3 answers
Skylyn
Student
Charleston, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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How do I apply to college?
I am in 12th grade and I am not sure which college I want to go to. I am also debating whether I want to do online college or in-person. I do not know how to apply for scholarships and how to apply to college. I would like to know more info about college!
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3 answers
Klaus Z
Senior QA atuoamtion engineer
17
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Klaus’s Answer
Hi Skylyn,
I am gonna break down your question into 3 parts and give you some general steps to help you navigate through each process:
Choosing a College
1. Identify your goals: What do you want to study? Which colleges have strong programs in that area? Consider factors such as location, size, public/private, religious affiliation, academic rigor, cost, extracurricular activities, campus culture, and resources/support services.
2. Research: Look up potential colleges online, attend college fairs, and if possible, visit campuses. Look at the programs offered, what the campus life is like, and what graduates of the programs do after graduation.
3. Online vs In-person: Consider your learning style. If you prefer in-person interaction and social environment, traditional in-person college might be the right choice. If you are more comfortable learning on your own or have responsibilities that prevent you from attending traditional classes, online learning might be better. Remember, some colleges offer a mix of both.
Applying to College
1. Choose where to apply: Make a list of your top choices. Include reach schools (might be difficult to get in), target schools (you meet the average admission criteria), and safety schools (you exceed the admission criteria).
2. Check deadlines: Each college has its own application deadlines. Usually, applications for the fall semester are due between January and March.
3. Prepare your application: Each college will require an application form, usually through an online system like the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the school's own system. You'll need to provide basic information about yourself, your academic history, and your extracurricular activities.
4. Write your college essays: Most colleges require one or more essays. Take your time with these. They are your chance to show who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
5. Ask for recommendations: Most colleges require letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors. Ask for these early to give your recommenders plenty of time.
6. Send your transcripts and test scores: Your high school should be able to send your transcripts to colleges. For standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT), you'll need to request that these be sent from the testing company.
Applying for Scholarships
1. Start early: Scholarships have different deadlines, some as early as a year before college starts. Start your search early and keep track of deadlines.
2. Use scholarship search tools: Websites like Fastweb, Chegg, or Scholarships.com can help you find scholarships that are a good fit for you.
3. Check with your school and community: Your high school, local businesses, community organizations, and local foundations often offer scholarships.
4. Apply to many scholarships: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to as many scholarships as you're eligible for.
5. Prepare your materials: Most scholarships require an application form, an essay, and sometimes letters of recommendation. Tailor your application to each scholarship's requirements and what they're looking for in a candidate.
Finally, don't hesitate to reach out to your school's guidance counselor. They can provide resources and personal guidance on applying to colleges and scholarships. Good luck with your college journey!
I am gonna break down your question into 3 parts and give you some general steps to help you navigate through each process:
Choosing a College
1. Identify your goals: What do you want to study? Which colleges have strong programs in that area? Consider factors such as location, size, public/private, religious affiliation, academic rigor, cost, extracurricular activities, campus culture, and resources/support services.
2. Research: Look up potential colleges online, attend college fairs, and if possible, visit campuses. Look at the programs offered, what the campus life is like, and what graduates of the programs do after graduation.
3. Online vs In-person: Consider your learning style. If you prefer in-person interaction and social environment, traditional in-person college might be the right choice. If you are more comfortable learning on your own or have responsibilities that prevent you from attending traditional classes, online learning might be better. Remember, some colleges offer a mix of both.
Applying to College
1. Choose where to apply: Make a list of your top choices. Include reach schools (might be difficult to get in), target schools (you meet the average admission criteria), and safety schools (you exceed the admission criteria).
2. Check deadlines: Each college has its own application deadlines. Usually, applications for the fall semester are due between January and March.
3. Prepare your application: Each college will require an application form, usually through an online system like the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the school's own system. You'll need to provide basic information about yourself, your academic history, and your extracurricular activities.
4. Write your college essays: Most colleges require one or more essays. Take your time with these. They are your chance to show who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
5. Ask for recommendations: Most colleges require letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors. Ask for these early to give your recommenders plenty of time.
6. Send your transcripts and test scores: Your high school should be able to send your transcripts to colleges. For standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT), you'll need to request that these be sent from the testing company.
Applying for Scholarships
1. Start early: Scholarships have different deadlines, some as early as a year before college starts. Start your search early and keep track of deadlines.
2. Use scholarship search tools: Websites like Fastweb, Chegg, or Scholarships.com can help you find scholarships that are a good fit for you.
3. Check with your school and community: Your high school, local businesses, community organizations, and local foundations often offer scholarships.
4. Apply to many scholarships: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to as many scholarships as you're eligible for.
5. Prepare your materials: Most scholarships require an application form, an essay, and sometimes letters of recommendation. Tailor your application to each scholarship's requirements and what they're looking for in a candidate.
Finally, don't hesitate to reach out to your school's guidance counselor. They can provide resources and personal guidance on applying to colleges and scholarships. Good luck with your college journey!
adrian rebolledo
English Tutor
1
Answer
Long Beach, California
Updated
adrian’s Answer
Hello!,
I would strongly advise you to search for any colleges in your area. It could be a Community College, or a 4-year University remember to think about what is best for you and your future academics. Enrolling in college in person shows a different experience as how you will get to see different buildings and will find a quiet area for you to do homework or even to relax when you are having a bad day. However, if you prefer to do online college courses, that is also possible, but again depending on what college you decide you want to attend and what your major is going to be, that is also an important concept. If you would to apply for a 4 year University, you have to sign up at https://www.calstate.edu/apply, and if you want to sign up for a Community College it's with https://home.cccapply.org/en/: for this one, you have to search up any zip code of a Community College you want to go to, and there will be instructions moving forward. Hope this Helps!
I would strongly advise you to search for any colleges in your area. It could be a Community College, or a 4-year University remember to think about what is best for you and your future academics. Enrolling in college in person shows a different experience as how you will get to see different buildings and will find a quiet area for you to do homework or even to relax when you are having a bad day. However, if you prefer to do online college courses, that is also possible, but again depending on what college you decide you want to attend and what your major is going to be, that is also an important concept. If you would to apply for a 4 year University, you have to sign up at https://www.calstate.edu/apply, and if you want to sign up for a Community College it's with https://home.cccapply.org/en/: for this one, you have to search up any zip code of a Community College you want to go to, and there will be instructions moving forward. Hope this Helps!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
600
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I’ve obtained a degree online and I’ve obtained on in-person. I would highly recommend, at least for your associates degree or bachelors degree that you attend school in person. The connections you can make at this point in your life can impact your career in ways you can’t even imagine. I love doing online school and having flexibility, but I didn’t have the same connection with classmates as I did in-person.
Even taking a hybrid approach is available at most two and for your colleges at this point.
Even taking a hybrid approach is available at most two and for your colleges at this point.