For a student, choosing the right major or program to pursue in college can be a stressful process. The student must realize that this decision will dictate what they will do with the rest of their life. A major will lead to a career in a certain field that the students must really enjoy as the student will be in that field for many years. Generally, most students will have some idea what they want to pursue as a major. Through their childhood and throughout high school, the interests of the student have been growing and maturing. Whether it is history, medicine, law, finance or something else, the student will know their interests, which is the first step in selecting the right major or program. Also, the careers of parents and loved ones will also have a profound affect on the selection of a major as the student will be comfortable with the topic.

Applying for college can be the most exciting time of a young adult’s life, but it can also be the most stressful. The college admissions process is one that takes a lot of research, time, energy and effort. It is a long process that begins with the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests (PSAT’s) and ends the day the young adult walks into their dorm room. It can be a trying time when young adults are forced to make decisions, whether financial or another type, which will dictate the direction their lives will follow for many years. Preparing for college admission, choosing the right school or the right major, applying to colleges and getting enough money to attend are all major tasks within the college admission process.

Because of the massive amount of money required to attend college for four years (or more if the student plans to attend graduate school), many parents will encourage their children to apply for scholarships while they apply for need based financial aid. In the United States, parents will be required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA form). This application will be similar to the tax forms filled out at the end of the year. The form will take into account the income of the student’s family, as well as the number of siblings the student has and their age (if they will be attending college soon). From the FAFSA form, colleges will be able to determine the “expected family contribution,” or in general terms, how much money the family will be required to pay themselves.

The most important step in the college admissions process is the preparation. The preparation begins as soon as the student enters high school. The admissions committees are very tough when it comes to accepting or rejecting potential attendees, but there are different tricks to standing out amongst the crowd. If the student has dreams of attending an Ivy League school, the first step in preparation would be academic excellence.

Maintaining academic excellence throughout the high school career is absolutely imperative in preparing for college. The toughest courses the school has to offer should be taken. For example, many schools offer “Honors” English programs that employ a much more exhaustive and rigorous curriculum in comparison to the conventional English program offered. Honors English will especially help prepare a student for the writing aspect of the college admissions process and the scholarship process that will be discussed in a future section. The school may offer, as well, “Advanced Placement” courses. Also know as AP courses, these classes are college level. In fact, the students involved in an Advanced Placement course are welcomed to take the Advanced Placement test at the conclusion of the year. Some colleges will award college credit hours to students for equivalent classes should they achieve a worthy grade.

At last, summer is here! After a school year full of hard work, you can finally put away your books, break out your bikinis, and soak up the sunshine. This is not only what you deserve but in fact what you need: If you have been working to your maximum level during the school year, you owe your body about two weeks off during the summer for a real break. Go ahead and pursue your favorite pastime, relax, sleep, and reflect on the past year and the year to come. Do not, however, get too used to your life of leisure! From a college admissions standpoint, it’s important to be productive during your summer months. Working is looked upon favorably by the more selective colleges; working on your tan is not.

It is important to understand that when it comes time to apply to schools in the fall, you will be competing for admission against a wealth of other students who made the most of their summers by strengthening their talents and skills and/or making up in some way for their weaknesses. Ideally, you have already found something to do for the summer, but if not, here are some summer suggestions.