Going to college is a big decision.  Where do I begin?  
Begin by thinking about what you are most interested in.  If you don’t know, go online and look at the web sites of various colleges and technical colleges. (Check out our Colleges at a Glance Page.) If possible, arrange to visit the college campus, take a tour, and talk to an admissions counselor. 

Ask questions:

-Does the school offer the degree program that I’m interested in?
-What is the cost of attending the school?
-What kind of financial aid is available?
-What are the admissions requirements?
-Is it best to live at home or live on campus?
 
One thing is absolutely important!  Have a Plan A, a Plan B and Plan C!  You may have your heart set on Harvard or Princeton.  However, in case you don’t get into one of those schools, also apply to Emory or Berry or Kennesaw State.  Or you may want to begin at Chattahoochee Technical College and transfer to Kennesaw State or Georgia State. 
 
Not only do you need to think about what you want in a college, you must realize that colleges have thought about what they want in students.

This link shows the rankings for some of the most sought after professions in the market today. It details the salary, training, and market growth for each job. It will be worth your time to browse through a few of your career interests through this page.

http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings 

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This link has excellent college information for hispanic/latino students:

http://www.bestcolleges.com/financial-aid/hispanic-latino-scholarships/ 


 
                                       What Colleges Look for in High School Students
 
-A challenging high school curriculum: Include AP, IB, and honors classes.  Most colleges recalculate GPA based only on core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language).
 
-Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend:  Slightly lower grades in a rigorous program (such as AP) are preferred to all A’s in less challenging courses.
 
-Solid scores on the SAT or ACT – consistent with high school grades:  High test scores do not compensate for low grades.
 
-Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership, initiative, impact and an angle: Substantive commitment to a few activities is preferable to participation in several mini activities.
 
-Meaningful use of free time:  Out-of-school experiences might include a part time job, summer activities, and hobbies that reflect responsibility, dedication, and areas of interest.

-Special talents or experience that will contribute to an interesting student body: A student who goes the extra mile to develop a special talent in sports, research, writing, the arts, or anything else will gain an edge.
 
-A well-written essay that provides insight into your personality, values, and goals: Your application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal.  This is your chance to tell your story.
 
-Anecdotal letters of recommendation from teachers and your counselor with evidence of your intellectual curiosity, special skills, and positive character traits: An extra recommendation from a coach, supervisor, or someone who knows you well can help only if it sheds new light on your talents.
 
-Demonstrated enthusiasm for attending the college or university: You show this with every campus visit and interview, and through ongoing contact with the admission office.  Stay in touch with an admission representative and talk to college representatives if they visit your school during a college night.
 
-Demonstrated intellectual curiosity: Reading, school and extracurricular pursuits show admission counselors that you are eager to learn.
 
http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/admission/ask-experts/what-do-admission-counselors-look-college-applications/