Class of 2024

I'm going to be very blunt here: NO IT DOES NOT.  In the grand scheme of things, a college's rank according to US News & World Report or the Wall Street Journal or your Aunt Tilly and Uncle Frank means ZIP.  A college has to be the right fit for YOU, not your neighbour, not your classmate and certainly not for a publication that knows nothing about you.  As Jeffrey Brenzel, the former Dean of Admissions at Yale University states, "The publication of college rankings is a business enterprise that capitalizes on anxiety about college admissions."  Think about what you want out of your college experience.  Do you want a big campus?  Smaller campus? Do you know what you want to study? What area of the country do you want to be in? If you need help, please make an appointment with Mrs Ubriaco so we can go over your options! 

If you're able to, visiting a college campus is the best way to see if it's the right fit for you.  You may be a huge Tar Heel basketball fan, wear their gear and have it on your short list but if you go for an official tour and it just doesn't feel right to you, listen to that feeling!  A college tour is a great way to see the campus in action.  Try to go during the school year (our days off usually don't correlate with university days off) so you can see the campus with students there and classes in session.  Sometimes, you can even sit in on a class.  It's also important to sign up for an official tour as there are schools that keep track of demonstrated interest and that can tip the scales in your favour come admissions time.  Just about every college website has a tab for requesting a tour or admissions session.  Sign up early, they fill up fast!

Can't get to a school for a visit?  Don't know if you want to do an in person visit?  A new resource for high school students going through the college admissions process is available on Amazon Prime Streaming - The College Tour.  Each episode gives you an in depth look a different US college.  Colleges in the series include: Arizona State, the University of Illinois, Baylor University and the University of Montana.  There are over 30 schools highlighted with more on the way.  This is a GREAT way to "visit" a campus that you may be unable to visit in person.  You can find episodes of The College Tour on Amazon or by going to thecollegetour.com 

The Common Application is used by over 900 colleges and universities worldwide.  You can start a Common App profile anytime and check out what each college requires as part of their application process.  Click the link below to access the Common App site

The essay is the most dreaded part of the application process but really it's the best way to show colleges that you are more than your transcript.  The Essay Guy has tips and samples of essays to help you with this process.  Click the link below for more info

If you have not met with Mrs Ubriaco to discuss your plans for next year, please do so as soon as possible so we can make sure that you can take advantage of any and all opportunities to reach your post high school goals.  Fill out the form below to request a meeting time