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What to know when applying to colleges.

Choosing the right college can be exciting! We’re here to share valuable tips that will help you confidently narrow down your options and get ready for those important applications and interviews.

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Let's Stay on Track!

The senior year of high school can be hectic as you try to balance planning for your future with enjoying all the events leading up to graduation.

Organization and managing deadlines are the key. Application deadlines, financial aid deadlines, and submission for transcripts, to name a few.

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST is a document that can quickly help you stay on track!

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How to narrow down your college choices.

Ways to save when attending college.

Merit Aid

College can be expensive. However, if your credentials surpass those of the average student, you may qualify for merit-based scholarships. These scholarships are financial awards given to students based on their achievements or abilities, such as high grades, standardized test scores, athletic performance, or involvement in extracurricular activities, rather than their financial need.

Good Value

Affordable schools provide excellent education without breaking the bank! Take Rhode Island College, for instance. It boasts a stellar reputation for its teaching program, and with its low in-state tuition, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone excited about pursuing a teaching career. What a great opportunity!

Tuition Consideration

Don't dismiss higher-priced colleges right away! Instead, take a look at their website's Net Price Calculator. This tool provides an estimated cost of attending a specific college by considering your family's financial situation and potential financial aid awards. It essentially shows you how much you might need to pay out of pocket after accounting for grants and scholarships you may receive.

Qualities that colleges desire in applicants

Academics

Doing well in school is a great sign of future success! When students handle their academic tasks like pros, it shows they're not just smart but also organized, good at managing their time, and motivated. These skills are super important and will help them in college and beyond. Tackling academic challenges sets them up for a bright and promising future!

Extracurricular Activities

Getting involved in extracurricular activities is an excellent way for students to show off their unique skills and interests outside of schoolwork. When these activities relate to what you want to study in college, they can highlight your dedication and experience, leaving a good impression on admissions teams. So, take every chance to shine!

Essays & Writing Skills

Essays and writing samples are essential to your application because they add depth beyond your test scores. This is your chance to show what makes you stand out. Share your story and think about a specific event, person, or moment that has shaped your life. Let the admissions team get to know the real you, going beyond just your grades and accomplishments.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are a great way to gain real insight into a student’s character, making the application process more meaningful. Coaches, teachers, and advisors can highlight important traits like leadership, kindness, and integrity that grades alone cannot capture. Their observations help create a fuller picture of the students, showcasing what makes them stand out.

College Choice

Checking out your top schools more in-depth has its perks. Wandering around the campus can help you make your final decision. Plus, it shows the admissions team that you're interested, and you'll get to meet some people and see what the student life is really like.

Course of Study

Entering college with a clear passion for your chosen field is exciting! Show your enthusiasm in your application by highlighting relevant high school courses, clubs, and extracurricular activities. This reflects your dedication and shows colleges the unique contributions you can bring to their vibrant community.

Deciding how many college applications to submit.

Your final college list should consist of 4-8 colleges that meet all the characteristics you are looking for in a school and fit into the three categories below.

1-2 Applications

Reach

Reach schools offer opportunities for candidates with strong academic performance, evidenced by high grades and test scores. Acceptance can be highly competitive, and setting ambitious goals can lead to significant personal growth and enriching educational experiences. Embracing this challenge can broaden your horizons in unexpected ways.

1-3 Applications

Possible

Possible schools typically have an academic profile similar to the average admitted student, giving them better than a 50% chance of acceptance. The level of acceptance difficulty is moderate.

2-3 Applications

Safety

A safe college is a fantastic option where your impressive grades and test scores can shine, boosting your chances of admission and setting you on a great path!

College Admission Deadlines

Planning for College

When planning for college, it’s important to decide early whether you will apply for early admission, early action, regular admission, or another type of admission. This section will help you understand the different types of college admissions and what to expect regarding deadlines based on the admission type you choose.

Early Admission

Early admission offers high school students a fantastic opportunity to meet graduation requirements while exploring local college courses. Connect with your guidance office for more exciting details!

Early Decision

Deadlines

The Early Decision option allows students to apply early to their top-choice college. Early Decision deadlines typically range from mid-October to early January. A common deadline is mid-November, with notifications about acceptance, denial, or deferral occurring in mid-December.

Commitment

Early Decision plans are binding agreements. By applying, you commit to attending that school if accepted and to withdraw all other applications.

Financial Aid

Financial aid applicants will receive a preliminary package of financial assistance upon acceptance. If the package is not as expected, you may need to decline the admission offer.

Consider

Apply Early Decision only if you’re sure this school is your perfect match—trust your instincts and embrace your future!

Early Action

This option, similar to Early Decision, allows you to apply early and receive an admission decision without the obligation to attend. You can apply to other schools and will receive your financial aid package in the spring along with the other applicants.

Regular Admissions

To apply for regular admission, students must submit their applications by a specific deadline set by the college. Each school has its own deadline, which typically begins in early January. You can find the admission deadline in the school's catalog, on its website, or by contacting the admissions office directly.

Rolling Admissions

Rolling Admission refers to a college admission process without a set deadline. Admission decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis, and students are typically notified within four to six weeks after their application is complete. is complete.

Preparing for your college interview.

College interviews provide an opportunity to present yourself to someone who represents the college and has influence over admissions decisions. Participating in an interview is an excellent way to demonstrate your interest in the college, so take advantage of this opportunity and let your personality shine!

Start by identifying something in common with your interviewer. Finding common ground can make it easier to converse with someone you don’t know.

Now, let us help you excel in your interview! Download a list of commonly asked questions during college interviews.

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Applying to Colleges

How to prepare for your future.

What to know when applying to colleges.

Let's Stay on Track!

How to narrow down your college choices.

Merit Aid

Good Value

Tuition Consideration

Qualities that colleges desire in applicants

Academics

Extracurricular Activities

Essays & Writing Skills

Letters of Recommendation

College Choice

Course of Study

The Big Guide

Deciding how many college applications to submit.

1-2 Applications

Reach

1-3 Applications

Possible

2-3 Applications

Safety

College Admission Deadlines

Planning for College

Early Admission

Early Decision

Deadlines

Commitment

Financial Aid

Consider

Early Action

Regular Admissions

Rolling Admissions

Preparing for your college interview.

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We are with you for the journey.

College Planning

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