Advice

Hey there!

Don't apologize for the long message; it's okay! I enjoy helping peers out :)

That is a worthy goal (setting a good example for your sisters), and I really respect that and commend you for it. Not many students have that perspective.

Now, to the questions!

The college admissions process seens long and scary, but can be fun once you know the steps. It is an exciting time! I am a junior now, so I will share what I did to prepare sophmore year, what I am doing now, and what I will be doing in the next year.

Sophmore year I began preparing for SAT's and the last semester I began researching more about the majors I was considering and comparing. Then I started looking at school options. If you have taken AP or SAT, you have an account with Collegeboard. I highly recommend using their college search engine. You put in all you stats and preferences and they list college options. Be sure to check each school suggested and make sure they have the exact major you are interested in (I got some similar majors suggested, but they weren't really what I wanted). From there, you can make a college list. I also recommend going to Niche and creating an account so you can see actual reviews from attendees of the colleges, as well as your chances based on test scores/GPAs accepted.

Junior year: Take SAT's so you have time to retake in the summer/fall. Know what average score the colleges you are looking into accept so you have a goal. Check out the colleges on your college list more closely- is there a school that excites you the most? Which one will train you best for the direction you're heading?

Junior (even sophmore year) is the time to think about finances. I highly recommend applying to as many scholarships as you can without hindering your grades. Don't enter the no-essay one-click wonder scholarships. Your chances are higher if you enter scholarships that are specific to your interests, hobbies, talents...chose scholarships that actually require something of you. I recommend looking at videos on Youtube made by The Scholarship System. Essay scholarships are super important because it will prepare you for writing the admissions essay. And don't downplay small scholarships (500, 1000...) These really add up eventually.

Summer between: Write LOTS of essays and prepare for applying. Know the prompts for the colleges and begin brainstorming what you could write that would answer it in a captivating way. Towards the end of the summer, start writing the essays. I discourage waiting until a couple weeks before applying. This essay is really important; this is how the admissions officers meet you and get to know who you are in an interesting way. Be you and be unique! The Scholarship System and Supertutor TV on Youtube have videos about essays.

If you need more detailed info about the admissions process, I really recommend checking out the National Society of High School Scholars. Your GPA qualifies you for admittance. I was invited based on my GPA but you can apply for an invitation. Anyway, I really appreciated all the free webinars they had with admissions officers because I got inside information on what they do and don't want to see. I have learned so much about the admissions process through these webinars and now I enjoy sharing that knowledge with peers here on Collegevine.

Senior year: Take the SAT for the last time(s) if needed. Apply to the colleges in the fall. Apply to a variety of colleges (reach, target, and safety) so you have options, except in my case I will be attending a safety school. There's nothing wrong with that because they will train me well in my career AND I will be offered a merit scholarship since my stats are above theirs. Also, I recommend visiting the colleges (if possible) early in the senior year if you were unable to do so in junior year. This will help you find The Fit for yourself. You can visit in the summer, but you won't see the school in action. I cannot remember when, but at some point in the senior year you will also fill out the FASFA which will determine what kind of financial aid you get.

You can always take a gap year if you are unsure; it's up to you. Another option is to start at community college and then transfer into the university you decide you want to attend if you aren't accepted senior year. Community college can be a way to prove you can handle college well, as well as being a way to save money if you are able to transfer the credits into the university.

See, I can write just as long, LOL :) I really hope this was helpful. If you have more specific questions, ask away! It is my pleasure to help you out.