By Tom Kowalski
NFL Continuing Education Consultant
Fall not only means the start of football season, but also for high school seniors, the college application season. It goes without saying, although let it be said here, that making a college decision is certainly an important rite of passage in a young person’s life.
In past months, perhaps since you took one of the two standardized tests for college admission, your e-mail may be blowing up with message after message from colleges seeking your attention and specifically looking for your application. These are no more than commercials designed to entice you to go online and learn more about their institutions. Based on your test results, colleges purchase your information if your scores match their admission criteria. Don’t be fooled by offers of scholarships based solely on these scores. Colleges will still consider your admission and level of academic scholarships on test scores, grades, leadership positions, and an assortment of other criteria including essay answers, interviews, and more.
The rule of thumb for most students is to apply as early as possible to colleges that really peak your interest. Hopefully you have done your research, talked to a guidance counselor, and maybe even made a visit to campuses that you are considering. If you are somewhat sure about your college major — and most incoming freshmen are not — you can research schools online that offer your particular major. If you are undecided, write down the factors that are most important to you, including geographic destinations, clubs or activities that interest you, cost, size of school, potential majors of interest, and any other criteria that you feel are important.
While some student-athletes are recruited to play at colleges and universities, others are capable of continuing their playing careers yet might have to show interest to a potential coach. Work with your high-school coaching staff to identify opportunities and solicit opinions about your ability. Many smaller colleges, Division II, III, and NAIA schools have outstanding athletic programs that student-athletes might want to consider, especially those that fit your other selection criteria.
Eventually, you have to choose the colleges that you will complete applications for. Here are a few tips in terms of completing your college applications:
- It’s Game Time: If you have not yet narrowed down your college choices and begun applying to schools, now is the time. Most colleges and universities now would prefer that you complete your application online. However, you should know that schools usually offer the opportunity to download printed applications and send them in as well. Colleges will also require that your high school forward your transcript and test scores.
- Early Decision?: You may want to consider applying to your top schools through early decision programs. Colleges that offer early decision programs will consider your application immediately and give you an answer usually no later than November 1st. Not only does this relieve your anxiety, but over the coming months will give you the opportunity to continue to investigate these schools and find the correct fit. A bit of advice: apply early decision to what you would consider your “high priority schools.” Students accepted through early admission programs usually find out more about academic and leadership scholarship opportunities. Many schools award most of their scholarships early in the new calendar year.
- Get Together a Game Plan: Make sure that you put together a game plan and, more importantly, write it down. This is a time to be an adult; to plan, schedule, and execute. Go to each individual college website that you are interested in and write down the date – both the early application date and the general application date. Follow your plan accordingly. It is vital that you stay organized throughout this entire process.
- Apply: Nothing gets done unless you actually do it. As high-school seniors and even in your junior year, the first question is, “what are you going to do.” Most seniors begin to have an idea and will respond appropriately, but nothing ever happens until you hit the send button after completing your application.
- Help is Available: Rely on those who really want to help you. Your high school coaches, counselors, and teachers all have an abundance of ideas and information for you in terms of completing your college search process. Use their expertise. In fact, you may need one or two of them to write you a recommendation. Fostering a relationship with them before you ask them to say wonderful things about you is always a good idea.
- Talk to Your Parents: High school juniors and seniors have a lot going on, especially during the first semester, and sometimes all the activity precludes you from having quality time to talk to your parents. But in many ways, you going to college is a family decision. In fact, if they decide to be responsible for the tuition costs, they too need to be just as diligent as you in identifying scholarship opportunities, completing financial assistance forms on time, and generally making sure that you are not in over your head. Remember, family first.
- Set Deadlines: A successful process has to have a deadline. Once you gather all the information for the schools that you are interested in attending, make sure that your calendar dictates when each application should be completed, what further steps need to be taken, and how you can finish your application process. You have other things to get onto, like your season, in-school and out-of-school activities, and, most importantly, tending to your academics.
To all of you seniors — have a wonderful year. Good luck to all of you.