COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE TIMELINE: How Remarkable Students Prepare for Top Colleges– Starting Today!
DISCOVER THE PROVEN STRATEGIES YOU NEED to reach your destination–the remarkable college experience that you deserve. Look inside now so you can start using this expert advice today.
THIS WEEK Develop your college short list. Look within. Consider your likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. What are your values and passions? What do you want in life–something tangible or personal enrichment? Where would you like to live? Be open to different types of colleges so you don’t overlook one that’s a perfect fit for you. Explore schools that offer a wide variety of academic, extracurricular and social opportunities. That way, if your interests change, you’ll still have many choices. Surfing the Internet is a great way to discover the possibilities. You can also check your school’s guidance office for college search guidebooks. Narrow your list to a handful of schools by comparing your preferences to your research findings. With more than 170 majors and concentrations and over 600 student organizations, USF has what you’re looking for. Not sure just what you want yet? Not to worry. At USF, your academic advisor will empower you with the resources you need to make academic and career decisions. Plus, our orientation program will show you how to get involved on campus.
THIS MONTH
Plan to visit the colleges and universities on your short list. Experiencing a campus in person is the best way to know if you can picture yourself there. Schedule a visit while classes are in session so you can get a feel for student life. Also, consider attending one of the special on-campus admissions events that many schools offer. Your visit is a spy mission: be prepared to investigate. Before your visit, create a list of questions to ask students, faculty and staff members. Focus your questions on determining how well the college engages its students–questions not usually covered in information sessions or guided tours. At USF, campus visits include a detailed information session, a current USF student panel and a guided tour of our campus, facilities and other highlights. Come explore USF in sunny Tampa, Florida. What better way to spend your vacation or school break? We’d love to show you around–schedule your visit today.
THIS SEMESTER
Engage your mind and body. Stimulate your intellectual growth with a curriculum comprising challenging classes and subjects that you enjoy. A demanding, yet manageable course load demonstrates a strong work ethic and a genuine interest in learning. Get involved in clubs, sports and community organizations which inspire passion in you. Take on leadership roles within these groups and follow through. You’ll find these commitments personally rewarding. Plus, admissions officers will respect your dedication and versatility. Research and innovation at USF are focused on creating local, national and global solutions to society’s most difficult problems. From developing sources of clean energy to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities, USF researchers seek to make the world a better place.
THIS YEAR AND BEYOND Fund your education. Don’t flinch at the sticker price of a quality college education. Between thousands of scholarship opportunities and need-based financial aid, you can afford the undergraduate experience you desire…start preparing today! Scholarships List the scholarships in which you’re interested AND note their application deadlines…you want to be sure you submit your application on time. Check out these websites to begin your search: www.CollegeNET.com www.Scholarships.com www.FinAid.org www.CollegeView.com USF offers a multitude of generous institutional scholarships each year. Explore these opportunities by visiting our scholarship web page at www.usf.edu/admission/scholarships-financial-aid.aspx. Federal, State and Institutional Financial Aid Each year, over $150 billion in need-based financial aid is awarded to college-bound students. You can qualify for assistance by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov as early as January 1 of your senior year. Aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you submit your FAFSA, the better. USF’s priority FAFSA deadline is March 1 if you’re enrolling in the summer or fall. Our school code is 001537.
USF provides students countless learning opportunities, cultivates business partnerships and advances innovative, cutting-edge research. In fact, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognizes USF as one of the nation’s 25 public research universities with very high research activity and community engagement. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036, Tampa, FL 33620-6900