Where do I start?

Developing a list of colleges to apply to is similar to writing an essay in one aspect: Starting either is often the most difficult part.

More often than not, a trip to the high school guidance office is the first and often best place to begin your college search. The school counselor may ask you some initial questions - the answers to which you may or may not know. Then, he/she will direct you to some Web sites that essentially store data on colleges. Once you select criteria, these sites will winnow down that list as you choose your wants and needs.

Two of the most commonly referred to you sites are www.collegeboard.com and www.princetonreview.com. I am a particular fan of collegeboard, though both have helpful pages. These sites, alone, are good starting points, but they are just that: the beginning.

It is essential to do some research on the colleges either through the college Web site, college visits, meeting with college reps at your school, or going on a virtual tour of the college.

Identifying an initial list of 30 colleges seems large, but it really is fine. Ultimately, you want to get that list down to 9 schools - ones you could see yourself attending for four years. If one of the schools is a safety school that you know you can get accepted to but don't wish to attend, don't bother applying.

Most teenagers have no idea what they want to major in, or what they want to do with their lives after school. Some know what they want to major in, but later change their mind. Bottom line: Don't pick a school because it has a great program in the major that interests you. Select a school for other factors: good academic and social fit, plenty of extracurricular programs that interest, near a city or suburb your liking, close to home, etc.

DIY, with a little help

A story published last week in the Boston Globe said college admissions offices are smartening up to the tactic whereby students get help, or hire someone, to write their college application essay.

With an increasing emphasis placed on the importance of the essay, students and their parents more and more are turning to "writing coaches" to guide and improve the dreaded 500-word or less writing sample. Parents figure a little help will give their child an edge in an arena where more students are applying to college than ever before. Briefly, competition for seats in the most highly selective universities has never been greater.

Admissions officers are turning for help if they feel a student's essay is not their own, seeking the advice of their writing professor colleagues. Other times, admissions will seek a graded writing sample from the applicant, or simply call the high school for their input.

Still, there is a place for getting help with your essay if you are student. My first suggestion for advice would be a high school English teacher whose input you value. Secondly, finding a good writing coach who can make suggestions on the overall tone, direction, and clarity of your essay may make sense. In the end, a strong student-written essay can even pay off in terms of possible scholarships.

For more information, go to the following Web site: www.eagleeducationalconsulting.com.

College Panel March 12 in Hamilton

Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School will host a college panel March 12 at 7 p.m. in its music room. Intended for juniors in high school and their parents, the panel will feature representatives from BC, BU, Harvard, Northeastern, Suffolk, UMass-Amherst and North Shore Community College. The event should be informative for those people who are not familiar with the application and admission process.