Before we go any further, let's get organized with
The College Planning "Crate"

Here is a "crate" idea to help you organize for the college exploration process you will be involved in during the next 12-15 months.

Find a plastic crate designed to hold hanging file folders. If you don't have one around the house, they are available at office supply and discount stores. To begin, set up the following folders:

• Career Planning
• Standardized Tests
• College Planning
• Activities Resume
• Campus Visits
• Interview
• Personal Statement/Essay
• Scholarships
• Financial Aid (if applicable)

Reserve another 10-15 folders to label for each college you are interested in researching. As you begin to receive information from these colleges, you can set up a file for that school. As you weigh each college choice, you should move the college files around, arranging them in order of preference at that particular time. This offer may change as you progress through this process.

As you move through the college selection process, you will want more folders available. You can add material and make changes in your files to get you ready for things like college orientation and breaking away from life at home in preparation for your freshman year in college.

It's a challenging time and an exciting process. It will flow much more smoothly if you get organized before you begin.