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Ask An Expert: Tips On Starting The College Search

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Now that college application season has gone into full swing, seniors are becoming more anxious than ever about their post-high school prospects. Fears of not getting into college or, even worse, not being able to afford the college of their choice make some students wary about the entire process before they even get started. John Marshall High School's college counselor Tricia Bryan states, "My advice is not to worry, You will get in somewhere and, in a few months, your worries about this very important next step will become a distant and perhaps humorous memory."

Tricia Bryan
John Marshall High School
3939 Tracy St.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 671-1439
www.johnmarshallhs.org

Tricia Bryan has spent the past 10 years as the College Counselor at John Marshall High School, a public high school located in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles. She advises all kinds of students, many of whom are the first in his or her family to attend college. During the school day at Marshall, Ms. Bryan helps in finding the right college fit and assists her students through the application process.

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Have An Open Heart

"Most students have a college they have 'dreamed' of attending since they heard the word college. However, by the time senior year rolls around, dreams and reality should be more aligned. There are plenty of colleges where a student can be happy attending, so it would be selling the student short to think there is only one. Shop around and apply to a variety of schools so that you have options."

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Be Bold and Brave

"The idea of leaving your family, friends or the community you have known all your life to attend a school in a mysterious place can be scary, especially if you will be the first in your family to attend college. However, this experience can be equally exciting and adventurous. This is a rare time in your life when you will be able to enjoy fresh experiences with a cross section of other young people and discover or explore new aspects of yourself academically, socially and developmentally in a supportive environment. Take advantage of living in this bubble of sorts before the responsibilities of life really start to kick in post graduation."

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Don't Fret About Your Future Major

"With college graduates facing a rough and rapidly changing economy, the hot major for today may not translate into a dream job later. It is more important to gain skills that can be used in a variety of job markets instead of limiting yourself to one field. Build a resume while in college that will highlight your abilities to think both critically and creatively."

Related: 5 Best Educational Apps For High School Students

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Ignore The Sticker Price

"Yes, college is ridiculously expensive. Many families see a $60,000 price tag and worry about how attending can possibly be feasible. Worry less about this when deciding upon which colleges to apply. Very rarely do mid to lower income families pay the full price of college. By deciding where to apply based on cost, you may miss out on a college that can provide an excellent education and a generous financial aid package."

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Rankings Aren't Everything

"It is tempting to decide what college to apply to based on name recognition or where that college stands on a rankings list. Attending a highly recognizable school does not always equate to success. It is important to evaluate how a school will prepare you for life outside of simply being able to allow you to state that you went there."

Related: Best ACT and SAT Prep in Los Angeles

Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.

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