10 Steps to College

1. Consider life goals and where you want to be in five years.  Think about your priorities: academic success, relationships with faculty or fellow students, cocurricular involvement, faith life, friends and family, etc.  Your college choice should support your goals and priorities.

2. Prepare yourself academically.  Most colleges and universities require four years of English, and three years of math, science and social studies.  You’ll also want to include fine arts, foreign language and technology classes in your preparatory curriculum.

3. Create your ideal university.  Is it a large or small campus?  Does it have religious affiliation?  Is it located in a big city or a small town?  It should offer majors that interest you.  Add a variety of characteristics to your list based on life and faith goals and priorities.

4. Begin gathering information.  Search the Web, talk to family, friends and your counselor, and review college guidebooks.  See the Guidance web page and utilize the Career Center’s many resources.

5. Attend college fairs.  Local, regional and national college fairs allow you to gather more information and chat with college representatives.  Talk to your counselor about college fair options.

6. Meet with college representatives at FVL.  Watch morning announcements for dates to visit with them.  Take advantage of these opportunities to meet one-on-one or in groups with people from colleges in which you’re interested.  (Follow FVL guidelines for college visits.)

7. Develop a college Top 10 list.  Create a checklist that allows you to compare characteristics between the school on your list.

8. Visit your top schools.  The college visit is one of the most important steps in the college search process.  In addition to the standard open house event, most schools offer overnight stays and individual appointments.  Try to include a campus tour, faculty visit, admission and financial aid meeting during your visit.

9. Narrow your list and apply.  Choose three or more schools and complete the application process for each.  You can begin as early as spring of your junior year.  The beginning of your senior year is prime time for applying to your top schools.  Application deadlines vary greatly.  So, be sure to check with each school you are considering.  But don’t delay the process.  Some schools have very limited housing facilities.  Also, consider applying online.  That will put you into the system three weeks earlier than paper applications!

10. Make a final decision.  Once you have received admission decisions from your top schools, make your final choice.  Pay your deposits, submit housing requests and register for classes.  Once you arrive on campus, try to participate in welcome events and other activities to begin familiarizing yourself in your new environment.