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Genesis
Student
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How do i get more information about college other than school?
#college #college-advice #college-admissions #help #college-admissions #college-bound #help
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10 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
The college admissions process can feel overwhelming for many students Genesis. There are many moving pieces and it is important for students to stay organized. Additionally, there are many time-sensitive parts of the admissions process that need to be completed in a certain timeframe. While the admissions process won’t really start until junior year, there are still things that you can do in ninth and tenth grade to set yourself up for success. If you want to successfully complete the college application process, meet every college application deadline, and make yourself as competitive for college admission as possible, you will be directly or indirectly working on your college application well before your applications are due. The major components of your application that will be evaluated are your transcript, your standardized test scores, your recommendations, your personal essay, and your extracurricular activities. You likely have a high school guidance counselor assigned to you. Make an appointment with him or her! You don’t need to wait until they reach out to you. It is important to connect with your guidance counselor regularly, starting with your freshman year. Your guidance counselor knows your school offerings and opportunities, including visits from college admissions counselors, college fairs, test prep classes, scholarships, and much more. Your guidance counselor is also a great resource for social and emotional support as well as career and college readiness.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE YEARS
Take college prep classes. Academics are the most important part of the admissions process. To put yourself in the best possible position you’ll want to take a college preparatory curriculum. Generally, this will include English, mathematics, science, social science, and a foreign language. Pay attention to what classes you take. Selective colleges want to see that you’ve excelled in rigorous classes throughout your high school years. Also, make sure you’re involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges like to see that you've committed yourself to your extracurriculars. The student who has excelled in the same extracurricular activity throughout high school is a more impressive applicant than the student who first starts doing an extracurricular in his junior year.
JUNIOR YEAR
Attend a college fair. The first half of junior year is still a pretty early part of the admission process. So while you don’t have to have a fully fleshed out college list, it can be a good move to explore different options. Remember, the goal of the college fair is to learn about different types of colleges and develop your own preferences. Start exploring different college options. At this point, it is more important to think about broader “types” of colleges: small vs. large, rural vs. urban, close to home vs. faraway, etc. You will also want to think about other factors like affordability, majors offered, and extracurricular activities. One of the biggest mistakes that students (and parents) make is waiting to talk about finances. It is important to have a conversation about the financial aspect of college and set expectations about family contributions, student loan debt, etc.
SENIOR YEAR
In the summer before your senior year, try to finalize your list of colleges. This isn't a hard college application deadline, but doing so will make your life a lot easier in the fall. Additionally, make sure you’re familiar with the application requirements for each school. That way you'll be ready to start your applications as soon as possible. By early fall, students should have a finalized list of colleges that they will be applying to. Students should aim to apply to 10-12 colleges and be mindful of balance. You should talk to your school counselor before finalizing your list. For most colleges, regular decision application deadlines are January 1st, but some popular colleges have earlier deadlines. Be aware of the deadlines for all the schools on your list. Most students will receive their final acceptances in March. At this point you will know which colleges you were accepted to, as well as how much money that they are offering in financial aid. Generally, colleges host visit days in April for students to learn more about their college experience. We highly recommend that you take advantage of these opportunities for your top-choice colleges.
Hope this helps Genesis
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE YEARS
Take college prep classes. Academics are the most important part of the admissions process. To put yourself in the best possible position you’ll want to take a college preparatory curriculum. Generally, this will include English, mathematics, science, social science, and a foreign language. Pay attention to what classes you take. Selective colleges want to see that you’ve excelled in rigorous classes throughout your high school years. Also, make sure you’re involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges like to see that you've committed yourself to your extracurriculars. The student who has excelled in the same extracurricular activity throughout high school is a more impressive applicant than the student who first starts doing an extracurricular in his junior year.
JUNIOR YEAR
Attend a college fair. The first half of junior year is still a pretty early part of the admission process. So while you don’t have to have a fully fleshed out college list, it can be a good move to explore different options. Remember, the goal of the college fair is to learn about different types of colleges and develop your own preferences. Start exploring different college options. At this point, it is more important to think about broader “types” of colleges: small vs. large, rural vs. urban, close to home vs. faraway, etc. You will also want to think about other factors like affordability, majors offered, and extracurricular activities. One of the biggest mistakes that students (and parents) make is waiting to talk about finances. It is important to have a conversation about the financial aspect of college and set expectations about family contributions, student loan debt, etc.
SENIOR YEAR
In the summer before your senior year, try to finalize your list of colleges. This isn't a hard college application deadline, but doing so will make your life a lot easier in the fall. Additionally, make sure you’re familiar with the application requirements for each school. That way you'll be ready to start your applications as soon as possible. By early fall, students should have a finalized list of colleges that they will be applying to. Students should aim to apply to 10-12 colleges and be mindful of balance. You should talk to your school counselor before finalizing your list. For most colleges, regular decision application deadlines are January 1st, but some popular colleges have earlier deadlines. Be aware of the deadlines for all the schools on your list. Most students will receive their final acceptances in March. At this point you will know which colleges you were accepted to, as well as how much money that they are offering in financial aid. Generally, colleges host visit days in April for students to learn more about their college experience. We highly recommend that you take advantage of these opportunities for your top-choice colleges.
Hope this helps Genesis
Thank You Natalie. Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Doc Frick
Jasleen Bhatia
Full time student
6
Answers
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Updated
Jasleen’s Answer
Hi! One way I would suggest you learn more information about college is reaching out to the admissions office’s of colleges you’re interested in and ask to be connected with students in a similar area of interest. I found this super useful when I was applying. Also, make use of Reddit and other platforms where students are openly sharing their experiences.
Samantha Kurtz
14
Answers
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Talk to people who go to the schools you are potentially interested in. Hearing a student’s perspective is ultimately way more helpful than most other means
Priya Mathew
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Art Student
170
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Priya’s Answer
Hi Genesis,
I would think checking out a college's website can give you a lot of information about that school. You can also do internet searches regarding different aspects you are curious about (diversity of the school, etc.) Lastly, calling the school directly for more information can help--they can send you information by mail or email, and also answer your questions directly. Good luck!
I would think checking out a college's website can give you a lot of information about that school. You can also do internet searches regarding different aspects you are curious about (diversity of the school, etc.) Lastly, calling the school directly for more information can help--they can send you information by mail or email, and also answer your questions directly. Good luck!
Natalie Cellini
Graphic Designer
30
Answers
Havertown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Natalie’s Answer
Hi Genesis!
If there are specific colleges that you're interested in, you could go to their websites to find out more information about those schools and what they have to offer. College websites are usually very thorough and have lots of different resources. If you're not sure where you want to go to school, one of websites I know a lot of high school students have used including myself is College Board (https://collegesearch.collegeboard.org/home). You can look for schools based on a location, major, type, or what the campus life is like. It will give you information on any college you click on, as well as links and phone numbers where you can find out more about them. If you just want to know more about what college is like in general and the process of applying to a school, I would suggest talking to a counselor at your high school if you can. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I was in my senior year of high school and talking to my guidance counselor really helped me learn more and make a decision.
If there are specific colleges that you're interested in, you could go to their websites to find out more information about those schools and what they have to offer. College websites are usually very thorough and have lots of different resources. If you're not sure where you want to go to school, one of websites I know a lot of high school students have used including myself is College Board (https://collegesearch.collegeboard.org/home). You can look for schools based on a location, major, type, or what the campus life is like. It will give you information on any college you click on, as well as links and phone numbers where you can find out more about them. If you just want to know more about what college is like in general and the process of applying to a school, I would suggest talking to a counselor at your high school if you can. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I was in my senior year of high school and talking to my guidance counselor really helped me learn more and make a decision.
Sanjana "Sonny" Belthur
Investment Analyst Intern
10
Answers
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Updated
Sanjana "Sonny"’s Answer
I I would definitely try talking to people in your circle of family or friends that might have gone to that school or know something of the school's reputation for what you want to study. Going to the school's website can also be very helpful . Personally, I would try touring the schools I was most interested in – that way you can get a feel for the campus and ask tour guides (typically students of the university) some questions.
Shelby Clay
42
Answers
Hartland, MI
Updated
Shelby’s Answer
Hello Genesis!
Getting started with college can be a lot and extremely overwhelming!
One of the ways I personally found to be most helpful in choosing a college was to think about what I wanted to do and then figuring out what major I was going to go with. Once you narrow that down, you can look into schools that are known for that program. You can narrow down potential schools and then compare the ones you're most interested that align closely with the career path you are looking at.
Getting started with college can be a lot and extremely overwhelming!
One of the ways I personally found to be most helpful in choosing a college was to think about what I wanted to do and then figuring out what major I was going to go with. Once you narrow that down, you can look into schools that are known for that program. You can narrow down potential schools and then compare the ones you're most interested that align closely with the career path you are looking at.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Genesis,
I am not sure exactly the nature of your question so I am going to answer your question a few different ways.
If you are not speaking about a specific college, I would say that you should talk with people who have recently attended college. These days college can have several different ages now. Reach out to those different perspectives to see what college meant to them. I would ask questions that you care about - what is hard about college? Did you know your major when you started? Did you work while you were in college? You can ask some of those specific questions here.
I would say that if you are worried about a specific school, I would recommend going online and find people on social media who are attending or having attended your school of choice. They can be valuable resources for information about what happens around the campus - best places to go, best places to work, etc.
Gloria
I am not sure exactly the nature of your question so I am going to answer your question a few different ways.
If you are not speaking about a specific college, I would say that you should talk with people who have recently attended college. These days college can have several different ages now. Reach out to those different perspectives to see what college meant to them. I would ask questions that you care about - what is hard about college? Did you know your major when you started? Did you work while you were in college? You can ask some of those specific questions here.
I would say that if you are worried about a specific school, I would recommend going online and find people on social media who are attending or having attended your school of choice. They can be valuable resources for information about what happens around the campus - best places to go, best places to work, etc.
Gloria
Kala F
Student
5
Answers
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
Kala’s Answer
Hi! I would say great work is by going to the websites of the colleges you are interested in applying to. Many colleges do online meetings or presentations where they give you an overview of the college life, campus, classes, and others within their college. And in other instances, offer zooms for college application, essay writing, and many more. In these zooms, you can ask questions about the different requirements for the different careers and what exams, grades, financial aid, scholar ships, and others are offered. Another great way is by direct family and friends. If you know of somebody who is going to or went to college, it is a great chance to ask them questions about their college and their overall process of applying. Lastly, if you have any personal colleges, in particular, you can always contact the admissions team. Which, again, you can find within the official websites of the institutions.
Stephanie Han
Senior Program Manager
12
Answers
Mountain View, California
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
These answers are being submitted on behalf of a group of student interns at Cloudera:
It is helpful to talk to other people who have gone to college or currently there to learn about their journey and experience. You can also look at the websites of the different universities and contacting admission offices to get more information.
You should also try to visit the college campuses and learn more about their admission process and orientation, etc. Look at the college website as most will have programs set up for how to visit, etc.
It is helpful to talk to other people who have gone to college or currently there to learn about their journey and experience. You can also look at the websites of the different universities and contacting admission offices to get more information.
You should also try to visit the college campuses and learn more about their admission process and orientation, etc. Look at the college website as most will have programs set up for how to visit, etc.