The process of building credentials for college begins in 7th - 8th grade. With this in mind, the best time to begin the college search process is early in 10th grade.
None, I do not work with any colleges. Rather, I work with families in helping them navigate the college process. I work to help students get to their right college, wherever it may be.
The best major for a student to choose is totally dependent on what major aligns most closely with their interests and natural abilities. If the question is- what majors result in the highest paid professions, there are several, to include- Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences and Nursing, Business Finance, Data Science, Architecture. But they are only good to the extent that the student is highly inspired to study them for the right reasons.
#1 - people wait too long to get started
#2 - people rely on others to get the job done for them
#3 - people overshoot their expectations and underperform their work plan
#1 - they choose the wrong college
#2 - they choose the wrong major
They are beginning to become increasingly more important every year. They will soon be required by most of the top quality colleges and universities.
You don't apply for scholarships, Rather, they are automatically considered for every applicant receiving an acceptance.