Sophomores-4 People to Add to Your Support Network

Planning for college may seem a little scary. Getting advice and input from the right people can help you better navigate the college admissions process.

Family Members. If your family supports you, you’re a step ahead. If it seems like they’re not as focused on college as you are, start involving them in discussions about your future goals. Share what you’ve learned about college and career opportunities.

School Counselor. Your school counselor can be very helpful when it comes to planning your path beyond high school. Don’t wait for your counselor to contact you. Make an appointment to talk about college. Ask for advice on courses to take and resources to help you.

Mentor. A mentor is a person with knowledge and experience who can help you achieve goals. Mentors can come from formal mentorship programs, or they can be trusted people you know from your school, neighborhood, church, internship programs, volunteer organizations, or sports teams. A mentor can be anyone who can provide informed support and guidance.

Other Students. Yes, your friends can be play a big part in your support network, especially if they are further along in school. Tell them your goals and ask about their experiences. Remember to support and encourage each other. Avoid anybody who tries to discourage your future plans.

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Juniors-How to Create a College List

There are more than 4,500 degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. How do you sort through all these options and select the few institutions you want to learn more about? The type of colleges you consider will depend on your goals and expectations.

Start by asking yourself about the following features:

Major

Location

Size

Cost to attend

Extracurricular activities

Requirements

Once you’ve considered these qualities, which is your highest priority? Use it to start finding and researching colleges.

Read the full article for more tips on creating a college list.

Seniors-Craft a College Application Resume that Stands Out

You may think a résumé is only useful when trying to find a job, but some colleges encourage you to include one with your application materials. Your résumé should illustrate accomplishments beyond what colleges see in a transcript and highlight experiences you weren’t able to mention in an essay or application form.

Step 1: List everything you’ve done. What have you accomplished during your high school career? Awards, honors, leadership roles, community service projects, skills, talents, work experience, etc. – write it all down.

Step 2: Decide what should go into your résumé. Once you have everything written down, cut down the text until what you have left are your most impressive accomplishments and roles. This is where a counselor, teacher, or parent could help you decide what to ultimately include in your final draft.

Step 3: Format your résumé. A general rule is to keep your entire résumé on one page (two pages, at the most). Include contact information, education details, and accomplishments. Each section should list the most recent accomplishments and roles first.

Step 4: After you have a draft, review and revise it. Finally, ask a counselor, teacher, friend, or parent to review your résumé. Use helpful feedback when you are making revisions.

Read the full article for more tips to crafting a college application résumé.