Guidance: College Planning/ - Financial Aid

Juniors: It's time to start looking at colleges

February 19, 2008

Start looking at colleges your junior year so you can narrow your choices by the time you're a senior. Follow these tips for successful campus visits.

Visit your top college choices while the schools are in session. You won't get the true flavor of the school during breaks or finals week.

Schedule your visits at least two weeks in advance. Ask for appointments with an admissions representative, financial aid counselor and a faculty member in your area of interest.

Talk to a faculty member about upper-level classes in your anticipated major. Many students change majors because they don’t understand the subject matter or the degree of difficulty.

Ask the financial aid counselor how the college may offset tuition costs and about college-based scholarship applications and deadlines.

If possible, stay overnight in a residence hall and eat in the cafeteria. Ask about the personality of each hall so you can request one that suits you.

Check out the school’s website. You'll find admission requirements, academic and social information, and campus photos or a virtual tour.

Web resources to help with your college search

Find information about Midwest colleges in the College Profiles section at www.educationquest.org.

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College Fairs coming up in March and April

If you live in the Omaha/Lincoln vicinity, or plan to visit in late March or early April, make note of two upcoming college fairs.

Omaha College Affaire

Thursday, March 27

6-8 p.m.

Millard North High School

144^th & Pacific Streets

Lincoln College Affaire