What "To Do:" Now

             MY SENIOR YEAR...yikes 

• visit college X
• research colleges with a student population over 10,000
• study for SAT
• meet with my educational consultant
• apply to college X
• research which colleges in my state have good biology programs
• Visit college Y 
• Attend campus "preview day"
• finish senior paper
• Take the SAT
• visit college Z
• decide between college X and college Y
• write admission essays
• Take the ACT
• Re-take SAT
• Apply to colleges X,Y,Z
• Go on my last winter camp adventure with church group
• Attend "senior night" event at school
• GRADUATE.

So you don't end up in your Senior Year with a to do list like this one,  

Follow these simple tips...

Sophomores: Research, Research, Research
There's nothing better for Sophomores to do than research.  Research colleges, research yourself, research your parents, research your friends... you get the point.  Sophomore year is all about collecting information.  You don't need to fret about decisions yet and really don't even have to worry about visiting schools.  Just research.  The web is a perfect place to start and without much effort.  Start now.  Compile a list of schools you are interested in.  Poll your friends.  Think about the things you enjoy and consider different majors.  Talk to your parents.  Meet with an educational consultant.  Begin working on your writing skills.  Ask your teachers for advice.  Attend college fairs in your area.  Set a goal to have a list of 10-15 colleges you want to visit in your junior year that meet what you think you want in a school.  Even if you change your mind down the road, you will have lost nothing.  Start now... it's simple.  Say it with me:  "Sophomores, Research!"

Juniors: Visit, Visit, Visit
Now that you've compiled a list of schools you think you might be interested in, it's time to VISIT!  Hit the road and get on the campuses of as many colleges as you can during your junior year.  Attend organized preview events, meet with admissions counselors, go on tours.  If you take a summer vacation with your family, take a day or two and visit a few colleges.  Stay overnight in the dorms, eat the food on campus, meet professors, talk to current students.  It's all important and will help you better understand where you "fit".  Make sure to you make your visits count, too!  And just as important as visiting... always ask questions.  You've heard it before, but I'll say it again, there is not a dumb question.  If you have something you want to know about a school, be sure to ask on your visit.  Pack those bags, rev those engines and hit the road!  Juniors, it's time to get on those campuses!
 
Seniors: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
By the beginning of your senior year you should have a good idea of schools that you think you want to submit application to.  Make sure to get those apps in by the early action date!  It's ok to apply to several colleges and it's a great idea to meet with an educational consultant to help with this process too!  Once you've applied, you'll likely receive admission notice by late fall or early spring.  AND NOW IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION.  Compare schools, compare financial aid, consider your options on each campus.  Seek your parents advice, talk to your friends, and most importantly, follow your heart.  A college decision can be tough, but don't let it scare you.  Seniors, be decisive, make informed decisions, and get ready to have a fantastic collegiate experience!