Getting Started Guides for All Students

	Types of Admission Students have 6 options for college admission.  MyCollegeCalendar highly recommends students use the Early Application process and schedule.
	Admission Interviews Process Interviews for college admission can be held on campus with college admission officers or in your home town with a college alumnus. In addition, an excellent way to create advocates for your admission is to conduct on-campus interviews/visits with college professors.
	Campus Visits - Formal Process Formal campus visits typically include a scheduled guided tour of each campus, and interviews with admission officers and professors. You need to learn as much as possible about each campus, its culture, student body and academic departments, and you need to impress college representatives with whom you interview and gather as much information to compare your colleges to on another.
	Campus Visits - Informal Process Informal campus visits are casual “walk-arounds” in which you and your parents walk unescorted throughout a college campus to see buildings and facilities, observe student interactions with one another, ask questions to college students, and leave a visitation card/form with the admissions office. Your observations and impressions of each college should be noted for future reference.
	College Major Process When thinking about a major, you should consider not only your interests but your skills, talents, and personality.  How will a particular major help you capitalize on your natural talents and interests?  Employers consider communications one of the most important characteristics they look for in potential employees.  Other important characteristics include analytical skills, ethics, leadership abilities, work experience, motivation/initiative, teamwork skills and technical skills.
	College Search Process If you haven’t started researching colleges and universities you may want to apply to, begin now. Searching for colleges and universities that are a good fit for you may sound difficult, but it’s relatively easy. Begin by knowing that you should apply to 10 or more colleges and universities.
	Essays for College Applications Process Start early on your college applications and application essays.  This is a lengthy, involved process in which many colleges require multiple essays and supplemental forms. Begin by knowing that essays are the most time consuming part of the application process.
	Financial Aid Process Students, and especially parents, should understand all aspects of financial aid process.  Detailed discussion of scholarship, grant, and loan application processes, common pitfalls to avoid, and all-around practical advice are provided.
	Letters of Recommendation Process Request Teacher/Counselor Recommendation Forms (or Letters of Recommendation) in the first week in October – DON’T DELAY IN MAKING REQUESTS.  Your teachers, counselors, coaches, employers, and community leaders receive numerous requests for recommendations and with their busy schedules, they have limited time.  So don’t wait until the last minute to ask.
	Military Academy Process United States Military Academies give full-ride scholarships in exchange for years of military service after you graduate.  Seniors, if you’re interested in applying to Military Academies, start the application process now.
	Scholarships Process Begin researching scholarships (if you haven’t already).  If you haven’t registered for free national scholarship search services, do it now.  Learn what scholarships and grants are offered by foundations, clubs, businesses, and organizations and receive e-mail reminders of when to apply.
	Scholarship Interviews Process Scholarship interviews can be held with college financial aid officers for specific campus-based scholarships or with local scholarship sponsors (such as your local Rotary Club). In addition, you can informally visit with financial aid officers and discuss available scholarships and your need for financial aid.
	Volunteer Summer Activities Process Your summer activities should reinforce your student theme and support an overall college application strategy. Summer activities should be interesting for you and ideally should demonstrate your passion and long-term commitment to those activities. Your summer activities should enhance your qualifications for college admission.

Getting Started Guides for Senior Students

	Application Process The entire process will take much longer than you think.  For each college, there is a multiple-page application that often includes short answer essays (1 to 2 paragraphs in length).
	FAFSA Process The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required by virtually all colleges for students to receive need-based financial aid.
	Financial Aid Award Letter Process In March-April of your senior year, all colleges that accept you for admission will mail (or e-mail) Financial Aid Award Letters to you. These Letters will outline all offers of financial aid including scholarships, grants and loans.
	Profile CSS Application Process The CSS/PROFILE is a lengthy financial aid application very similar to the FAFSA.  While the FAFSA is used to award federal government student aid, the CSS/PROFILE is used by many private schools and scholarship programs to determine financial need to award non-federal government student aid.
	Student Jobs Process Many college freshmen obtain an on-campus job (including Federal Work Study jobs) to earn money to pay college expenses or for extra spending cash. You should complete all possible job research and documents BEFORE arriving on campus to maximize your opportunities for jobs and to lessen the stress of your first few weeks of college.
	Student Loans Process For most students, education loans are a necessary part of their financial aid package. Families must determine the amount of money to borrow for college expenses not covered by scholarships, grants, and family financial resources.