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Hi. Bobby here again for another edition of Cappex White Board Friday.
And today we’re gonna be talking about the 3 biggest mistakes students make while trying
to find their perfect college. I mean, hey. In the last 12 hours, I've made 3 mistakes:
forgot to iron my shirt today, I ate a deep-fried bean burrito last night, I relied on my roommate
to wake me up for class this morning, which resulted in mistake #1. Anyways, let'***
the board.
Starting Too Late. There are a lot of important steps in the process, but none more crucial
than getting an early start so you can research, plan, and visit all the colleges you're interested
in.
It’s never too soon as a high school student to start that college search, but you really
need to consider turning up the heat in fall of your junior year. That’s when you’ll
begin preparing for the PSAT and AP exams, learning about scholarships and financial
aid options, and putting together a list of schools you’re considering.
Making Assumptions. Researching colleges is tough--it’s made even tougher by clouding
the process with preconceptions. Don’t believe all the hearsay, media hype, or rumors circulating
among your friends.
[Phone conversation] "Yeah, I can't figure out why Stacy's dating Tim. I'm way cuter
than he is. I think his parents own McDonald's or something."
Don’t rule out a school without deciding for yourself. You may never apply to your
perfect school because you thought it was too expensive, or that it was only for engineers,
or you didn’t have the grades. Do your research first!
Not Taking Advantage of Every Resource. Everyone has questions, and the answers are out there.
You just have to be willing to ask. Use all the resources you have available. Your guidance
counselor is a huge asset. Get to know him or her immediately so that you can work together
to make sure you’re on track to meet deadlines and achieve your goals.
Visit college fairs. Talk to your parents. Identify YOUR wants, needs, and expectations
for college, and make sure you fulfill those values.
Finally, take advantage of Cappex.com. If you don’t already have a profile, sign up
for free immediately and start connecting with colleges across the country.
Got it? Don’t start too late, don’t make assumptions, and take advantage of every resource.
You don’t wanna end up like this guy:
[Panicking student] "I started too late. I made terrible assumptions. I didn't take advantage
of every resource."
The 3 biggest mistakes in the college search process.
Cappex.com Giveaway
You like swag? Now it’s your turn. What do you think is the biggest mistake a student
can make in their college search? Leave a comment below, and one lucky person will win
this awesome Cappex mug.
--- That’s it for this week’s Cappex White
Board Friday.