subject: 3 Things to Consider Doing "Early" In The College Application Process [print this page] 3 Things to Consider Doing "Early" In The College Application Process
1. Research Early
In order to streamline the college application process, start doing your research on potential colleges and universities early. Draw up a list of some basic questions and start thinking about your answers: Do you want to go to a small or large school, or something in between? What kind of college education are you seeking? Do you want to pursue liberal arts or technical training? Will you prefer to live on campus or commute from home? What kind of campus setting do you want urban, small town, or rural? Would you be most happy going to school in a warm or cold weather location? What kind of academic setting are you looking for? Once you start being realistic about your expectations and goals, you can narrow the pool of colleges and universities and not feel overwhelmed by the process. There are plenty of resources, including your local library, high school guidance counselor, and the Internet, to help you with your research.
2. Look into Finances Early
College tuition and what you can afford can be a deal breaker. Confront the issue head-on and early. Have open and honest discussions about what you and your parents can realistically afford. There are options available to help pay for, or at least reduce the amount of debt. Find out more about Federal loans, Loan Forgiveness Programs, scholarships and grants, and college financial aid packages. Smart borrowing, scholarships and grants, work-study programs are helpful ways in which you can pay for college.
3. Apply Early Decision
Early decision refers to an accelerated college application process where students apply to college early in the academic year under a binding commitment to go to the college, if accepted, and withdraw all other applications. A recent report suggests that applying early decision may boost chances of acceptance.
According to "The State of College Admission," an annual report released in October 2010 by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, three out of four students who applied to college in 2009 were accepted under early decision programs, compared with slightly more than half who applied to the same colleges in the regular application round. This report indicates that the percentage of students accepted in 2009 in the early-decision phase was 15 points higher than in the regular application phase.
