College Decisions...

Trikira · July 05, 2010, 19:24

Yep, I'm becoming a junior in high school this year, which means I have to think hard about which college I'm going to go to. The problem is...there are so many to choose from, and I have to pick the ones I want to go to without visiting the campus! (Well, I might visit, but there's a really slim chance of that happening.)

Right now, I have three colleges I'm interested in: Stanford (my stretch pick, highly doubt I'll get into there), St. John's College, and Eckerd College. But that will probably change in a few weeks...

So...what am I asking for exactly? Well, I'm trying to decide which one (St. John's or Eckerd) will be my #1, and which will be #2, so if you guys can help me with that, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, I'm still looking for other possibilities, so if you guys have any college recommendations, please post them!

Oh, and I still don't get the application process. My guidance counselor says that we have to send our applications near the end of junior year, before summer. But how can we apply for college when we still have one more year of high school?

Furgeson · July 06, 2010, 02:59

You're asking your fellow scanlators with their rotting brain cells to help you?!
*raises hand for St. John's.
Now, you're on your own!~ HAHAHA
Good luck! (Wow... Stanford XDDDD)

Trikira · July 06, 2010, 09:19

Well, some of them are in college, so I figure they could help me with that, at least.
Why St. John? Did you just pick randomly?
And thanks! (I know...)

icewing · July 11, 2010, 11:32

MIT, Standford, Cronell, Amherst, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, UC Berkley, Dartmouth, and all of those scary ivly colleges.

Trikira · July 11, 2010, 13:23

I meant colleges that aren't almost impossible to get into. XD

icewing · July 11, 2010, 15:08

..............Brandeis university, Northwestern, Boston College, Boston University, uh.........wait. what state do you live in? are you trying to get as far from your parents or trying to stay as close? i'd chose as close. i mean. if your parents are good cooks. xD

Trikira · July 11, 2010, 20:24

I live in Florida, and I'm trying to stay in the state, since I could get a Bright Futures scholarship.
My parents are good cooks, but they're planning to move once I go to college, so...yeah. XD

Shrubbery · July 11, 2010, 20:37

Okay, I'm not a college admission counselor, but (unfortunately) I work with them. Junior year is usually the time most high school students start looking at schools. Ideally start researching as early as you can (I've taken calls from parents whose kids were just about to enter high school!) Know what you want to major in so you can plan your high school courses accordingly. Pick schools along realistic lines - in-state schools, local community colleges, dream schools.

If you have the chance, call and speak to an admissions counselor to get an idea of what to expect when you apply (especially right after an application cycle). Visit websites and check out their blogs. In this time of economic crunch entertain the thought of doing your general education requirements at a local community college and then transfer to the college of your choice. It will save you money.

My own high school counselor sucked. Be prepared to read up on the admissions policies of the schools you've chosen (not all schools have similar application guidelines). Keep in mind application dates and deadlines - don't put off applying to the last minute!!! Usually you will need to send in items that take time to process - transcripts, recommendations, test scores, payment, financial aid, etc. Don't forget to make sure you've paid! Some schools may let you check on the status of your application online, take advantage of that.

When you schedule a campus tour, ask if the school has departmental tours/presentations, ie. engineering or business, as well so you can check out those particular colleges. Hope this rambling helps someone make their school choices.

Furgeson · July 11, 2010, 21:39

I'm so lucky that my mommy's ever wise when it comes down to college applications. XD

Trikira · July 11, 2010, 21:44

Yeah...now I'm really terrified.
But thank you for the info.

Shrubbery · July 11, 2010, 22:42

That's why it might help to talk to an admission counselor to get a feel of who they've admitted during the past admission cycle. The university I work for makes a big show about the quality of students it admits. For such departments as Engineering and Business an overall quality applicant would be someone who's good at math/science, taken/taking challenging courses such as AP/Honors types, score high on the Math/Science portions of the ACT and/or SAT (as well as a good cumulative score)

I've seen the final transcripts of this Fall's incoming students. Many are stellar, others okay, some so-so. It's across the board. There have been a number of admitted applicants who've declined my school's admission offers, so the university's letting things slide. Don't be afraid. Review your options - if you can't get into the dream school directly, check out what other options you have to get there.

Prepare yourself, find out what the application guidelines for all the schools you're interested in and get going!

Good luck!

Melody · July 15, 2010, 07:19

welcome to chicago~

northwestern university is a pretty good one, and not that impossible to get into~
'bout a hundred something ppl in my highschool-to-be applied for it, and more than half got in

or you can try university of chicago(it's a good college, but it's located in a pretty bad area

icewing · July 15, 2010, 09:55

ok. Mel. you go to highschool and you're 13?

Melody · July 15, 2010, 22:50

i'm starting high school in september, and well, i'm turning 14 soon (looks away...

icewing · July 16, 2010, 09:59

mel. YOU'RE JUST LIKE LILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

must i hate you now....*scary face*...?

nah. *huggles mel*

Trikira · July 16, 2010, 10:07

Wow. High school at the age of 14?
Oh, wait... It was the same with me. Late birthday, I'm guessing?
And well...I'm in Florida. I'm trying not to get out of state, so Chicago is not high on my list of places.

icewing · July 16, 2010, 10:16

how about miami state?

Trikira · July 17, 2010, 08:35

I have to look into that one.
I heard that Miami's good, but it doesn't accept bright Futures scholarships.

icewing · July 17, 2010, 09:18

bright Future scholorships? hm....well it's pretty!

Melody · July 18, 2010, 00:42

Quote from: Trikira on July 16, 2010, 10:07
Wow. High school at the age of 14?
Oh, wait... It was the same with me. Late birthday, I'm guessing?
And well...I'm in Florida. I'm trying not to get out of state, so Chicago is not high on my list of places.

Florida~ i used to live there when i was still in kindergarden. love the pools in the yard. but trust me, i don't miss the sun...(got burned a couple of times)

here's a list of universities in florida...

http://www.floridalink.com/thenews/florida_universities.htm

Trikira · July 20, 2010, 10:36

*Looks at list*
That's...going to take a while for me to get through...

icewing · July 20, 2010, 18:52

xD it takes a wicked long time!

Mizuiro · September 26, 2010, 19:02

I'm going to interject for more help on college decisions since I don't feel like starting a new thread =)

Okay, so I'm only a sophomore, but I'm planning on graduating early and going into engineering. I was more just wondering what are some good schools for that in either oregon or california =) The two on my list are OSU and OIT but I also want to have the options of some other schools that are maybe out of state. Any suggestions are great! or any tips about anything of the college aspect ^_^

College Decisions...

Furgeson

Furgeson