EXCEL
at School
EXPLORE
Career Paths
IDENTIFY
Your College
FUND
Your Education
APPLY
with Confidence

SENIORS
Identify Your College

Research and identify the best colleges and program for you

  • Identify four colleges or trade schools that you might want to attend. You can choose from hundreds of schools or colleges, which makes it important to answer questions about size, type, location and cost to find your best fit. To begin: bigfuture.collegeboard.org or collegescorecard.ed.gov.
  • As you explore college options, consider your preferences. Your college list should include at least:
    • One college you are confident you can get into (Safety)
    • Two colleges that you are pretty sure you can get into (Good Fit)
    • One college that you have a chance of getting into, but it’s a stretch (Reach)
  • If you apply to four, you have a much better chance of being admitted. As you research each school, also take note of the application deadlines. Consider using a college comparison sheet.
  • Consider HBCUs (Historically Black College and Universities). Learn more today.

  • Tour colleges in person or virtually to see what it’s like to be on campus. Check online to see when tours and information sessions are offered and plan to participate in both when you visit. You can look for student reviews online at unigo.com.

  • Connect with alumni from your high school who may be home on break or reach out to college students on social media. Ask questions about their college experience and what they wish they knew before they arrived.

  • Write to the admissions office if your first-choice college puts you on the waiting list. Explain that it is your first choice. Describe new activities that you have participated in or new accomplishments since you sent in your application.

  • Attend preview days for admitted students and get to know the campus and the people.

  • Think carefully about the pros and cons for each school – consider size, academics, cost, extracurricular options and more.

  • Respond, in writing, by May 1 with an accept or regret notification.
  • Submit enrollment deposit.
  • Use your college portal to accept and/or decline your financial aid awards.

  • Determine if the school you want to attend requires or recommends immunizations before enrolling. Make the necessary appointments.
  • Order final high school transcript for the college you plan to attend.