Preparing for college requires the same amount of work as taking an extra class, or picking up a second job. Students must save money, organize paperwork and transcripts, continue to excel in academics and extra circulars, and prepare for standardized tests. When the application process begins, the work load increases with filling out the Common Application, writing essays, and filing for financial aid packages. Fortunately, these organization skills will simplify your next round of decisions, like choosing a major and maintaining academic excellence throughout your career.
Start Planning Early
We cannot stress enough the importance of scholarships and grants. College-based awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Still, most students need to supplement their financial aid package. If possible, apply for early admission so you can compare awards and determine if you need to apply for other scholarships.
Major Decisions
Some students already know their intended major, and others wait to make that decision. Regardless of when you choose your major, and what major you choose, consider taking classes outside your field of study. Having experience outside your major will make you a more marketable job applicant. Being versatile will also make changing career paths an easy task.
Literally dozens of people have been charged in an admissions bribery scheme involving elite colleges and wealthy parents who wanted to get their progeny enrolled by any means necessary, including bribes ranging from $200K to $6.5M. [...]
A Morehouse College student who was not able to find childcare was told by his mathematics professor to bring his baby to class. Upon being taken up on his offer, the professor proceeded to teach the class with the infant strapped to his chest so the student to take adequate notes. [...]
Almost three-fourths of people surveyed by the Pew Research Center are against consideration of race when it comes to college admissions decisions. Only 7 percent believe it should be a major factor and 19 percent say it should be a minor factor. These views were reportedly shared by "solid majorities of white, black, Latino and Asian Americans."
In 2016, after the Supreme Court affirmed the right of colleges to consider race in admissions, a Gallup poll indicated that approximately two-thirds of the public disagreed with the Supreme Court. Only 9 percent believed that race should be a major factor in admissions decisions, and 27 percent said it should be considered a minor factor. The survey did not end there. [...]
