The Graduate's Grind: Brigham Young University- Idaho
Admissions: The First Hurdle
By. Aly Fort
Applying for college can be a daunting task—believe me, I know. Though I am now a college senior, I can easily recall my last year of high school when I needed to make those crucial, life-changing decisions. Having no relatives who are college graduates, I was distraught, lost, and overwhelmed. However, through lots of hard work and learning the hard way, I was able to get through it all. How, you ask?
When applying to colleges, it’s a good idea to give some thought to what different fields you may want to study as an undergraduate. If you do have an idea, choose your university accordingly. As a college senior, I was still deciding whether or not I even wanted to go to college—finding a specific area to study was among the last of my worries. If you have no idea like I did, don’t panic. Most students do not know what areas they want to study until their second year of college. I ended up changing my major seven times while in college before I knew what I wanted to study.
When applying to colleges, it’s a good idea to give some thought to what different fields you may want to study as an undergraduate. If you do have an idea, choose your university accordingly. As a college senior, I was still deciding whether or not I even wanted to go to college—finding a specific area to study was among the last of my worries. If you have no idea like I did, don’t panic. Most students do not know what areas they want to study until their second year of college. I ended up changing my major seven times while in college before I knew what I wanted to study.
Visiting websites such as collegiateguide.com or collegeboard.com can be very helpful both when searching for a college to apply to and when considering different majors and minors. From there, you can find colleges and universities according to majors/minors offered, the campus life, the location, etc. You can also be led to a variety of university websites. Look at those websites; search their pictures; read student opinions. Find a campus you like and see what they offer. Talk to peers and parents about the ones that interest you.
Narrow your search down to four or five universities. If you have questions about them, call them directly. Usually the numbers to call are on the main homepage of that university. I recommend calling on your own, without parental assistance. This can build confidence and help you better retain the information you learn. Apply to all four or five of the universities you’ve selected. It’s better to keep your options open and be able to choose from the ones you are accepted to, rather than only apply to one and not be accepted.
Each university will have its own application process. Usually a copy of your high school transcript, letters of recommendation, SAT and ACT scores, and application essays are required. For example, the Brigham Young University steps to admission are as follows:
1. Visit http://www.byui.edu/Admissions/
2. Click on Apply Online and follow the steps the website tells you to.
Narrow your search down to four or five universities. If you have questions about them, call them directly. Usually the numbers to call are on the main homepage of that university. I recommend calling on your own, without parental assistance. This can build confidence and help you better retain the information you learn. Apply to all four or five of the universities you’ve selected. It’s better to keep your options open and be able to choose from the ones you are accepted to, rather than only apply to one and not be accepted.
Each university will have its own application process. Usually a copy of your high school transcript, letters of recommendation, SAT and ACT scores, and application essays are required. For example, the Brigham Young University steps to admission are as follows:
1. Visit http://www.byui.edu/Admissions/
2. Click on Apply Online and follow the steps the website tells you to.
Take everything one step at a time. Make to-do lists every day until your application processes are complete. Pay very close attention to deadlines. When asking for recommendations from your high school teachers, give them at least two weeks to complete their letters and send them in; they are busy people as well.
As you are waiting to hear back from your universities, do not stress. Take this time to prepare yourself. Purchase the things you need for your college living. If I had it to do all over again, I would not reference the lists of items most college websites tell you to acquire. I overspent, because I bought many things that I did not end up using. Save your money and wait to buy the items you absolutely need when you get there.
Be sure to apply for Financial Aid a good deal of time before the semester begins at your university of choice. Each school website should have a link to the financial aid website. It is: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. To fill this form out, you will need your own tax information as well as your parents. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of those adults around you; I am sure they are always willing to help out.
Just remember to stay calm, and don’t be afraid to ask questions of the universities or of those around you—chances are, most of the people you talk to have been to college and know exactly what you’re going through and how to help. Take everything one step at a time, and things will work out just fine.
As you are waiting to hear back from your universities, do not stress. Take this time to prepare yourself. Purchase the things you need for your college living. If I had it to do all over again, I would not reference the lists of items most college websites tell you to acquire. I overspent, because I bought many things that I did not end up using. Save your money and wait to buy the items you absolutely need when you get there.
Be sure to apply for Financial Aid a good deal of time before the semester begins at your university of choice. Each school website should have a link to the financial aid website. It is: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. To fill this form out, you will need your own tax information as well as your parents. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of those adults around you; I am sure they are always willing to help out.
Just remember to stay calm, and don’t be afraid to ask questions of the universities or of those around you—chances are, most of the people you talk to have been to college and know exactly what you’re going through and how to help. Take everything one step at a time, and things will work out just fine.
