As seniors approach the second month of school, they may be asking, "Where do I need to be in the process of applying to college?" At this point, seniors should be narrowing their college choices to between three and five schools. They should get an application and financial aid information from each and visit as many as possible. A campus visit is best, but visiting college web sites can be helpful, as well as going to www.eCampusTours.com to do a virtual tour. Over 500 schools can be visited online at this site.

As students visit campuses, they need to compare such factors as total enrollment, campus location, student/faculty ratio, application fees, application deadlines, tuition and fees, grade-point average (GPA) requirement, majors offered, campus involvement, and honors program. Parents and students should not be afraid to ask questions. A list of additional questions to ask colleges is available in guidance. During the visit and afterwards, students should jot down information given and record their thoughts and feelings about each campus. This information will be valuable in narrowing the choices to one college.

Students may schedule campus tours during the week or go for special weekend visits. For example, University of Tennessee Knoxville is hosting an Open House September 30. The University of Mississippi Fall Visit Day is October 7. Register online at www.olemiss.edu/admissions/visit/forms/fvd-register.html. Faulkner University has the following fall visit days: Columbus Day, October 9; Fall Visitation November 3-4; and Homecoming, November 10-11.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is holding an informational meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, at Montgomery Bell Academy, Pfeffer Hall on Monday, September 18, 2006, 7:00 PM.

Seniors are always interested in scholarship information. Scholarship searches are available online. An excellent source for a scholarship search is www.fastweb.com.

Sun Trust Off To College Scholarship Sweepstakes begins September 15. Apply online at www.offtocollege.info. Outstanding Students of America scholarship information is available at www.outstandingstudentsofamerica.com or by calling 205-3444-6322.

Two national scholarships that have been announced are The Coca Cola Scholarship and the Horatio Alger Scholarship. Both must be completed online. To apply for the Coca Cola Scholarship go to www.coca-colascholars.org. Applications must be received by October 31. Applicants are evaluated on the following: demonstrated leadership in school, commitment to community, academic achievement, and part-time employment. For the Horatio Alger Scholarship apply at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships by October 30. Eligibility criteria include perseverance in overcoming adversity, financial need, a minimum GPA of 2.0, and involvement in and community service.

Scholarship information is available in guidance for Erskine College, New York University, and Washington University in St. Louis.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) offers scholarships to qualified students who are interested in the study of engineering and related sciences. Corporate-sponsored scholarships may be used at a university of the applicant's choice. University sponsored scholarships must be used at a specific university. University of Tennessee Chattanooga offers a SAE university-sponsored engineering scholarship.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Award application is in guidance for students who have been involved in community service. Students applying must describe a volunteer community service activity performed after September 1, 2005. Deadline is October.