Basic College Questions + Liberal Arts College...

haavain
Sun, 23 May 2010 12:34:23 +0000

^ CSS Profile schools (and the vast majority of top private colleges use CSS) will consider your noncustodial parent’s income as well. Just something to keep in mind.

The suggestions here are very good, although I would hold off on list-crafting until we have some preliminary SATs, at least. Right now I would think in broad strokes–visit UF and New College of Florida sometime this year. Maybe also a private research university, if that’s possible. It helps to get a general idea of what kind of environment would appeal to you, since I’m guessing you don’t have the time or money to go on a lot of extensive college visits.

Things to ask yourself: large or small? urban, suburban, rural? weather? intense or laid-back? intellectual or pre-professional? is a thriving extracurricular scene important to you? how about big sports? (I’m guessing no.) single-sex schools, yay or nay? religious schools? big fish in small pond or small fish in big pond? Think on them for a while–the answers may not come to you easily–and when you have a better idea of what kind of school you want, start delving into the specifics.

You say you want a “small, unique” school–check out Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives. It’s a very illuminating read.

Your GPA is excellent. Your SAT scores I think are going to be in a good place by the end of this. Your testing schedule works–you could take it once in January and once in June, for example–but I might push the first one even earlier, to fall 2010. It gives you more time to study and try out the ACT, if you don’t do so well on the SAT. And if you’re taking Math II (which you should be, if you take a math) be sure to get a prep book beforehand, or at least brush up on your precalc. I know that can get rusty after a year of calculus, which is so different.

Extracurriculars also look good. Starting your own club is an excellent idea, and community service is never bad. Some things to think about, though: the operative question here is not so much “what’s your position?” but “what did you do?” There are plenty of presidents and founders who never did anything. What are your responsibilities, what have you accomplished? How have you changed the club for the better? The school? The community? Go beyond volunteering your time–start thinking of ways you can take initiative in the organization you volunteer for. Is there a need you could fill? A way you could improve the process? This is the difference between a kid with good ECs and a kid with great ECs.

The most important thing: don’t go crazy. Think about colleges over the next year, but don’t fret about the subject. Work hard in school and out of it–it could mean a lot of money for you–but don’t make yourself miserable. Don’t be afraid to drop an EC if it ceases to be enjoyable. And good luck.