Introduction

Planning for college can be one of the most exciting times in a young person's life. But it can also be stressful, because there's a lot that has to happen before you're actually moving into your new dorm room or you start at a college nearby. The process of selecting a college or university and applying for admission probably starts around the time you take your PSATs and concludes (happily, we hope) by April of your senior year in high school when you're notified of your status (acceptance or rejection) at the college of your choice.

Whether you are a student or a parent, the entire college admission process can seem mysterious. Try not to let all the news stories about how difficult it is to get accepted to colleges scare you. Media coverage of college admissions often succumbs to the sensational instead of being informative, which only increases the anxiety of parents and students. Also, look beyond college rankings and the "prestige factor." With advanced planning and research, you'll find many colleges that are a great fit for you.

Admission rates at top schools have been decreasing in the past few years. There are several reasons for this. First, the population of graduating high school seniors has increased. Second, the percentage of high school graduates choosing to attend college has also increased. When you add to this that seniors are applying to more schools, and the number of seats in each freshman class has remained relatively fixed, the result is a more competitive admissions process at top schools. However, this is a skewed picture of admissions. If you look beyond the top schools, you might be surprised to learn that on average, four-year schools still accept about 70% of their applicants.

What is the message here? If you do your homework and research schools, chances are you will be accepted to a school that is a good fit for you. Let′s get started.

Additional Information:

• Refrigerator List
• Going to a College Fair
• Applying to College
• Admission Requirements for CA Schools
• College Visits
• Factors in College Admission
• Choosing a Right Fit
• Types of College Admission
• Making the Final Decision

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