As a senior, I recently went through the busy process of applying to colleges. Here are some hints for students and their families to help you through the maze!

I began my college search at the start of my junior year, which is about the time students should begin. During breaks and over the summer, I traveled to and toured several college campuses, including most of the UCs, a couple of the CSUs, and several other public and private universities from California to the east coast. I quickly realized the importance of touring and visiting the campuses — it provided insight to the colleges that you don’t get from merely looking around on their websites.

My high school counselor, Ms. Debbie Collins, advised me throughout the college application process and recommended I narrow my search to a few schools — about six. That way I could apply to two “safety” schools where I knew I’d be accepted, two match schools where I knew I had a good chance, and two “reach” schools that were long shots, but possibilities.

To determine which category a school belongs in, check out each school’s admissions requirements, including test scores and GPA. The requirements are usually based on the previous years’ entering freshman class and can be found on schools’ websites and in college information books. I found Princeton Review’s 361 Colleges to be a very helpful reference.

Finding a college that’s right for you can seem overwhelming at first because there are so many options and applying to college is becoming increasingly competitive. It helps to be practical. Consider whether you want to attend a public or private school and whether you want to stay in or out of state. In your spare time, research! Go on school websites and look around. If you have an idea of what you want to major in, check which schools offer that major, and how colleges are reputably ranked based on that major.

At Coronado High School, the College and Career Center (CCC) has counselors available for students to discuss college and career options. The center is full of helpful resources, including SAT, ACT, and AP test review books and college information books. You can check them out, too. College recruiters often hold information sessions about their schools at the CCC. The center, on the first floor of the 400 building, is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at lunch and after school.

Most schools — with the exception of UC schools — have the Early Action and Early Decision plans. For the Early Action plan, you have to meet a deadline that is significantly earlier than the regular deadline, and you find out whether or not you are admitted earlier, as well. For the Early Decision plan, you also have to meet an earlier deadline and you find out earlier, but if you are accepted, you must attend. Students can only apply Early Decision to one school. The advantages of applying one of these ways is to find out earlier, and sometimes it may be slightly easier to be accepted if you do so because it shows you are committed and really want to attend that school.

Most applications are completed and submitted online. On the application, you enter classes you have taken, grades received, GPA and test scores (SAT I or ACT, and usually SAT II). You also enter any extracurricular activities you have participated in throughout high school — sports, clubs, awards, and work experience. UC schools and most private schools require essays called “personal statements,” which provide the opportunity for you to describe yourself and really stress what makes you unique from other applicants. There is also an application called the Common Application, which many colleges, especially private ones, use.

You must send transcripts consisting of grades from your freshman through junior years, and many schools request subsequent grade reports as each semester is completed. After you apply, you So there you have it…must also send test scores to the colleges — both SAT and ACT usually, but they may give you an option to send one set of scores or the other. As opposed to CSU, UC and several private colleges, require SAT II scores.

Most private colleges request a certain number of letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors. Public universities do not.

UC and CSU applications are due at the end of November, and most other public and private universities are due at the beginning of January. You will usually be notified of your acceptances by April 1, or possibly earlier. The deadline to commit to a college is May 1.

The SAT is administered throughout the academic school year; SAT I is a general reasoning test in mathematics, verbal and writing, and SAT II is a battery of tests on specific subjects. It is recommended that you take the SAT more than once, in hopes of increasing your scores each time. Deadlines to register for these tests are roughly a month before they are administered. Check out www. collegeboard.com to sign up.

Most students also take the ACT, similar to SAT I, but with a science section. The ACT is administered in the months of April and June. Students usually perform significantly better on either the ACT or the SAT I so it’s a good idea to take both so you can decide which scores you want to submit to colleges (if given a choice). You may also retake the ACT until you are satisfied with your score. Check out www.act.org to sign up. Remember, your school counselors are there for you if you have any questions at all. Once it’s time to start applying to colleges and for scholarships and financial aid, they will keep you informed.

If you are not accepted to your choice college, many universities, both private and public, offer an option for you to appeal your declined admission decision. They may not mention it if and when they decline you, but you can contact the admissions offices to learn how you can appeal. Most colleges discourage appeals unless you have “new and compelling information” that was not mentioned in your original application. The appeal process usually consists of a new essay, and some colleges allow copies of your most recent transcripts and a limited number of recommendation letters. Check with admissions departments to learn exactly what they want.

Another path is the community college route. Students who are not accepted to their choice schools or who are trying to make money for college may choose to attend a two-year community college, and then transfer to a university. Community college is a more affordable option. The San Diego Community College District consists of San Diego City College (in downtown San Diego), Mesa College (in Kearny Mesa), and Miramar College. Here, a “TAG” (Transfer Admission Guaranteed) program guarantees admission when they transfer to a UC or CSU campus for students who maintain a certain GPA.

Before you apply to schools, it’s a good idea to visit the campuses of the schools you are most interested in. When you go, be sure to check out housing and take the campus tour, which is usually led by a student. Check out the websites to see when tours are available; the best times to tour are when students are on campus. This way, you can get a feel for the student life. Don’t be afraid to ask the students questions — they’ll love to tell you about their school! Good luck!