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COLLEGE DECISION

Believe it or not, it is college decision season! Our seniors worked very hard on their college applications during the first semester, and this month, they are getting their results. Time really flies! But don’t worry, we are going to provide some guidance as to how to make a choice and deal with any sentimental feelings.

Topic: Dealing with Rejection

It’s that time of the year where all your college apps are finally submitted and you are excited to see what will arrive in your mail. Opening the letter you have been waiting for from your dream college, it only bears a small letter; your rejection letter. How should you deal with this shock and disappointment? Below are 10 steps you can follow if you find yourself upset of your rejection:

  1. Celebrate your Acceptance: Overcome your rejections with the acceptances that you have received! One rejection letter isn’t the end because acceptance to other colleges are proof that your hard work paid off

  2. Letter of Appeal: If you think you have a chance of success, send a letter of appeal to the college, showing them what they might have initially missed in your original application

  3. Understand that it’s okay to feel disappointed, upset, or even frustrated. Allow yourself to process these emotions.

  4. View rejection as a redirection rather than a roadblock. Sometimes, different paths lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities.

  5. Reach out to friends, family, or mentors who can provide guidance and emotional support during this time. Share your feelings and thoughts with someone you trust.

  6. Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognize your efforts and the progress you've made whether in your internships or through volunteering events you’ve partaken in

  7. Use this experience to create a strategic plan for your future. Set realistic goals and take steps towards achieving them, keeping in mind that success can take various forms.

  8. Practice Self-Care: You might think this is a waste of time, but you need to remind yourself that maintaining your well-being is crucial to the whole process. Engage in activities that’ll help you wind down, such as exercising, partaking in your hobbies, meditating or even simply spending time with your loved ones. 

  9. Reevaluate Your Application: If you want to reapply next year, look over your old application and find areas of improvement. Don’t be shy to seek help from peers or mentors. Reapplying is more common than you think and is a great step to take.

  10. Maintain Perspective: Remember that college doesn’t reflect your worth or potential. Decisions are made using many factors beyond your control, reminding yourself of your strengths, accomplishments and opportunities is crucial.

It’s important to remember that college is a time of learning and growing, and rejection is a natural part of that process. Again, remember rejection doesn’t define your success in other aspects of your life! At the end of the day you’ll end up exactly where you belong, so what matters most is what you do with what’s given to you! Make the most out of every situation and don’t let yourself down!

Topic: Financial Packages or Scholarships

Taking financial packages and tuition fees are important aspects when it comes to choosing your college. You don't want to end up in years of debt after graduation, so applying to scholarships and other aids is a great way to save money on your tuition. Scholarships are merit based or financial/background based! Here are some options and links to find scholarships:

FAFSA:

  • it is a federal student aid program that provides financial assistance to any students 

  • it have flexible payment plans and the program will assist if there are troubles when it comes to repayment 

  • -the information on the form can be seen by your colleges and be considered for grants and scholarships 

  • MOST IMPORTANTLY, MISSING THE DEADLINE FOR FAFSA IN YOUR STATE DOES NOT IMPACT YOUR ELIGIBILITY, SO APPLY EVEN IF THE DEADLINE IS PASSED!!!!

Topic: Weigh Priorities (location, opportunities, class size, majors, etc.)

When faced with the decision of which college to attend, it's crucial to carefully weigh priorities to ensure the best fit for your academic, financial, and personal needs. Although reputation and rank can provide insight into future opportunities and overall educational quality, there are many other important considerations. So don’t stress over the Ivy Leagues. Check what academic programs the college offers to see if it aligns with your career aspirations and offers opportunities for growth and exploration. Financial aid and scholarships play a significant role in affordability and managing student debt. Many adults still struggle with paying off college debt, and it is crucial to consider how going to a specific college might affect you financially for the years following college. Moreover, campus culture and environment can greatly impact the overall college experience. Location, support services, and personal preferences such as class size, internship opportunities, and study abroad options also deserve careful consideration in making this important decision. Remember that you can always seek your college counselors for support on finding the best match for your future college.

Topic: Visit or Revisit Campus

To ensure you make an informed decision, it's crucial to personally visit the schools you're considering. Whether you choose to visit one or several, experiencing a college firsthand is invaluable.

  • Allocate sufficient time for each visit to avoid feeling rushed. Fully immerse yourself in the campus atmosphere and facilities.

  • Take notes and pictures during your visits to remember each school and have comparison material.

  • In addition to exploring the campus, take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the surrounding community. This can provide insights into off-campus living and leisure options.

Topic: Organize Deadlines (admission fee, picking courses, move-ins, etc.)

After deciding which college to attend, it is important to keep track of due dates, whether it be admission fees, choosing courses, moving in, etc. Thus, you should have a system to organize this.

  • Creating a spreadsheet entailing the dates, cost, and other details with a color key.

  • Google Calendar, Notion, Schedule Block

  • Budget Planner

  • To-Do List

  • Daily, Weekly, Monthly Planner

Tips:

  • Admission fees are at the beginning of each term and rent and utility bills are normally paid at the beginning of the month, so make sure to have enough money to pay for your classes and living expenses.

  • Picking courses is mostly first come first serve basis, so do your research beforehand to get the courses and class times that you want.

  • When hunting for apartments, make sure to do so at least a couple weeks beforehand because there can be intense competition for renting and pricing, especially near the school.

  • Get a part-time job to help with living expenses and learn to budget!

Topic: Campus Support Systems and Resources

These may vary from campus to campus, but you will generally find a variation of these resources at each school. You should take advantage of these to make the most out of your college experience!

  • Academic Resources

    • Libraries are a peaceful and quiet place to study, do research, or write papers either alone or with a group

    • Tutoring centers can provide extra help and mentoring in specific subjects

    • Computer labs can be used to access different academic technology or software

  • Career Resources

    • Job Fairs are amazing networking opportunities and allow students to meet representatives from various career paths

    • Resume building workshops teach students how to effectively write and format resumes for specific positions

    • Career workshops can help students with career planning, discovering potential jobs or practicing interview skills

  • Financial Resources

    • Financial Aid Offices provide guidance on applying for and managing scholarships, grants, or student loans

  • Sociocultural Resources

    • Cultural centers are dedicated places where students can freely express various identities and promote diversity

    • Interest groups are small communities dedicated to specific hobbies (sports, games, artists)

      • Great places to make friends and find a sense of belonging!

Topic: What now? (how to deal with senioritis?)

It can be really tough getting through the rest of the year because the first 4 years already drained you along with all the college applications, all this work makes you want to leave already. But don't give up yet! You are almost there! Here are some tips to help you keep up the good energy:

  • Create groups!

    • Have friends or other people in general to help keep each other in check

    • Motivate each other to not give up

  • Set goals to keep you motivated

    • Start from small goals and make your way up to larger ones

    • Crushing small goals will make you feel good and allow you to celebrate small victories

    • Create monthly, weekly, or daily to-do lists to keep everything you need to do in order.

  • Reward yourself when you reach these goals

    • If you need additional motivation, give rewards for when you reach milestones

  • Take a break

    • Take a step back, give yourself a breather 

    • You’ve worked hard and you deserve some rest, don’t overwork yourself 

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