Last minute college choice unadvisable,
Yet, still prudent given the alternatives

By Hilliard Lackey

As strange as it may seem, hundreds of 2006 Mississippi high school 
graduates and an estimated one million diploma earners nationwide have yet 
to settle on a choice of campuses for the fall term. Here are some tips 
that may aid prospective college students in making a ninth hour 
decision.

First and foremost, complete an online application to at least three 
schools: (1) your dream school, (2) a state university and (3) a local 
community college. Do that today or tonight. Usually, there is no fee 
involved and it only takes a few minutes to complete one application. This 
puts the student in the system and gives the prospective college 
something to build on in the admission process. 

No matter how you feel or what your intentions are, you need more than 
one choice. That is, you would do well to have a maybe, an almost sure 
thing, and a sure thing. The community college is the sure thing

Second, have your high school submit an official transcript and ACT or 
SAT scores to each of your three schools noted above. High schools 
typically downsize their staff during summer months and getting an official 
transcript may present a problem. Colleges are aware of this and bend 
over backwards to accommodate prospective students. They will 
tentatively accept unofficial copies of your test scores, transcripts or final 
grades until the high school can follow up with the real deal.

The third step is to submit a copy of your immunization record to all 
three schools. This is a state requirement and unless you have proof 
that you have had all mandatory shots, you may have to take one or two. No 
Mississippi public college or university is allowed to admit you 
without proof of immunizations.

The waiting game begins after applications, test scores, transcripts 
and immunization records have been submitted. Now, your prospective 
campus must process your paperwork that ought to have been submitted months 
earlier. It pays to make a courtesy visit to the admissions office to 
personally check on the progress of your paperwork. Staff members are 
more likely to give your case priority if they deem you are truly 
interested.

You are not through. College matriculation requires funding. The basic 
funding for students not on scholarship and not paying out of their 
pockets is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It may be 
submitted online with a 50-50 chance of being processed within two to 
four weeks. In rare cases, a college will hand process the FAFSA and 
make a determination of your qualifying for certain funds. Do not count on 
this happening but if needed, request it anyway. 

There are about six weeks left before new students report to college 
campuses. Time is a wasting – narrow your choices to three or less and 
kick-start the process.

hlackey@ bellsouth.net 

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