The Search Begins Chapter Overview

Get Into College—Admissions Guide

First Steps Chapters

First Steps

Self-Assessment

Academics

Activities and Interests

The Search Begins Chapters

The Search Begins

Reaches Matches Safeties

Application Process Chapters

Applying to College

GPA and Transcripts

Standardized Tests

Preparing for Standardized Tests

ECAs

Myths and Fact about ECAs

Early, Regular, Rolling

The Application

Writing the College Essay

Letters of Recommendation

Supplementary Materials

Surviving the Interview

Hooks and Intangibles

Financial Aid

- Need-based vs need-blind

- What you want is not always what you get

- Building your aid package

- Where to learn more

What Happens Next?

- Awaiting admissions decision

- Waitlisted

- Time to reflect

Transfers

Taking a Year Off

International Students

List of all USA Colleges

Join the Admissions Guide Advisor forums to share your experiences and questions about how to get into college!

Find Colleges
Advanced Search >>

School Type:

Campus

Online

Show All

Zip/Postal Code:

Know what to expect!
Getting into an American college can be an intimidating and scary process. There was a time—maybe 20, or 30 years ago—when students would put in three applications and were accepted into one, or two schools. It ought to be simple, but today’s admissions process has become a high-stake obstacle course.

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

THE SEARCH BEGINS

Chapter Index:

The Search Begins: Picking a college is a journey. The search begins... You've go a mailbox of brochures and so many questions unanswered! Read more.

Reaches Matches Safeties: Generally, you should have one or two reaches, three to five matches, and two or three safeties. Of course, this is only a guideline. Read more!

Love Thy Safety: Rejection is real. Once upon a time, students applied to three schools and got in to all three. No longer! Learn why.

College Viewbooks: One of the earliest literatures you will receive from colleges is the viewbook. This college literature can be a good starter to begin with.

Using the Net: Admissions guide info, a vast amount of crucial information for prospective college applicants is only a few keystrokes away.

Talk to Everyone: How to talk to everyone, including parents, students, and admissions guide advisors to get the right amount info to build tour college list.

The College Visit: What is more important than seeing and experiencing the place you would be for the next 4 years of your life? Whom and what to see when you visit.