For many, graduating high school will mean applying to college. While the deadlines of applying for admission to the majority of schools already passed, procrastinators lucky enough to apply to late-deadline schools should consider these suggestions.

Those planning on attending a college or university should have taken into account which classes colleges would prefer to see students take. When preparing to schedule high school courses, the admission committee would encourage students to select a challenging curriculum such as Advanced Placement and honors courses. Students who challenge themselves in school and maintain a B+ or greater GPA strengthen their admission applications.

Volunteering is important; not only will one be contributing to the community, but a student increases marketability to colleges. You can also become eligible for far more scholarships when you volunteer your time and talent.

Also, it cannot be stressed enough that involvement in school activities is extremely important.

Decide on the factors most important to you in a college or university; give serious thought to what you want in a university. Consider such factors as location, size, student diversity and academic study. Find specifically what interests you in each school.

During the college search, visit a number of campuses and meet with many admission counselors. Campus visits allow you to get a feel for the college/university, and determine whether the institution fits your personality. To make the most out of these visits, ask the admission counselors questions about areas of interest on campus, internships and speaking to professors.

Take advantage of the campus tours; it is crucial to visit the campus before making a final decision. Also, be sure to take a campus tour while school is in session to guarantee faculty members will be on campus. Try to avoid visits during final exam weeks in order to speak with faculty without interrupting a class.

A major drawback of applying to college is application fees; most range from $45-$65. Applying to several schools can become expensive. Senior Nicole Duncan said, “Try to apply online whenever possible so you can avoid application fees.”

If a prospective student of a college has any questions, the person should contact someone at the school; phone numbers are always available to those eager to learn more about the schools.