By Paula Steers Brown, August 2007

• Introduction
• Meet your match
• What do they have to offer you and what can you offer them?
• Standardized test savvy
• The application: narrow the focus
• Your essay: extract the unique
• Show your passion
• Finding funding
• Download the full article as a

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Introduction

College acceptance has become so competitive that parents and students worry simply about the thought of applying. It’s really not that bad. Students can do it themselves. Parents are a key support system, but the student must be the one to get excited about following his or her chosen goals. Teenagers may balk at the amount of work required, but they have to do it for the application to ring true.

Even if you have never demonstrated much organizational ability, have never been a strong participant in class discussion, have never shown much academic focus, it is not too late. Turn over a new leaf. Show your guidance counselor, teacher, coach—and especially your parents or guardian— that you care deeply about going to college. If you have never scheduled one meeting with your guidance counselor, schedule it now. Then consider these tips.