If you are a rising high school senior of the Class 2011, July and August is the time to finalize your college list! Most students will begin classes during August or early September, and having a finalized list of colleges that you plan to apply to will help the application process flow smoothly. Your senior year is NOT the time to be researching schools! Your junior year and summer is best utilized for college research.
Hopefully you have put thought and much consideration into your list. You have considered the academic and social environment you desire, the distance from home and location that is agreeable to you and your family, and you have the knowledge you need about cost, financial aid, and scholarships. It is also important that you have schools on your list that you believe you are very likely to get into, schools where you believe you have a possibility of being accepted, and a couple of schools that you consider to be “reaches”. Most people call these schools “safeties”, “good matches”, and “reaches”. I advise students to apply to 6 to 8 schools that they would love to go to, and that list should include 2 “reach” schools, 2 to 3 “safeties”, and the rest should be “good match” schools. Have you also considered applying Early Decision or Early Action? These possibilities and options, with due dates, should also be on your final list.
Getting your list and timeline finalized BEFORE school starts will give you an opportunity to relax and have fun during your senior year! Plan your time, do a few college visits and campus tours, fill out those applications, write those essays! Most importantly, enjoy your senior year of high school. You have earned it.
