Get Ready for College

Choosing the right college for you takes time. Although academics should be your first consideration, other factors are important too: location, size, student life, etc. Listen to advice from parents, guidance counselors and friends - but remember, the ultimate decision is yours, and you need to be happy with your final choice.

We've listed some tips below that we believe can help you narrow your search as you make the transition from high school to college. With over 3500 colleges and universities out there, it can be a daunting task - but you are up to the challenge!

10 Tips to Help You Choose the College That’s Right for You! -

1) Remember that understanding yourself is the most important factor in choosing the right college. The "right" one matches your needs and interests, not those of your friends nor even your parents. Have a frank discussion with your family early on about college. Share your thoughts and ideas. Ask them to share theirs. Show them that you accept this decision as your responsibility and you are going to take it seriously.

2) Use size and location to narrow the field. How close to home do you want to be? What size is right for you? How large is too large? How small is too small? You need to know yourself to answer these questions, but once you do, you'll be able to zero in on serious choices.

3) Choose a college, not just a major or a sport. Finding a college that has the major or sport that you want is important, but take a broader look. Most students change majors at least once. Many athletes who intend to play a college sport change their minds. Put yourself in that situation as you make your decision. Would you still be happy there if you changed your mind? Are there still plenty of options for you to choose from?

4) Visit your final choices, even if you've visited before. Visit while classes are in session if at all possible. Take advantage of spring events for accepted students. Beware of judging a college based on the experience of one student. Talk to several.

5) Look for the right blend of challenge and comfort. If you're too comfortable, you won't grow -- and that's why you're going to college! If you're too challenged, you may be overwhelmed or miss out on the total college experience.

6) Look for opportunities -- academic and otherwise. Students who get the most out of college get involved in their learning -- and a whole lot more! Look for research opportunities, study abroad programs, internship and work opportunities, leadership and volunteer programs, clubs and organizations, athletics and recreation, music and drama, media opportunities, etc. Employers look for these types of broadening experiences.

7) Seek a college where you can find a mentor. Research shows that the students who get the most out of their college experience did so because they found a faculty mentor, someone who helped them go farther than they would have otherwise. When you visit a college, ask how accessible faculty members are to students. Try to assess how well students seem to know their professors.

8) Don't rule out a college based on cost until you know exactly what your cost would be. Understand how financial aid works. The forms you fill out tell you what your family should be able to afford for your education -- your Expected Family Contribution. Colleges will subtract this amount from the total cost of attending their institutions (including books, travel and miscellaneous expenses); the result will be your "need." Therefore, your need -- and your award -- will vary according to the cost of the institution. Colleges will attempt to meet your need by offering you a combination of grants, loans and work-study. (Remember that financial aid at many institutions begins to run out as the year goes on. Those who meet the priority deadlines will get the best awards. So don't wait too late to apply for financial aid!)

9) Remember that college is an investment. You are investing in your future earning power and life satisfaction. Borrowing a reasonable amount of money to afford the right college may be a wise decision. Talk with financial aid counselors about repayment schedules.

10) Realize that more than one college may be right for you. The truth is there are several colleges that can meet your needs. Weigh all the factors and your feelings, and if you just can't decide between two or more colleges, then probably either one is right for you.

What Admissions Offices Look For -

Your academic performance in high school greatly impacts your success in college as well as your admissions decision. Here are some hints at what college admissions offices look for:

Core classes to take in high school:
Our admissions committee focuses on core classes -- English, math, science, social studies, foreign language classes you take during high school -- in making an admissions decision. We recommend the following minimum courses:

4 units of English (at least 3 including a substantial amount of writing)
3 units of Mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
3 units of Natural Science (at least 2 with lab)
3 units of Social Sciences
2 units of same Foreign Language
3 units of academic electives

Staying on track:
In reviewing an application, the admissions committee looks for an overall strong academic record as well as academic progress and maturity. So if you have a rough ninth-grade year, try to rectify the situation with strong sophomore, junior and senior years. One poor semester (or even year) will not ruin your chances of being accepted to college, as long as you get back on track quickly. Keep in mind that your junior year is the most important academically. Many colleges will make decisions on your application before grades from your first semester of senior year are available, so the first three years of high school make up the picture they will have of you as a student.

Testing 1-2-3:
Your performance on the SAT and/or ACT plays a part in the admissions decision as well. If you are graduating from high school in 2006 or later, you must submit an SAT score that includes the essay portion of the test or an ACT score that includes the optional writing score. USF requires the SAT essay or ACT writing score for all applicants (graduating from high school in 2006 or later) prior to making an admissions decision. If you are not happy with your scores the first time you take the test, consider a professional review course or a standardized test study course that you can do at home. You can get more information about standardized testing by visiting http://www.act.org or http://www.collegeboard.org. Please note: USF accepts either the SAT or the ACT. We will take the highest verbal score and the highest math score you submit.

Extra credit, anyone?:
Honors, IB, AP, and AICE courses are viewed favorably by the admissions committee as long as you successfully complete the classes. You may be able to earn college-level credit while in high school by taking AP, IB, and AICE courses, based on your exam scores and diploma or certificate earned. Please be certain that you forward test results to USF so that your courses can be evaluated and the proper credit can be awarded. If you plan to take dual-enrollment courses, contact the USF admissions office to make sure you select courses that will transfer for credit. Make sure you have an official transcript sent so credit can be awarded.

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