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College Selection
college SELECTION . . .
college SELECTION . . .
Guide to College Selection and Admission
Your college start date may seem far away, but admission deadlines will hit as soon as fall of your senior year. Follow these steps your junior and senior year to stay on the right track.Step 1 - Research colleges
- Talk to college representatives who visit your school.
- Attend the College Fair in your area.
- Visit college Web sites and note deadlines for admissions, financial aid and college-based scholarships.
- See our College Profiles for information about Midwest colleges.
- Watch our Find the Right Fit video to learn more about college selection.
Step 2 - Visit colleges that interest you
- Begin your college visits your junior year and complete them by early fall of your senior year.
- Set up your visits at least two weeks in advance.
- Meet with representatives from admissions, financial aid and from your area of interest.
- Ask several questions during your visit.
Step 3 - Take college entrance exams
Take the ACT and SAT during the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year.
For preparation and registration information, visit collegeboard.com and actstudent.org.
Colleges will use your test results to:
For preparation and registration information, visit collegeboard.com and actstudent.org.
Colleges will use your test results to:
- determine if you meet admission requirements
- award scholarships
- advise you on course selection
- determine if you qualify for honors programs
Community colleges may have you take the COMPASS or ASSET tests.
Step 4 - Narrow your list of colleges
- Narrow your list to 3-4 colleges. Include your dream school, a "sure-bet" school and one close to home that is affordable and within commuting distance.
- Use our College Comparison Calculator to help you narrow your choices.
Step 5 - Research and apply for scholarships
- Colleges award many renewable scholarships. Ask about criteria, procedures and deadlines.
- Visit your guidance counselor weekly for scholarship information.
- For state and local awards, see our ScholarshipQuest program.
- Find information about large national scholarships on our Links page.
Step 6 - Apply for admission
- Ask your colleges what type of admission they offer (early decision; early action; rolling decision; open decision).
- Ask about admission deadlines and procedures.
- Colleges typically require these items with the application:
- High school transcript
- Entrance exam scores
- Application fee (may be waived for online applications and for students who demonstrate financial need).
- Colleges may also require letters of recommendation, essays and a resume of your extracurricular involvement.
Step 7 - Apply for financial aid
See the Financial Aid section for steps to apply.Step 8 - Expect to hear from the colleges
- The colleges will send you a letter of acceptance, conditional acceptance (with restrictions) or rejection.
- Colleges that accept you will send information about housing, deposits and freshman orientation.
Step 9 - Select a college
- Compare schools and pick the one that best meets your needs.
- Use our College Comparison Calculator to help make your final decision.
- Inform the other colleges of your decision.
- Over 100 colleges in Nebraska, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program. If you attend a participating college, you may qualify for discounted non-resident tuition.
