FLP’s Top 5 Tips for the College Admissions Process

As a senior in high school, life can be extremely hectic leading up to graduation, not to mention all the work that you must complete when applying to college. Here are some of the top tips to help you get started on the college admissions process!

1. STAY ORGANIZED

Create a schedule to work on college admissions items, and keep a checklist/deadline list to track all the applications and paperwork you need to turn in. Try to keep all things related to your college admissions process in one location. This will make it easy to find things to submit for each school and easy to complete unfinished applications.

2. FOCUS ON FAFSA

The financial aid process can be long and stressful, but you can make it easier by being prepared. Be sure to get your parents’ tax and occupation information, know if a parent is self-employed, etc.

3. PRIORITIZE ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR HEALTH

Focus on your emotional well-being. Physical health, and especially mental health, are key contributors to having positive emotional reactions to stressful situations. If you are taking proper care of your physical and mental health, then your emotional well-being will continue to thrive.

4. DO YOUR COLLEGE RESEARCH

Create a list of 10 colleges you are interested in/want to apply to: four reach (colleges out of your league, unlikely), four match (colleges you can get into with a little fight), and two safety schools (colleges that you are 100% likely to get into). Start researching different colleges early to get an idea of which might interest you.

5. GO ON A PERSONAL COLLEGE TOUR

Visit as many colleges and universities as possible on your list (in person or virtually) and speak to current students. Look into possible fly-in programs for prospective students to visit campuses that are free to apply for at the schools on your list. This will help when it comes time to narrow down your list and pick a school. Knowing what you like and don’t like about each school will be beneficial.

Life can feel overwhelming at this stage of your life, and you may not know where to start. These tips are meant to help in getting you off on the right foot during this process and to successfully find the right college for you! Good luck!