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When should high schoolers start the applying process? What do you ask when wanting to know the first step?
I am going into Junior year of high school and my parents told me that If I want to go to UT, I have to start the process this year
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7 answers
Updated
Jazlyn’s Answer
The junior year is an ideal time to begin considering your college options. Explore the websites of the colleges you're interested in to understand what they require for admission. This could include filling out applications, meeting certain deadlines, maintaining specific grades, and consulting with a counselor. This counselor could be from your current high school or from the college you're interested in attending.
Thanks for the advice.
Julissa
Updated
cristy’s Answer
Hi Julissa! Its always a good idea to get a head of the game and begin looking/applying for UT! Some things your can do is go to there website and on there you'll find resources all over. Specifically I recommend you look at the admission undergraduate tab, there you will find the opportunity to tour the campus and apply for the school/desired program your wanting to attend. Its also important to keep your GPA up and look at taking either SAT/ACT to serve as one of many elements that are holistically assessed to determine a students ability to contribute to a benefit from the institution educational experience. Schools do have deadlines as to when you can apply, consider looking/ starting the application and seeing when deadlines are per semester as well as get a head start on FASFA. Best of luck!
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Julissa
Updated
Anell’s Answer
Hello Julissa,
Your parents are on point with their advice! The process absolutely starts your Junior year, so by the time it's the Fall of your Senior year, you know which direction you're headed and are prepared to send in your applications.
Here are some steps I'd take in your position:
1. Take the summer to reflect on what you'd want in a college/university. Start by listing things you'd like and may not like in a school!
2. By the Fall, create yourself a chart of sorts where you begin to list the following: College name, location, size, average grades of accepted applicants, extracurricular activities, and any other info you find important. Be sure to look into what they're looking for in a student so you take time during your Junior year to be intentional about your actions to be a competitive candidate the following year!
3. During the Fall, start researching the colleges you're interested in and jot down notes to help you compare. Take note of open houses you can attend in the Spring.
4. Spring: Visit some campuses if you're able to! Chat with students and professors if you can! Take in the environment and ask yourself if you can really see yourself thriving in that community.
5. By the Summer/Fall of Senior year: Start applying and looking into scholarships!
I hope this was helpful!
Your parents are on point with their advice! The process absolutely starts your Junior year, so by the time it's the Fall of your Senior year, you know which direction you're headed and are prepared to send in your applications.
Here are some steps I'd take in your position:
1. Take the summer to reflect on what you'd want in a college/university. Start by listing things you'd like and may not like in a school!
2. By the Fall, create yourself a chart of sorts where you begin to list the following: College name, location, size, average grades of accepted applicants, extracurricular activities, and any other info you find important. Be sure to look into what they're looking for in a student so you take time during your Junior year to be intentional about your actions to be a competitive candidate the following year!
3. During the Fall, start researching the colleges you're interested in and jot down notes to help you compare. Take note of open houses you can attend in the Spring.
4. Spring: Visit some campuses if you're able to! Chat with students and professors if you can! Take in the environment and ask yourself if you can really see yourself thriving in that community.
5. By the Summer/Fall of Senior year: Start applying and looking into scholarships!
I hope this was helpful!
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Julissa
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Updated
Saradhi’s Answer
Hello Julissa!
You're absolutely on the right track by focusing on your Junior Year. Along with the advice you've received so far, I would emphasize that it's crucial to prioritize what YOU desire from your school and college life. While academics and specific programs play a significant role in selecting a school, many professionals often reveal that they don't directly apply the specific knowledge they gained during their undergraduate studies. Hence, it's vital to think about what you want in a broader sense from your time at school. Maybe you're looking for a school with a strong sports culture, a diverse learning environment, or particular social aspects that appeal to you.
If you have your heart set on UT and can manage it, I would suggest making an informal visit to the campus on a day when it's buzzing with activity. You might want to consider going during their first week of school to get a real feel for what life as a student there could be like.
If you're feeling adventurous and spot a friendly face, don't hesitate to approach a current student and inquire about their experience.
However, if this seems a bit daunting, arranging a formal visit through your college counselor is also an excellent, more organized way to explore your chosen school.
I hope this advice is helpful, and it seems like you're off to a fantastic start. Best of luck!
You're absolutely on the right track by focusing on your Junior Year. Along with the advice you've received so far, I would emphasize that it's crucial to prioritize what YOU desire from your school and college life. While academics and specific programs play a significant role in selecting a school, many professionals often reveal that they don't directly apply the specific knowledge they gained during their undergraduate studies. Hence, it's vital to think about what you want in a broader sense from your time at school. Maybe you're looking for a school with a strong sports culture, a diverse learning environment, or particular social aspects that appeal to you.
If you have your heart set on UT and can manage it, I would suggest making an informal visit to the campus on a day when it's buzzing with activity. You might want to consider going during their first week of school to get a real feel for what life as a student there could be like.
If you're feeling adventurous and spot a friendly face, don't hesitate to approach a current student and inquire about their experience.
However, if this seems a bit daunting, arranging a formal visit through your college counselor is also an excellent, more organized way to explore your chosen school.
I hope this advice is helpful, and it seems like you're off to a fantastic start. Best of luck!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Julissa
Updated
Tiarra’s Answer
When I was high school, our college counselor started prepping us in junior year, so you are on the right track! Since you know what institution you want to attend, go ahead and look into the application process to get started on your admissions and introductory essay or paragraph to ensure you get accepted to UT. Begin looking into state scholarships and make sure you qualify to receive them. A state website is a good source for this but a simple Google may do the trick as well and since you're doing everything early, you have time to get everything in order with grades or any scholarship requirements. Also, fill out the FAFSA and include UT as one of your listed schools and it would not hurt to look into 1 or 2 other colleges in the nearby area and list them as well, so you know how much federal aid you will receive.
I appreciate your support, Tiarra
Julissa
Updated
Candra’s Answer
Absolutely, it's a great idea to kickstart the process right away. By doing so, you'll have ample time to fulfill all necessary obligations tied to the application. Moreover, if you're considering applying for scholarships, starting early will give you the opportunity to thoroughly explore all the options available to you. Your first move should be to gather more details about the program you're interested in at the chosen institution. It's crucial to ensure that the program aligns well with your goals and interests.
Thank you so much!
Julissa
Updated
Brooke’s Answer
For high school students, it’s a good idea to start the college application process your junior year of high school. This gives you plenty of time to gather all the necessary materials, like transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores. These will take time to gather, I promise, so start ASAP. Additionally, most colleges have deadlines around November to January for early decision or regular admissions, so starting early helps avoid last-minute stress.
When you want to know the first step in the application process, here are some questions to start asking:
- What are the application deadlines? Find out when you need to submit your application, including any special deadlines for scholarships or early decision programs.
- What documents are required? Ask what materials you need to gather, such as your high school transcripts, standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT), recommendation letters, and personal essays.
- How do I apply? Colleges often have their own application portals, or you may use a service like the Common App. Ask which platform you should use.
- Are there any application fees? Some schools require a fee to apply, but there may be fee waivers available if needed.
- What is the application process like? Some schools may ask for interviews, essays, or additional information, so ask what you can expect along the way.
Starting early and knowing the steps will help you stay organized and confident as you move through the college application process. Good luck!
When you want to know the first step in the application process, here are some questions to start asking:
- What are the application deadlines? Find out when you need to submit your application, including any special deadlines for scholarships or early decision programs.
- What documents are required? Ask what materials you need to gather, such as your high school transcripts, standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT), recommendation letters, and personal essays.
- How do I apply? Colleges often have their own application portals, or you may use a service like the Common App. Ask which platform you should use.
- Are there any application fees? Some schools require a fee to apply, but there may be fee waivers available if needed.
- What is the application process like? Some schools may ask for interviews, essays, or additional information, so ask what you can expect along the way.
Starting early and knowing the steps will help you stay organized and confident as you move through the college application process. Good luck!