If they require you to include a personal statement or an essay with your application, take the time to write a well-thought statement. Be sure to edit your statement to avoid grammatical or typographical errors. Also, if they require letters of recommendation, ask your teacher or counselor for a letter in advance. Sometimes admission committees deny an application if the admission packet is incomplete or if it is submitted after the deadline.

One more thing to consider, if you are not initially admitted to the college of your choice, don’t be discouraged. Consider going to a community college then apply to transfer to the college of your choice. Sometimes the transfer student requirements are less stringent. They may not require SAT scores if your transfer GPA is above their minimum requirement. After you earn at least 12 college credits, you may be eligible to transfer to the college of your choice.

Keep up the great work!

At this point, the best thing you can do to continue making a good impression on college admission committees is to continue with your schedule of course work and involvement. Colleges want to see that you continue to push yourself in your senior year so that you can make the transition to college much easier.

The other thing to do is to visit the schools you are interested. Tour, meet with faculty, have lunch with students – really get a good sense of what the school is all about. After this, start the application processes. Follow their timelines to the “T” – we are all really particular about that. For most colleges, keep the Thanksgiving holiday as your target to get your applications in.

Don’t worry, you should be fine.