Next Step for There are many details involved in the college application process and the steps to come in the future By: Riley Damore, Editor-in-Chief
Work on the completion of applications and essays Students can use online The Common App, which allows them to apply for multiple colleges in an efficient and simple way. “I feel like they’re making it easier for students to apply for college now,” senior Trey Wright said. When answering questions and completing writing prompts throughout the application, it is important to remember to be professional, avoid typos, be honest, and
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include all examples of leadership and creativity exhibited throughout high school. “I think the application process is fairly holistic. It does a good job of giving you the opportunity to show different aspects of yourself,” senior Dom Kershbaum said. Although procrastination is common among seniors, it is crucial that students complete their college applications as soon as possible.
Submit applications and essays to meet the Early Action deadline Those who complete their applications before the Early Action deadline will be able to hear back from their colleges sooner than those who turn in their applications on the Regular Decision deadline in January. Additionally, applying early action may increase a student’s consideration for financial aid and merit-based
scholarships. “The Early Action deadline is very important for highly selective institutions, but it is not the only way to be admitted,” counselor Rob Allison said. “If seniors don’t meet the early action deadline, they should then simply submit the application as early as possible.”
Monitor college application portal Generally, after a student applies to a specific college, they will receive an email containing a unique identification code to an online portal that will allow them to sign in and monitor their application status. This will tell them what their decision is, whether it is that they are admitted, denied, or deferred.
“Deferral simply means on hold pending more information. The ‘more information’ might be a higher test score or it might be an interview or an audition or perhaps something else,” Allison said. “We want students to keep an eye on this so that they can take action as soon as a college informs them that they need to do so.”
Complete the FAFSA It is significant that all students complete the FAFSA, as it is the gateway to financial aid. The FAFSA is a free and easy resource that students can use to find out how to apply for grants, work-study, and loans to pay for college or career school. Both a parent and a student must create an FSA ID, which can be done at FAFSA.gov. Some funds
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are granted on a first come, first served basis, so it is important that the FAFSA is completed as soon as possible. The amount of financial aid received depends on the school’s calculations, which involve factors like the school’s cost of attendance and expected family contribution.
Search for scholarships
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College can be expensive, but scholarships can help students pay for this cost. There are many websites that make the scholarship search simple, and Lakeview High School has several resources in the Student Service Center that can make this even easier for students. In addition, students who qualify for the Legacy Scholarship can attend Kellogg Community College (KCC)
free for two years. For students who are unsure of their postsecondary education plans, KCC can provide many different kinds of learning opportunities. “I plan on using the Legacy Scholarship and attending KCC for two year because I know that it will save me a lot of money and is more convenient and closer to home for me,” senior Chelsea Sheerer said.
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