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The best advice for a stress-free
and enjoyable college search process is to PREPARE. The extra
effort you put into this activity now will save you the unnecessary
frustration and discouragement that sometimes accompanies the
college search process. "How should I prepare for the
all-important college search process?" I'm glad you asked. .
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Phone for information from each school in
advance of a visit.
When you call the admissions
office, ask for the following:
1. application view book
2. fees and charges brochure
3. visitation information
4. undergraduate catalog
Read the materials carefully with pen in
hand (and take notes!)
While reading, try to locate answers to the following:
1. Is my major program offered?
2. What is the total tuition per year?
3. Is there a freshmen housing requirement?
4. What is the application fee?/Is there an application
deadline?
5. When is there an opportunity to visit the campus?
6. What are the college's/university's admissions
requirements?
Explore your options.
1. Schedule a personal
interview with an admissions representative.
2. Schedule a visit for a campus open-house.
3. Create a pro and con list for each college you visit.
4. Attend college/university high school visit
presentations.
Prioritize your options.
Ask yourself, "What's important to me?"
1. environment
2. sports
3. class size
4. financial aid/scholarships
Ask questions before, during, and
after.
If after you visit you still have unanswered questions, talk with
the appropriate campus representatives to get answers before ruling
out one of your choice schools.
Re-evaluate your options.
Now that you know the facts and figures, re-evaluate all of your
options by asking yourself the following questions:
1. Am I looking for a small/large college, private/public
school?
2. Will I need financial assistance to attend/continue?
3. Will the academic program meet my needs?
4. Is location a concern?
Do I want to be close to home/far away from
home?
Do I want to be in-state/out-of state?
5. With all things considered, do I see a future for myself
at the university?
Enjoy the college search
process.
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