#ThrowbackThursday (College Edition)

Today I decided to do a #ThrowbackThursday post and I am going to talk about getting into college. I am a second semester freshman so applying to college is definitely a #throwback, which makes me very knowledgeable on the subject of the application process because I was just there. Waiting for college applications to come back be totally nerve wracking. Just breathe, getting into college can be simple with the right help. Here are a few tips:

1. Talk to your college advisor!

I thought that I could get that through college applications myself. I felt like I had to prove me maturity, but college applications can be very tricky, and there are people who are educated to help you. If you do not have a college advisor, talk to your parents! They may know a thing or two about college applications, considering some of them went. Guess who actually HAD to go through college, your teachers! Ask them questions.

2. Make a checklist

The last you want to do is forget to send a part of an application. If the full application is not submitted, most colleges will not process it and you will miss out on that opportunity. I am a very forgetful person and if you are as well, make a checklist of everything your applications need from application fees to immunization records and high school transcripts. When you check everything off, you’ll be ready to send them!

3. Apply to a lot of colleges

Do not apply to every college out there, but do not just apply to one. Let's say you don’t get into your first choice because unfortunately, it happens. You need to have a backup and a back up back up. In high school, my school required us to apply to more then one school. It keeps your options open, and it also opens your eyes to the many different institutions out there. DO your research and see if any other colleges catch your eye besides your top choice. Apply, apply, apply....

4. Scholarships

Let’s talk about money. College is expensive. Like, really expensive! Apply for as many scholarships as possible. Did you know that most scholarships that offer 500 dollars or less go unclaimed? Apply to as many of those as possible and build up that money! Make sure you pay attention to the fine print when it comes to scholarships. Some scholarships will only pay for your books or only your first semester, or room and board. Some scholarships have specified criteria as well like “Your parents have to make this much money......” or “You must have a 4.0 to apply.” Make sure you pay attention so that you do not waste your time applying for scholarships you are not eligible for. Here are a couple of links to crediable scholarship sites!

https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/

https://www.collegescholarships.com

5. Visit your schools!

I cannot stress enough how important it is to visit the colleges you are considering. Its important that the colleges you want to go to know your face and can relate it to your name on the application. You could be in love with a school, until you are on the campus and you realize you hate it. I actually hated the idea of going to a school, but I applied anyway. I went to visit the campus with some of my friends just because and I ended up falling in love with the campus, the people and the atmosphere. Now, I go to that school. So go on as many college visits as possible and if they are far away, grab a couple of friends going through the same process and make a road trip out of it! Just make sure that the school you choose is one you fall in love with and one you can see yourself at.

6. Be confident!

Stop stressing while you’re waiting for those acceptance/rejection letters to come in. And hey, you’re AMAZING. If you do not make it into a college you wanted to go to, trust me, it is not the end of the world. That’s why we have back ups. Maybe it just was not meant to be and you can always transfer there once you make the grades at your second choice or third choice college. For all of you how have gotten acceptance letters, congratulations! You are going to get through it, its time to grow up. Welcome to adulthood...