Graduation is a time for celebration! Take a moment to congratulate the graduate with these fun, unique and welcomed gifts.

For the techy grad, consider wowing them with interesting accessories for their iPhone, tablet or laptop. The iZZi Orbit is the latest in premium protective cases and lens solutions for your iPhone 4/4s and iPhone 5. Bring your built-in camera to a new level with four interchangeable lens (fisheye, wide-angle, telephoto and macro). Available in a variety of colors.
Price range:  $130 - $240
www.izzigadgets.com

Colcasac offers classic style with a minimalist design in these durable and Earth-friendly sleeves for your MacBook, iPad, iPhone and Kindle devices. Soft and smart, these cases are heavy duty and are 100% satisfaction guaranteed to protect your favorite mobile device.
Price range:  $14.95 - $124
www.colcasac.com

Care packages are the gifts that keep on giving. Remind the graduate that you are thinking of them with goodies delivered to their doorstep. Co-ed Supply offers a great twist on the college care package experience! A box of quality dorm life essentials is delivered to their doorstep every month for just $20. Boxes are filled with healthy snacks, toiletries and entertainment from the best new brands. Plus, when new users get 7 friends to sign up for email updates, they’ll receive a free month!
Price range:  $20/month
www.coedsupply.com

Keep It Sweet Desserts cookie gift baskets are packed full with delicious treats like Triple Chocolate Cookies, Fudgy Caramel Pecan Brownies and Cookie Sandwiches. What a delicious way to celebrate!
Price range: Baskets start at $50, plus shipping.
www.keepitsweetdesserts.com

For the coffee lover on your list, consider the Keurig^® MINI Plus Personal brewing system. The Keurig® MINI Plus is the perfect fit for the on-the-go college freshman. A two-minute cup of coffee that tastes great and looks fabulous on the counter to boot! 10 different colors: Platinum, Midnight Black, Cobalt, Banana, Red, White, Flash Green, Purple, Orange and Teal available exclusively at Kohl's stores and Kohls.com.
Price range: $99.95 - $124.99
www.keurig.com

There will always be a list a mile long for the new college student. Just when you think you’ve got everything, something else pops up on the shopping list. Make sure they have access to the cash they’ll need with gift cards. GiftCard.com, one of the largest online stores solely focused on gift cards, is a one-stop shop offering popular retail gift cards, Visa Gift Cards and e-Gift cards. Deliver your gift to the grad by email or text message. Include a photo, a school mascot or logo. The receiver can spend his or her gift where Visa cards are accepted on what they need most.
Price range: Personalization costs $5.95, plus the value assigned to the card.
www.giftcard.com

MasterCard Prepaid Gift Card can be purchased online or at a participating retail store and activate it at the time of purchase or by calling the phone number on the card packaging. It can be used anywhere debit MasterCard is accepted. Cards can be personalized with photos, messages and the recipient's name.
Price range: The value assigned to the card.
www.mastercard.us/prepaid-gift-card.html

For the graduate that has everything already, try a sentimental gift. Whether they are new to their college campus, or leaving college memories behind and moving on to the real world, consider Custom College Maps. These eye-catching line art maps use archival inks and paper in any size and color you desire. They make a great last-minute gift with a 1-2 day turnaround time.
Price range:  $13 - $100
www.jennasuedesign.com/maps

All summer long, visit www.NextStepU.Wordpress.com for giveaways just for the graduate!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IMAGES OF THESE PRODUCTS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GIVEAWAYS!

Shopping for dorm gear can be fun or it can make your head spin with all of the choices you have available to you. NextStepU wants to help narrow down your options. Here are some items we found to be perfect for your dorm.

For the tech-savvy student, getting your ducks in a row when it comes to hooking up your space is going to be priority number one.

Will you need a printer? The Brother MFC-J4510DW is the smallest and fastest all-in-one wireless printer that also has mobile device printing capabilities. It has an automatic two-sided printing feature and is a very affordable, small and stylish choice for your dorm.
Est. street price: $199
www.brother.com

Music will be key to making your living space an inviting place to be. The Kinivo ZX100 Mini Portable Speaker is a pocket-sized rechargeable mini speaker that produces monumental sound for up to 6 hours on virtually any gadget. It is available in 4 different color combinations.
Price: $19.95
www.kinivo.com

Do you know that protecting your tablet or laptop might be the most important thing you do at college? Why risk having to replace these costly devices, when protecting them in style can be so easy! Colcasac offers classic style with a minimalist design in these durable and Earth-friendly sleeves for your MacBook, iPad, iPhone and Kindle devices. Soft and smart, these cases are heavy duty and are 100% satisfaction guaranteed to protect your favorite mobile device.
Price range:  $14.95 - $124
www.colcasac.com

Making sure you have the right strategic pieces for your space is important, too. Will you want to be able to sit somewhere other than your bed? And what if you are on the top bunk — will you want to climb up there just to relax?

Consider the Modern Dorm Mini-Futon available at DormCo.com. Consider getting a mini futon — it may actually fit in your dorm room! They are made of ultra soft, plush microfiber fabric, a quality steel frame, with a modern design. It will also fold flat — great for naps between class or having guests visit for the weekend.
Price: $160, plus only $2.95 shipping on your entire order.
www.dormco.com/NextStepU

But will you always want to be sitting? The Ninja Standing Desk is the first portable sit-and-stand desk. It weighs less than 5 pounds and can be stored in a bag the size of a laptop. All you need is a door or wall to hang it on. Each shelf holds up to 30 pounds and is sturdy enough for every day use.
Price range: $159 (two-shelf model) and $219 (three-shelf model).
www.ninjastandingdesk.com

Add some functionality to your space with the Anti-Scratch Dorm Trunk from DormCo.com. This dorm-approved trunk has a canvas exterior that will take a beating and still look sharp. Trunks provide a great way to transport what you need to college and also provide storage for your room. It could even double as a coffee table next to your futon!
Price: $96, plus only $2.95 shipping on your entire order.
www.dormco.com/NextStepU

Now that your space is arranged and your gadgets accounted for, it’s time for a cup of coffee. Rather than heading out for a costly cup of joe at the local coffee shop, brew your own flavor in the comfort of your own dorm room.

With the Keurig^® MINI Plus Personal brewing system a two-minute cup of coffee that tastes great and will look fabulous on your counter to boot! It is available in 10 different colors: Platinum, Midnight Black, Cobalt, Banana, Red, White, Flash Green, Purple, Orange and Teal available exclusively at Kohl's stores and Kohls.com.
Price range: $99.95 - $124.99
www.keurig.com

All summer long, visit www.NextStepU.Wordpress.com for giveaways just for the graduate!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IMAGES OF THESE PRODUCTS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GIVEAWAYS!

Community College

When planning for college, you must decide if you are going to live on or off campus. So, what if you plan to attend a community college? Do you even have an on-campus housing option? When weighing your educational opportunities, you need not only consider the obvious details such as location, cost and size, but you should find out exactly what your housing prospects are, as well.

The last thing you want to do is fall in love with a school that isn’t offering the living arrangements you desire. So, have YOU thought about it? Put yourself under the microscope and ask yourself if you have a clear understanding of where you will reside once you become a college student.

For those of you contemplating community college, you have probably accepted the fact that you will be a commuter. While commuting is an adequate situation for some students, it does not have to be your fate if you don’t want it to be.

Changing trends

In the past, the selection process for on-campus housing was more limited, as a good number of community colleges did not offer this option. However, due to the current state of our economy and the increasing costs of, well pretty much everything, more students are choosing two-year schools over four-year schools. Thus, the influx of students to community colleges has resulted in more community colleges offering on-campus housing.

Alexandria Pellingra, a 22-year-old student now attending SUNY Geneseo (www.geneseo.edu) once attended Monroe Community College (www.monroecc.edu) in Rochester, N.Y. Pellingra received her associate’s degree from MCC, and she lived in a dorm on campus during her freshman year. She lived in a suite with four other girls and had her own bedroom.

On-campus benefits

While no one can promise you that you will be fortunate enough to have your own room, Pellingra says there are some real, significant benefits to living on campus. “I actually didn’t realize at the time how beneficial being close to all the staff and facilities of the college was. Being able to meet with professors any time of day and being able to spend nights in the library and be close to accessible printers and writing labs was really great,” says Pellingra.

In addition, Pellingra says that she was able to experience the real feeling of college and meet people that she never would have met before. “It was a really great year and I think it made me more independent. I would have regretted it a lot if I hadn’t lived on campus,” she adds.

It’s all about you

While on-campus living was the right decision for Pellingra, it isn’t for everyone, and some students would actually prefer a commute to stay in the comfort of their own home. Starting college can be a difficult transition and if “leaving the nest” isn’t something you feel comfortable with, then don’t force it. You have options and you should make yourself familiar with all of them. Take the time to make an informed decision about where you will thrive and get the most out of your college years.

Education comes first

According to Monroe Community College, their mission is to be “committed to enriching the educational experience through providing a quality living-learning environment to a diverse community.”

In the end, it’s all about your education. It doesn’t matter where you live, but how you live, and if you are dedicated to making your academic career a success, your school will provide you with all of the support to do so, community college or otherwise.

Jessica Shoemaker is a freelance writer who lives in Rochester, N.Y.

Campus Housing vs Off Campus Housing

You shouldn’t pick a college just because you like the dorms. But, if you’ve decided not to live in off campus housing, a school’s residence halls should be one of the things you consider when making your choice. After all, you’ll spend a lot of time in your new home!

As you visit schools you’ll see a variety of residence halls. Some will be in the same building as a cafeteria, classroom or game room. Some have one bathroom for a few dozen students and some have suites where just a few people share a bathroom.

If you find a college that’s right for you, you’ll also find campus housing that's a great match for what you want out of your college experience. As long as the residence halls are clean and well maintained, it all comes down to your personality and preferences.

"They’re not just places where you sleep and study,” says Christina Spearman, interim director of student life at Loyola University Maryland (www.loyola.edu).

When you’re thinking about where to live at college, whether in a dorm or in off campus housing, she suggests thinking about how you envision your life at college: How many people will you share space with? Do you imagine yourself being close friends with everyone on the floor of your building? Will you have a roommate who’s a close friend or someone who keeps a schedule like yours?

Types of campus housing

You may have heard about colleges building student apartments and off campus housing with extras like fireplaces, flat-screen TVs and tanning beds. You might be able to live in one of these places at some point — but probably not in your first year.

Emily Glenn, corporate librarian for the Association of College and University Housing Officers International, says upperclassmen usually get first dibs on the residences with the most luxuries. Colleges often reserve those buildings for older students. Plus, students who already live on campus probably get to decide in the spring where they’ll live the next year. They’re more likely to pick a place where they share a bathroom, living room or even a kitchen with a few roommates.

In your first year at college, chances are you’ll live in a traditional dorm – that is, a room around the size of your bedroom at home with a bathroom down the hall. There might even be laundry facilities and a kitchen on your floor.

Colleges don’t put new students in traditional dorms to be mean. When you have to share a kitchen and bathroom with lots of other students, it’s easier to meet classmates who will become close friends.  “Freshmen need to meet new people, and it's harder to meet people if you have your own little space,” Glenn says. “When you’re an upperclassman you already know a bunch of people.”

You’ll have at least one roommate when you get to college, but most colleges don’t assign freshmen more than two. Spearman says that if you’re like a lot of first-year students, college will be the first time you’ve shared a room. It can be overwhelming to go from having your own space at home to having five new roommates!

Themed housing

Glenn says many colleges are designing their campus housing options so freshmen have an easier time meeting other students. Some schools are doing this by setting aside whole floors in a residence hall for students who share the same interest. Your college might let you request to live on the same floor as other freshmen who share your passion for community service or healthy living.

Some colleges have designated “living-learning communities” that combine academics and residential life. Glenn says this might mean a chance to live with other students in your major. Some living-learning communities offer special seminars or activities for students to take part in. Other living-learning communities are focused on foreign languages, politics or a college’s honors program.

Fellow students might not be the only people living in your dorm. At Loyola, a Catholic college, Jesuit priests live in some of the residence halls. Even faculty members at some schools live in the same buildings as their students!

The right fit

So what’s the bottom line when you’re checking out college housing? “Look for a place you feel comfortable at,” Glenn says. Your dorm isn't just the place where you’ll sleep. It's a place where you'll make a lot of lifelong memories.

“And don’t worry if empty rooms look drab on a tour,” Spearman says. Your room will probably come with a few pieces of furniture, but the rest is up to you. Just a few pictures and knick knacks of your own can make the room feel like your own space.

“Think about this as your new home,” she says.

Consider this!

• How does the college keep its residence halls secure?

• Do you need a dorm with quiet study rooms?

• If you attend a large university, can you live in a residence hall near the academic building for your major?

• Do any special programs take place in the dorms?

• Do you like to cook? Do you have dietary needs that will mean you’ll have to make some of your own meals?

Teen Board Sound Off

Q: Are you planning on living in college dorms or in off campus housing?

“I am absolutely planning on living in college dorms, and am most excited about meeting new people. However, I am worried about missing my family! I would also consider off campus housing, depending on where I go.” —Jordan Rosenburg, senior, Troy High School, Fullerton, Calif.

“Living in college dorms is a ritual that one should experience. I am excited about living with someone that I have never met before and learning to compromise, but I am also very anxious about moving far away from my family and living on my own.” —Stephanie Wu, junior at Academy of Our Lady of Guam, Barrigada, Guam

“I do plan on living in college dorms my first year. The exciting part is that I will have access to an unlimited social network right outside my door. After my first year, I plan on living off campus sorority house! Hello, social networking! And, I hope to make helpful, lasting connections down the road!” —Arianne Wunder, senior at Howard High School, Howard, S.D.

Rebecca VanderMeulen has a degree in journalism from American University (www.american.edu).

You may have heard about a career in communications, but do you know what that really means? Doesn’t every career require communication? What’s so special about majoring in something we all have to do on a daily basis?

Well, communications (as a field) is about much more than simply talking — or communicating — with others. It’s about having exceptional writing and speaking skills that translate into business acumen. To major in communications, and ultimately become a communications professional, requires a very particular type of outgoing person; so is it for you?

What’s it take?
Typically, those who major in communications seek careers in public relations, journalism, advertising/marketing and event coordination to name a few. But the world of communications (as it relates to education trends and the wave of the future when it comes to media) is evolving.

For instance, the Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte (www.queens.edu) is aiming to bridge journalism and new media innovation by offering a bachelor of arts in journalism and digital media. According to Dr. Eric Freedman, Dean of the Knight School, the program consists of a comprehensive curriculum that includes courses in journalism, digital media production, media studies and criticism, and studies and practices in multimedia with a focus on community engagement.

“As a multimedia program, the degree prepares students to work and thrive in a convergent media environment,” says Dr. Freedman. “Students are expected to develop strong basic writing, visualization and analytical skills and then to become adept at writing and producing for multiple media platforms simultaneously, exhibiting the versatility necessary to succeed in a quickly evolving and growing digital media economy.” In other words, it’s no longer enough to be able to write well and possess strong public speaking skills to be successful in the field of communications; you actually have to apply those skills to a variety of broad-reaching, ever-changing multimedia outlets

Dr. Freedman explains: “The goal of the degree program is to provide a broad liberals arts education as well as developing professional skills so that graduates are able to fully exercise the civic responsibilities of journalists, media practitioners, media handlers and media theorists for the lively functioning of democratic institutions.” Sounds intimidating, right? Don’t get scared. All Dr. Freedman is saying is that every communications professional must take his/her role seriously — that they have a responsibility to research, report and inform others. (Contrary to popular belief, Facebook and Twitter aren’t exactly reliable forms of factual communication and reporting.)

Students interested in majoring in communications need to understand that others will be relying on them to provide critical information. They must also understand the importance of being able to adapt; they will need to take their “basic” communication skills and apply them to outlets they may or may not be familiar with.

Remember, as a communications expert, you will be viewed as an “information provider” — someone who provides factual, relevant and reliable information about the company/organization you represent. Therefore, you have to be prepared to meet a lot of demands in a short amount of time, and be willing to take constructive criticism (and a lot of it).

The world of communications isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you have the heart (and the skills) for it, you’ll do just fine.

Katie Barry is the editor of NextStepU Magazine.

Filling out college applications made me realize two things: that I had not yet chosen a career path and that I wanted that path to include writing. I checked “English” under the “intended majors” list and hoped occupation ideas would occur to me later. 

I was happy with the decision, but hadn’t even graduated high school before that “intended major” became a negative topic to some adults surrounding me. My aunt, for instance, told me repeatedly that I should do something more useful with my time in college. She urged me to go into accounting, saying it insured a high-paying job compared to the uncertainty of liberal arts.  

People would assume that, as a major in English and a concentration in writing, I wanted to be a teacher. To the general public, it seemed that getting any liberal arts degree directly translated into either becoming a teacher or a starving artist. I was certain there was a middle ground where I would be more comfortable. 

Gaining experience
In spite of the mountain of homework every college student has, I was glad to have the ability to choose classes based on my interests — something my roommate (who was studying to become a nurse) could not always say. In frustration, she would think back to high school where she dreamed of studying film and considered changing majors. Her considerations were always pushed away after discussing job prospects with her mother.   

To advance my personal job outlook, I started building a resumé and portfolio. I gained experience by working for school publications. I took on internships to get hands-on knowledge in archiving, database maintenance and communications. These helped prove my capabilities to future employers. Eventually, I was able to seek out job positions based on these experiences. 

The expert says…
Dr. Deborah Uman, chair of the English Department at St. John Fisher College (www.sjfc.edu), frequently addresses concerns regarding liberal arts or humanities fields. Through her own research, she has discovered that employers are actually more likely to take candidates with these degrees than those trained in one specific area. 

Addressing the negativity, Dr. Uman says, “The belief is if you don’t go into something with a direct line to a job, like nursing or accounting, what do you do?” She goes on to say that, “people panic and don’t understand the value of a liberal arts degree.” In reality, the critical thinking, analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills are most developed in majors concentrating on reading, writing and communication.  

Dr. Uman points out the significance of a liberal arts degree as being able to analyze, organize thoughts and materials, communicate effectively and recognize and use rhetorical techniques. Seemingly basic skills such as using Standard English for reading comprehension and writing composition become invaluable because, although the market may change, these skills will not. 

Some jobs require specific studies, but changing jobs and careers is becoming more and more common. With more variety, a student is able to decide if he or she wants to go on to advance in education past the undergraduate level or supplement his or her coursework with experience, such as internships, service learning, independent studies or clubs — opportunities that may not be available to students on a specific learning track.

So, if you are thinking of majoring in something as broad as English, be sure to smile at those who think you are setting yourself up for disaster. They clearly don’t understand the world of possibilities that lie ahead of you.

Annemarie Maurer went to St. John Fisher College (www.sjfc.edu) and is the administrative assistant for NextStepU.

It can seem impossible to decode how colleges decide who gets in.

Ultimately, though, college admissions counselors are people. There are certain things that irritate them.

Here are the top 10 ways to annoy the admissions office. Consider this list a guide of what NOT to do when you apply to college.

1. Send unexpected extras with your application. The admissions office at Carnegie Mellon University (www.cmu.edu) has received science projects from applicants who want to study physics. Prospective music majors have sent compositions they’ve written. That doesn’t help admission counselors like Justin Mohney, assistant director of admissions at Carnegie Mellon who was a business administration major in college. If you want to add extra materials to your application, he advises to first ask if it’s OK. Also, send a concise explanation in language accessible to someone who’s not an expert.

2. Ask about majors that don’t exist. “You can play soccer in college, but you can’t major in it,” says Jenny Peacock, director of admissions at William Peace University (www.peace.edu). You can’t major in “CSI” either.

3. Put the name of another college in your essay. Mohney says, “There’s nothing that feels worse as a reviewer than reading an essay and getting excited about an applicant, [then] getting to the last line of the essay and reading, ‘That’s why I’ve always wanted to go to one of your main competitors.’”

4. Be unaware of your GPA. Your grades and test scores are important when you’re applying to college. Peacock says that when you talk to an admissions counselor, you should at least have a good idea of what they are.

5. Let your parents complete your application. Believe it or not, some parents fill out their kids’ applications. Admissions officers often figure it out when the social security number on an application belongs to the applicant’s mom.

6. Stop at a college fair information table without talking to the admissions officer. At a fair, you walk into a high school gym and see dozens of tables with information about different colleges. Behind each one will be an admissions representative who spent hours on a plane or in a rental car just to chat with students like you. But a lot of students walk up to a table, grab a brochure and walk away. Admissions officers call them “drive-bys.” (Don’t be one of them.)

7. Call or email everyone in the office. Admissions counselors like students who really want to go to their schools. But some are too eager. Jay Murray, director of admissions at Post University (www.post.edu), says some students (or their parents) will pose a question to one counselor, and if they don’t like the answer, ask the same question to each other person in the office. If one counselor says your GPA is too low for you to get in, all the other counselors will say the same thing.

8. Call the admissions office every week. You’ve probably heard that colleges accept applicants who demonstrate interest in attending. But calling just for the sake of calling won’t help. Follow the college on Twitter instead. “It’s a quality thing, not a quantity thing,” says Mohney.

9. Let your parents ask all the questions. Admissions counselors want to talk to students, not their parents. You’re going to college. Not your mom and dad.

10. Talk to an admissions counselor before researching the college. Can you find the answer to your question by poking around the college’s website for 10 minutes? Then don’t email an admissions counselor. Murray says some students don’t even peruse his school’s majors before a campus tour. “They’ll drive two hours for a visit and they’ll ask if we have [a program that we don’t offer],” he says.

So, here’s what you should do:

It’s not hard to be a likeable applicant. Send in your application by the deadline. Make it easy to read. Put your full name on each part of it — and add your ZIP code in case you’re one of two Joshua Smiths to apply to Dream University.

Ask how you should send any extras. Maybe the office would prefer a CD to an email attachment. If you have a question, try to find the answer on your own. People at the admissions office have poured hours into building an informative website with almost everything you’d like to know. Look there before emailing an admissions counselor. “If you’ve read something and you don’t understand it, we can talk you through it,” Peacock says.

Rebecca VanderMeulen has a degree in journalism from American University (american.edu).

So, you’re a junior in high school. Now what? Have you started thinking about senior year or college? Isn’t it too early to start thinking about college when you haven’t even graduated? Actually, if you’re considering college, your junior year is the best time to start planning.

If thoughts about college make you anxious, take baby steps. Concentrate on where you are now.

Consider your classes
As a junior, this is the best time to reflect on the classes you’ve taken and the grades you’ve received. What subjects interest you or put you to sleep? To learn more about yourself and your interests, take a critical look at your classes and grades because they provide the best clues about what majors to consider in college.

If you struggle in math, then chances are you won’t be happy pursuing an engineering degree. If you love reading, then majoring in English, history or communications would probably be a better fit.

Here are some questions to ask yourself now:
• What is your grade point average? Does it need improvement?

• Can you retake classes to improve grades?

• Are you on track to earn all of the credits required for graduation?

• Are there any courses you can take to help you decide if a particular career is right for you?

• Should you take honors or advanced placement classes?

• Can you start taking college prep courses or do you have to wait until you’re officially a senior?

These questions are important for you to start thinking about now.

Talk to others
Don’t try doing everything alone. In addition to getting advice from your parents, talk to your guidance counselor and let him or her know that you are interested in college.

A guidance counselor can help you do the following:
1. Choose the best classes to prepare for your senior year and your first year in college.

2. Explore career paths and how to prepare yourself to be a more attractive candidate for college selection committees.

3. Offer advice on choosing a college, preparing for college entrance exams or exploring funding options.

4. Find summer internships or businesses that will let you shadow someone in that profession. If you want to go into journalism, ask if your local newspaper will let you shadow a reporter. If you’re thinking about a communications major, check appropriate businesses to see if you can intern or shadow someone in order to learn more about the job.

Learn about yourself
In addition to talking to other people, you should also talk to yourself. College selection committees don’t just look at your transcripts, they also look at what you’ve done with your life. Will you be a good fit at their school and succeed as a student?

Engage in extracurricular activities such as student groups or team sports. Volunteer for organizations or non-profits like the Boys & Girls Club or Habitat for Humanity. They always need volunteers and this is a great way for you to mentor young people, develop leadership skills and give back to the community.

These activities teach you teamwork, leadership skills and time management, so don’t look at them as a waste of time or distraction. The experiences you gain and the interests you develop will help you learn more about yourself.

Over the next year, pay attention to yourself. Everything you do now can help you write a personal essay, which is a requirement for most applications. This essay is a place for you to showcase how your experiences and activities have helped you grow and mature. In this way, your extracurricular activities become more than just bullet points on your resumé. Your essay should bring them to life.

Research colleges and costs
How much does college cost and how much can you and your parents contribute? Never assume that you can’t afford a school. Many colleges have packages designed to diversify their student body. If you’ve excelled at sports, leadership positions or academics, there might be a scholarship available. More importantly, attend financial aid and scholarship presentations. Many of these take place in the fall.

Start researching colleges online and visiting campuses if possible. Ask schools if they can help defray your costs to come visit their campus. Also, attend college fairs. You can meet admissions representatives, pick up brochures and learn more about the application process. This takes some of the mystery out of the process.

You may also want to find out if a college has any summer programs that bring high school juniors and seniors to campus. Some schools and organizations fund summer programs that allow juniors and seniors to become familiar with college life while earning college credit.

Write a resumé
Your application will have your school transcripts, so admissions offices will already be aware of your grades and test scores. The resumé and the personal essay allow you to tell the selection committee more about yourself. Include school activities, community service, sports, leadership roles, awards and work experience.

Do all of this now while you have plenty of time!

My To-Do List

o Make an appointment with my guidance counselor

o Go over graduation requirements

o Consider required classes for senior year

o Make sure I am on track for graduation

o Consider A.P., honors, or college prep classes

o Get involved in my school (sports, government, organizations, clubs)

o Get involved in my community by volunteering

o Start exploring and visiting colleges

o Start writing a resumé and making notes for my personal essay(s)