Types of Schools!
In-state vs. out-of-state residency
This piece of writing from the French for "to try" is key to unlocking your college applications.
Essay
True/False: College profs will make an effort to get to know you and make sure you turn in work, even in large lecture classes common during the first year at big schools.
FALSE LOL COME ON ARE YOU KIDDING ME
True/False: your first roommate at college will almost certainly be your best friend.
False!!!
This acronym is the gateway to most financial aid so file it every year (even if you think you might not need to!)
The FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid)
State universities often have this nautical-sounding name for their main or most prestigious campus. Going to one of these campuses has nothing to do with boats, though.
Flagship
This scheduling tactic is often ranked among the most important factors in undergraduate admissions.
Taking a challenging course schedule in High School
Professors in college will respond to many simple questions about a class by referring you to this all-important document.
The Syllabus
Many people join these organizations as a way to find groups of friends.
Fraternities and Sororities.
True/False: Financial Aid packages usually come out at the same time as college acceptances
False! It can, unfortunately, be a long and stressful weight. (Communicate with mentors and parents, but also - you're living your OWN life...)
Georgia Tech, Yale, and Washington University in St. Louis are known as "Research ___" institutions. (Hint: it's a number!)
One
This kind of application "decision" is a weighty one...especially because it is typically binding! Then again some schools will consider this type of applicant much more carefully.
Early Decision
You realize you have a 300-person lecture course! How often can you skip it and still not have it noticed that you aren't showing up?
Attendance probably doesn't count, so skip every class if you want. You'll still probably fail if you don't go, but that's what college is like. You make your own calls.
This social "c-word" still exists in college, though you'll find a lot more possibilities for where you might click into place.
cliques
This type of on-campus work is usually a good way to get a job while you're in school (mine let me goof off, play xbox, stay up late, and sometimes i even did homework too)
Work-study!
Generally smaller, undergraduate-focused colleges are often known by this name (examples include Oberlin, Belmont, Sewanee, Pomonoa, Spelman and Rhodes)
Liberal Arts College
This personal factor may be one of the most important elements of finding a writer for your recommendation letters.
Your relationship to the recommender!
Buying books gets expensive. What strategy will you use to help keep from breaking the bank?
Look for PDFs when you can, buy used, buying on Amazon (but check edition/publisher)
Even if your roomie is a dud, you may still meet lots of people this way...so long as you're OPEN to it...
Keeping your door open, meeting people in the dorm.
This type of monetary award usually never gets paid straight to you, but it can be the most useful...not to mention you don't have to pay them back!
Grants
U of Memphis, Alabama, and Lehigh (among others) are designated as this numbered tier of research University
Research 2
The only difference between ED I and ED II is typically this factor.
Timing!
How many classes is the right amount of credit hours to take each semester?
4 classes (12 credits) is full time. 15 credit hours is typical. 18 is survivable once you're used to things, but can be a bad place to start. All in all it depends on the school and your planned major(s), but don't let anyone sell you on 4 classes being the max!
Headphones/phone
Student loans are a pain (and expensive). But if you do get loans, what's best?
Unsubsidized (federal)
Private
Subsidized (federal)
Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and private IN THAT ORDER!