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As the leaves begin to change color, high school juniors and seniors are getting serious about planning for college. Some students may have done a bit of research or even taken the ACT or SAT, while others haven’t done anything yet. Regardless of your situation, rest assured that there is still time to choose the path that is right for you. As a helpful guide for juniors and for seniors, Raritan Valley Community College has developed the following 6 tips to help ensure that students make the most of their school year. 

6 College Planning Tips for High School Juniors & Seniors

#1:  Research Schools of Interest

Speak to friends and families about their colleges, read about colleges and universities that interest you, and visit their websites to learn more. While conducting your research, you should explore academic programs, workforce training programs, athletics, student activities, campus life, and more. Remember to take note of tuition as cost is key. Ultimately, you should look for high-quality education as well as affordability!

#2: Attend an Open House

Touring a campus in person is priceless! So, locate Open Houses taking place in your area so that you can truly get a feel for the school and whether it works for you. In a few short hours, you’ll learn everything that you need to know! Check the schedule by clicking here.

#3: Register for Standardized Tests (if Required)

Certain colleges, like Raritan Valley Community College, do not require standardized tests for admission, which is a relief for some students! However, if you need to take the SAT or ACT or you’d like to improve your existing scores, now is the time to sign up.

#4: Apply for Financial Aid & College Scholarships

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used by colleges to determine your eligibility for financial aid. If you’re looking to start college in spring, you should fill out your FAFSA now. If you are planning to start college in fall, you can submit your FAFSA starting October 1. Also, keep in mind that colleges offer a myriad of scholarships, so ask about those opportunities when you attend the Open House.

#5: Apply!

Fortunately, RVCC has no deadline for admission, but you are encouraged to apply early! In fact, you can simply click here to apply now. It shouldn’t take more than 25 minutes.

#6: Test out Your School of Choice

As a high school junior or senior, you can earn college credits before you get to college. For instance, RVCC’s Jumpstart Pre-College Program allows you to take classes while still in high school and easily transfer the credits when you graduate from high school. By participating in the program, you’ll gain a competitive edge, ease into freshman year and get firsthand experience of college life. You must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA to apply. Learn more!

If you are wondering: “Which college open houses are taking place near me?” Consider RVCC! With our extensive catalog of academic and workforce programs, we’ve got an offering that will surely fit your checklist! Take the first step and visit us click here to find dates.

RVCC has been ranked the best community college in NJ by BestColleges.com, WalletHub.com, Schools.com, and Niche.com. Washington Monthly ranked RVCC eighth in the country in the category of “Best Colleges for Adult Learners (2 Year Colleges)” for 2018. As a leading state college in New Jersey, RVCC serves students locally from Somerset County and Hunterdon County, across the country, and around the world, offering top degree programs and the best local career training. For information, visit www.raritanval.edu.