Expert to BHS Students: Now's the Time to Apply for College

Illinois Student Assistance Commission representative Audrey Smith discusses “College 101” with students in an Adult Living class at Bolingbrook High School. Submitted by Valley View School District.

The time to get started on college applications is right now.

That’s what Illinois Student Assistance Commission representative Audrey Smith told students in Bolingbrook High School’s first period Adult Living class Tuesday morning.

“College is a big investment not only in money but also in your life,” Smith said. “You need to start thinking about your goals. What are they? Why do you want to go to college?”

The class, which consists mostly of seniors, heard about everything from the differences between public and private four-year universities, community colleges and vocational schools to the importance of making campus visits.

“You don’t have to make a decision right now on a major,” she pointed out. “Or you can choose a major, take some classes, and see if it’s the right path for you. A lot of people change majors in college.”

Among tips Smith gave students:

•Check out the size of a college, its reputation, tuition and all other costs, financial aid availabilities, campus life, course offerings, extracurricular activities, and class sizes, among other things. “It is going to be your home for the next four years so visit the campus. Every school looks good on a brochure and a website. Make a visit. Taste the food. Get a sense of the social life. Talk to the kids on campus.”

•Look into loans. “It is the best way to pay for college if you don’t get enough scholarships. But you have to make sure you don’t take out too many loans.”

•Look into scholarships and grants. Check out www.whatsnextIllinois.org. “You can bring down the cost of going to college by trying to get as many scholarships as possible. Who doesn’t want free money?”

•Apply to three or four schools, including at least one “reach” or dream school, one or two “good match” schools that you know would be the right fit for you, and one or two “safety” schools that will for sure accept you.

•Take the Act seriously. “ACT results are very important not only for admissions but also for scholarships as well.”

•Don’t slack off during your senior year in high school. “Senioritis is a disease and it’s contagious. Colleges still look at your grades even if you have been accepted.”

Smith’s presentation comes a week before both Bolingbrook and Romeoville High Schools launch College Application Month in which every senior will file at least one application to a post-secondary institution or talk with a military or trades recruiter.