Are they doomed to watch their peers acceptance posts on Facebook? Well, not necessarily because there are countless articles online that step by step help many students to begin their college adventure, so that in no time they too can get acceptance.
Katy Hopkins provides not only 10 essential steps when considering a college but she also provides us with an example of a real life high school senior, Michael Lopresti. Hopkins gives a timeline effect as she arms us with advice: starting with rethinking our college choices to advising against procrastination and being open to rejection! But don’t worry. Although it may be a long process–you’re not alone. This article strongly encourages the involvement of parents in the excruciating process so that students have a support system and decisions can be made.
Like Hopkins, Frank Bruni, also uses a real life example as he advises on how to choose a college to fit the student’s personality. Bruni concentrates on the various schools’ personalities such as “The Party” school, “The Closest to Home” school, or the “Ivy League” school, etc. In his article, Bruni describes how colleges are able to fit the needs of the individual student by allowing them to stay within their comfort zones since we all know college can be an overwhelming terrifying experience for high school seniors. Bruni, although, gets our minds really thinking when he finishes by advising that you don’t choose the “school [that] is the surest route to riches but [instead] will give [you] the richest experiences to draw from, which will broaden [your] frames of reference.”
Sadly not all high school senior are born into rich families that can more or less pay for the all time high college expenses, and yet each year students from low income families are accepted into colleges due to the various means of financial aid. Yet not all is as easy as it seems when receiving “free” money, and Kelsey Sheehy gives insight on common mistakes made by students when applying for financial aid that can end up costing you more than it returns. For example, as seniors, our greatest challenge is procrastinating and Sheehy knows this because she says, “Procrastinating: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is available Jan. 1, but students often don’t apply until the last minute, says Matt Falduto, director of one stop student services at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa.” This on its own advises us about upcoming deadlines!
When choosing a college, the process will be hard and it will be long and it will bring tears to your face– but the end result will make everything worth it! You’ll now be able to join the Facebook posts of acceptance letters and be able to share your story with others who could be going through the same thing.