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Admissions and Enrollment Center

Prospective Students

Preparation for High School Students

Organize your classes and explore your personal interests

  • Meet with your counselor. Discuss your career goals and the classes you should take. Many selective schools require college preparation classes that include three or four years of coursework. Plan your high school curriculum early to be sure you're covered.
  • Master the basics. Strengthen your reading, writing and vocabulary skills. Improve your typing skills and become familiar with the Internet. Knowing your way around a computer will come in handy throughout high school and college.
  • Explore your interests through your classes. Whether it's chemistry, world literature or calculus, your classes give you a chance to find out what you like. Take classes in a variety of subjects that interest you.

Go above and beyond

  • Take honor-level and advanced placement courses. Enroll in courses at a community college. Your high school transcript will show admissions counselors you are up to the challenge of a competitive college environment.

Get a head start

  • Don't wait till senior year to research schools, college entrance tests and financial aid options
  • Take a "virtual" campus tour on the Internet. Visit the homepages of schools that interest you. Also attend college fairs to meet admissions representatives and obtain course catalogs. If possible, plan to visit campuses yourself to get a first hand account of the school's culture and social life.
  • Prepare for college entrance exams. Your scores can determine what scholarships you qualify for and what college you attend. Ask your counselor about services that offer ACT and SAT preparation classes and practice tests. Keep track of the dates and deadlines for the tests.
  • Learn about financial aid options. Don't let the cost of a college education scare you. Attend financial aid seminars hosted by local schools. Ask community businesses and organizations if they offer college scholarships. You can also search scholarship databases on the Internet like FastWeb to apply for awards that match your interests and career goals.

Get Involved

  • Perform community service or get a part-time job. Extracurricular activities show that you're a well-rounded individual and you know how to manage your time efficiently.

Timeline

High School Juniors

  • Earn college credit early by participating in the Early College program (talk to your high school counselor for more information and to see if you qualify)
  • Starting exploring your college options
  • Talk to college/university representatives (at high school visits or fairs)
  • Research colleges/universities online as well as scholarship and financial aid opportunities
  • Attend college and career fairs
  • Take SAT and/or ACT in the spring
  • Explore career choices/options
  • Visit the colleges/universities you're considering
  • Work hard in school and maintain a good GPA

High School Seniors

Fall

  • Work hard and maintain a good GPA
  • Begin to narrow down your list of colleges
  • Keep track of all deadlines & admissions requirements, to ensure that all documents are submitted in time
  • Take the ACT in October if you haven't already
  • Get your GRCC application in by December 1st
  • Be involved in extracurricular activities and community service.
  • Attend college representatives' high school visits and higher education fairs

Winter

  • Continue researching scholarship and financial aid opportunities
  • Attend Fin. Aid. Workshops
  • Apply for Financial Aid online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
  • Visit the college campuses of your choice

Summer before College

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Updated on 27-SEP-07
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