Pay attention to deadlines and details.

     The way you pay attention to deadlines and details speaks to the quality of student you are and can help you secure more financing towards school.

     It is critical, when a school has so many applicants from so many students, to put your best foot forward and always present yourself in the best light. How do you want to be perceived?  Turning in your application on time in a nice neat package with all parts present makes you look organized.  Arriving to a college interview having read the catalogue and website, with a list of questions that can't be answered from either makes you look smart and prepared.  Do you think a college would like an organized, prepared, smart student to be a part of their student body?  I do, so pay attention to the details and deadlines.

     Not only is it important to pay attention to deadlines and details for college applications, but it is important to pay attention  for financial reasons.  Do you know that schools are more likely to give students more scholarships/grants to attend their school the earlier they receive requests?  If you are one of the last people to ask for aid or scholarships there might not be any left for you, whereas there may have been if you had inquired earlier or completed your forms earlier. In addition, scholarships, contests, and grants all have deadlines.  You have to meet those deadlines just to be considered for the monetary award.  Get a calendar and put down all the due dates so that you don't miss out on opportunities to earn money toward school.
  

          Get to know your teachers and counselors. All kinds of coolstuff comes across high school counselor’s desks (awards, contests, scholarships, special programs, leadership opportunities, camps, etc) Any one of them could have your name on it if your counselor has gotten to know you and what your interests and goals are.

 

     Colleges want students who are interested and interesting.  A resume filled with activities that show your interests is attractive to them.  High school counselors can help you build that resume by matching you to programs that develop your interests.  BUT they can't do that if they don't know you, so get to know them.
     One of the best actions you can take is to schedule time to meet with your counselor at least two times a year beginning in your freshman year to help them get to know you    If you are like me or like my step-son you might be thinking: what am I going to talk to them about?  Here are a list of questions or items you can bring to start the conversation with your counselor:

• bring a resume that includes your activities, hobbies, and goals (your goal can simply be finding your interests or going to college, or whatever your life dream is at that time)
• bring your schedule (though they can pull that up for themselves)
• ask them if your schedule will help you achieve your goals
• ask them if they know of any programs that match your interests
• remind them to keep you in mind if any thing comes across their desk
• (if you are a junior/senior) you can bring your test scores from PSAT or SAT and ask them how to improve or if they know of any scholarships or grants you can apply to with those scores

     Remember counselors are there to help you and helping them get to know you can pay off big!  If a camp wants students to apply, if a contest needs applicants, if a local community is looking for young talent they send mailers to your counselor. If your counselor knows a student who would be a good match for any of these programs they pass that information along to him/her. You may be the perfect fit but your counselor has to know that.