Summer came and went, and suddenly I realized I was starting my senior year, and I had done nothing to prepare for college applications. No letters of recommendation, no decided major, no research done on any colleges, and no idea how I would be able to afford to attend a four-year university.

So when September began, I decided it was time to seriously start thinking and preparing for college. With little knowledge on what I was doing, I applied to seven schools early action, doing zero research on any of these schools until I had heard back. If I could go back, I would tell myself this was a less than great idea.

I had no idea what college application resources were available and easily accessible to me right from my laptop. If I had known what resources I had, my application journey would have been much different. Now, as a second-semester senior, I can recognize what information I wish I knew before starting my college application process. Here are three things to think about before starting your college application journey.

1. Know what you want

It is completely okay to not have your entire future planned out at 17. Knowing what you want to study and pursue as a career is a big decision to make, and you shouldn’t feel rushed to make that decision just because others have. However, in the meantime, there are many other easier factors to consider when applying to college.

Do you want a small, medium, or big-sized school? School sizes can vary from less than 5,000 to over 100,000. Based on your educational preferences, you may prefer smaller class sizes, more one-on-one time with professors, or less crowded campus spaces. Or you might prefer the idea of a huge lecture hall with hundreds of students. Whichever scenario may be truer to you, consider this when refining your college application list.

Would you prefer to live in a rural, suburban, or city area? The area you live in for four years will impact your college experience. Weather, demographics, and environment can make or break your attitude towards college, which is why it’s very important to think about.

Are you looking for schools close or far from home? I knew I wanted to live on campus, but didn’t want to be more than a drive away from my family. If being close to home, family, or friends is important to you, you may consider attending an in-state college or university. On the other hand, if you know you want to explore and go far from home, consider that as you hit submit on your applications.

Remember to focus on what you think would be the most beneficial for you. Prioritize what you value educationally and socially. Take the time to visit campuses if possible before spending time and money applying to schools. I didn’t go on any college visits before applying. I did not consider how much all the little details meant to me. I only focused on location and acceptance rates and disregarded researching student life, campus size, dorm quality, and more.

In my process, I focused on finding three safeties, two targets, and two reaches, which I would recommend. Still, I had my heart set on a dream school, so I didn’t put much thought into my other schools. I visited my top school after being accepted, and I realized the campus is small, there’s limited food options, and it’s in the middle of nowhere. I wish I had kept an open mind and refrained from labeling it my dream school while knowing little about it. So spend time researching colleges you would genuinely like to attend. Don’t limit your options.

2. Think about testing

Throughout high school, I always believed I had to take the SAT if I wanted to go to college, but you actually don’t have to. When researching colleges, keep two questions in mind: are the colleges you are looking at tests required, and do you want to take the SAT?

Five years after the Covid-19 pandemic, most colleges remain test-optional, but there are some switching back to requiring standardized test scores. If you know you want to apply to test-required schools or want to submit your standardized test scores to test-optional schools because it will strengthen your application, plan to study for the SAT or ACT.

I would recommend studying during the summer before your junior year and then throughout the year as well. You can do this by taking Bluebook practice tests, answering practice questions online, using textbooks, or signing up for an SAT prep class. If you can, try to take your first SAT before the end of your junior year. This gives you the time to retake the test two, three, or even four times if you feel like you can perform better on a retake. You also get the opportunity to see what you should spend more time studying and what you already know when you get your score back.

It’s also okay not to take the SAT. If you know you don’t have the time to study, think you will do poorly, or you know you are applying test-optional, you don’t have to spend money to take it. Personally, I took the SAT twice so that I could achieve the best score possible, but still ended up applying test optional to all of my schools. I spent $136 to take the SAT just to decide afterwards I wasn’t going to submit my scores. It’s okay to take the SAT and then not submit your score like me, but know that there are multiple options when it comes to tackling standardized tests.

3. Keep money in mind

Whether you are able to cover your tuition or not, it is always a good idea to explore financial aid options to help cover tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. Taking advantage of financial aid can help make college more affordable and accessible.

Scholarships do not need to be paid back and are often awarded based on academic achievement. Colleges can award scholarships, but so can organizations and businesses. Grants are need-based, meaning they are awarded based on family income, and also do not need to be repaid. Loans are borrowed amounts of money that must be repaid and accumulate interest over time.

Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens the door to federal grants, work-study opportunities, and loans. Fill it out even if you don’t think you need or won’t qualify for financial assistance. You never know what you may qualify for. Every penny counts. Additionally, know if the schools you are applying to areneed-blind. Need-blind schools do not consider applicants’ financial need when considering admission, so upon acceptance, they will not cover all of your financial needs.

College applications can be overwhelming, but know that there’s always someone willing to guide you on this journey. You will end up exactly where you are meant to be.