5 answers
John
Student
Chattanooga, Tennessee
1
Question
Asked
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How do I effectively apply for colleges?
Career is Software Engineer.
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5 answers
Janice Ng
Product Manager
8
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Janice’s Answer
Do research and thinking on what kind of software engineer you want to be (back end/ front end / security) and see whether the school offers classes in the specific area, and also look at the requirements needed to major in Computer Science.
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
464
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Here's your easy-to-follow guide on how to apply for college:
1. Get started by filling out the FAFSA.
2. Then, proceed to complete the Common Application.
3. Take your time to craft an exceptional college essay that stands out.
4. Don't forget to request letters of recommendation.
5. Make sure to understand all aspects of financial aid.
6. Learn how to break down and understand college tuition costs.
7. Lastly, explore and apply for scholarships to help cover your college expenses.
1. Get started by filling out the FAFSA.
2. Then, proceed to complete the Common Application.
3. Take your time to craft an exceptional college essay that stands out.
4. Don't forget to request letters of recommendation.
5. Make sure to understand all aspects of financial aid.
6. Learn how to break down and understand college tuition costs.
7. Lastly, explore and apply for scholarships to help cover your college expenses.
Kelcie Pittaluga
Technical Recruiter
8
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Kelcie’s Answer
Hi John!
Deciding where to go to college can be one of the most significant decisions that we make, both personally and professionally, so I encourage you to approach the decision from a holistic point of view considering a variety of factors - including, but certainly not limited to - your professional career aspirations.
I see you mentioned wanting to become a Software Engineer - that's a great career path, and fortunately you'll have a wide variety of great institutions to choose from. Some factors outside of simply the academic offerings that I would encourage you to consider are as follows:
What are your nonnegotiables...
Is it important to you to live on campus?
To be able to drive home to visit family on weekends?
To go to a lower-cost state school where you can avoid taking out large loans?
To play a particular sport or belong to a specific campus organization?
To study abroad?
These answers can help narrow down the type of institution that might be the best fit for you in terms of quality of life, which I would argue is equally as important as the academic rigor that an institution provides.
From there, I would search online for colleges and universities that meet your ideal parameters, and then (if feasible) set up a time to join a campus tour.
Once you've identified the school or schools you're interested in applying to, you'll be able to find all the relevant application details on their website, so just be sure you follow those instructions (and apply early, as Emily stated above!) and you'll be good to go!
Another thing I would note is that if you ever run into challenges with paying for application fees (they can start to add up if you apply to multiple schools!) many colleges will offer an app fee waiver if you contact the admissions office directly and explain your situation.
I hope this helps! Best of luck with your applications!
Deciding where to go to college can be one of the most significant decisions that we make, both personally and professionally, so I encourage you to approach the decision from a holistic point of view considering a variety of factors - including, but certainly not limited to - your professional career aspirations.
I see you mentioned wanting to become a Software Engineer - that's a great career path, and fortunately you'll have a wide variety of great institutions to choose from. Some factors outside of simply the academic offerings that I would encourage you to consider are as follows:
What are your nonnegotiables...
Is it important to you to live on campus?
To be able to drive home to visit family on weekends?
To go to a lower-cost state school where you can avoid taking out large loans?
To play a particular sport or belong to a specific campus organization?
To study abroad?
These answers can help narrow down the type of institution that might be the best fit for you in terms of quality of life, which I would argue is equally as important as the academic rigor that an institution provides.
From there, I would search online for colleges and universities that meet your ideal parameters, and then (if feasible) set up a time to join a campus tour.
Once you've identified the school or schools you're interested in applying to, you'll be able to find all the relevant application details on their website, so just be sure you follow those instructions (and apply early, as Emily stated above!) and you'll be good to go!
Another thing I would note is that if you ever run into challenges with paying for application fees (they can start to add up if you apply to multiple schools!) many colleges will offer an app fee waiver if you contact the admissions office directly and explain your situation.
I hope this helps! Best of luck with your applications!
Emily Membrino
Sales Team Leader
1
Answer
Lowell, Massachusetts
Updated
Emily’s Answer
First decide where you'd like to go to college. Do you want to stay local? Would you like to live on campus? In or out of state? Consider in-state tuition vs out-of-state tuition.
Use google. Search for the best colleges/universities for the major you're interested in based on the location you've decided on.
Be organized! Different colleges will have different deadlines. Keep a list for yourself of the requirements need and deadline dates, and mark them off as you go.
Review all the applications beforehand, you may be able to use an essay for multiple applications. Work smarter not harder.
Proof read your college essay. Ask a teacher or mentor to proof-read your essay; it's important.
Use your essay as an opportunity to showcase your best qualities.
Utilize your resources. Ask your guidance counselor, teachers or colleagues to write you a recommendation later. And ask EARLY! You want to have all the requirements you need ahead of deadline-time.
Apply online and in advance, if possible. Make sure you have all the requirements required at the time that you apply.
Proof read your college essay. Ask a teacher or mentor to proof-read your essay; it's important.
Use your essay as an opportunity to showcase your best qualities.
Use google. Search for the best colleges/universities for the major you're interested in based on the location you've decided on.
Be organized! Different colleges will have different deadlines. Keep a list for yourself of the requirements need and deadline dates, and mark them off as you go.
Review all the applications beforehand, you may be able to use an essay for multiple applications. Work smarter not harder.
Proof read your college essay. Ask a teacher or mentor to proof-read your essay; it's important.
Use your essay as an opportunity to showcase your best qualities.
Utilize your resources. Ask your guidance counselor, teachers or colleagues to write you a recommendation later. And ask EARLY! You want to have all the requirements you need ahead of deadline-time.
Apply online and in advance, if possible. Make sure you have all the requirements required at the time that you apply.
Proof read your college essay. Ask a teacher or mentor to proof-read your essay; it's important.
Use your essay as an opportunity to showcase your best qualities.
Catherine Bopp
CBEX
2
Answers
Brookline, Massachusetts
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Do lots of research on the college websites and YouTube. Lots of schools have virtual tours that you can complete online. Make sure that you have the people who will write you a recommendation and ask them early so that they have adequate time to write them. Narrow down the geographical area that you want to go for and also the size of the school. Reach out to current students and talk to them about their experiences and ask questions. If you want a specific major, then you can narrow down schools from there.