You’re always hearing the phrase, “It’s never too early to start looking at colleges.” But let’s be honest: it’s junior year, and while that incredibly annoying statement may be true...it’s still incredibly annoying. Don’t people realize how stressful it is to start the search? Where do you even begin? Don’t people get that you still have a couple years to figure it all out?! To help relieve some of your stress and give you a place to begin your search, here are 7 tips for jumpstarting your college search.
1. Meet with your high school counselor
Start at the source. High school counselors are there to aid you in your college search, so use them! Don’t know what you want to do or what kind of colleges you want to look at? That’s ok! School counselors are a treasure trove of information when it comes to colleges and career planning. If there happens to be something they don’t know, they will research it for you. They are there to help you succeed, and they are often one of the best ways to communicate with colleges during your initial search.
2. Check out online resources
Every college has a website and usually some form of social media, if not multiple forms. Check out the official college website for general information on the school and
academics. Check out a college’s
facebook,
twitter, and
instagram pages to see what happens day-to-day at the college. Consider liking or following a college’s social media so that you can get regular updates as your search continues.
3. Request info
Contact colleges and request information. Sign up for emails or the mailing list so that you can continue to receive information as you deepen your college search.
4. Attend college fairs
Many colleges participate in college fairs that are available to juniors as well as seniors. Look to see if there is one happening in your town or city, or in a town or city close to you. Ask your school counselor about this and consider attending an online virtual college fair if travel to the college isn’t realistic yet.
5. Consider taking the SAT/ACT
Consider taking the Spring SAT or ACT. While some schools, like Le Moyne College, are test-optional, you may still want to submit your test scores to be considered for top academic scholarships and certain majors. Talk to your school counselor about taking SAT/ACT prep classes to prepare for the test. The earlier you take it, the more chances you have of preparing or re-taking the test if you are unhappy with the results.
6. Make a list
Which colleges have caught your interest so far? Which colleges might you want to visit or explore further? Start a “scorecard” for yourself so that you can track your college search and compare schools based on your needs and preferences. Add or cross-off colleges as you visit them or find new ones you may be interested in.
7. Consider scheduling a campus visit or interview
College
tours and interviews are always open to juniors as well as seniors. Consider starting your college visits early, so that you have more time to explore more colleges. Scheduling an interview with the college will give you a chance to talk to an admission counselor and get an idea of how to continue your college search.
Written by: Claire Nakoski, '17, Communications major