College is expensive. Knowledge, however, is absolutely free! Today, we're going to share some strategies you can use to maximize your chances of getting a great college education.
The first obstacle for many college-bound highschool students is cost, and there's many ways of overcoming that barrier... we'll get to that. First, let's look at the prerequisite to that, getting admitted.
Getting Admitted
To have real options, you need a combination of three things: grades, test scores (SAT or ACT), and extracurricular activities.
If your GPA isn't where you'd like it to be, don't despair. You can compensate in the other areas. My high school GPA wasn't great, but I was able to demonstrate capability through good SAT and a lot of involvement in the community.
If you haven't already done so, meet with your teachers after class or after school for coaching. Don't be afraid to ask, what do I need to do to get an "A" in this class? You'll get a good feel for where you stand and what your teacher wants to see in terms of your performance. Then follow through.
Next, test scores. Many people I know aren't great test takers, but still managed to get into the college of their choice. Begin with taking the PSAT or SAT as soon as you possibly can, even in your freshman or sophomore year. The experience will make you more comfortable.
Review courses can be helpful or harmful. The purpose of a review course or book is to get you familiar with how the questions will be phrased, not to memorize everything that could possibly come up. It's a good idea to work through some of the questions, and brush up on basic geometry and algebra. Memorize the formulas for area, length, and computing angles for different types of lines and polygons.
Don't spend hours memorizing vocabulary. It won't help, and may actually cause burnout. Instead, focus on context clues that can lead you to the correct answer. Invest a few dollars in a review book or a review course, but don't go overboard.
The biggest question is about extracurriculars and community service. You should try to do something in school that emphasizes creativity and leadership. It doesn't always mean holding class office - in fact, this has become very overrated. Instead, focus on things that show initiative. Start a club or organization. Create a public service project. It doesn't have to be elaborate - you can meet once a month, but the point is that you took the initiative to do it.
Getting $ for College
YES, you can! Your first stop should be the guidance office at your high school. They'll have books with national scholarships, as well as local organizations in your neighborhood. Dedicate at least one night a week towards researching and applying for scholarships.
Websites like Fastweb can also help. However, what if scholarships don't come through? There are always other options.
Family & friends can usually help, even small gifts and contributions add up. A $250 gift from Aunt Gladys can put a dent in your textbook budget. Host a dinner or reunion party to celebrate your leaving for college, and invite everyone to contribute. Just don't be tacky about it.
Does your parents' employer have a scholarship or tuition credit? They probably do. What about your church? They probably do, also. Make sure that everyone knows you've got your eyes on Howard (or A&T, or Hampton) and you need their support!
If all else fails, think entrepreneurially. Sponsor a car wash or community dinner to support your college fund. Invite your neighbors and friends. Publish a book with your poetry or short stories. Record a CD or get together with friends to come up with other ideas. Don't be afraid to think big!
With some planning and faith, ANYONE can go to college. Yes, that means you! Now, take the first step and make it happen.
Great information! I definitely concur. A trend that is becoming popular is to attend community college and transfer to a university. I think people utilize this option to save money because community colleges are inexpensive. If you want an education and money is a serious issue, I think starting at a community college is an option. However, I think to fully experience college life, I would try very hard to start & finish at an HBCU. In the big scheme of things, obtaining an education is the key, regardless, if it’s a community college, HBCU, or PWI. Personally, I really enjoyed the HBCU experience.
"Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested."
I was going to go to a community college and transfer to a 4-yr school for the last 2 years. But then Claflin offered me a full ride! All of that blood, sweat and tears in high school had FINALLY paid off! Who cares that I got a 45 during the last 9 weeks in Calculus?! I already had my acceptance and guaranteed scholarship! Caught a case of Senior-itis! lolCouldn't tell me nuttin!
From a potential student perspective, a community college is an option to save money. From a university perspective, community colleges hurt their revenue. Essentially, they lose 2 years worth of tuition, fees, etc. With that being said, if your school is in need of money, I would attend all 4 years.
Thanks for the positive feedback. I agree that community college can be an option to save money, but remember that a big part of the hbcu experience is adjusting to the new environment your freshman year. Many of your friendships are made in your first year, and your course load allows you to get more involved than in your junior and senior years. On the other hand, it can be helpful to knock out some gen ed courses (English, American History, Calculus etc) before you come.Also, people might want to consider CLEP exams. You can take the exam for $65 and test out of some of those basic courses instead of spending thousands in credit hours.
but remember that a big part of the hbcu experience is adjusting to the new environment your freshman year. Many of your friendships are made in your first year, and your course load allows you to get more involved than in your junior and senior years.
I can totally agree with those points by Jr & Sr yr you're just focusing on graduation. 1st & 2nd year it's about meeting folk and having fun. After you find your groove, you're set! Cheers to the HBCU Experience!
Does your parents' employer have a scholarship or tuition credit? They probably do. What about your church? They probably do, also. Make sure that everyone knows you've got your eyes on Howard (or A&T, or Hampton) and you need their support!
If all else fails, think entrepreneurially. Sponsor a car wash or community dinner to support your college 
All of that blood, sweat and tears in high school had FINALLY paid off! 
I already had my acceptance and guaranteed scholarship! Caught a case of Senior-itis! lol
