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The college search and application process is your opportunity to take some time out of your hectic schedule to focus on yourself.  You get to think about your interests, likes, talents, and strengths, and show off your accomplishments.  The college search process is all about you, how you learn best, and how you find fulfillment.  

College is when you begin to truly come into your own.  You may be living independently for the first time and responsible for making your own decisions – not to mention that choosing a college may be one of the biggest decisions you have made so far.  Remember, when you do go to college, it is you who will be attending, so make sure that it’s your needs and interests you’re focusing on.

You and your parents should work in partnership throughout the college search.  It is important, of course, to rely on your parents for guidance and advice.  After all, they probably know you better than just about anyone.  But be assertive about your interests while remaining open to the insight your parents provide.  And remember, when you communicate with colleges, admissions counselors prefer to hear directly from you.  After all, if they only hear from your parents, how will they get to know you?

The college search is a time of self-exploration and personal development, and we want you to find your way to a college that fits your personality and learning style.  Taking ownership of your college search early will help you face the challenges ahead, and give you the confidence to relax a little and enjoy the process along the way.             

Getting put on a waitlist feels strange. You put so much effort into your application, all of this pressure and expectation builds up, and after all of that, you're told you still have to wait. If you've been placed a waitlist, you might be wondering, “What’s next?” 

Every college has its own policy, so be sure to check in with colleges you're waiting on. It's perfectly acceptable to call and ask how the waitlist is ordered (if at all) and managed, and to ask what you can do to increase your chances of admission.

Some schools have students arranged numerically, while others have students grouped in tiers. Others have no ranking system at all: if they need to go to their waitlist, they review whoever is on it at the time and go from there. You get the picture...

Regardless of how the waitlist is structured, if you want the best shot at being admitted, be sure to follow-up appropriately with the college(s) you're interested in.

Few colleges are able to make any movement on their waitlists before May 1st, the Universal Reply Date – so patience is key. After getting in touch with the college(s) you’re interested in, try to focus on the schools that have already offered you admission. Remember, you will need to submit an enrollment deposit to one of them by May 1st!

You've put a lot of effort into your applications, and hopefully you’re hearing good news from colleges.  That said, you’re likely receiving a mix of decisions from a variety of schools.  Here’s some advice on how to get through the coming weeks, as the college application process begins to wind down.

1) Celebrate your acceptances!  You worked hard, and deserve all of your success. 

2) Prepare to be recruited.  When a college admits you, they want you to enroll, and they will do their best to make you feel wanted.  Expect invitations to visit campus and phone calls or letters from current students; some schools will even send you t-shirts, scarves, or posters.  Take advantage of opportunities to meet with students, spend the night in a dormitory, and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.

3) It’s OK to be disappointed by a deny letter, but try not to get hung up on it.  Most students end up having a great time at whatever college they attend, even if it wasn't their first choice.  Besides, you should be excited about all of the schools you applied to (otherwise, why did you apply?).

4) Remember, when you don’t gain admission to a school, the college did not reject you. Your application was denied.  It is a subtle, but significant, difference.  A college may not have a space for you in the fall, but you are still the same smart, motivated, and talented student you always were. No admissions decision defines you.

5) Focus on the schools to which you were admitted.  Those schools are excited about you!  Boost your ego and spend some time with people who think you’re awesome.  

Cheating in any academic setting is not only immoral, but also holds significant consequences.  Twenty students found that out the hard way in an SAT cheating scandal on Long Island last year. Legal charges of fraud and illegal impersonation were brought against students who paid others to take their exams for them; legal action was also taken against those who accepted payment to take the exam.  In all, 20 students from 5 high schools were charged.

In an effort to eliminate cheating on standardized tests, the College Board and ACT are tightening up their rules for test-takers.  Students will now be required to submit a photograph when they sign up for the SAT or ACT, and officials will check that student IDs match their registration photos.  In addition to the requirement to submit a photograph, several other changes will be implemented, as well. 

Standby testing, whereby students can register the day of the exam, will be eliminated, and students will have to certify their identity in writing at the test center.  Furthermore, test-takers will be required report their gender, birth-date, and high school.  Previously, students could choose not to report their high school, but with the new changes, all scores will be sent to the high school, along with the students’ photographs. 

Plans were also proposed to send student photographs to colleges along with their SAT or ACT scores.  However, due to concerns that sending photographs might influence admissions decisions, this proposal is under reconsideration.  The ACT has opted not to send photographs to colleges, and the SAT will not automatically send photographs, but make them available to colleges in a database.

The new regulations will go into effect this fall for both the SAT and ACT.

The University of California system has proposed asking incoming freshmen to identify their sexual orientation.  For now, they are only considering asking incoming students, but this is something that admissions offices at other colleges are beginning to explore.

Elmhurst College began to ask applicants about their sexual orientation last year.  Elmhurst is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, which endorsed gay marriage in 2005.  They even have some scholarships available for students who self-identify as gay in order to foster a more diverse campus community.

Asking students to report their sexual orientation on an admissions application or prior to enrollment serves a dual purpose.  It is important for practical reasons so that colleges know what types of resources and support services they will need to provide for the incoming students.  It also demonstrates that colleges recognize the value of a diverse student population, not just in terms of ethnicity and geography, but sexual orientation, as well.

For more details, you can read the full story at The Choice, a New York Times blog about college admissions.