SoFi

When deciding whether to go to college, there are numerous factors to consider, including the benefits of higher education personally and professionally, the time commitment involved, and the availability of financial aid and loans. And while the price of a college degree continues to increase, it’s an investment that can have major payoffs, financially and otherwise.

Going to college can open doors to new experiences, both during and after getting a degree. While the financial opportunities that college can bring are certainly worth considering, there are so many other advantages to getting an undergraduate degree. Here’s a look at some of the top benefits to becoming a college grad.

Explore Areas of Interest

Some students enter college already knowing what they want their college major to be. Whether someone’s a star chemistry student going pre-med or a drama nerd ready to delve into theater, college can be a time to deepen the interests students have cultivated throughout their education.

Declaring a major sets a student up to explore a particular subject from all angles, becoming somewhat of an expert in their chosen field. A student will take numerous courses in their major, sometimes culminating in a thesis project on a specialized subject.

There are often clubs and activities in each major field, allowing students to develop communities with others who have shared interests, broadening the scope of their education.

College can also be a time to explore new areas, and can give students the chance to discover subjects they may not have known much about before.

College students are often encouraged to explore new subjects, especially in their freshman year, in order to experiment, and perhaps find a new and promising area of study.

Going to college can be a way to deepen one’s understanding of a particular subject, whether it’s something a student may have studied previously, or a completely new topic.

Either way, getting a degree is a way to open your mind and tap into a sense of intellectual curiosity in an environment conducive to rigorous and serious academic exploration.

Increase Earnings

One of the most practical arguments for going to college is to improve your earning potential. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities reviewed the impact a college degree could have on someone’s earning potential and found that those with a college degree earned 86% more than those whose highest level of education was a high school diploma. And while actually achieving that college degree may cost a lot, a majority of college graduates believe it was worth it.

Like any investment, there has to be money put in up front, unless you get a full scholarship or a college loan. Ideally, that upfront investment of time and money will pay off in the long run.

Recommended: Return on Education for Bachelor’s Degrees

Open Up Potential Career Paths

While a college degree may have been a way to stand out from the crowd in the past, today it’s proving to be a prerequisite for most jobs. What’s more, research suggests that, generally, the higher the level of educational attainment, the larger the payoff in terms of salary.

While going to college can be a highly rewarding experience in itself, it can be wise to consider possible career paths while selecting courses and deciding on a major. However, there is nothing wrong with getting a liberal arts education. Employers may not necessarily be looking for a specific specialization when hiring, but often may appreciate someone with a well-rounded academic background.

Certain fields, however, like business and medicine, may require that students’ major field corresponds to their choice of career. When exploring different subjects during college, you might find out about a new area you want to pursue as a career, a huge benefit of getting an undergraduate degree as well.

Recommended: Is Getting A Degree in Marketing Worth It?

Expand Your Circle

College can be a time to build the relationships that will greatly affect your life — and possibly your career. Over the course of the four years it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree, there are countless opportunities to make new connections — from the people in your dorm, to your classmates, to those you meet through extracurriculars.

College can be a time to develop a wide and varied circle or to simply grow several deep and lasting friendships. It can also be a time to meet a romantic partner, whether the relationship is short- or longer-term.

Having a wide circle can help out in a variety of ways. From finding post-grad roommates to knowing people in the field of work you’re trying to get into, college connections can be an invaluable resource in life.

Improve Critical Thinking and Communication

The so-called “soft skills” of being a good listener or critical thinking are also in high demand by employers, and college can be a prime time to develop them. These are skills that can be honed both in and outside the classroom, and college aims to give students a well-rounded experience that helps them develop both socially and academically.

Gain Independence

It’s common to be nervous about college, especially if it’s your first time away from home. But once you’re over the hump, living on your own can be an extremely fun and rewarding experience.

College can be a chance to dip your toes in the waters of independence, experimenting with living alone, gaining some financial independence, maintaining a budget, and deciding what classes to take.

College can be the ideal stepping stone toward independence, and is a helpful way for young adults to see what adulthood can be like.

Deciding on the Right Path

While making the decision whether or not to go to college is not always easy, there are a host of good reasons to continue your education. The benefits can be financial, social, and intellectual, and can continue to be felt throughout your life.

The friends and connections you make during college can enrich your life and help you to network in your chosen field of work, while the financial security a college degree can offer is a major factor in the decision-making process as well. It’s important to make an informed decision, taking all of these points into consideration.

If the high cost of college is holding you back, keep in mind that there are a number of funding options that can help you manage the costs. To apply for financial aid, you simply need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will tell you whether you are eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans.

If you still have gaps in funding, you can also apply for a private student loan. Private student loans are available through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms vary, depending on the lender. Generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment and deferment or forbearance — that automatically come with federal student loans.

The Takeaway

Deciding whether to attend college is a major decision. On the plus side, it can build your skills, help you be career-ready, pay off by increasing your earning power, and lead to greater personal and professional opportunities. However, a key downside is the cost of college. If you choose to attend, researching grants and scholarships, as well as federal and private student loans, can be a wise move as you figure out how to fund your education.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

What is the best reason to go to college?

While there’s no single best reason to go to college, many graduates cite the opportunity to build their job opportunities and earning power.

How can college help you?

College can help you gain critical thinking and independent living skills, build a career path and earning power, and develop confidence and a social and professional network.

Why are some members of Gen Z not going to college?

According to some surveys, Gen Z may be skipping college due to the high cost. Grants, scholarships, and federal and private student loans can help make higher education attainable.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOISL-Q325-119

Working at an on-campus job can be a great way to earn money, stay busy, meet new people, and build skills. You can find on-campus jobs on your own or, if you’re eligible, through the Federal Work-Study program.

Read on for a quick guide to working on campus, including how work-study differs from regular part-time jobs, the benefits of working on campus, and a listing of top student job options you may want to apply for.

Work-Study vs Part-Time Jobs

The Federal Work-Study program offers part-time jobs for undergraduate as well as graduate students who have financial need so they can earn money to pay for their education. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is the first step in applying for this aid. Not all colleges and universities participate in the Federal Work-Study program, so it’s a good idea to check with the financial aid office at your school to see if it’s an option.

Work-study jobs are open to both part- and full-time students, and the program encourages those who are awarded this aid to find work related to their major. For example, a science major may be able to get a work-study job as a lab assistant in the chemistry department. These jobs may be either on- or off-campus, the former usually in a campus department and the latter typically at a non-profit organization or a public agency. Students will earn at least the federal minimum wage, and their work-study award will be based on when they apply, their level of financial need, and their school’s funding level.

The Benefits of Having an On-Campus Job

You can look for a regular part-time job on campus on your own. The pay will vary, and the job might not have anything to do with your major, but there are still benefits to working on campus. You can save money to pay for your education or any other expenses like food, transportation, and entertainment, plus you’ll get valuable work experience, no matter the field.

Both work-study jobs or regular part-time jobs that relate to your major can boost your skills, which you can list on your resume, potentially giving you a leg up in your post-college job search.

Jobs also offer socializing and networking opportunities. You can make new friends, as well as connections that might be helpful when you’re looking for internships during college and job after you graduate.

The Top On-Campus Jobs

1. Tour Guide

Being a campus tour guide through the admission’s office requires having great interpersonal skills and a willingness to commit a lot of facts and information about your school to memory. Campus tour guides take prospective students and their families on tours of campus while giving details about different majors, activities, events, and the many other things that their school has to offer.

2. Resident Assistant

A resident assistant, or RA, lives in a dorm on campus and supervises a group of students living in that dorm, often on the same hall. Their responsibility is to make sure students are following the dorm rules and to offer support if students need anything. Typically, an RA will get free or discounted housing.

Recommended: How to Save Money in College

3. Tutor

Students who excel in a particular subject may want to consider becoming a tutor. This on-campus job allows students to teach others what they are good at and help their peers have a better understanding of the subject.

4. Campus Newspaper Editor

Students who love to write, edit, and manage a team of reporters will likely enjoy working as a campus newspaper editor. This is typically not a job that students can get right away. They may have to work their way up after holding other positions on the staff in their freshman, sophomore, and/or junior years.

5. Barista

Some schools have a café on campus where students can go to get caffeinated and study well into the night for their exams. Being a barista will teach student workers people skills and how to make the perfect Americano.

6. Library Assistant

Another one of the on-campus jobs that students can apply for is library assistant. They will re-shelve books as well as help other students find and check out the books they need.

7. Admissions Assistant

Being a tour guide isn’t the only job students can take on in the admission’s office. They can also assist with data entry, communicate with prospective students and families on the phone and through email, and help out with any other administrative work around the office. Learning administrative work can be useful, since it’s a necessary skill for many different kinds of jobs.

8. Mailroom Attendant

As a mailroom attendant, students will sort incoming mail and help other students retrieve their packages.

9. Dining Hall Server

Students might find on-campus jobs at the dining halls on their campuses. They can serve meals and maybe even get to take home free food at the end of the day.

10. Bookstore Associate

Campus bookstores tend to be busy places, especially just before classes start, when students buy their textbooks and other school supplies. The end of each semester can also be a busy time, due to returns and memorabilia shopping. As a bookstore associate, workers will typically need to stock shelves with books and merchandise and learn how to use a point-of-sale system.

11. Lifeguard

Schools with pools need lifeguards to keep students safe. Students with summer lifeguard experience in their hometown may be able to sign up for this on-campus job when they go back to school in the fall.

12. Research Assistant

Department faculty may need assistants to help them with research. Duties of a research assistant can vary, but might include data collection, putting together grant materials, managing email, or maintaining a department website.

Recommended: What Is a Graduate Fellowship?

13. Fitness Center Attendant

If there is a gym on campus, students can apply to work there. They may scan student IDs at the check-in desk, wipe down equipment, sell healthy food and smoothies at the gym café, and organize the equipment when the gym closes for the day.

14. Administrative Assistant

Different offices on campus could be looking for administrative assistants. Tasks include everything from sorting mail to doing data entry and answering telephone calls and emails.

15. IT Assistant

Students who enjoy working with computers may find on-campus jobs in the IT department. They can help other students with computer issues, like not being able to connect to the school wifi or trouble using the campus printers.

16. Museum or Gallery Assistant

If a school has an art museum or gallery, they may employ students as assistants. Students majoring in art may enjoy this on-campus job, where they may give tours, work in the gift shop, and/or check in visitors.

17. Marketing Assistant

College marketing departments create materials to promote the school. Students who are interested in marketing or communication may want to apply for one of these on-campus jobs and learn valuable skills like email marketing, social media marketing, and copywriting. They may write blog posts for the school website and create flyers for prospective students and families.

18. Lab Assistant

Students who are majoring in the sciences may be able to find on-campus jobs in their schools’ laboratories. They might help other students with lab experiments, set up and organize labs, and prepare chemical solutions.

19. Radio DJ

If a school has a radio station, students might have the opportunity to become radio DJs, playing music that they love and hosting different programs. Other duties may include ordering new equipment, securing rights to the music they play, and setting up and breaking down the station as necessary.

20. Endowment Office Assistant

Some schools might have an internship in their endowment office, which is responsible for managing the institution’s endowment. This could be a good experience for a student interested in business and finance topics.

Putting That Money to Work

Work-study students are paid directly by their school unless they request to have their earnings deposited into a bank account or applied to their school account (to cover things like tuition, fees, or room and board).

Whether you take on a work-study or regular part-time job, it’s a good opportunity to learn basic budgeting, putting most of your earnings towards necessities, some into savings, and spending some on fun. Earning money from a part-time job is a great opportunity to learn basic money management, which is an important life skill.

Even with income from a part-time job, however, you might still be stressed about money and how you will cover all of your college expenses. To be sure you’re getting all the financial aid you’re entitled to, make certain that you fill out the FAFSA every year. This will let you know if you’re eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans (which may be subsidized or unsubsidized).

If you still have gaps in funding, you might also look into getting a private student loan. These are available through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Loan limits vary from lender to lender, but you can often get up to the total cost of attendance, which gives you more borrowing power than with the federal government. Interest rates vary depending on the lender. Generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment and deferment or forbearance — that automatically come with federal student loans.

The Takeaway

If you’re a college student, you might earn money and gain work experience by taking an on-campus job. These may be available as part of a student’s financial aid package via the Federal Work-Study program, or a student can find their own job. Positions include everything from office and lab work to being an RA or college tour leader.

An on-campus job can help cover your educational costs, but other options include grants, scholarships, and federal and private student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

What jobs can I get on-campus?

Jobs available on-campus, either through Federal Work-Study or as part-time work, can include leading college tours, working in the marketing or endowment office, serving as an RA or lab assistant, or editing the school newspaper, among others.

What is a good way to find an on-campus job?

Depending on the kind of work you are looking for, you might check with the financial aid or student employment office (sometimes called career services).

How much does an on-campus job pay?

For jobs secured as part of the Federal Work-Study program, the pay will be at least federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher.

About the author

Kylie Ora Lobell

Kylie Ora Lobell is a personal finance writer who covers topics such as credit cards, loans, investing, and budgeting. She has worked for major brands such as Mastercard and Visa, and her work has been featured by MoneyGeek, Slickdeals, TaxAct, and LegalZoom. Read full bio.

SOISL-Q325-120

Applying to college can be both time-consuming and expensive — with some schools charging upwards of $90 just to apply. Fortunately, there are ways to make the process easier, and potentially cheaper.

The Common Application (or Common App) is an online college application platform used by more than 1,000 colleges that allows you to apply to multiple schools with one centralized application. The bulk of the application questions only need to be filled out once, though certain schools may require supplements, such as short answer questions. The Common App is free to use, but colleges may have an application fee for students submitting it, which may be waived in some cases.

How Much Does the Common App Cost?

Although the Common App is free to use, individual schools often have their own application fees that students must pay to apply. The average undergraduate application fee for U.S. students is around $48. However, some schools don’t charge application fees.

The Common App organization understands that some students are unable to pay application fees, and they don’t want this to be a barrier for students to be able to apply for college. For this reason, they have created the Common App Fee Waiver, which allows students to apply to schools without any fees.

Not every school will accept a fee waiver but thousands of schools around the world do.

How the Common App Fee Waiver Works

You can use the Common App Fee Waiver section of your Profile to request a fee waiver. If you select that you are eligible for the Common App fee waiver, you will not be charged any application fees when you submit through Common App.

Recommended: Ultimate College Application Checklist

How to Apply

Students can apply for the Common App Fee Waiver in the Personal Information or Profile section of their application. There is a place in this section to select “Yes” to apply for the waiver and indicate eligibility.

In order to complete the application for a Fee Waiver, students must also have their college counselor submit a fee waiver form.

Many schools use the honor system and trust that a form from a counselor proves a student’s eligibility, but some schools may ask for electronic or hard copies of paperwork for verification of eligibility.

Recommended: Important College Application Deadlines

Who Is Eligible?

Students who fit any of the following criteria may be eligible to receive a Common App Fee Waiver:

•   Students who are orphans or wards of the state
•   Students whose family receives public assistance
•   Students who received or are eligible to receive SAT or ACT testing fee waivers
•   Students enrolled in or eligible to enroll in Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Programs
•   Students whose family’s annual income fits the eligibility for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
•   Students enrolled in local, state, or federal aid programs for low-income families
•   Students who are homeless, live in a foster home or in federally subsidized public housing
•   Students who get a written statement from a community leader, financial aid officer, school counselor or official

Each school decides whether to grant a student’s request for a Common App Fee Waiver.

Beyond the Application: Paying for College

Students and families applying for Common App Fee Waivers may also be looking into financing options to pay for college tuition. There are several options for parents and students who need help paying for college. These include:

Filling out the FAFSA

The first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if you don’t think you will qualify for aid, it’s a good idea to fill out this form. The FAFSA opens up opportunities for students to receive student loans, federal grants, school aid, and work-study positions.

Applying for Scholarships

There are thousands of private scholarships available to students, and the benefit of scholarships is that they don’t have to be paid back, unlike student loans.

Finding Affordable Schools

Although some universities cost tens of thousands of dollars each year to attend, others are much more affordable. Some schools are also more generous with student financial aid than others. Students may want to carefully compare the financial aid packages offered to them to figure out which school is the most affordable for them.

Applying for Work-Study Jobs

Students can work part time to help pay for college. The federal work-study program provides work opportunities for students to get jobs on campus.

Applying for Grants

In addition to scholarships, there are thousands of grants available to students. These grants are issued by the federal government, the Pell program, and individual states. Some are need-based, while others are merit-based. To find out if you qualify and to become eligible for grants, you need to fill out the FAFSA.

Saving Money in a 529 Plan

Many families put money aside each month to help pay for college tuition. One way to do this is using a 529 Plan, which is an investment account that offers tax benefits when used to pay for qualified education expenses for a designated beneficiary.

Taking Out Federal Loans

Federal student loans are administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and may be subsidized (which means you won’t be charged interest while you are in college and for six months after) or unsubsidized (meaning interest starts accruing right away). Federal loans tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than private loans.

To qualify for a federal loan, you will need to complete and submit the FAFSA.

Taking Out Private Loans

Another option for covering the cost of attendance for college is to take out a private student loan. These are available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates for private student loans tend to be higher than federal student loans, but borrowing limits are typically higher. These loans are not need-based and generally require a credit check. Borrowers (or cosigners) with excellent credit tend to qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind that private student loans may not offer the same borrower protections that federal student loans offer, such as forbearance or income-driven repayment.

The Takeaway

Applying to college can be expensive, especially if you are applying to several colleges or more. Fees average about $48 per school currently, but if you are using the Common App, you may be able to have the cost waived. Check the qualifications, and see if you may be able to apply to the colleges of your choice without a fee.

When it comes time to afford college itself, it can be wise to research grants, scholarships, and federal and/or private student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

How to get rid of a fee waiver request on the Common App?

If you want to cancel a fee waiver request on the Common App, go to the “My Colleges” tab, select a specific college, and then navigate to the “Review and Submit” area. Once there, you can change the payment method from requesting a fee waiver to paying online.

How much is it to apply to college?

Currently, the average fee is around $48, but some colleges cost upwards of $90. If you are using the Common App, you can request a fee waiver if you meet the qualifying criteria.

How many schools take the Common App?

Currently, more than 1,000 schools accept the Common App. However, it’s worth noting that some have supplements, such as additional essays or short answers that are required to complete the application.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOISL-Q325-122

Academic dismissal is when a student is asked to leave a school due to continued poor academic performance. It typically follows a period of probation, which occurs when a student is given a warning and a set amount of time in which they can try to improve their grades and avoid dismissal.

While academic dismissal may seem like the end of the world, it doesn’t mean that the student can never go to college again. It simply means they have to stop attending their current school, at least for a certain period of time. In addition, there are a number of ways to get back on track after a dismissal and either overturn the decision and return to school, or start on a new path that’s a better fit.

Reasons for Academic Dismissal

Everyone’s academic journey is different, and for some, the transition to college-level work can be more challenging than for others. A student may struggle with grades because they chose a major that’s not compatible with their specific skill set. Or perhaps they faced too many distractions, from personal events or hardships to an overwhelming list of extracurriculars.

When teachers and administrators notice a pattern of poor academic performance, including a GPA below 2.0 or a failure to attain enough credits (as a result of dropping or failing to complete enough courses in a semester), they may put a student on academic probation.

If a student fails to bring up their GPA by the end of their probation period, they may face academic dismissal. Academic probation is not meant to serve as a kind of punishment, but more as a wake-up call to students who are falling seriously behind.

Depending on the school, academic probation may make students ineligible for certain university activities. This makes sense, as probation is meant to be a time to focus seriously on grades in an effort to avoid eventual academic dismissal.

Academic probation or dismissal can also affect a student’s financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education requires students to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degrees to receive financial aid — which may include federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships; work-study; and federal student and parent loans.

There are still options for students who lose their financial aid due to poor academic standing, including some private student loans. Keep in mind, though, that your GPA can also impact your ability to get a private student loan. Each private loan is different, so there’s no one magic number for a student’s GPA. It can be worth shopping around and comparing options from different lenders.

Recommended: How Grades Affect Your Student Loans

How to Appeal Academic Dismissal

If a student ultimately faces the prospect of academic dismissal, there are multiple routes they can take to try and handle the situation. First, it can be wise to take a moment to reflect on what may have caused the decision to dismiss and reassess one’s priorities. Perhaps a student was up against too much pressure, was pursuing a subject area that didn’t suit them, or had a personal crisis.

If a student decides to appeal the decision, they should be prepared to present a strong and sincere case. Luckily, most schools will allow students to appeal academic dismissal. Most school authorities are receptive to select reasoning or excuses for a poor academic performance. These usually include extenuating circumstances like financial issues, psychological or mental issues, or a family crisis, including an unexpected death in the family.

Approach the case with understanding and humility instead of anger, and try to fight the battle without parents. Students may want to prove that they can handle the stress and academic rigor of college on their own, which involves a certain degree of maturity and independence.

Bouncing Back After Being Dismissed

There’s a lot you can learn from an academic incident like probation or dismissal, and ultimately, it can help you become a better and more dedicated student.

Applying to college after academic dismissal can be a good idea, but only if a student has taken the time to reflect and is ready to make a fresh start. This is especially true if a student is re-applying to the same school.

Some schools will require that students wait at least a year before re-applying, and some will have students show that they’ve received a certain number of credits from community college while on hiatus from the institution. Research each school’s particular policy on reapplying before taking any specific measures.

It can be helpful to talk to professors and academic counselors to determine if going back to college is the right decision and if so, if a student should re-apply to the same school.

It can also be helpful to research schools that have lenient policies around past dismissals when looking to re-apply to school.

College is not for everyone. Other options may include getting a job, pursuing a trade at trade school, or completing an apprenticeship. There’s not one route to a career, so bouncing back may look a little different for everyone.

The Takeaway

It’s important to handle academic probation and dismissal thoughtfully and methodically, assessing all available options and identifying the issues that may have caused a student to fall behind in the first place. If college is still on the table, set a goal to improve grades, whether through tutoring, time management strategies, or a peer study group. Also look into what’s required in terms of getting or regaining financial aid.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

What is academic dismissal?

Academic dismissal occurs when a student is required to leave a college due to continued poor academic performance.

Will I be warned before academic dismissal?

Yes, typically a student is put on academic probation prior to academic dismissal. This is a warning period during which grades must be improved to continue as a student at the school.

Does academic dismissal mean I can’t go back to my school?

When academic dismissal occurs, some colleges may allow you to reapply after a specific period of time and by showing why you are now qualified to return to your studies. It’s worthwhile to check with a school about their policy if you are at risk of academic dismissal.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOISL-Q325-121

Many colleges require an application essay in addition to your high school record, GPA, and other ways of showing your qualifications for admission. The essay is your chance to pour your personality and point of view into a narrative that could shape the next phase in your life.

No pressure, right? It’s common for high school students to feel unsure about how to write a college essay. To help make the process a little less intimidating, here’s a closer look at what the college essay is all about, plus some simple tips for writing a compelling application essay.

How Personal Statements Differ By School

The number of colleges you apply to can impact how many personal statements you’ll need to write. Before you begin the essay-writing process, you’ll want to review the personal statement requirements for each school you plan to apply to. Some colleges have the same essay requirements, while others might request statements tailored to a school-specific prompt.

When looking at essay requirements from different school, here are some things to consider:

•   How long should this college essay be?

•   What is the essay prompt or topic asking?

•   What questions are they looking to have answered?

•   What does this college or university value?

Different schools will often ask applicants to respond to the same or similar essay topic. In this case, it’s possible to submit one personal statement to multiple universities. In other instances, you might simply need to make small tweaks to an already drafted essay.

Colleges that are all part of the same university system — such as state schools, like those under the California State University umbrella — tend to share applications and essay requirements. (In practice, this means applicants won’t need to write individual essays for each school within that system.)

Essay requirements for private schools can vary. If you’re applying to schools that don’t use the common app (more on that in a minute), you may need to submit a completely custom application to each school. Some private schools (such as religiously-affiliated schools) may look for shared values to be reflected in a student’s application and essay.

Fortunately, many schools accept the Common Application in order to simplify the application process and support time-crunched students. The Common App represents more than 1,000 public and private higher education institutions across the world. Its standardized application allows students to apply to multiple schools via a single platform. Practically speaking, this might translate into writing just one college essay that multiple schools can then access. Typically, the Common App offers seven essay prompts for a statement that often may not exceed 650 words.

College Application Essay Tips

Before putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard, it can help to understand what admissions offices look for in a personal statement, and how to write a college essay that gives voice to who you are. Some pre-planning can also make the application process feel less confusing and the essay-writing process more fun.

What follows are some useful tips for writing a stronger college application essay.

Tip #1: Start Early

The sooner you can begin writing your college essay (or in some cases multiple essays), the more time you’ll have to polish and refine. The time it takes to write a college essay will vary greatly by the student, as well as which schools they are applying to. You may need to only write one essay that you can submit to multiple schools, or you may need to write half a dozen custom essays for your applications.

Generally, it’s a good idea to start the process at least two months before your first deadline — that should give you ample time to brainstorm, write, and edit your essays. Ideally, you’ll want to start the process over summer vacation. This will help alleviate stress during the school year and give you even more time to perfect your essays.

Starting the personal statement earlier not only gives you extra time for finetuning the wording, it also allows ample time for starting over (if need be). Starting over may sound like the last thing you’d want to do when applying to college, but it’s an option that many value — a chance to rework their personal story.

A lot of college applicants know exactly what they want to write about. But, after beginning the essay-writing process, some realize that the topic they picked just isn’t strong enough to stand on its own. Alternatively, some applicants find that starting on a given prompt actually leads them towards a topic or essay idea.

Either way, starting early helps ensure you have enough time to mull over what to write about and how exactly to say it in a clear and compelling way. It also gives you time to simply sit and brainstorm essay ideas and create a few potential personal statement outlines.

Even with clear essay prompts, you may need a little extra inspiration to jump-start the essay-writing process. You may find it helpful to search online for and read college essay examples that helped real students get into their dream schools. These real-life examples can serve as models for how to present a personal story and organize an essay that commands attention.

By starting the writing process in advance, you’ll have plenty of time to ink a few drafts, ask for feedback from family and teachers, and make any necessary tweaks — something that’s especially key when applying to schools with different essay requirements.

Recommended: Important College Application Deadlines

Tip #2: Step Away From Your Application

When writing a personal statement for college applications, it’s a good idea to consider carefully who will read the essays (and what the admission committee is looking for). Try to put yourself in the shoes of the admissions counselors. After reviewing the non-essay portion of your application, admissions officers will typically have a clear sense of your previous coursework, grades, volunteering, and extracurricular activities.

So, when deciding which essay topic to write about, it can be helpful to ask yourself: “Would they already know this about me just by reading the rest of my application?” The whole point of the personal statement is to humanize the accomplishments that get listed elsewhere in the application. Because of this, it’s often advisable to go beyond repeating the resume items mentioned in other sections of the application in the essay.

College admission counselors want to get to know the person behind those accomplishments (not to read another laundry list of achievements). The essay is your chance to share who you are and how you view the world.

Recommended: 10 Ways to Prepare for College

Tip #3: Identify What Type of Essay You Need to Write

Typically, college applicants will encounter three different types of essay questions:

•   the “you” prompt

•   the “why us?” topic

•   the “creative” question

The “you” style question tends to ask students to share more personal details or life experiences in the essay. Such personal narratives can help colleges and universities to learn what drives, inspires, and shapes individual applicants.

The “why us?” prompt seeks to understand why a student is choosing to apply to a specific school. The admission officer here is trying to gauge how committed each student is to their individual institution. It’s a chance to demonstrate an understanding of a school’s core values and for the applicant to specify why they want to attend that university in particular (and not another one).

The “creative” prompt usually serves to evaluate a student’s creative thinking and writing skills, all while reviewing an applicant’s knowledge base and education.

Before writing any college essay, it’s important to identify exactly which type of question you’ll be answering and how best to communicate who you are in a concise, non-cliched way.

Recommended: The Ultimate Guide to Liberal Arts Colleges

Tip #4: Focus on What Matters to You

To really wow admissions officers in the college essay, you might try to tap into your passions, personal experiences, and interests that go beyond high school academics. It can be helpful to step away from school accomplishments and bring up topics such as a life experience that left a lasting impression, a cause you care deeply about, or a personal relationship that shaped you.

It can be important to reflect — not just recount or summarize — during the essay writing process. In order to stand out amongst thousands of other talented applicants, you may want to go beyond a factual retelling of your experiences to craft a thoughtful assessment of why a given topic matters to you as an individual.

Know that admissions committees sometimes caution against writing about the 5 D’s (namely, death, drugs, disease, divorce, and drama) since those topics tend to be overused.

Tip #5: Find a Trusted Reviewer

As part of your college planning, you don’t necessarily have to shell out big bucks on a private tutor or writing coach to review your college essays (although there’s nothing wrong seeking one out ). Before submitting an essay, you may want to invite a trusted teacher, family member, or friend to read the essay over and offer comments or questions. When asking for detailed feedback, here are some helpful questions to ask a reviewer to keep in mind:

1. Are there any spelling or grammar mistakes I need to change?

2. Is the organization of my essay easy to follow?

3. Did you have any questions while reading that my essay didn’t answer?

4. Did the content capture your attention or was it difficult to finish the entire essay? Why?

5. Where is there room for improvement?

6. Is any section confusing or unclear?

Having a handful of trusted eyes review your essay can help you draft a more impactful personal statement. However, you may want to avoid inviting too many editors to comment on an essay that’s still being drafted. Writing is somewhat subjective. So, receiving a lot of competing opinions might leave you feeling flustered or confused about what to change.

You Got In. Now What?

Congratulations! All that hard work and planning paid off. Your college essay really knocked the socks off the admissions officers. Once you’ve received all of your college acceptance offers, you’ll be able to decide which college is the best option for your future plans. It’s likely how much it will cost to attend college might play a factor in your ultimate decision.

Colleges and universities offer different financial aid packages, which will impact your cost of attendance. Financial aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans (which may be subsidized or unsubsidized). Your financial aid package is based on the information you provided in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If there are still gaps in funding, you also have the option of seeking a private student loan. These are available through private lenders, such as banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms vary, depending on the lender. Generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness — that automatically come with federal student loans.

The Takeaway

If you’re hoping to attend an Ivy League college, you’ll want to consider each school’s admission rate, along with its particular academic program and financial aid statistics, to determine which is the right school to apply to.

However, it can be helpful to apply to a range of schools, both in terms of admission standards and tuition costs. This will give you options in case a school’s financial aid package isn’t as generous as you hoped.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

How to start a college essay?

When you are starting a college essay, it can be wise to come up with a “hook,” a captivating line that grabs attention and draws the reader in, versus simply a straightforward statement about what you are about to share.

How long are college essays?

The length of college essays can vary by school, but the Common App typically caps the length at 650 words.

What are the 5 D’s of college essays?

The so-called 5 D’s of college essays refers to topics that admissions officers may advise students to avoid in their personal essays. They are death, divorce, disease, drugs, and drama. These topics can be overused in college essays and therefore it can be wise to focus on something else.

About the author

Jacqueline DeMarco

Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.

SOISL-Q325-115