How to Start the College Admissions Process

The college admissions process is one of those things in life with many moving parts, and it’s overwhelming to even know where to begin.  How many of you have thought, “What do I even do first?!” Start with the bits of information below! This is a great jumping-off point to get the ball rolling and to help you get organized. Reach out if I can help you through the rest of this process!

Create a Mental Wish List…

When you think of what your life will be like when you go to college, what do you envision?  Start brainstorming how you want to live your post-high school life! How far away are you from your family?  What’s the weather like? Are you in any clubs, doing research, or playing sports? What are you studying? Are you at a big D1 school, or on a small liberal arts campus?  This is something to start early, as your vision of what your college experience looks like will likely change as you move through high school.

…Then Write Your Wish List Down

Revelu recommends getting more serious about the college admissions process during the summer before your junior year.  Spend some time over the summer before school starts making some lists on paper of what you might be looking for in a college.  Simple things that sound silly, like “no snow,” can really narrow your list down! Having a list, or multiple categorical lists, will help you focus the rest of your process.

Start the Conversation About Your Post-High School Life

Communication with family is vital to a smooth college admissions process!  Once you’ve gotten an idea of what kind of school you think YOU will like, start the conversation with your family about what you’re thinking.  You might be interested to hear what their opinions are - especially if they’re helping you financially! Ask them - what is your learning style, and your strengths and weaknesses?  What’s your family’s financial situation? A good college fit is somewhere that is a match for both you AND your family.

Start the Conversation About Your Post-College Life

Let your family know what you want to do after college.  What are your interests and ambitions? Do you have any hobbies that you want to turn into your future career?  Your family probably has some great ideas of what could be a good fit for you - they know you pretty well! This conversation can also help you work on your college list.

Work With A Counselor

Meeting regularly and developing a relationship with a high school counselor or independent counselor like Revelu will keep you on track from the beginning.  They’ll help you understand what classes are necessary for the schools you’re thinking of and how to present your best self as you go through this process. Building a relationship with a counselor or consultant earlier than later is especially helpful for knowing what decisions to make and for when you need them later in the process!

Be PROUD

Last, but not least - be proud of yourself for where you’ve gotten so far, and where you’re going!  This is about you and what options are the best fit for you. This is an extensive process, involving time, effort, and work from both you and your family.  This is just the beginning - and you got this!