1. Degrees (Associates, Bachelors, Master's, Doctorate)

2. Certificate programs

3. Early decision, early action, rolling admission

4. Cumulative GPA

5. Importance and weight of SAT/ACT

6. Special Admission Programs

7. Selectivity

Start with an honest self-assessment of your high school career. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What kind of student am I?
2. What will my transcript tell an admissions counselor about me?
3. What are my academic strengths and weaknesses?

Know the following information:

A. Cumulative GPA to date.
B. Type of curriculum you have studied (Regents, AP, IB, College leve, Honors, etc).
C. Type of diploma you will receive (Advanced regents, regents).
D. If your high school does not use a regents curriculum, what type do they use? Understand it and be able to explain it.
E. Attendance and tardiness.
F.Your SAT and/or ACT score

What are you looking for in a college? What will make you happy and comfortable?

Think about the following:
Cost
Location
Distance from home
Job placement rate
Safety
Scholarships
Average class size
Internships
Food
Athletics
Clubs/Organizations
ROTC/Air Force
Study Abroad

Use websites like:

1. www.suny.edu

2. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

3. http://www.collegeconfidential.com/

There are many useful websites available to you, a simple Google search of: "College search tools", will give you many options

Be sure to contact the admissions office with questions - just pick up the phone and call or email!

Narrow your list down to five schools or less and then plan to visit. If you can't visit, look into local college fairs in your area so that you can speak with a representative.

The cost of attending college is usually a deciding factor for many students. It's important to look over the total cost of attendance, per year at each of the colleges that interest you. By starting the college search process early, you will understand the financial commitment better and you will be able to spend time applying for scholarships and grants (money that you do not need to pay back). If you are a New York State resident, there are grants like New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) that you may be eligible for.

Apply for financial aid using the FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after the new year. Be sure to speak with your parent or guardian about this process early on as you will need their assistance.

Understand the total cost of attendance and what the means for your future. Will you have to take out loans? If so, how much?

Budget and save for application fees which can cost any where from $50 to $200 per application. If you think you may be eligible for an application fee waiver, be sure to speak with your guidance counselor or speak to the college that you're applying to directly.

Understand that if you are applying to a community college, there may be an entirely different application process.

Applying to most colleges will be done online (i.e. The SUNY Application for most SUNY schools or The Common Application).

Understand what documents you need to submit (i.e. high school transcript, letters of recommendation, essay, resume/activity sheet, SAT/ACT scores).

Communicate with your guidance/college counselor about the colleges that you have applied to and when their admission deadline(s) is.

Take control of the college admissions process; you are driving the car for your future. Some things to keep in mind and helpful tips during the process.

1. Create a word document or excel spreadsheet listing the colleges that you're applying to and include deadlines and application requirements.

2. Start a separate email account for just your college search and application process; check it frequently. Be sure to list a working phone number on your applications.

3. Have an English teacher proof read your college essay and be open to suggestions on how to edit. Have an older sibling or relative also read your essay - more advice is better than none.

4. If you have a question, call and ask an admissions counselor.

5. No news is NOT good news, regularly check in with the admissions office on the status of your application or fee waiver.

6. Communicate with your college/guidance counselor.

Be sure to read the fine print on letters your receive from a college. Is a college offering you a scholarship? Admission to their honors program? Read the mail you receive.

Schedule campus tours and be prepared to sit down for an interview with an admissions counselor; you need to know if it is a formal interview or more of a question and answer session.

If you a visit a campus, be sure to understand what type of college you're visiting. Is it a large university? A small, liberal arts college? A technology college?

Be sure to have alternatives to your number first and second choice colleges. Community colleges have a lower cost of attendance and will allow you to start fresh and become a strong transfer applicant.

If you are thinking about eventually transferring, you will need to be in contact with the Transfer Admissions Office or counselor at the college that you are interested in.

Helpful Tips on Transferring:
*identify colleges of interest (via web, campus visits, Transfer College Fairs, Transfer Office on their campus [if applicable])
* contact Transfer Admission representative (at each college of interest) to discuss application requirements and transferability of credits
* look into transfer scholarships
* don't wait until the last minute to apply to the colleges and for scholarships (ask about deadlines/recommended dates)
* ask if campus housing is available for transfer students
* Visit top campuses of interest at some point in the process!!
* Ask questions to make sure everything important to you is addressed prior to making a college decision