5 Steps to Guarantee High School Students Have the Opportunity to Attend College

Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps: Crafting a Winning Personal Statement

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Five Steps to Choosing a College

The information I have about my journey in finding a college can help both parents and students alike. Going back a few years, I was at the turning point of my life. Graduation from high school was just around the corner and I had no clue which college I was going to attend. My parents had their list of colleges that I could attend, and most of my friends were already being accepted to their college or university. With deadlines for applications approaching, I knew that I had to begin finding a college. Choosing the right college is such an important decision, and so I came up with a game plan to find a college. Here are the steps I took in choosing a college.

1. Choosing my future career

The first step I took was to determine what I liked and what I did not like. I quickly ruled out being a doctor, a lawyer or a dentist. In addition, I knew there were career choices that were out of my league, such as being an architect or engineer. My high school grades proved this! Therefore after a lengthy thought process, I narrowed down my choices to Communications, Journalism, Business Management and Information Technology.

My school counselor also helped me by giving me a Career Assessment Test. This revealed many of my strengths and tendencies. From this, I discovered that I was best suited for Business Management related studies. I highly recommend this. Career Assessment Surveys are not very expensive and can be found through an internet search.

2. Matching courses with colleges

The next thing I did was to list the colleges and universities that offered Business Management studies and had a good track record. I used The Fiske Guide to Colleges. Within a short span of time I came up with a list of 20 colleges that I could see myself in for the next 4 years. All of these colleges had multiple specializations within my field of study, were fully accredited, and had good graduation rates with good reputations. I further narrowed my list down to 14 by selecting those universities which were located near a larger city, one of the criteria that I was looking for in my college.

3. Narrowing it down to my top five

I had above average SAT scores (nothing to take me to Harvard though) and therefore had a wider selection of options for myself. Therefore, my final decision would largely be determined by the funds from my parents, any scholarships or grants, and the money I could earn through on-campus work study. I visited the web sites of each college and took virtual tours of the facilities they offered. Each had its strengths -huge libraries, modern student housing, student body size, a variety of extra curricular activities and sports, and more.

I was able to narrow the list from fourteen to five based on the following criteria: going to college within 4 hours of home, my budget for college, and a smaller student body to offer a more personal approach to my education.

4. Parents and Applications

Next, I got my parents involved in my decision. They had been helping me all along the way, but I needed their help in making the final, important decisions. I showed them the list of 5 colleges that I had, including details, locations, and costs. Together, we narrowed the list to three possible colleges that I could attend. They wanted a college or university which would be easy for them to visit, but would also have excellent teaching and housing facilities. The following weekend I filled out all 3 applications and mailed out them to these colleges and universities. Now it was time to wait for the response.

5. Making the final choice

Within a few weeks, I had received acceptance letters from all the colleges where I sent my applications. In the end, my parents and I decided the best way to make the final decision was to visit the campuses. We took two days to visit all three campuses. Visiting the actual university was vastly different from the virtual tours. My final choice was actually rather easy. I decided on the University of Texas at Austin.

The most important steps along the way for me were to take the Career Assessment Test, researching my college choices online through virtual tours, and sitting down with my parents to discuss which colleges to send applications to. This helped make my final decision easier. I hope these steps can help you in finding a college or university as you make career choices.

Rich Niccolls has been a college recruiter and professor for 12 years. Read his 7 key factors for choosing the right college for you. Visit the Find A College website to learn more about Online College Courses.

College - 12 Steps to Success For Freshman

I read in a recent government report that over half of all 4-year college entrants (in excess of 600,000 students per year) leave without getting degrees. Many of these students drop out within their first and second years. From my personal experience, speaking to thousands of students from all around the world, I have found top reasons for these drop outs to range from: having too much fun, being homesick, lacking individual responsibility, not having enough money, not pursuing their own passions, but following what family and friends think is best for them, etc. Unfortunately, this is a common and saddened reality with the collegiate industry. So how is it possible to prevent this misfortune and save yourself the time, trouble, and money by succeeding in college? Follow the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 1: Grow Up

Take responsibility for your future. If you can't do the small stuff, as in cleaning the place and washing your own clothes, and handle your own workload (hold your own weight as I call it), then you're going to fall. It's time to separate from Mommy and Daddy. Get your own individuality established and your own character formulated. Isn't that what you've been waiting 18 years for anyway? High school is over. It's time to grow up and begin your brand new journey towards all of your goals and dreams. Now for step two of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 2: Why Are You Here?

Be real with yourself. Don't pursue the paths which your parents or friends tell you to follow. Do what you love to do. Let me be the first to tell you from a real perspective that college isn't for everyone, and that's a good thing. All you have to do is figure out what you really love and want to do, find out how to go about doing it, and learn from those who are already successful in that particular field. College is definitely a great investment for your future IF used right.

Don't let the statistics fool you that graduates make more money than those who don't go to college. I can write a separate article on many successful non-graduate individuals. Also remember that those graduates who make more money also most likely have huge student loans to pay off. The point I'm trying to get across is for you to just consider whether college is beneficial towards what you love to do. For example if you're passion involves working on cars and becoming a mechanic, you might want to look into trade-schools and technical institutes. It is a fact that college helps you to find yourself, but you don't want to keep wasting money trying to find yourself until you find yourself with no money, and find yourself out of college. Find your own path, create it, and walk it. This is not only the key to college success, but it is also the key to your individual happiness as well. Now for step three of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 3: Party Backwards

Take notice of the sentence 'Party Yourself in College'. Now read the word party backwards, and read the rest of the sentence. You will get 'Y Trap Yourself in College!' Realistically, many of us students go to clubs and parties, as this is a natural occurrence in college environments. However, don't let society fool you into thinking the majority of your collegiate career is meant to include partying. Your first years of ultimate freedom might tempt the partying sensation, but true college success is a sacrifice. Sacrifice the urge to party and set yourself up for your success. The clubs aren't going to go anywhere. You have ALL the time in the world after you graduate to party. Also, another quick tip, if you save the money you receive in college, and invest it into income producing ventures, that's when the fun will really begin, for you'll be able to party without having to worry how next month's bills are going to get paid. Think about that. Now for step four of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 4: Be Friendly

I once read in a book that the best vitamin for making friends is... B1. All of the immaturity is over with. Align with productive friends, not party animals or those who intentionally try to hurt you. Line up with those who keep it moving and care about their futures. College is extremely diverse with individuals from all around the world. Respect others because there are bound to be many people who have opposing viewpoints. Respect, honesty, and integrity are a few of the most important characteristics which go a long way. Now for step five of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 5: Don't Cheat

Cheating is also known as 'intellectual theft' or 'academic dishonesty'. In high school, I understand that we do what we need to do to graduate. I don't commend cheating in high school whatsoever, but I'm not going to lie and say that I didn't do it. The objective is to graduate and get that diploma. College is a different ballgame however. In college you're trying to earn a living. You're not living your life by living through others. If you have to cheat, then ask yourself why. Maybe you need to sacrifice the fun you're having, and actually think about your future enough to study hard. Who are going to cheat on when you graduate college and enter the business world? Knowledge is key. Learn as much as you can. Now for step six of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 6: Don't See College as Hard

Henry Ford once stated, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." If you go into college thinking it's hard, then it will be. It's definitely not the same as high school, but it's really not that bad. You have to remain positive in order to produce positive results. If you're going to get that degree regardless, then why not be positive about the journey to reach it? Don't let anyone tell you it's hard. Stay positive. If you're going to do it, then do it. Many other students are doing the same thing. Now for step seven of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 7: Be Persistent and Work

President Calvin Coolidge once stated, "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." Success in anything is a result of hard work within everything. Plain and simple. Any successful individual will tell you the same thing. Now for step eight of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 8: Impressions are Overrated

Here is one of the best steps. If you understand this, you'll be setting yourself up for a lovely life. Live to impress yourself and no one else. Stop worrying about what others think of you. Cars, clothes, how good you are in a sport, how many times you party, how much you can drink is not impressive and doesn't define you as a person. What's inside of you defines who you really are. Increase your knowledge, take action on your passion, and help others. That's most impressive and enables you to focus more on what's best for you. Now for step eight of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 9: Learn From Mistakes

It's important to understand that everyone makes mistakes. Especially the freshman and sophomores. It's completely understandable for you are not truly used to the college life as of yet. The key is to learn from any mistakes you make and not repeat them. Don't worry if you got your first C ever in your life one semester. It's all good. Keep it moving. Know what you could've improved, and improve it. Don't sweat the small stuff. Keep it pushing. Now for step ten of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 10: Forget High School

Newsflash! No one cares what you did in high school. Everyone forgets. No one remembers that you were the star of the prom or the star athlete. Don't get stuck in the high school life. Formulate your new destiny in college. It's a brand new start for a brand new life. Treat it like one and take it seriously.

Step 11: Prayer is a Virtue

Pray everyday you are blessed with life. One in every twelve U.S. college students thinks about and actually makes a suicide plan! That's crazy but true! Don't get stressed. Keep the Lord with you at all times, and understand that he'll guide you to your success and happiness no matter what may happen. Now for the last step of the College: 12 steps to success for freshman.

Step 12: Enjoy Every Step

Life is a journey and an everlasting growth. Be sure to enjoy every step, every step of the way. Implement these steps into your journey and set yourself up for a wonderful future and successful collegiate career. I wish you the best of college success, happiness, and prosperity.

Stefan Johnson (G-Prez) is the President and CEO of Graduatirement, LLC, an evolutionary movement, which shows students all around the world how to graduate college and retire professionally... simultaneously! His mission is to help everyone, especially Millennials, reach their ultimate individual success, happiness, and prosperity by providing evolutionary knowledge and extremely profitable opportunities, and ultimately revolutionize the entire Educational System for present and future generations so that success happiness and success is more commonly achieved, passions are pursued, and poverty is conquered. The answer to any and every question a college student may ever have and the evolution of success for the entire Millennial Generation is now here: [http://www.gprez.com] - To Your Success, Happiness, and Prosperity.