Applying to College and College Concerns

TO DO List:

1. Take challenging classes in core academic subjects.  Most colleges (and financial aid/scholarships) require passing grades in the following:
   4 years English
   3 or more years Social Studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.)
   3 years Math including Algebra I and a high level course such as Algebra II, geometry, or data analysis and statistics
   3 years Science including 1 year each of at least 2 of the following: biology, chemistry, and physics
   2 years of the same Foreign Language
   Round your course load out with classes in physical education, technology/trades, computer science, and arts (music, choir, art, photography, theatre, etc.)
    

2. Take the SAT/ACT in high school junior year.
    

3. Visit post secondary schools by your senior year.
   You can’t tell if a school is right for you if you never set foot on campus.
   Get a run down of what to consider when looking at colleges:
     Criteria To Consider When Selecting a College
     eCampusTours
     CollegeAnswer
   Then set up campus visits for your junior year and in the summer before your senior year.
    

4. Get an application fee waiver if possible. 
   Yes, each school charges a fee to process your application. Some schools offer fee waivers if you visit, attend their open house events, or meet with their admissions representative at your high school.
    

5. Apply ASAP before the deadline.
   Allow plenty of time (2-4 weeks) to:
   -FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!
         If using a paper application: 
           What color ink must you use?  Black?
           Check if you must write in all capital letters or not.  If not, at least use capitalization properly!
           Read what is supposed to go in special boxes:  numbers, Xs, check marks, nothing?
   -Collect teacher recommendations and evaluations if needed
   -Write essays if needed
   -Send SAT/ACT scores electronically if not available/acceptable on high school transcripts (like for PSU, Pitt,...)
   -Request IN WRITING your transcripts from guidance (use any special forms guidance requires)
   -Get the application to guidance at least a week before the deadline with the address of the college supplied.  (For heavens sake, learn how to address and return address an envelope if you don't know how!)  Guidance counselors need time to process each application.
   -Know your Guidance Counselor and School information already!
    

6. If 1st quarter or mid-year grades are requested, notify guidance immediately so they can be sent.
    

7. Research and apply to Scholarships throughout your high school years.  (See Financial Aid & Scholarships page.)
    

8. File the FAFSA financial aid form before the college's financial aid deadline after January 1st of your senior year.
    

9. Compare financial aid award letters from each college and pay the deposit.
   Decide where you can go and pay the admissions deposit by the May 1st deadline and housing deposit by the deadline if applicable.

  Not sure you'll be able to make the grade in college classes or online courses? 
Give it a FREE try online at Free-Ed.Net.
 

More in depth reading to learn more:

Admissions Process Overview
Meeting Deadlines!    
Admission Streams - Early Decisions, Regular Admission, Rolling, Open, etc.                      
Advanced College Credits
Getting Recommendations for College Admissions
Application Essay Tips
ROTC College Funding and Leadership  Pay for college without major worries about having to fight.
Q&A on College Worries 

The College Application Process: An Overview by Bridges.com

You've narrowed down the massive list of school choices to a select few to which you want to apply. But there's a lot of work to be done so that you can plead your best case.

Getting Organized

The first step is to gather the information required for your application. Entrance requirements can differ for every school, so pay close attention to the application forms to make sure you provide everything they need. The earlier you determine the requirements of each school, the better.

Start by printing off a copy of each application form. Create a file folder for each school to store copies of all materials you send to that school. Put the date on everything so you know when it went out.

Jot down all the admissions deadlines on a calendar or in a date book -- and check it often. You may want to record the deadline dates on the outside of each folder as well.

Doing the Work

In general, schools will look at the following factors: high school courses, grade point average (GPA), class ranking, SAT/ACT test scores, personal essays, extracurricular activities, other personal or special skills and letters of recommendation. Sometimes a school will conduct an entrance interview.

Application Form
Read the instructions carefully and fill in all the information. Double-check spelling, grammar, the name of the school and any numbers you had to enter.

Transcripts
If there's no formal time period for students to fill out transcript release forms at your school, talk to your career or guidance counselor about getting one completed. Do it early -- at least a few weeks before the college needs the transcript -- to give the office enough time to fulfill your request.

Most of the time, your transcript will be sent directly to the college, so you don't have to worry about sending it yourself unless you're directed to do so. Make sure you know what the school prefers.

Recommendations
Some schools don't need letters of recommendation. Some only require the letters for scholarship applications.

Check how many you need and who they should be from. (For example, are they looking for any teacher or a particular subject teacher?) Once you know exactly what you need, make a list of possible names. Ask yourself who knows you best -- as a student and as a person -- and would be willing to write a unique and positive assessment of your abilities and attributes.

Approach the person early in Grade 12 so they have lots of time to compose a thoughtful letter. Make an appointment to detail what it is you need, establish deadlines and follow up to collect your letters on time.

Finally, include the letters in sealed envelopes with your application materials, or arrange to have them sent directly to the college if that's what the school wants.

The Essay
Not all schools require an essay. But if you do have to write one, consider it a blessing. Think of it this way: an essay offers a chance for the real you to shine through to the admissions board.

Contrary to popular belief, schools aren't looking for studying machines -- they're looking for bright, well-rounded people. Here are some tips to help you:

1. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it.
2. Since most topics will ask you to talk about yourself (your interests, goals, accomplishments), start by doing some self-analysis. List all your activities, travels, significant life events, hobbies, dreams, heroes, embarrassing moments, anecdotal stories and personality traits.
3. Write what you know, not what you think you should write to make a good impression.
4. Let your first draft sit for a few days before you read it again. Then read it out loud or have other people read it to you so you can see what sounds awkward.
5. Make sure your work is fresh and original. Don't copy someone else's essay, or have someone else write it for you. Don't rework a school essay you've already written.
6. Be simple, concise and forward -- don't wander all over the map. Have a central theme. But remember: being direct and clear doesn't mean being boring. You can be creative and original without gimmicks.
7. Don't be vulgar or tasteless.
8. Proofread, proofread, proofread! Spelling, punctuation and grammar should be correct.
9. Relax, be yourself and have fun!

The Interview
Not many undergraduate programs require an interview, except some selective programs such as engineering or nursing. For private, independent colleges, however, interviews are often necessary. If one is required, be yourself and do your best. Here are some tips:

1. If possible, schedule the interviews with your least favorite schools first. That'll give you some valuable interviewing practice.
2. Look professional. Be sure to check on the dress code.
3. Research the school ahead of time so you can ask intelligent questions.
4. Keep your answers short, but don't limit them to a one-word response.
5. Send a thank-you note afterwards.

Submitting Your Applications

Be sure to print copies of all your applications and prepare any additional packages that need to go out. It's time to send everything off!

While you're waiting for the school to respond with its decision letter, make sure you keep working hard at school. A sudden decline in grades at the end of the year -- which happens all too often -- may mean a closed door where there could have been a welcome mat.

You'll also want to update the schools of any new events. If you receive any awards, for example, send the new information along.

Getting the Reply

If you get accepted to your first choice, great!

If you're stuck in the happy dilemma of having to choose between two or more schools, try (1) making a pros and cons list, (2) following your instinct, or (3) visiting the schools again.

When your decision is made, be sure to tell the other schools that accepted you so they can offer your spot to someone else.

In the event that you're not accepted or put on a waiting list, talk to your counselor about your options. Try to find out why you weren't accepted. Maybe it was a minor reason, like something missing from your application package or a misunderstanding about your academic information that you can correct.

If it goes beyond that, however, talk to someone at the admissions office and see if they will tell you how to increase your chances of acceptance the next time around.

Check the application deadline of each school to which you are applying!  They are all different.

Then make sure to hand in the application to your guidance counselor at least a week before that deadline.

DEADLINES
Some college's deadlines are a soft deadline or a priority date, meaning that you should get the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) filed by then but you can still file after the deadline.
DO NOT think of NOT SUBMITTING the FAFSA just because you miss the deadline or because you think your household income is too high to get any financial aid.
ALWAYS FILE THE FAFSA.
 

Admissions Streams: Which is Right for You? by Bridges.com

There are a number of different ways that colleges admit students: early admission, regular admission, deferred admission -- the list goes on. Knowing the ins and outs of each plan will help you navigate what can be a complicated process.

"Each college decides which admission plans, or streams, to offer, based on several factors, including its selectivity, academic program and the custom among its peer institutions," says Karen Parker. She is the director of admissions at Hampshire College in Massachusetts.

"Students can only use the plans made available by the colleges they have chosen to apply to."

Each applicant also is different and various factors play into the admissions process for individuals, says Nicola DiFronzo, dean of admissions at Harcum College in Pennsylvania. Before you can decide which stream is right for you, you need to understand the pros and cons of each.

Early Admission

Early admission lets you enroll in college after your junior year. If you're accepted with early admission, you don't have to complete high school before starting college.

For those students who do not need to benefit from senior grades, extracurricular activities and other factors, an early admissions decision can be advantageous, DiFronzo says.

"For those who do not fall into that category, or who wait a bit longer to apply, then regular, rolling or open admissions would be most beneficial," she says.

Early Action and Early Decision

Many colleges and universities offer early action and early decision streams.

An early action plan allows students to find out if they are accepted before other students find out. If you are accepted under an early action plan, you are not obligated to attend that school. You can still apply to other colleges. Because early action is non-binding, it offers more flexibility.

"Early action allows the student to review other admission offers, as well as financial aid packages, while having a guaranteed spot in a college or university," DiFronzo says.

Under an early decision plan, you can apply for admission and receive the school's decision earlier than you would under regular admission. If you apply under early decision, you have to agree to accept an offer of admission. You'll also have to withdraw any applications to other schools once you're accepted.

"If a student is positive of the school [where] they wish to go, early decision can be a way of seeing if they are accepted into their top choice," says DiFronzo.

"Early decision, however, affords the student to apply to only one college during the early decision time frame. Students should always have a backup plan in case they are not accepted to the school in which they applied."

Ideally, if a student chooses one of the early streams, they've already done some thorough research into college options, says Paul Marthers. He is the dean of admission at Reed College in Oregon.

"Early application, in my opinion, should only be made to a college that the student has determined is a clear first choice, a choice that will not change in the months following early application," Marthers says.

"Colleges admit only the best candidates in their pools through early action admission. Never apply early action unless you are fully prepared for the possibility that you will be denied."

It's important for students to realize that early decision is a binding program, so applicants can end up selecting a first choice college that they no longer want to attend several months later, Marthers says.

Regular Admission

Most students apply to colleges and universities under regular admission. In this process, there is a deadline, so all decisions are made within in a similar time frame, DiFronzo says.

"You are usually put into a pool with others, which can be good or bad depending on the strength of the student and the others in the applicant pool," DiFronzo says. "Students need to be sure to get in all admissions materials by the deadline date or they may not be considered."

The regular admission stream gives students the opportunity to apply to multiple colleges and have several options, Marthers says. "Financial aid applicants, in particular, often need multiple options, because financial aid policies and awards can have considerable variation," he says.

Although students eventually do need to decide where to apply to college, using the regular plan gives them several additional weeks to look at colleges and universities and to prepare a strong application, Parker says.

Regular admission plans also provide a chance for students who were denied or deferred under early streams to apply to more colleges or to put in an application to a college they only just learned about, Parker says. "Sometimes you hear about the perfect college at the last minute," she says.

Other Admissions Streams

Some decisions are less complicated and more practical when it comes to choosing the appropriate admission stream, Parker says.

"If you plan to take a year off for travel before attending college, it makes sense to use deferred admission," says Parker.

"You apply for admission while you're still in school and have the close contact with your teachers and school counselor and a consistent address, then defer attending until the following year."

Rolling admission plans have no deadline date for applications, which is another way for late applicants to have some flexibility. "However, once...a particular program is filled, the student cannot be admitted," DiFronzo says.

Another option for students applying to colleges is the open admission stream. It's an "open door policy" with no set admissions criteria except a high school diploma or a general education degree (GED).

Open admission plans are good for those students who decide past deadline dates to attend college, or for those who may not be able to get into a college with competitive admission requirements, DiFronzo says.

"However, if a student is not ready for college courses but wishes to attend anyway, they may not be successful and also become frustrated and dismayed," she says.

How to Choose a Stream

Students applying to colleges and universities need to take their time choosing which stream is best for them.

"As always, students should do their homework," DiFronzo says. "This means researching the admission requirements of the schools they wish to attend, looking at the acceptance rates, knowing the deadline dates and seeing which admissions options are available."

Students often choose the early decision plan to improve their chances for admission at a highly selective college.

"If you have given yourself enough exposure to different colleges to be certain of your choice, give early decision a try," Parker says. "Most students who are admitted under early decision plans are relieved to have the whole process finished early."

Early action plans, which again are non-binding, are useful for students who are ready to apply early but are not ready to restrict their choice to just one college. They receive early notification of acceptance but must wait until about April 1 to receive any financial aid awards, Parker says.

"The advantage to this plan is the extra time," Parker says. "You can make a second or third visit to your top choice colleges after you know you're admitted. Sometimes knowing you can attend causes you to see a college in a different way. You might also have just a little bit more bargaining room with the financial aid office if your attendance is not yet a sure thing."

Advanced College Credits

Anyone who takes college classes in high school must contact the college in order to get an official transcript sent to any college to which the student is applying.

For students taking classes through Lehigh Carbon County Community College, contact:
Enrollment Services Office
4525 Education Park Drive
Schnecksville, PA  18078
Admissions 610-799-1171
Financial Aid 610-799-1133

Check out other Advanced College Credit opportunities such as Distance Learning, CLEP, or AP testing.

Application Essay Tips by Bridges.com

Securing acceptance into nearly any college or university continues to become more difficult as more applicants apply for a limited number of open spots. Writing a top-notch personal essay as part of the application process is one way a student can improve their chances.

"Applications to colleges [and universities] are going up and it is important for students to have the opportunity to tell us more about themselves than their academic credentials can show," says Cheryl Brown. She is the director of admissions at a university.

"Admissions officers want to get to know their candidates, to understand their talents and aspirations and to use this information to build a real community on our campuses. We want to enroll people with a variety of beliefs, outlooks, experiences, goals and achievements."

Essays enable students to tell admissions officers aspects of themselves that aren't apparent in the other credentials they submit through the application process. "They tell us how they feel about things, how they communicate and how they integrate life's events into their world view," Brown says.

Essays demonstrate a student's level of readiness for college writing, says Chris Markle. Markle is the director of admissions at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Essays also can "carry particular significance for students whose grades and scores are less than stellar," Markle says.

Choose a Winning Topic

For starters, students should choose a topic with which they are familiar and about which they are passionate, Markle says. "Watch out for generic sports/music essays and overwhelming morbidity," he says.

Through the essay, tell the admissions counselors something they don't know about you. Don't repeat activity lists that can be found elsewhere in the application, says Al Newell, vice-president of enrollment at Washington & Jefferson College.

Newell remembers one student he was unsure whether to admit until he read his essay. It wasn't the most beautiful prose, Newell says, but it exposed the vulnerability of this football player as he wrote about how much he appreciated the love of his widowed father.

"Lessons learned in a losing season are better than stories about the winning touchdown -- let the essay show your character," Newell says. "Use the essay to focus the admissions team on what you want them to know about you personally."

Experts agree that students need to take time to create a winning essay. Students must carefully go through the proper steps in the writing process: prepare a good outline, create a draft and proofread the text.

"Don't write the essay at the last minute," Brown says. "Give yourselves time to think about the idea, to execute the idea well and to proofread it so it is perfect."

Shawn Reid is an admission counselor at Gustavus College in Minnesota. He says somebody should proofread for the writer after every revision. "Take time to think about what you want to say in your essay and how you are going to say it," Reid says. "As with everything, practice makes perfect."

Students should show their drafts to people whose opinions they value, but they shouldn't have their parents or teachers craft their essays, Markle says.

Reveal Your True Self

The best essays Brown reads are personal. "They illuminate the personality and the goals of the writer," she says. "They are honest and heartfelt. The worst essays are those in which the student tries to sound knowledgeable in an area they know nothing about. Those essays just don't ring true and they do a disservice to the writer."

Clear, crisp essays have the most positive effect on the admissions team, Reid says. "If writing about an experience, give specific reasons why and how that has shaped you," he says.

"For example, if writing about a mission trip to Costa Rica, tell us in what ways you have changed your daily life because of that mission trip beyond 'it changed my life.'"

Students need to involve themselves in their writing. "You should have the starring role in your essay," Markle says.

"Don't be afraid to take risks. Show us your weaknesses as well as your strengths; they make you uniquely you. Incorporate humor -- with good taste. Make us laugh and your essay will stand out."

Newell says he fears that admission counselors have led applicants to believe that they must have "scaled Kilimanjaro" to have anything interesting to say in an essay. Newell feels the opposite is true -- that the more common human experiences make the best essays.

"I don't expect a student to have had the kind of life experiences they shouldn't have had yet," Newell says. "Most kids applying have had pretty ordinary lives."

Newell deems his favorite essay of all time as the "Raisin Essay." The writer, who won a scholarship, related the events of a family contest to see who could blow a raisin the farthest with their noses. "She felt her father, an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, had an unfair advantage," Newell says.

Write It in Style

Use concise wording, Reid says. "No need to use 10 words when three will do," he says.

"Also, the bigger the word does not necessarily mean the bigger your brain. Admission counselors are not impressed when they have to use a thesaurus to read an essay."

Markle says there are "seven deadly sins" of college essay writing. At all costs, he recommends that students avoid being wordy, overblown or flowery. Essays also should not appear to be colloquial, folksy or too informal. "Avoid words such as 'very,' 'a lot,' 'cool,' 'awesome' and 'nice,'" Markle says.

Third, stay clear of being trite, using cliches in metaphors and symbolism, such as "American as apple pie."

The fourth error is underdeveloping an essay, using ideas that are introduced without being fully discussed.

The fifth "deadly sin" is being cynical and condescending, with an essay that contains sweeping generalizations, such as "all Americans are conforming cowards," Markle says.

Having essays that contain redundancies (where the same words or ideas are repeated), sentence fragments and incorrect punctuation are the other errors to avoid, Markle says.

"The best essays are not necessarily written by valedictorians," Markle says. "There is no perfect essay. All essays have quirks and nuances which give them character. Remember the cardinal rule of college application essays: Your reader should know you better after reading your work."

 

When Your Recommenders Have Yet to Recommend You an ECOS.PrincetonReview.com resource

You asked nicely, they said they'd do it. You told them where you were applying, reminded them of the four dozen activities you've been involved with both in and outside of school, and said "thanks" at least several times. What's the problem then? Why haven't they finished their letters of recommendation yet?! There could be several reasons. And we think you could probably guess them yourself: They're super busy, they have a long list of other students to whom they have also promised recommendations, and/or they forgot when exactly the deadline is. Maybe they could even use more help from you-did you choose people who know you really well? In any case, these are all perfectly valid excuses. But they don't help you get your hands on those recommendations any faster. Here's what will: Be honest. And be quick about it! Approach your recommenders politely with something to the tune of, "I know you're very busy. And I hate to even ask. But do you still think you'll be able to have my recommendation for Great State University ready by December 15th? Do you need any information from me that will help you finish?" Being polite, honest, and straightforward is a top-notch approach. Chances are, you will find out what you need to know to put your mind at ease (and that letter in the mail) after just one, brief conversation. Make a reminder sheet with the facts about you and what you need. Type up a list of your achievements, activities, goals, and any other things your recommenders might want to mention in their letter. Keep it brief. At the bottom, list all the information they need to submit the recommendation: where you are applying, the deadline, where to send the letter. Also give your contact information including phone number and email address. Give it to them in person and ask if there is anything else he or she needs from you. This strategy works especially well when combined with the one above. Suggest a quick meeting or phone call. This would give you a chance to make sure your recommender has everything he or she needs. And, its an easy opportunity for him or her to ask questions if not. Send a pre-thank you note. Okay, this is not the best route—it's a back-up route to be used only when you have few other options. Face-to-face communication is much better. What's worse, it could be confused with a thank-you note, which would give your recommender the impression that he or she had already finished it! But in certain cases, this can be effective. Try… "Thanks so much for agreeing to write my letter of recommendation to Great State University. I so appreciate your taking the time to do this. I just wanted to confirm with you that their deadline is December 15th. If you need any information from me in the meantime, I can be reached at (insert your contact info here). Thank you again for assisting with this important part of my application to GSU." Sign, seal, deliver. Make sure you've asked the right person for the job. It can be a hard fact to face, but there's a chance that your to-be recommender isn't sure what to say. Perhaps they knew you better a year or two ago, or perhaps that, despite your hard-earned A in their class, they still remember that you always came in late or goofed off with friends when you should have been setting up your chemistry lab. In another scenario, your recommender may have a lot going on outside of school (adding a room onto the house, a parent in the hospital, etc.). These have nothing to do with you as a person, but could have everything to do with why your letter has yet to be sent! If you sense this might be the case, simply ask this person if he or she would feel more comfortable if you asked someone else. Trouble is, is there someone else you can ask at this late date that will still provide a solid recommendation? You may have to get creative and think outside the box a bit. But if you can find someone, let your recommender know that if you've asked at a bad time for them, you've found someone else who can step in—just in case. It's a tough balance; you don't want to seem pushy, but you need them to get the job done. Colleges won't accept incomplete applications—and a missing recommendation can be as deadly as turning in an application without your own last name written on it. If the deadline is fast approaching, do yourself-and your recommender—a favor and give a polite little nudge. Or two.

Building a Better Student:  
ROTC -  Personal Development + money for college

Confidence is an important part in succeeding in school as well as life. Unfortunately, confidence doesn't come easy for some high school students. The idea of leaving home for the first time and living on your own in a strange town can be enough to rattle anyone's nerves.   Next Steps Need Money For School? Air Force ROTC Scholarships Cover Most College Costs Request information about Army ROTC Scholarships and Other Programs ROTC for the Scholar-Leader-Athlete Across the country, there are hundreds of universities and colleges that offer ROTC programs. ROTC is like any other college elective in that anyone can enroll regardless of your designated major. ROTC is unlike other college electives in that classroom studies are supplemented with hands-on training in leadership qualities that build confidence and are needed in most careers. The ROTC is a typically training ground for officers. That means ROTC strives to teach discipline, mental and physical toughness, and selflessness—all of these qualities that can help a person succeed in the armed forces, but also in life. ROTC gives students the confidence to handle any challenges they may face. Just because you enroll in an ROTC class, doesn't mean you'll be shipped off to active duty right after finals. Students can take ROTC for a specified time, which varies by branch, without any commitment to join the service. If you enjoy ROTC to the point that you feel there might be a career for you in the armed forces, you can continue in the program. Students may also be eligible scholarships based on their participation.

College Worries  Q & A

What if your boyfriend or girlfriend has a chance to go to a different college?
  Should I double major?
  Getting lost at college
  I'll be a nobody
  Party Peer Pressure
  Too much fun for good grades
  Being able to handle the workload
  Choosing classes or a major

From the pages of PrincetonReview.com's Ask Lisa Marie.  If you have questions like these e-mail AskLisaMarie@Review.com.

My boyfriend and I are thinking of going to the same college. We keep going back and forth on whether we should or not. Help!
Having been in a relationship when I went off to college myself, I can sympathize. Your situation is a tough one. You're probably getting advice from all sides—friends, parents, even your heart and mind may be at odds.
If it's any comfort, know that across the country there are all kinds of couples going through the exact same thing as you are. Here's my take… My boyfriend and I went to separate colleges—me in Ohio, him in St. Louis. We continued dating through our freshman year—going back and forth for visits when we could afford plane tickets, and talking on the phone and being full of missing when we couldn't. It was hard! But, believe it or not, I think it would have been more difficult to be at the same school. Being far from him forced me to meet a bunch of great new people, study without too much distraction (I had a 3.9 after two quarters!), and really enjoy the school I had chosen along with everything else that college offers. So what happened? We spent the following summer together at home, but ended up breaking up halfway through our sophomore year. We still really liked each other, but we realized that four years is a long time and long-distance is pretty trying—especially when you have so much going on with school. I cried my eyes out and stayed in bed for three days. But, in the end, we both had really rich experiences at our separate schools. And I don't think that could have happened if we had focused our entire four years on trying to "make it work." We came out of college as much different people than we were going in—and honestly, we had almost nothing in common by graduation. It happens. (And now, I have a really great BF that I wouldn't have met otherwise…Yeah!) That said… I can't give you "the answer," but let's try to break it down. First, you should both do your best not to make your relationship a deciding factor in where you go to school. (I know that seems almost impossible, but hear me out.) Regardless of how long the two of you stay together, the school from which you earn your degree stays on your resume forever. For your entire life it will influence your chances for jobs, internships, and networking connections—as well as the kind of experience you have for those exciting years. Second, take your own maturity into account. Are you going to be able to focus on what you need from a college if you attend it with someone from home? Someone with whom you have already established your personality, routines, quirks-someone who knows all of your flaws and all of the silly things you've done lately? College is THE time and place to reinvent yourself in any way you choose—something that is much harder to do when you're tied into such a major part of your high school life. Ponder these: If you go to the same school… Pros: You'll have a good friend there to lean on in tough times. You might be less lonely or homesick. You don't have to worry about explaining your long-distance relationship to everyone. Cons: You can't date any of the cute boys you'll see everywhere you look. You might be distracted from getting good grades by having him there. You may not meet as many new people-guys or girls. If your relationship doesn't last, you'll have to see him around campus. If you go to different schools… Pros: You will probably meet a lot of new people. You'll both have the time and space to discover the schools you've chosen and concentrate on why you're really there. (Plus, if you are meant to be together for long haul, it will work out somehow, whether you go to the same school or not. Yes, you've heard this before, but it's true. In the meantime, you might as well have your own experience as you'll have plenty of time to be together in the future.) Cons: You might be distracted from getting good grades by missing him. Weekends that would otherwise be spent getting to know new people and enjoy your school, or even getting homework or laundry done, will be spent trying to get to his school for a 48-hour visit. (And visits can get expensive with transportation costs and etc., as can those long-distance phone bills.) Some options to mull over… Attend different schools that are not too far from each other. This compromise won't have tricky repercussions if you decide later to call it quits. It may also help you both choose a college for the right reasons. Try going to separate schools for the first year, with the option of one person transferring to the other's for sophomore year. Apply to some of the same schools, and some different ones. The answer may surface when you each start getting your acceptances/rejections anyway. If you do choose to enroll at the same school, opt for a larger school. You'll have more space if you need it down the road.

I am planning to double major in two separately demanding subjects: neuroscience and ballet. I don't know if this is actually feasible or realistic. What do you think of double majoring? Double majors, in general, can be tricky. Because you'll need to fulfill requirements for two subject areas, instead of one, you'll be forced to limit the number of electives you can take in other subject areas.

Pursuing a double major won't take twice as long as pursuing a single major, but, in some cases, you might need another semester or two of school to get it all done. This translates to extra tuition (for you or your parents). It is not uncommon for someone to begin a double major and end up dropping one of the majors because it's simply too much work. In fact, the more unrelated your majors are—neuroscience and ballet, being a great example!—the less overlap there will be in the program course requirements. So, before you sign up for two majors, consider these points: Do you really need a major in both areas—or can you gain knowledge and experience in one of them some other way? The field you eventually choose to follow as a career should match with your degree. But if something is simply a hobby or a strong interest, a major might not be what you're actually after. Consider minoring in your lesser interest. Consider getting involved in it as an extracurricular activity. Food for thought: do you think every remarkable dancer in the world actually earned a degree in dance? Mais non!   Think about in which field you are more likely to find success. I would guess that the demand for scientists is greater than that of ballerinas. Competition might be less fierce, and your lifestyle will be more stable. Consider a major in neuroscience and use your free time to pursue dance, teach ballet to children, or enroll in a summer ballet program overseas. These may help you balance both your interests without getting yourself in over your head with an actual double major. On the other hand… if you do well with competition and don't mind a less predictable existence, follow your dreams of ballet—and give it everything you have.   I might not recommend, however, a double major in these two areas—mostly because I don't know a single profession that combines these two things. (Unlike, the decision to double major in closely related subjects such as Political Science/Economics, Journalism/History, Marketing/Communications, Business Administration/International Affairs.) If you are an internationally successful prima ballerina, you're not going to have much need, or time, for neuroscience. And if you're a top-notch neuroscientist, you're probably not going to be able to leave for a few months to go on tour with a renowned dance company. More importantly, however, is that double-majoring is only one way to serve these two passions.   Most schools allow you to stay undecided for the first year or two, meaning you don't have to declare your major(s) until your sophomore year. They want to give you the time and opportunity to figure out where you want to put your focus. Take advantage of this! Take intro classes in both subjects that you are considering, talk to professors and advisors in each program to feel out future opportunities and their thoughts on declaring one major versus two, and take some classes in subjects that are totally different to widen your horizons and explore other topics. College is the best opportunity to experience and learn about all different subjects, people, and places…don't miss out on this!   The school you choose may have a strong program in one area, and a not-so-great one in the other. Take this into consideration when choosing a school, as well as when choosing to spend the time and money earning a major in it.   And remember: a major doesn't guarantee you a job in that field. In addition to a major, you are going to need some real-world experience. This might come in the form of a summer job, an internship, volunteer work, or your first job out of school. Eventually you'll need to commit to one path or the other, if only because a person can only be in one place at a time.   Tips for Those Considering a Double Major If you are are not intimidated by the extra effort involved in a double major, keep the following guidelines in mind when choosing your majors. Read the fine print: A little investigation freshman year can save a lot of misery senior year. Double majoring in Physics and Biochemistry might be easier than say, Physics and History, since both Physics and Chemistry draw upon many of the same courses. Then again, it might not. Some schools have rules against overlapping courses. Know the potential degrees: Will taking a double majoring give you two degrees? one degree? a combination degree (e.g. B.A.S. in psychology)? If you're taking a double major because you want to get a B.S. in addition to a B.A., it helps to find out if your school or department allows this combination. This can be a little confusing and it is best if you talk to the departments and your chosen schools.   Related Links     Taking the Mystery Out of Majors     Taking An Active Approach to Your Learning     Internships and Co-operative Education Programs     Do I Need to Declare a Major on My College Application?     FEATURED BOOK: Guide to College Majors Try to pick majors that work well together: Different majors have varying levels of difficulty. If both of your majors require 200 units each, you might be looking at an extra year or two. To preserve some measure of sanity, choose majors that complement each other, either in terms of time or subject matter. Know what the sacrifices are ahead of time: As many double majors will tell you, pursuing two degrees involve sacrifices. Obviously if you're a football player already devoting 20-40 hours a week to practice, meetings and training, you might be making enough sacrifices already. Be honest in judging the amount or work you can handle.