Do you want to study abroad but aren’t sure when to start looking for colleges?
We’ve got you covered, so don’t worry. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by college applications, but if you believe your process, you’ll never feel left out. There are a few periods when you should begin your search for a suitable college.
High school years:
Throughout high school, students must accomplish their best academic work and participate in meaningful activities. Students may make the most of it by completing the following tasks:
- Take the most difficult high school courses. College admissions authorities want students to take difficult subjects rather than having a flawless GPA in introductory courses.
- Engaging in extracurricular activities that kids are passionate about. Students must also persist with them since quality exceeds quantity.
- For college or even scholarship applications, keep a basic record of your activities and accomplishments, what you did and when.
- Recognize the topics and hobbies that bring you the most joy. Perhaps they have the makings of a college major or profession!
- Look for part-time employment, volunteer opportunities, and internships in your field of interest.
- Consider where your college finances will come from. Sit down with your family to discuss their plans, then start saving your hard-earned money and looking for scholarships that fit your needs.
Sophomore year:
It’s a good idea to get started as soon as possible. The longer students delay, the less time they have to do a thorough college search, which can affect the quality of their research, cause them to miss deadlines, and even cause them to be denied admission to college.
Here’s how your junior year may look in terms of college applications:
Fall semester
- I’m doing some preliminary research for college admissions.
- If students get letters from universities, they should take the PSAT and mark “yes” for Student Search Service.
- It is critical to create a file and spreadsheet to keep track of college research, testing, and application information.
- Students should study for standardised examinations such as the SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement exams.
- If at all feasible, attend college fairs.
- When registering for senior year coursework, students must select challenging courses. They must take IB and AP courses if they are offered (eligible scores on the related tests might mean college credit, saving time and money).
- Inquire about potential letter writers’ willingness to write a letter of recommendation (especially anyone who will be getting many requests, like coaches).
- If they have not already done so, students must register for any appropriate standardised tests and continue to study for them.
Junior year:
It’s GO TIME for college applications in the fall of your senior year. Because most college application deadlines fall between early November and early January, this is when students finalise their final college list and submit their applications.
When it comes to the college search and application process, here’s how senior year may go:
Fall semester
- Meeting with a high school counselor to evaluate summer successes, discuss college application next steps, and examine transcripts.
- Requesting recommendations.
- Taking all required standardised tests well in advance of the college application deadlines.
- The process of narrowing down your college choices to a final list.
- Downloading and filling out the university applications. Keeping track of all deadlines!
- Ask college financial aid offices about all financial aid forms you need to complete. Keep track of those deadlines too!
- Visit any colleges on your list you haven’t seen yet if you possibly can.
- Writing (or finishing) the application essays.
- Sending in college applications as soon as possible before the deadline.
- Thank everyone who wrote a letter of recommendation.
Senior year
- Continue to submit applications with later deadlines or admissions procedures that are on a rolling basis.
- Continue your scholarship search.
- Admission decisions will start to come in April, so evaluating college acceptances and comparing financial aid offers will be a top focus.
- By the May 1 deadline, notify the college of your choice and pay a deposit.
- Notifying the high school counselor and registrar of the colleges to whom the final transcript will be sent.
Best wishes for your college examinations. If you have any more queries, please contact us and we will gladly assist you.