Top Colleges to Think About and How to Apply

There is a growing trend across the country. Top students that are low-income recipients of financial aid are not applying to the top schools because they don’t think that they have what it takes to get in. The biggest reason, though, according to Chris Avery, a Harvard University Professor, is that they don’t have information at their high schools about these top Universities.

Counselors are overwhelmed in low-income areas and many do not push their students towards gaining a college degree. Students also contend with parents that are not motivating them to go to college because they need the extra income that would come from the student taking on a job after high school.

Schools like Stanford, Harvard, and Brown are making strides to devote more money to financial aid for top scoring students. With large endowments at these prestigious schools, the ability to welcome low-income students is becoming the norm. For instance, Williams college has a $2 billion endowment, which helps students pay for their education, many graduate with no debt, and the rate of graduation is 95%.

Keep in mind that a high school diploma will probably get you a job, but statistics show that a college degree is going to get you paid more money in the long run. So if you are a top scoring student, there are opportunities to take all of the hard work that you have done to a higher level, and even being admitted to schools that you may have thought were not within your reach.

Now that you have a better view of what is available besides your local community college, lets looks at how to get started on getting into these top-level schools.

Applications

The application process is a bit daunting at the beginning due to all of the paperwork and essays, but if you take it step by step, you will soon be going to orientation to attend you chosen school.

Narrow the applications down to at least three choices; it doesn’t matter how many you choose, but when it comes to getting down to the paperwork, less is best. Go over the admissions requirements carefully. Take special note of the timelines in them all. Deadlines are important to pay close attention to. Apply early as possible to decrease the processing time and in case there need to be adjustments or added information gathered. If you have to, visit the admissions office and ask for added help in filling out forms that require certain details that you do not understand.

The application process is a lengthy one, and applying early gives you an advantage. Sometimes early applicants get the best class schedules and a higher percentage of those that apply early are readily accepted.

Keep in mind that the admissions application is not the financial aid application, they require totally different forms.

Your Essays

When applying for admissions, your essays should reflect the real you. Admissions staff are looking for clear writing that offers insight into who you are. Your character and personality have to shine on the page. If you decide to use a service to help you with this stage of your applications because you need help with writing an essay, then make sure that they have as much information about you as possible. Tell them that you are looking to personalize your essays for college admission and they will take it from there.

Visit Your Choices for College

These can be costly, but can be done by a virtual tour. If possible, though, go in person, and walk around the campuses. Get a feel for where you are going to be spending a lot of time in the next 4-6 years.

Eat in the cafeteria; get to know some of the staff and professors, and don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions. If you ask one staff a question and they don’t seem to know the answer, don’t get discouraged, ask someone else.

Recommendations

You will need recommendation letters. Read each college’s requirements for these letters and ask the people that will be writing them for you in plenty of time for them to reply. Check your recommendations letters part of your application to make sure they are submitting them, but don’t harass your writers, give them one reminder. Some applications have the option to have the school to send them reminders. Make sure you have your recommenders updated email address and/or phone number.

This is your time to get something that no-one can ever take from you, your education. Choose wisely and realize that you are worthy of the top schools just as much as the next guy that scored high. The opportunities are there, so go after them with determination.