What should I do to prepare for college?

Question

Heres a little background.
I want to Major in either criminal justice or graphic design, and minor in the one I don't choose for my major.
I have a 3.95 GPA, I will have worked on the yearbook staff 4 years next semester (my Sr. year), as well as the school newspaper. I am involved in a zillion volounteer projects outside of school and I've recieved state recognized awards for some of my writing.
What do I need to do to prepare myself for college? Any thing you would do differently if you could go back? Any secrets you want to share?

Answer 1

There are a few things you can do now before the start of your senior year. These are pretty simple.

If you require financial aid or scholarship money, I recommend starting your scholarship search now. Scholarships from outside the individual schools have deadlines throughout the calendar year.

Second, study for the SATs/ACTs because it can help get merit based scholarships from the school and state/federal government college grants.

Third, start looking at individual schools that carry programs that you are interested in if you have not done so already.

Fourth, work closely with your high school guidance counselor because they are a wealth of information regarding colleges.

Fifth, select your personal references carefully to illustrate your best attributes. Approach them before you apply for the college or scholarship to see if they are interested. Great references can be a favorite teacher, a mentor, club advisor, etc. Always thank them for their help in achieving your dreams.

Sixth, submit your application well before the application deadline. Procrastination does hurt.

Seventh, fill out your FAFSA form as easy as possible because the earlier it is in the better chance of receiving the most need based financial aid instead of scholarships. The form becomes available January 1 for the upcoming fall semester/quarter.

Finally, apply for every single scholarship that you qualify for no matter the amount. It means

Answer 2

You certainly have two very diverse interests. It also seems like you don't have too much trouble with academics - as it seems like you have a lot of time for other stuff.

I don't know where you are going to go to school, but I can assure you that you will look back on them as the best days of your life. I think to prepare, you need to make sure that you are ready for the workload - if you choose a good school the workload will tremendously increase over what you are used to in high school.

A good laptop and a good printer are almost a requirement - if you are going into graphic arts, then I would recommend an Apple laptop over a PC - but the downside is that you may not be compatible with other students - check with your school to see if they recommend it.

Your 'job' for the next four years is to learn everything you can - about everything (not just 'academics). Some of the most enlightening experiences will come when your 'hanging out' with your friends.

A last little bit of advice - your 'job' is also to finish. No one wants someone who 'went to college for a while'. I am a hiring manager at my current company. When I see a resume, I want to see 'college graduate in xxxx, University of xxx, Degee completed 20xx. If you don't have a degree, I won't even give your resume a second look. So if you thing living in the dorm might be a distraction - don't - and if you think pledging to a frat or sorority might be a distration - don't. I know this might sound a little crass, but your future employer's don't care what you did in college - they care deeply that you graduated.

Hope this helps. Just my two cents.

Dave

Answer 3

Start by realizing that in a college environment you won't be such hot stuff; that all your colleagues may have had similar accomplishments. The best thing on your list that you're bringing with you is your writing ability, which isn't as common a virtue as professors wish it was.

Beyond that, a good honest preparation would involve severing some of the bonds that tie you to your old high school life. This used to be easy before there were computers and MySpace, but now you'll want to take down your old personal blogs and sites, trim your Internet buddy contact lists to approximately zero, and expect your life to change into one where you're essentially a full-time scholar.

This is not so easy to do. Education is inherently a lonely pursuit, and you really only learn the stuff you study by yourself, and it's terribly tempting to distract yourself with social activities both on and off-line. Eventually, you'll learn to integrate social activities with your studies, but initially you'll want to establish a reputation as something of a dullard who always goes to class, even when the sun is shining or when someone wants to have a party.

You might wish to consider areas that are a bit more general than those you've mentioned for your majors and minors. A liberal-arts degree that includes law and history will do well for your criminal-justice ambitions, and a general course in fine arts or computer science for your graphics interests.

Answer 4

First off, save money... second, apply for as many scholarships and financial aid as you can.. it doesn't matter if your the richest person in the world, if they will give you money, take it. Seond, don't be too uptight about college. Once you start you will be in all introductory courses and you will build to higher levels, you won't all at once have the world collapse. Prepare everything in advance, don't wait to the last minute to apply (by now you should actually already be accepted or pending to a college/university to have any chance at entry). Also, if you have yet to do so, put together a portfolio of all your comunity service, extra activities and awards, also some of your creative pieces may help. Use this when trying to gain entrance into greek life, and other programs, it is also a great interview resource. Lastly, take notes, and goto class everyday, meet as many people as you can. From my standpoint, any dummy will do fine in college unless they try to mess up, or get involved with drugs. In highschool I did as little as I could to get by and was oven told I wouldn't get anywhere in life. I've had no trouble passing any courses in a renoun university and am a year away from a BA in marketing and finance, anxiously awating my exam for my stockbrokers license, an exam only 18% of the country passes... Have fun and don't worry yourself, all the tools will be handed to you, you just need to follow direction.

Answer 5

I agree too.
Let it all happen.
I'm a senior too.
Working on the yearbook and newspaper.
I don't know where you live, but I live in NY.
There are a lot of graphic design schools, and one if the best criminal justice schools are CUNY'S John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
I like CUNY schools.
They're only $4,300.
And if you get into CUNY honors, it's all free.
Take the SATs.
Oh, and calm down. :D

Answer 6

you dont have to prepare, just let it all happenn