When should I apply for college and scholarships?
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If you are not happy with your first SAT scores, it is possible to take the test again (possibly even two more times) before the usual application deadlines. Most colleges and universities do not have application deadlines until January 1 or 15, so you have some time before you need to apply. (Check the colleges' web sites, they usually list their deadlines under the admissions section.) You can spend the next few months filling out your applications and working on your essays. Don't worry too much about your SAT and ACT scores. Most colleges, even many of the more competitive schools, are more interested in a student who has demonstrated a reasonable academic ability and is well-rounded in terms of their extra-curricular activities (for instance you do something other than play video games every day). Take your time in deciding what schools to apply to. It's generally recommended that you apply to several schools and include at least one school you think you will have no problem getting into (a "safe" school) and one that you think might be a little bit of a stretch to get into. If you end up only getting into the safe school, you can always transfer to another school after your first year if you decide you want to be somewhere else. Some schools don't require that you even tell them your SAT and/or ACT score (like the women's college, Mount Holyoke College). There are many different kinds of scholarships. There are many scholarships that you can apply for before you know where you will be going to school, there are a lot of local scholarships that you can probably apply for through your high school, and there are scholarships that particular colleges might offer to certain students (like a sports or academic scholarship) or that can be applied for at the school you want to attend. Some schools also offer grants (money you don't have to pay back) which you may qualify for in your financial aid package. Ask your guidance or college counselor at school for some help with scholarships. There is a lot of money out there for college that many people don't even know about. Also, make sure that you don't limit your interest in colleges to just public universities just because you think they are cheaper (unless you feel that you prefer a large university). Many private colleges actually offer a great deal of money to students in their financial aid packages, sometimes making them cheaper or at least competitive with state universities. And don't be afraid to get a Student Loan from the Dept. of Education. You can pay them back over a long period of time and the interest rate is very low, which means that if you need to make low payments over a long period you can. Make sure to get an interview at any college you are interested in. If you can't get to the school, then ask them if they have alumni interviewers in your area. This will give you an added edge. When admissions offices read your application, the interview will give them information that they just can't get on paper. So, work on your applications until you feel they are polished and then send them in when you are ready (as long as it's by the due date!). Best of luck!
You should apply as soon as possible. Generally, it is possible to get a scholarship before even applying for admission, but to get that you have to have very good results, or maybe you need luck finding a very rare scholarship. I would not count on it, though. I would apply for scholarship after positive admission results.
as to applying for college, your best bet is to talk to a school counselor at the schools you want to apply to. I'd start by going onto the schools websites and finding contact information for a counselor - phone, email, etc. than call & email them and followup over and over until you get the information you need.
on the scholarships, you may want to talk to your guidance counselor in high school. if they're not much help, ask a different guidance counselor even if you need to find one in a different school. again, be persistent. they should have the information you need.
& good luck!
Apply for scholarships now. It takes time for the committee to choose a winner then award you the prize money and things like that. Plus, you may not get the exact scholarship you want so I would suggest to apply for many. The more money you get, the better.
As for applying for schools, it really depends on when you want to enter school and the deadlines the schools set up. So contact your prospective university/college and find out their deadlines.
I hope that the schools you are applying to require the ACTs because otherwise that might be a waste of time. My SAT scores sucked (relateive term, of course) but I was still able to get into a state university. Good luck!
I am going into my senior year also and I think that once you get the ACT scores you should start applying to many things. But with scholarships I think that it is better to apply as soon as possible. Remember that if you apply to schools early, Early discussion, they are going to want you to committee to them so be sure that is something you want to do. Also I do not see a problem with applying for schools at the regular time when the applications are truly due. Good Luck with the ACT's. Because I know how hard the SAT's are. You should also try fastwebs.com it is a college scholarship site that will match you to the perfect scholarships. So there is plenty of time. Feel free to email me if you need help with anything more: mona231@sbcglobal.net.
Used to be you started applying for college in your junior year of high school. Doesn't your school have a career day? Scholarships are usually based on grades and or need. Apply for everything, including grants and whatever they are offering these days. Your guidance counselor should be able to help you when you get back to school. If your ACT score is low too, you may need to go to a community college first then on to an undergraduate school. Best advice I can give you is never give up your dreams!
I agree - ASAP would be best.
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