College Search Night 2013 Finding the school that is RIGHT for you! “College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.” ~ Frank Sachs – National Association.

College Search Night 2013

Finding the school that is RIGHT for you!

“College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.” ~ Frank Sachs – National Association for College Admissions Counseling

Agenda

What Makes a Good College? Fact Vs. Fiction: Finding the Right College Steps to Building Your College List After the College Search

What Makes a College “Good”?

Qualities of Colleges

- Expenses- Location- Size- Admission Requirements- Student Body- Housing - Financial Aid- Social Environment

- Network/Reputation- The “gut feeling”

Fact vs. FictionIn Finding the Right College

1.Expand your list of “good” colleges.

2.You don’t have to be a top student to get into a good college.

3. A degree from a “name” college is not the only path to success and happiness.

4. You do not have to be rich to go to college.

5. The “best” college is the one that is right for you.

The Average Student

3.0 GPA, 1538 SAT Score (National Average) Hundreds of 4-year universities are available to a student,

provided just that information. 23 in California, including San Diego Christian, San Francisco

State, and San Jose State.

3.5 GPA, 1800 SAT Score National: Drexel University, Penn State University Park,

Emerson College, University of Arizona, Baylor University, Syracuse University, TCU, University of Oregon…

California: University of San Francisco, LMU, Any Cal State, some UC’s (Santa Cruz, Riverside, etc.), Cal Lutheran…

Remember…

Run your own race. You’re not all going the same distance or in the same direction.

There is a school out there for you, and with some hard work, you will find it.

Step 1 - The Soul SearchWho am I?

- What do I like to do? Hate to do?- What subjects do I enjoy studying? - What totally disinterests me? - What are my strengths and weaknesses? - Do I learn best by being part of a large groups or small groups?

What do I want? - Do I want to be in a city, suburban or rural environment?- Do I want to stay closer to home or go farther away? - Is there a particular geographical area that I am most interested in?

What do I need in my college experience? - Do I need single sexed or co-ed housing?

- Do I need a small campus to feel comfortable? - Do I need to have a car?

Step 2 – College Search Resources

Where do I look and what do I look for? Some Examples:- Guide Books

- College Handbook - CollegeBoard- Narrative Guides

- Fiske Guide to Colleges- Colleges That Change Lives – Loren Pope

- Internet- Naviance Family Connection- cdmcollegecorner.com- collegeboard.com- ACTStudent.org

Step 3 – College Options

What type of college is right for me?- Large State Research Universities

(UC, UA, UO, CU)- Regional State Universities

(CSUF, ASU, OSU, SDSU, Cal Poly SLO)- Community Colleges (OCC, IVC, Saddleback)- Military Technological, Art and Trade Schools

(West Point, Annapolis, Julliard, Art Center , Embry-Riddle) - Comprehensive Private Universities (USC, Stanford, SMU)- Private/Liberal Arts Colleges (Pomona, Redlands, Chapman)- Ivy League (Harvard, Princeton, Yale) - Christian/Catholic Colleges ( Baylor, Notre Dame, LMU)

Step 4 - Getting Accepted

What are the colleges looking for from me?1) Rigor of courses2) Grades – strong effort and upward trend3) Test scores4) Committed and consistent involvement in a few extra-curricular activities5) Letters of recommendation (where needed)6) Special talents/experiences7) Essay – well written and unique to student8) Enthusiasm – demonstrated interest9) Out of school experiences – work and community service10) Intellectual curiosity through reading/school/leisure pursuits

Step 5 – Comparing Colleges

How are colleges similar/different? Some things to consider:

- Expenses- Location- Size- Admission Requirements- Student Body- Housing - Financial Aid- Social Environment- The “gut feeling”

Step 6 – Visiting Colleges

What do I look for and do? - Talk to current students about the college- Evaluate the campus atmosphere (classes, cafeteria, tour of campus, student newspaper, kiosks, etc.) - Spend some time alone on campus to feel comfort level

What do I ask? - Does the college offer classes/majors that fit my interests? - What is academic advising like? - How big are most classes?- What do students do on weekends?

- What percentage of students graduate in four years?

Step 7 – Making Decisions

How do I make a final list of colleges? Once you have found colleges that meet your specific list of needs

(costs, majors, location, size, etc.), balance your list of ten or fewer colleges as follows:

1-3 Dream or Stretch Colleges: You would love to attend these colleges but you are not confident that you would be accepted.

3-4 Good Match Colleges: You would like to attend these colleges and are fairly confident that you will get accepted.

2-3 Sure Thing Colleges: You would like to attend these colleges and are very confident that you would be accepted.

Next Steps

What happens after the College Search?

Testing For College

Begin or continue taking the SAT, ACT or Subject Tests.

SAT or Subject Tests: March 9, May 4 or June 1 – www.collegeboard.com

ACT w/Writing: Feb. 9 (too late), April 13, June 8 – www.actstudent.org

Early Action/Early Decision applicants should have testing completed by Oct.

Classes and Grades

Spring of junior year grades are the most important ones on your transcript.

Meet with your counselor to check on your transcript and GPA.

Select the right courses for senior year. Maintain rigor but don’t overdo it. Allow time in your schedule to do your applications in the fall.

Study hard and keep your grades strong.

Teacher Letters of Recommendation

If you think you will need letters of recommendation, think about one or two junior teachers to ask spring semester.

Ask the teacher - “Are you able to write a letter of recommendation for me for college?”

Be sure that you provide good information about yourself to the teacher in the LOR packet.

Give the teacher good evidence that you are an asset in a classroom setting.

Counselor Letters of Recommendation

Get to know your guidance counselor so she can write a good letter about you.

Complete our part of the counselor letter of recommendation packet, available online, at the end of spring semester.

Have your parents complete their part of the LOR packet.

Submit the completed LOR packet to your counselor in late September of senior year.

Student Athletes

Contact college coaches and let them know about you. Coaches develop recruiting lists end of your junior year.

Email coaches your academic, athletic, and personal contact information.

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Coaches can start contacting you July 1. Student athletes can contact coaches

anytime.

Essays and Resume Begin working on your college essays. Select the

Common Application prompt that is best for you. Spend some time alone and get to know who you

are. Identify your skills, talents and personal qualities.

Attend the College Essay Workshops sponsored by the CdM Foundation during the summer.

Put together your resume with your extracurricular activities, community service, work experiences, honors, awards etc.

Visit Colleges

Use school breaks and weekends to visit colleges that interest you.

Check college websites for information on information sessions and campus tours, dates and times.

Keep notes on various aspects of each college and compare them.

Be sure to let admissions office know that you visited the campus.

College Applications Start looking on college websites for your online applications in

July and August. Common Application 2012-13 will probably be available August

1, 2012. UC and CSU applications will be available online October 1.

Deadline will be Nov. 30. Rolling Admissions applications colleges (UA, ASU, UO, CU) will

process your application once your file is complete and send a decision.

Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are Nov. 1 or Nov. 15. Scholarship consideration deadlines can be Dec. 1 Regular Decision deadlines are Jan. 1, Jan. 15 or later.

Demonstrated Interest

Website – enter your information as a prospective student

College Visits – make arrangements through admissions department

Email – contact college representative about your interest and ask questions.

CdM Visits – attend all visits to CdM by colleges on your list in the fall. Check Naviance for colleges, dates and times.

Senior Year Next Steps

Attend Applying To College Night in September.

Take last SAT or ACT in September, October or November.

Turn in your completed LOR packet to your counselor in late September.

Pick consistent day and time each week to work on college applications.

Start filing out college applications.

Final Words

Make this an enjoyable journey for all by: starting early planning ahead. getting organized spreading tasks over months, not weeks or days. being realistic and staying flexible. expecting a good outcome knowing there is a right college for you