The Next Step - College Planning

The Next Step

Applying to and Choosing the Right School

Who are we?

Our presentation…

Part I: A “checklist” of things you should be doing / must eventually do

Part II: How to find the right school

Part III: What I should consider when choosing a school

Part IA “checklist” of things you should be doing / must eventually do

Juniors Get to know your counselor AND

teachers! For recommendation letters

Volunteer and/or Work Hospitals, House of Amos, etc

Leadership positions in extracurriculars

Think about college essays and resumes Save in-class essays

Juniors In the summer:

Consider summer programs/ internships

Request college informationWebsites, counselors, or

college friends

Seek out scholarshipsConsider QuestBridge

Visit colleges Source: McConnell Foundation

TESTS! SAT

SAT IIs 2-3 required by most top-tier schools

ACT

AP Tests College credit Shows you challenged yourself in high

school

Seniors Letters of Recommendation

1 or 2 teachers from different backgrounds

Counselor’s Recommendation

Additional Recommendation LetterSwim coach, eagle scouts leader, etc

Give recommender 2-4 weeks noticeProvide transcript, resume, envelopes,

and stamps

Seniors Personal Essays

Allows the school to see another aspect of you besides grades, test scores, etc

VERY IMPORTANT Why do you want to apply to this school?

Schools can tell when you know nothing about them

Financial Aid Search for scholarships and apply CSS Profile and FAFSA for FINANCIAL AID

Seniors

If you are waitlisted, contact admissions to reiterate your interest

Request a final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend

Enjoy your last semester! Have fun, but don’t forget about

grades

Part IIHow to find the right school

Source

: Rice

Univ

ersity

The Process

List criteria Research List possible colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

The Process

List criteria Research List possible colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

•College Board

•College fairs

•Bookstores

•University websites

The Process

List criteria Research List possible

colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

The Process

List criteria Research List possible colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

•Counselors

•College info sessions

•College students

•Websites (College Confidential)

COLLEGECONFIDENTIAL.COM

The Process

List criteria Research List possible colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

•Evaluate with criteria

•Reaches

•Matches

•Safeties

The Process

List criteria Research List possible colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

•College tours

•Attend classes

•Dine with students

•Explore college town

The Process

List criteria Research List possible colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

•Supplements

The Process

List criteria Research List possible colleges Seek advice Narrow list Visit Apply Finalize

•Best fit

•Best financial package

•Visit, stay overnight

Part IIIWhat I should consider when choosing a school

Location Visit the campus Rural vs. suburban vs. urban Metropolitan life | Access to outdoors Climate Near vs. far

Source: David Sun

Size Large university of 30,000 students vs.

Small university of 3,000 vs. liberal arts college

Amount of personal attention Faculty-student ratio

Demographic of student body

Source: UGA

Reputation of academic departments

Institution that offers range of majors and programs

Research opportunities

Study abroad opportunities

Combined degree programs (e.g. BS/MD, Business/MBA)

Academic Programs

Extracurricular possibilities

Community involvement

Diversity of student organizations

Ethnic/religious groups

Fraternities and sororities

Housing and dormitories

Source: The Greek Store

Cost Costs between a private and public

university

Financial aid and assistance

Merit-based scholarships

Obligation of continual loans and academic scholarships

Remember… Name brand colleges will not guarantee

success or happiness Investigate beyond a narrow band of

highly selective colleges for more options

Don’t need to pick a major to pick a college - likely to change

VISIT COLLEGES!!! KEEP TRACK OF DEADLINES Don’t turn in your app on the last day

GOT QUESTIONS?

Email us! [email protected]