OfftoCollege.com

Task 1: Review the Monthly Checklist

checklist of prior monthly tasks that should be completed

Any idea that you want to do after high school: you need to start quickly to meet fall deadlines. Review our late-starter file to get started: see late starter file

Finalize your list of colleges and review it with your HS counselor: use our college search directory to find your school

Register for your college admission exams: SAT I and SAT II ACT College Exam

October is the Month for College Fairs and HS Visits by Schools Check with your guidance office for schedules and interviews. Narrow your college selection into a grouping for college application submission

Continue working on your college admission application. Items required: College entrance exams: take these exams as soon as possible and arrange to have your scores sent to your college of choice College admission application: see below Essays: see below High School Transcripts: arrange with your high school to forward required transcripts to select colleges. Note that everyone in your school will be making the same request So act early! Letters of recommendation: determine who can write your recommendations. Act now! see below Home Schooled: check with your college on what will be required since you will not be sending in "official" transcripts. Check this valuable resource for information: link to the amazon bookstore Other: check with your college admission's office

You should consider taking Advanced Placement Exams or the CLEP tests to test out of some college courses. About advanced placement program: the collegeboard administers the AP exams. This site has all the information you need including test programs and dates: www.collegeboard.com

Task 2: Write and Edit Your College Essays

You need to finalize your college essays.

Remember that the essay is an important part of the application review. A good essay can become the decision factor that gets you accepted. So do a great job.

Essay resource and editing services:
use this resource to edit your essay — you will expert advice from professionals who are experts in college essay review
EssayEdge.com

Quick view in our tool set: essay writing tips
Quick view in our tool set: essay samples

 

The college admission also requires 1-2 recommendations from teachers and/or community leaders.

Give the person writing your recommendation plenty of time (about 3-4 weeks prior to your deadline).

Also provide them a short autobiography, a list of your outside activities, school transcript and a self-addressed envelope as instructed by your college. Please note that the teacher works with hundreds of students. So give them plenty of time.

Task 3: Submit Your College Application

Get your college entrance applications ready for submission. The earlier, the better. Don't delay. Deadlines are approaching fast.

Early Admission:
deadlines are in October - November

Regular Admissions:
deadlines are in early January - February

 

Be prepared to submit applications to these types of schools:

2-3 schools that you could definitely get in

4-5 schools that you could probably get in

7-8 schools that you would like to get in

You should budget on how much you can afford for application submission. If the application submission costs for 16 or more schools is too much, narrow your search to 3-3-3

 

See if your school use the COMMON application form

the COMMON application form is used by 300+ schools. This can save you time from completing multiple application forms: see form at ww.commonapp.org

you can save the COMMON application form online until you are ready to submit it electronically to participating schools

or get the application from your school:

— link to your college to submit your application form online or to request a application packet:
use our college search directory for your school's web site

 

Early Decision Note:

you need to decide if you are doing early admission. If so, you will need to have your application completed and ready to submit between October and November of your senior year (November 01 due date for many colleges).

The advantage of early decision is that you will know whether you have been accepted by early January. The disadvantage of early decision is that you may be legally bound to attend that school if you are accepted. So decide on early decisions for those schools that are your first choice.

 

What is required for the college admission application:

1. College Admission Form
2. College Essays
3. College Exams
4. High School Transcripts: arrange with your high school on forwarding required transcripts to your selected colleges
5. Letters of recommendation: determine who can write your recommendations. Act now!
6. Other: check with your college admission's office
   
   see the September plan for more information

Task 4: Search for Scholarship Money

Begin searching for scholarships and other FREE money:

begin your search for over $24.3 billion
worth of scholarships and grants in one location

 

Beware of potential scholarship scams:

there are unscrupulous web sites and email campaigns that are trying to get your money. A general rule to follow is,

"if they request money from you in order to get money, they are likely a scam ",

Detecting/reporting scholarship scams:
from the FTC: information about scholarship scams

 

Halloween is coming up!

We've got a great party package that will make your party a "spooky" smash:

Halloween Kit: FREE download Download FREE Halloween Story: click to download

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