Early Decision II: Offered by some schools, it is virtually identical to Early Decision except application deadlines are later, usually January 1st. As with Early Decision, only one school can be applied to. I’m not an advocate of this one either. Follow Early Decision criteria above and proceed accordingly.

Early Action: Except for Early Decision candidates, I encourage all students to apply for Early Action. Students apply from September 15th to January 1st, and notices usually go out between December 15th and January 31st, (dates may vary). Applying for Early Action has one definite advantage. Since competition is so fierce, sooner a student applies better. For barely qualified student, this is only way to go. It would be highly unlikely such a student would qualify in general applicant pool, as they would be competing against far too many honor students and would pale by comparison. Also, students apply to college at beginning of senior year, and any grades beyond mid-term may not count at all! Always implement this strategy!

Early Notification: This is similar to Early Action, except that some schools might also ask for a commitment to their financial aid package well in advance of traditional May 1st deadline. Unless they make an offer you can’t refuse, ask them to extend their deadline until family has had sufficient time to consider all offers from schools student has been accepted to. I would strongly advise against negotiations because student will be at a serious disadvantage with no other offers to compare and accepting could be a very costly mistake! Avoid this like plague!

Open Admissions: Some four year, most two year and virtually all community colleges will offer all applicants admission on a come-as-you-are basis. If they have room, as long as you have a high school diploma – you’re in! Implement when available.

Rolling Admissions: (I’ve saved best for last.) This is a most advantageous school policy for applicants, as colleges offering Rolling Admissions will notify students of their status within a few weeks of receiving all necessary application documents. They usually accept students until such time as their quotas have been satisfied. Check admissions policies of schools you’re applying to and by all means implement this strategy whenever and wherever available.

This is one of a series of articles by college admissions and financial aid expert, Reecy Aresty, based on his book, “Getting Into College And Paying For It!” For further information or to contact him, please visit www.thecollegebook.com.

However, before packing your bags and filling up SUV with gas, make a checklist that includes following:

Confirm that everything you plan to visit will be open and, ideally, that school is in session. Ask plenty of questions and be an attentive listener. Consider bringing a video camera or tape recorder for your notes no matter how good your memory is. Find out who reads applications from your area and, if possible, try to meet with a reader and be sure to keep in touch with them. Student athletes should meet with a coach or two. Listen to school radio station and get a copy of campus newspaper. If student has Greek intentions, visit some frat or sorority houses. Students should check out dorm unannounced, introduce themselves to attending students and pick their brains.

Have a snack in cafeteria. After all, their food is what student will be eating for next four years! Students who have decided upon their course of study should make every effort to arrange a meeting with head of that particular department and audit a class or two. This may require an overnight, giving student a greater opportunity to check out dorm.

These are some college selection websites I recommend:

•For alternative criteria go to www.fairtest.org or call 617-864-4810. They have a list of some 300 schools that apply non-traditional guidelines in Admissions Process.

•Afro-American schools: www.blackhighereducation.com/hbcu.html

•Jesuit schools: www.ajcunet.edu

•Jewish affiliation: www.hillel.org

•Trade and vocational schools: www.overview.com/colleges/

This is one of a series of articles by college admissions and financial aid expert, Reecy Aresty, based on his book, “Getting Into College And Paying For It!” For further information or to contact him, please visit www.thecollegebook.com.