STEP-BY-STEP

Finding the right place to land in the college search can be frustrating, stressful and confusing.

Play it smart with a step-by-step approach:

STEP 1. Ask yourself: What do I want? Exactly what do I expect from my education?

Once you have a rough idea in mind about where you want to go and what you want to achieve, start looking at schools that can deliver. You may already have a few schools in mind to start.

Your list may grow longer, but begin narrowing down choices in your junior year. By the time your senior year rolls around, the list should be narrowed to your top two to five or six schools. The application process can take time and create stress, so relieve the pressure by NOT overapplying.

List these schools on your finan- cial aid applications, ACT or SAT registrations, and other forms.

Check out admission requirements. Are you able to meet all of them?

Apply to more than one school on your list. Visit the schools’ websites to find out what forms you need to fill out and deadlines for submissions. Applications can be filled out online or on paper. Most schools o er both, but some colleges may have a preference for submissions. Colleges may also have rolling admissions deadlines, which means you can apply at any time throughout the year. Does the school accept the Common Application? It’s a standard form accepted by about 300 colleges. Also, make sure to fill out any supplemental forms required by the college.

STEP 2. Take time to attend a college fair.

It’s like a shopping mall for college candidates. Students and their parents can visit briefly with college admissions representatives from participating colleges and universities, community and tech- nical schools and military service branches. Gather up materials on the college and get a “feel” for what each college o ers.

Go with a list of questions specific to your interests to ask at each booth. Introduce yourself to the admissions o cers and get on their email and regular mailing lists.

Take advantage of any workshops o ered on the search process, etc.

STEP 3 . Look at cost — but don’t freak out.

College costs money. Sometimes a lot of it, but don’t let that be a roadblock in your desire to attend college.

A lot of award letters arrive during March and April, typically with acceptance letters, and include scholarships, grants and student loans.

Read these letters carefully and figure out how much you’d need to pay for each school. Really take time to decipher how much you’re going to pay out of pocket to attend the school. Ask your school counselor to help with these award letters.

Be realistic about school options — especially when it comes to money. Make a good, educated decision with your family about what you can a ord.

Financial aid is available for many students, but you have to fill out the FAFSA form to find out if you qualify, and for how much. And you’ll have to fill out those forms and reapply each year you enroll in an institution of higher learning.

Grant aid from federal and state governments, institutional funds and private sources, as well as scholarships can lower the net price for a majority of college students.

STEP 4. Making the grade is more than a grade point average. Grades can measure success and focus. Don’t skip out on your classes. Put in the e ort and study. Taking college-level advance placement courses and completing challenging classes improves your potential.

Find activities or sports that make you feel fulfilled and give them the attention they deserve. Don’t sign up for lots of extracurricular activities just to pad your application.

STEP 5: Make the most of a campus visit. You don’t have to visit every college on your list, but see enough to develop a clear sense of preferences.

See schools farther from home first if you will not be able to later in the year, or start close to home and see a select group of schools farther away during senior fall.

Develop a timetable to be prompt for tours or appointments. Don’t forget to make hotel accommodations if you and your parents need to stay overnight.

Dress appropriately. Show that you take the college or interview seriously.

Talk to faculty, coaches and students involved in the activities that interest you.

Here are some questions to ask when visiting a prospective college: How long, on average, does it take students to graduate?

What is the student/faculty ratio? Does the faculty include teaching assistants or do professors teach the majority of classes?

What is the placement rate? Do most students who graduate obtain a job in their field? Do they get admitted to grad school? Do employers do on-campus job re-