Nearing College—Your Prep Starts Here

When do you need to start your search? Well, the easy answer is, “the sooner, the better.” Starting your college search early gives you a better understanding of what it takes to get into the schools you really want. For example, most colleges look for well-rounded students. That means:

• Getting good grades
• Participating in extracurricular activities or volunteer work
• Being active in the community
• Scoring well on standardized tests

But if your goal is getting into a highly competitive school with low acceptance rates—like Harvard or Yale—you’ll likely have a more rigorous path you’ll need to take to stand out. So, starting early can set you up for success later on.

• To get started, think about what matters most to you:
• Do you want to stay close to home or go far away?
• Do you already have a major picked out?
• Do you want a big campus or small? Answering these questions can help you narrow your options.
• Next, start your research. Try College Match from College Raptor, Citizens’ college planning platform. You’ll enter your preferences (which you’ve already thought about), add in your GPA, test scores, and any other preferences, and you’ll be matched with schools that are a fit for you.
• Add about 10–20 schools to your list (a mix of safety, reach, and match schools).
• When the Common App opens on August 1, start preparing to submit your applications! You’ll need to start requesting recommendation letters, take the SAT or ACT, and write a stellar application essay.
• Try to make college visits when you have time.

Don’t miss a step! See what you need to do to start your college search if you’re starting out early as a junior, or if you’re getting started a little later as a senior.

Once those acceptance and offer letters start coming in, it’s time to start making some decisions. Here’s how you can narrow your list:

1. Compare offer letters from each school so you can see which college gave you the best deal.
2. Make a pros and cons list. Do each of the schools you’ve been accepted to meet your requirements for campus size, student life, major focus, geo location, or other important factors? 
3. Consider another campus visit. Maybe you didn’t get into your top choice. When you are at the campus, does it feel comfortable to you? Can you see yourself there for the next four years? 
4. Make a plan to pay. Talk to your family and make sure you are comfortable about affording the college you most want to attend. 
5. Make your final decision by May 1—National Decision Day.

See what’s next after you’ve made your final decision.

If you didn’t get into your top choice school, your journey isn’t over—it just may look a little different (and could be even better!). You can:

• Accept another of your accepted college offers. Consider visiting (or revisiting) those schools and talking to current students and alumni.
• Consider attending a community college and try applying to your top choice next year or semester. 
• Consider applying to a rolling admissions college.

If your “what’s next” after high school isn’t a traditional 4-year college, that’s okay. Here are some options you can explore that could still offer amazing experiences.

1. Go to community college — Earn a two-year associate's degree for less money. It’s a great way to start a career or set up a transfer to a four-year school later.
2. Start working — Gig work and part-time jobs don’t necessarily require a 4-year degree, so start working and saving money. Maybe you’ll find something you love! 
3. Start at a trade school or vocational program — Learn hands-on skills for specific jobs and become an electrician, mechanic, plumber, or cosmetologist. These options are faster, affordable, and prepare you for often well-paying jobs.
4. Online degrees — If flexibility is the reason a 4-year college wasn’t for you, online degrees could offer what you need. Study from anywhere and at your own pace while working or handling other responsibilities.
5. Enlist in the military — The military offers a steady paycheck, free training, health benefits, and future college funding. Choose from: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. 
6. Take a gap year — Need a break? Use a gap year to travel, work, volunteer, or explore interests. 
7. Volunteer with the Peace Corps — Spend some time overseas helping communities while gaining real-world experience and learning about other cultures. It’s a great way to grow and give back.

If you’re still not sure about what path you should take, try exploring career options with our Career Finder. You’ll see what job skills you need for each career, expected salaries, and job growth projections.

The cost of college depends on several factors. Are you going to a public in-state university, public out-of-state university, or a private college? Then you have the “sticker price”—the price listed on the school's website, and the “net price”—the amount you’ll actually pay after federal grant aid and scholarships. 

Here's a look at recent figures for full-time undergraduate students attending 4-year colleges (full cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, and food):  

Source: TRENDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION SERIES Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024

While college is expensive, there are ways to help make it more affordable. We generally recommend following these steps:

1. Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA helps determine if you qualify for federal financial aid including, grant aid, work study, and, of course federal student loans. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for federal aid, it could qualify you for other state and institutional aid so you should always submit the FAFSA anyway. 
2. Next, search and apply for grants and scholarships. There are thousands of scholarships available and millions of dollars get left on the table each year. Quick tips:
• Scholarships can be funded by many different sources—private institutions as well as federal and state entities—and can be awarded for many different things (extracurricular accomplishments, hobbies and interests, and more).
• Grants are typically funded by your state or federal government and are more often need-based awards. 
• Neither scholarships nor grants need to be paid back like student loans. However, keep in mind they often have eligibility requirements that need to be met.
• Use this scholarship search tool to find both grants and scholarships you could be eligible for. 
3. Consider work study or part-time jobs. Between gig work and part-time work near campus, you can earn some money while you learn. Each paycheck can go a little towards tuition or housing. 
4. Federal first! Start with federal loans first, then consider private student loans. Federal student loans tend to have lower interest rates than private student loans, generally have flexible payment options, and some could qualify for loan forgiveness. Plus, you don’t need a cosigner. Learn more about the difference between private and federal student loans and when you should apply. 

You should always apply for FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for federal aid. FAFSA is free to apply and basically the gateway into qualifying you for all types of federal aid, work study, federal student loans, and even state and institutional grant aid. If you don’t fill out the FAFSA, you could be missing out on money to help make your dream school more affordable. Learn more about FAFSA and how to get started filling out the form.