Summertime Is A Great Time To Shop For Colleges

By Susan Coney

Summertime is when families hit the road — not on vacation, but to shop for colleges. With seemingly limitless information available on the Internet, making this important choice can be daunting.

While the tools for researching information on schools have changed, the strategies for finding the best fit remain virtually the same. Parents and their college-bound student should sit down and formulate a list of priorities weighing the pros and cons of each possible school. Discuss what type of school lends itself to the individual. Begin gathering information from junior colleges, colleges, community colleges, universities, or trade schools.

Planning for college is a two-year process; many resources are, however, available to aid in the selection process. Searching for the right school requires diligence and follow-up. Attention to deadlines for such imperative requirements as taking the prerequisite SAT or ACT exams, filing the notorious FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, applying to the college or university as well as filing in a timely fashion for any scholarships or grants is crucial.

Throughout high school parents and students should review course selections to make certain that students are taking challenging courses that will keep them on the college-bound path. Students should keep a journal to track all extra curricular activities such as sports, clubs, community service, after-school employment, or any activity that would be helpful on a college resume. Admissions officials want to see evidence of leadership and service experience when they review college applications.

Keep in mind that colleges look at the entire high school academic record when making admissions, so it is important to keep up grades. Students should obtain written recommendations from teachers with whom they have developed a rapport.

The junior year of high school is the time to check out colleges of interest. Students and their families must decide what is most important to them: public or private, size, cost, majors, academic or athletic offerings, and location are a few of many factors that must be considered.

Prioritize a list of schools to visit. Most schools provide impressive virtual tours via their websites, however with college being such an important investment in time as well as money an actual visit to the campus is critical. Most colleges provide summer tours, which give an overall feel of what their school has to offer, but visiting when classes are in session gives a more accurate depiction of college life at that particular school. If possible, an overnight visit can reveal answers to many questions that prospective students may have. When touring the college or university remember to focus on what makes this college different from the others.

Additional absolute musts for the junior year include taking the SAT and/or the ACT tests, checking out college fairs and open houses, and researching scholarship and grant options.

By senior year try to narrow the list to three or four schools of interest. Retake SAT and/or ACT if previous scores where unsatisfactory. Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. The FAFSA application is the ticket to many federal and school grants, loans, and scholarships. The application may filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or get a paper copy from the high school guidance office. It is helpful to fill out a paper copy prior to filing online to ensure that all the financial information needed is on hand and to be as accurate as possible.

Remember that the best resource in researching further education is the high school guidance department. Newtown High School offers an extensive array of materials displayed in the Career Center located in the guidance office. Colleen Aiezza, coordinator of the Career Center, is available to help research prospective colleges. Counselors are available to advise students and offer recommendations. Peg Ragaini, the school to career coordinator, is on hand to help students explore other options such as career shadowing or internships.

The Career Center offers materials such as reference books, videos, brochures, and computer software to assist students in choosing the best path in their quest for further educational opportunities beyond high school. One of the best resources the high school provides is an excellent postsecondary planning guide, which outlines step-by-step the procedures and a timeline for career and educational prospects upon completing high school.

For further information or to obtain a planning guide contact the high school career/college center this fall at 426-1915.