Knee deep in college applications and feeling slightly overwhelmed? Take a breath, and read on. We asked authors, consultants and others for their best tip (or reminder) for high school students when it comes to staying afloat while applying to colleges. Here’s what they said… 

Didn’t make it to a group information session last month? No worries. There are plenty of opportunities in October to visit campus, hear from the Office of Admissions about Siena College and take a tour. Here are the next few. (And if you have already visited campus, consider coming back on one of our Revisit Days for a more personalized experience!)

We know how much you love learning about colleges from admissions officers (right?!), but it’s definitely worth it to take any opportunity you can to hear from others at the schools you’re interested in. Students. Alumni. Even deans. They see all, know all and genuinely want prospective students to feel comfortable chatting with them. Plus, their perspectives can enlighten you on aspects of that school you didn’t even know to ask about, and ultimately, may help you put more ‘pros’ on the big list of where to apply. So! Now’s your chance to hear from our deans.

Every month, our admissions team will post a checklist of a couple things you could be doing at that time to 1) move along in the admissions process, or 2) better prepare yourself for when you’re ready to apply. Here’s our advice for October.

As you continue to research which colleges will best prepare you for a successful career, or as you deliberate majors, you might come across people or articles online who will try to derail you from choosing a path in the liberal arts. The collective advice from my knowledgeable team at Siena College, from employers we know and from graduates themselves is this: don’t listen to them.

You’ve no doubt been inundated with invitations from colleges asking you to visit their campus. As hard as it may be to find the time to attend admissions events, it’s so important that you do. We can’t stress enough how campus visits can really be the deciding the factor—the edge you need—to get ahead of the application process and choose where you want to go. It can also help your parents feel good about your decision. How about a little proof of the influence an admissions event can hold? 

We get to ask prospective students all the time what they look for in a college. A very common response: student life. And when we question what specifically they mean, it usually comes down to what students do for fun.

When Siena students really want something, Siena students get it. Case in point: During his time here, the class of 2014’s student body president and GOLD scholar, Ryan Murphy, helped convince the school that the Sarazen Student Union needed a fresh renovation. Now, it’s cooler than ever (if we do say so ourselves).

Fast forward to the time in your life when you have kids of your own, and imagine that you’re about to send them off to college. What’s the first thing you’ll want to know? If ‘Will they be safe?’ comes to mind, you’re not unlike the many, many parents who ask us about that very thing. Fortunately, here at Siena, we’re happy to be able to put your parents at ease.

The Department of Public Safety at Siena College consistently maintains a safe campus environment through a range of services that reflect our Franciscan and Catholic values. Here are some fast facts about our school when it comes to safety:

October is right around the corner, which for high school students means one thing: the SATs are fast approaching. On October 11, thousands of students will be sitting down to take the SAT or one of the many SAT Subject Tests. If you’re reading this, you’re one of them—and you’re in search of a few helpful hints to prepare as best you can. So that’s exactly what we have here: our favorite tips from the College Board, reprinted with permission. (After you read them, be sure to download our SAT checklist.)