Why College?

A college education can be a gateway to success in today’s world. According to the U.S. Department of Education, college graduates with a bachelor’s degree typically earn 66 percent more than those with only a high school diploma. This planning guide provides information to make you a stronger applicant for UF or for any college you choose. Our admissions office is also available to answer any questions you may have.

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Talk With Your College Counselor About How to Prepare for College

Do you walk straight past your college counselor’s office every day? Now is the time to stop in for a chat. Your counselor has helped countless students get admitted to college, and they can do the same for you. From helping you choose senior year courses that colleges require to advising on admission requirements to exploring ways to pay for college, your counselor is an invaluable resource who can show you how to prepare for college successfully.

Make a First Draft of Your College List

Junior year is a great time to start researching potential colleges and compiling your initial college list. For now, keep the list broad – you’ll have time to whittle it down over the summer, ideally after you’ve gathered more information about each school. Most counselors recommend creating a balanced list composed of safety, target, and reach colleges:

• Safety colleges are institutions where your GPA, test scores, and class rank are above the average range of the most recently admitted freshman class.
• Target colleges are institutions where your GPA, test scores, and class rank fall within the average range of the most recently admitted freshman class.
• Reach colleges are institutions where your GPA, test scores, and class rank fall at the lower end of, or below, the average range of the most recently admitted freshman class.

Before adding a college to your list, be sure to consider whether it’s affordable and whether you can see yourself being happy there for four years. Factors such as a college’s size, location, amenities, and student life can be just important as academics.

Visit Colleges, In-Person or Virtually

Now that you’ve developed your initial list, spend the rest of your junior year visiting as many campuses as possible. Take the official tour. Explore campus on your own. Talk to students. Eat in the dining hall. It’s the best way to get a sense of what it’s really like to attend a college and gather information you won’t find online.

If you can’t visit in person, most colleges have developed robust virtual tours that explore the highlights on campus, from classrooms to residence halls to student centers. No travel is required, they’re free, and you can virtually visit any time.

Attend College Fairs

Attending a college fair is an efficient way to gather information about multiple colleges at one time and connect directly with admissions reps – all without traveling to campus. Make a plan for how to get the most out of each fair so you don’t get overwhelmed or forget important information.

Consider Registering for the SAT or ACT

Many colleges, including Lamar University, have gone “test-optional,” but there are still plenty of reasons to sign up for the SAT or the ACT.

Highly selective institutions still require test scores, and they may be required to qualify for scholarships or other financial aid based on academic merit. Additionally, test-optional schools will consider your scores if you submit them, and if you scored well, it could reflect favorably on your application and scholarship opportunities.

Discuss College Affordability With Your Family

The cost of college can have an outsized impact on your life for decades. That’s why it’s important to discuss college affordability with your family before you begin applying for admission. Choosing a college that’s a good financial fit is just as important as finding a college that’s a good academic fit.

Some items to consider:

• How much can you and your family contribute to college?
• Are student loans an option?
• How much borrowing is reasonable?
• Are prepaid college funds available, and if so, which colleges accept them?
• Are strings attached to the support your parents provide, such as your attendance at a particular college?
  
  

These can be hard conversations, but they’re critical to avoiding surprise and disappointment at the end of the college admission process.

Learn About the Financial Aid Process

After discussing affordability with your family, you may decide you need help offsetting some college costs. Now is the time to get familiar with the process of applying for financial aid:

• Find out some of the key terminology used in the process, including Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Expected Family Contribution (EFC), CSS profile, etc.
• Explore the different types of aid and how to apply for them, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work study awards.
• Learn about the concept of net price (a college’s full cost of attendance minus any gift aid).
• Research the specific financial aid application requirements at each college on your list, including documentation needed and the submission deadlines.
  
  

The more you find out about the process now, the easier (and less stressful) it will be to apply in the fall.

Want more information about applying for financial aid at LU? The Office Financial Aid website has a wealth of resources to consider, and our admissions advisors stand ready to answer your questions.