college planning during covid-19 isolation
Posted : March 19, 2020
Last Updated : March 19, 2020
Our eCampusTours family hopes that you and your families are staying safe and practicing social distancing. We are all coping with an unprecedented period of uncertainty; one that is evolving daily and having unforeseen impacts. While COVID-19 has postponed numerous activities, it doesn’t have to stop your college planning. Use this time of isolation to kick your college planning into high gear.
Research scholarships.
Scholarship opportunities can be found in many places. Search websites of financial aid offices, major departments, libraries, local civic organizations, your (or your parents') employer, local businesses, etc. For more methods on finding scholarship opportunities to help with your higher education expenses, read
Ways to Find Scholarships. Be sure to
register for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship from eCampusTours.
View campus tours.
Prepare for college admissions tests.
ACT and SAT testing has been postponed for the time being. If you were scheduled for April or May testing, you now have extra time to prepare! Look into taking free practice tests for the
ACT or
SAT.
Create a high school resume.
As a high school student, you may think that you don't need a
resume until you are about to graduate from college and begin your search for a full-time job. However, high school students need resumes just as much as college students do. From getting into college to obtaining a part-time job, a resume is essential because college recruiters and employers alike want to see a brief summary of your abilities, education, and experiences.
Make a list of top college choices.
Finding a college that "fits" means taking into account majors, study abroad programs, internship opportunities, career placement success rates, and much more. Use this time to make a list of your top college choices and research their websites to see if they offer what you are looking for in a college.
Write sample essays.
Essays are an integral part of the college admissions and scholarship application process. A college admissions or scholarship essay should be personal, intriguing, and well written. It should have a focus and be specific. It should make you stand out from other applicants. Use this time to practice writing your
essays for college admissions and scholarship applications.
Hold mock college admission interviews.
Grab a family member to assist you by asking questions that a college admissions interviewer might pose. Here are examples of questions that may be asked during college interviews:
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What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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Why do you want to attend this school?
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What do you do in your spare time?
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What courses have you enjoyed the most?
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What has been your greatest experience in high school?
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What is your favorite book?
Once you go through a mock interview, you will be better prepared and less nervous when the time comes for the actual interview.
Stay safe, friends.