Guide to Higher Education - June 2019

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How to make applying to

college less stressful

Applying to colleges is exciting for many high school students. But that excitement is sometimes tempered by anxiety.

The college application process can affect students’ lives for years to come, so it’s understandable why some teenagers might feel stressed as they apply to college.

The National Center for

Educational Statistics says 69 percent of high school graduates in the United States enroll in college the fall after graduating from high school. Many students begin applying to college before entering their senior year of high school. Students can employ various strategies to make applying to college less stressful.

Create an inventory of student experiences and awards When completing their college applications, students submit a variety of materials.

In addition to students’ track records in the classroom, schools will be interested in kids’ extracurricular

activities, hobbies, volunteer work, and even things they do during their free time.

Parents and students can work together to develop a master list that includes information about what students have accomplished during high school. These may include involvement in certain clubs, participation in sports teams, advanced ranking in scouting programs, or even a list of books read. Having this document handy will make it that much simpler to fill out college applications.

for select private liberal arts colleges, but now has grown into an organization that services more than 750 schools. The organization enables students to create an account and complete one basic form that will be accepted by all institutions who are members. The CA helps students streamline the college application process and reduce redundancy.

An alert system also helps applicants manage application deadlines.

Investigate the Common Application

Some students think that applying to dozens of schools will improve their chances of being admitted.

The Common Application began as a niche program

Avoid applying everywhere

However, applicants may be wasting their time applying to schools they have no intention of attending, and that only adds to the stress of meeting deadlines. Narrow down the possibilities to a handful of favorite schools and go from there.

Use the resources at your disposal Students who have access to guidance counselors, mentors, college centers, or even teachers who are willing to help with the application process should use these resources wisely. In addition, iPhone and Android apps can help streamline the college application process.

Consider scholarships concurrently Some schools automatically consider applicants for scholarships, grants and work-study programs.

But that’s not so with every school, so students may have to apply on their own or rely on third parties for scholarships. Fastweb is a leading online resource to find scholarships to pay for school.

Advance preparation can make the college application process a lot less stressful for students and their parents.

How to ask for a letter of

recommendation Knowledge, skills and personality can get students far, but having the right people in their corners can open doors for new opportunities that students might otherwise never have considered.

Perhaps this is why recommendations are so coveted when applying to schools.

Asking for a letter of recommendation is something that should be done with forethought. The correct

approach and proper timing can mean the difference between receiving a recommendation or not.

Who to ask The first step for students is to decide who they want to ask for a recommendation. Select those teachers who know you well or can validate how you performed or improved in class. Opt for a teacher whose class you recently took so the recommendation reflects the student you are today and not the student you might have been when you were younger.

It can also help to ask for a recommendation from teachers or staff who have sufficient experience. Their input may carry more weight than someone whose career is less accomplished. A well-established teacher

who leads a class that pertains to your academic goals is a good fit.

Remember to consider the requirements of a college or university as well. Schools frequently ask for recommendations from specific people, such as a teacher in a certain subject.

Ask early Teachers may be inundated with college letter recommendation requests around application deadlines and at the end of semesters. It’s

better to leave plenty of time than to put teachers under pressure. The same rule applies to anyone else you’re asking to write you a recommendation.

Request in person Underscore the importance of the recommendation by making it a personal request.

Schedule an appointment with the individual and discuss why you believe he or she would be the right person to provide the recommendation. Remind

the person of your attributes and point out something that exemplifies your skills.

Speaking face-to-face shows respect and gives you the advantage to make your points personally, rather than through email.

Make the process easier Provide all of the necessary items to help the person along. This can include a brief résumé, academic progress report, required forms, and so on. Also offer any college- or employer-directed requests. As the

deadline looms, offer concise reminders that you will need the recommendation.

Offer to pick it up personally.

Make copies or scan and save the original just in case a mix-up in the admissions office occurs.

Recommendations are a key part of landing a job or being offered acceptance into a college or university.

Asking the right people early will translate into recommendations that paint an accurate picture of applicants.

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S M A R T. A F F O R D A B L E . L O C A L .

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Schedule a visit to connect with CCSU! Where you attend college is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Our beautiful campus is conveniently located in the heart of Connecticut. Visit us and see why CCSU is the perfect place for you!

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