PHOTO/Andrea Rivera
The college admission process is a lengthy one and timeliness might just be what turns a “maybe” into a “yes.” There are a series of steps you should take in order to be on track in your college path.
August/September
Gather details about the requirements for the colleges you plan to apply for. These may include average SAT/ACT reasoning scores, any SAT subject tests required, average Grade Point Average (GPA), any interviews required, campus visit(s), essay(s), and letters of recommendation.
Decide if you need to retake the SAT and/or ACT. Take these early in the school year to ensure you meet the application and/or merit aid deadlines.
Plan your college essay(s) and request teachers to write any obligatory or encouraged letters of recommendation.
Consider creating a study plan before taking/retaking the SAT and/or ACT (remember, higher scores increase your opportunity for admission, as well as the merit aid you could receive).
Contact the institution(s) directly, since they count the number of contacts each student makes. In an e-mail, you could ask about the program you are interested in, or even about the school itself (not information that can be researched).
Visit school(s) and seek out private scholarships. Speak to your guidance counselor and/or visit www.tchs.ocps.net for information on local scholarships.
October/November
Find at least one teacher that can edit your college essay(s), and begin filling out application forms. Start gathering all documents that are to be submitted with your application forms.
After submitting your completed admission application(s), verify that your SAT/ACT scores are being sent to the college(s), along with your letters of recommendation.
December
Contact the admissions office of each school you applied for to make sure all the information submitted has been received.
By mid-December your stress levels should be getting back to normal, and now the waiting game begins.