Preparing for college, completing applications, and applying for scholarships can be a stressful time for students in their Junior and Senior years of high school. While STEM undergraduate programs are widespread, it is important to do your homework and find the options that are the best fit for you. Here are five suggestions and tips to help you work through this time in your life with greater ease.
Research Program Options
Visit https://www.usnews.com/education?int=top_nav_Education and use the search tool to look for the programs you are most interested in. This tool will define the program and give you a ranking of the top schools. For each of the ranking schools you can see:
• The school’s location
• Reviews and reputation score
• School enrollment
• Average SAT/ACT scores
• Admissions information
This will help you narrow your search so you can visit the school websites you are most interested in.
Network
Reach out to people who have careers in the STEM topics you are interested in. Ask about their college programs, the school they attended, and why. If they don’t have the information you are looking for, they might be able to get you connected with people who can provide the insights you need to pick a program and a college.
Create a Table or a Spreadsheet
As you begin identifying colleges with programs you are interested in, create a table or spreadsheet where you can record information for a side-by-side comparison. Because programs and coursework differ among schools, looking into the detailed coursework for a particular undergraduate program may steer you towards or away from a particular option. When you can easily visualize the options, benefits, and drawbacks it makes the information much more manageable.
Take Virtual Tours
While undergraduate programs and coursework are extremely important in making decisions about what colleges and universities to apply to, the school, location, environment, tuition, and amenities are other important factors to consider. Sign up for virtual tours so you can get a feel for the school and campus and what the school can offer you that is of value to your personal and scholastic success.
Reach out to Admissions Counselors
Admissions Counselors at the schools you are considering can shed a lot of light on the undergraduate programs they offer and how those programs match up with your interests. Don’t hesitate to reach out and take advantage of these resources.
If you are at the point in your life where you are exploring programs, be patient with yourself and work on it a little bit at a time. It is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the options but remember that over time you will find the best fit. If you have other ideas, experiences, and suggestions please share in the comments section.
Bright Futures Begin With STEM 