Ask the Experts: Never Too Early to Prepare for College Admissions

Question:

I am a junior in a small town high school. I already know what I wish to major and minor in when I go to college. I have not taken the ACT or SAT test yet. Should I start applying to colleges now or wait until I am a senior?

First Answer:

I believe you can take the ACT and SAT as junior. If you are planning to apply to colleges that require these test scores, start studying and take the test as soon as you can. You will probably not be allowed to apply for colleges until you have completed the test and academic requirements, so good luck!

— Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column

Second Answer:

Ah Grasshopper, it is now time to learn the most valuable word for your career – networking. Sure, take the test – assuming you have studied and
taken practice exams; by taking them now you can beat the rush to the
hallowed gates of higher education. But at the same time, begin contacting
professors at the schools you’re interested in attending. Let them know
you’re looking to establish a relationship before you’re accepted and would
be interested in working for them once you’ve been accepted.

Ask these professors for advice – what people and writings influenced them when they were in college.

Be proactive – don’t just wait for the envelope to appear in your mailbox.

— Steve Levy, Principal of outside-the-box Consulting

Third Answer:

This is an excellent time to start researching the schools you have an interest in attending. Part of your information gathering will be not only reviewing the brochures and catalogs but also talking with instructors and administrators. This is the pre-application phase. The sooner you start, the more ahead of the process you are in putting together the right application package — with emphasis on the things that are important to your desired schools.

Your SAT and ACT scores will be forwarded to the schools you designate when they are available.

May all your Entrances be through the doors of success!

— Yvonne LaRose, career and professional development coach, Career and Executive Recruiting Advice

Fourth Answer:

Preplanning for large milestones in life will make a huge difference relative to your career readiness; and the fact that you’re thinking about such things as a junior is wonderful! Your junior year will be finished before you know it, so researching and narrowing down your college choices would be a wise move at this point. Requesting and submitting applications isn’t a timely process, therefore, you may wish to wait until the start of your senior year before proceeding. If you’re concerned about acceptance or availability, contact your primary college choice (if you have one) to identify the best time to apply.

Examine your intended major at great length – if you haven’t already. Over the years, I’ve worked with countless individuals who changed majors mid-stream or finished college with a degree in one area, yet their job search was aimed at another. Shifting gears is costly, time consuming, and avoidable if adequate amounts of exploration are conducted before signing up for that first class.

Best Jobs for the 21st Century for College Graduates (JIST), written by J. Michael Farr and LaVerne L. Ludden, will open your eyes to career fields that are forecasted to grow over the next few years. The book also takes an in-depth look, including salary, skill, course and occupational expectations.

Just as you’ll research and analyze college choices, other factors should come into play, such as location and cost. Cost, in my opinion, can be a huge deterrent for certain schools so spend adequate amounts of time researching grants, scholarships, and the financial commitment needed by yourself and/or your parents. Deadlines for scholarships and grants vary throughout the year, so identify availability and create a calendar for a 6 to 18-month spread. Scholarships, in particular, are essentially “free money,” so taking the time to submit a quality package and get your applications in on time will make a difference on your success rate.

— Teena Rose, a certified and published résumé writer and career specialist with Résumé to Referral

Originally posted by alwin