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The year 2020 & 2021 will go down in history as a challenging time, and you’re not alone if you feel like your year was not as productive as you had imagined. However, the good news is that you can start to embrace the excitement of 2022/23. For high school juniors and seniors, the fall is a perfect time to begin planning for college, and RVCC has your back! To make your college planning easier, Raritan Valley Community College offers the tips below to help you get organized, move forward, and remind you that the future is full of opportunity. Feel free to share this with your friends.

Top 6 College Planning Tips

Tip #1:  Research Schools That Match Your Interests, Budget & Location

Explore schools that offer academic programs that you are passionate about and want to pursue. Once you narrow down your selection, dive in a little bit deeper to compare tuition costs. You also may want to consider the location of your school of choice. Some students may prefer being closer to home during the pandemic. At RVCC, you can experience the trifecta of high quality education, affordability and proximity to home!

Tip #2: Attend a Virtual Open House

Attending a virtual college open house is the best way to learn everything that you need to know about applying to college. In fact, you can register now for an upcoming Open House. In one short hour, you’ll learn about:

• Academic programs designed to transfer to four-year colleges
• Career programs designed in partnership with local industry
• Scholarships and other financial aid options to pay for college
• Free college tuition for qualified students
• The College’s vibrant student life and sports teams
• Transfer opportunities after graduating from RVCC

Tip #3: Apply Now!

You should begin applying to schools now as some have deadlines. Fortunately, Raritan Valley Community College has no deadline for admission, but you are encouraged to apply early and register for the best selection of classes! Click here to apply now.

Tip #4: Register for Standardized Tests (If Required)

Unlike prior years, many colleges are extending deadlines or not requiring standardized tests at all due to Covid-19. To be sure, check your school of choice to see what its requirements are for standardized tests. Fortunately, RVCC does not require standardized tests for admission, which is one less step to complete!

Tip #5: 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, you should fill out your FAFSA now.  You can learn more about financial aid and scholarships when you attend an upcoming Open House or Information Session.  Register here!

Tip #6: Jumpstart Your Path to College

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

If you’re wondering: “Which colleges near me offer the best college degrees, career training or college certificate programs?” Without a doubt it’s RVCC! To learn more about RVCC’s registration and enrollment, you can connect with an RVCC Admissions Advisor or attend an Information Session.

About RVCC

RVCC has been ranked the best community college in NJ by WalletHub.com and Niche.com. According to Zippia.com, RVCC students are the highest earning graduates of any New Jersey community college. 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.