by Gabrielle Schrader

Created on: July 24, 2009   Last Updated: July 26, 2009

Before you can attempt to get into the college of your dreams, you need to determine what your dreams are. You must decide what you wish to do with your life or what subject areas interest you the most. You must decide what you feel passionately about. These choices and decisions will help determine which colleges you wish to apply to as well as enabling you to determine the best way to actually get in.

When I began to think about applying to college I narrowed down by choices by answering the following questions: What three academic subject areas do I like the most or feel the most passionate about? Am I interested in a specific career and if so, what types of things must by college have or be "known for"/good at? What kind of aesthetics (building types and styles...Gothic, brick, etc) make me feel the most like studying and the happiest? Which kind of aesthetics make me want to cringe or have a depressing feel to them for me? Do I want a more community-oriented college that is smaller or a larger college that may be more independent? Do I want the big city or is a small town okay? Do I want to live on campus all 4 years or do I want to live off-campus most of the time? Once you answer these questions, you can narrow down your college choices. You can also decide where you wish to apply . Remember that it does not matter and should not be a factor in your decision whether a college is private or public. If money is an object, pick a safety that you can for sure attend and then apply to all of the other places you would like to attend.

Now, that you've decided where to apply it gets harder. You must determine what the best way is to get into these colleges you've chosen. This can seem daunting but there are a few simple steps that you should follow. With these guidelines, you will be well prepared to apply to college.

1. You will want to keep up your GPA. This may sound redundant but it is true. Nearly every college places a great deal of weight on your high school academic record. Make sure you are taking the most challenging classes and course schedule that you can with still getting all A's and B's or for some all B's and C's. You really do not want to get lower than a C. If you think that may happen, take a different class.

2. Get involved in extra-curricular activities. These do not have to be sports and do not have to be related to your school. In fact, it is best that they either pertain to your future career goals or to your most passionate subjects/hobbies.

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