Contact Information

Student Name: Student Phone: Student E-mail: Parents/Guardians: Parents/Guardians Phone: Parents/Guardians E-mail: Parent Guardians Alma Mater:

The CHS Junior Conference Resume Questionnaire

Objective Ø To help students develop a resume and articulate their post-secondary goals.

Post-Secondary Goals-Circle all that apply:

Technical Training/Apprenticeship

4 Year College/University

Military

Gap Year

2 Year College

Experience

High School Activities (list your clubs, sports, volunteer work and employment) Ø

Ø

Ø

Ø

Awards and Accolades

Academic Awards Ø

Ø

Clubs/Sports/Community Awards Ø

Personal Information

What are 3 words your friends would use to describe you and tell us why they would say that?

1.

2.

3.

Describe your dream job…

What activity, class or circumstance in your high school career makes you the proudest?

Skills (explain in detail one or two significant moments in your high school career, either academic or personal that illustrates perseverance or resilience)

The CHS College Search Questionnaire:

Objective Ø To help students and parents discuss and prioritize their post-secondary goals.

Academics. To parents, academics may be the most important aspect of determining best college

match. For high school students, academics may be the first thing they push to the side. These questions

help narrow down schools where your student would thrive academically.

1. If you had to narrow down your choice for a major, name 2 or 3 that you are thinking about currently?

2. Do you want to be in a research setting and exposed to graduate level work?

3. Do you want to be taught by full-time professors or graduate students?

4. Which type of classes do you prefer: lecture style or discussion style?

5. Will your major require an internship?

6. Do you want to take classes that interest you or would you like to stick to your major?

7. Is the prestige/reputation of the college important to you?

8. Do you fulfill the academic requirements to be accepted?

9. Do you consider college as a way to enhance your employability?

10. Do you plan to study abroad?

Culture. When students go to college, most of them will be living on their own for the first time. They need

to feel at home in their university, surrounded by students who they can connect with. Campus culture

refers to the type of students at the campus, the location, physical attributes of the campus and what

stands out in the student body.

11. Are you more interested in a social campus, a commuter campus (where students tend to go home on the weekends) or a quiet campus?

12. How far away from home would you like to be?

13. Would you prefer to go to a school where you already know a lot of people?

14. What are your weather-related deal breakers?

15. Do need a lot of green space?

16. What size school do you prefer: small (under 3000) mid-size (3000-10,000) large (10,000+)

17. Would you like a religious university?

18. What kinds of extracurricular or social activities are you interested in?

19. Do you want to be surrounded by people who share your viewpoint?

20. Do you want a diverse environment?

21. Do you like seeing people you know around campus every day?

22. What specific experiences do you want to have in college (e.g., studying abroad)?

Bonus: 5 financial questions for parents College is a huge investment. As a parent, you need to be realistic about what colleges are feasible from a

financial standpoint. Ask yourself these questions to make sure you—and your student—know where things

stand financially.

1. How much are you willing to pay for college and how much responsibility will fall on your student?

2. Does your student qualify for any scholarships or financial aid?

3. Will your student be supporting themselves while at college? Is the college town’s cost of living realistic?

4. Will your student need to participate in a work-study program or similar arrangement to help cover the cost of tuition?

5. Are you and/or your student willing to take out college loans? How much?

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/social-media-and-college-admissions

College Admissions Officers Are Reading Your Tweets ...and your Instagram captions and your Facebook posts and the Tumblr you abandoned three years ago. Social media is a powerful platform to present your unique personality and interests to colleges, coaches, and other gatekeepers for jobs and internships. What does your online presence tell that audience about you?

The internet is a public place, even inside a “private” social media group. Before you post your dankest meme, take a moment to consider what it might look like to someone outside your online tribe. In recent years, students have faced disciplinary consequences for using offensive language and images in private group chats—including having admissions decisions reversed.

Social Media Tips for College Applicants Delete your account. (Just kidding, but you might want to clean it up following the steps below.)

1. Watch the name Whether it’s your email address or your Twitter handle, your username is your key identifier—keep it simple and professional.

2. Check your privacy settings Monitor your privacy settings so that you know who can look you up, see your wall, tag you in pictures, and more. (There are a lot of options, so make sure you're thorough.) Even if you’re over Facebook, take a look at groups you might have joined way back when. Most are probably fine, but some may not give the best impression. A few clicks can remove them.

3. Curate your online photo libraries A picture is worth a thousand words. So make sure you’re okay with what those words might be! Maybe "you had to be there,” but remember that the college admissions staff wasn’t. While you’re at it, check what photos your friends have tagged you in. Any sort of illegal or objectionable behavior deserves a delete!

4. Google yourself Search for your name on Google—you might be surprised what shows up on the first few pages. Maybe you’ve made a comment on a blog that you’d rather not have show up, or a friend has tagged you in an unflattering photo. While you can’t always delete the results, you can be proactive about what you post online. (For tips on how to do this, read on!)

Ways to Shine Online Keep in mind, social media can also help you. Here are four ways to give yourself an admissions boost online.

1. Join LinkedIn Joining this professional network demonstrates you’re serious about your future. Make a point to connect with teachers, employers, your parents’ friends and colleagues, and others who know you. You could even direct admissions teams to your LinkedIn profile by including the address in your application.

2. Participate in online groups related to colleges that interest you Follow the Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages of your target schools. This is a great way to learn more about prospective colleges. Plus, by commenting and asking great questions you can raise your name recognition and improve your digital footprint.

3. Keep it positive Post your successes on your social media sites just in case someone from admissions takes a peek. Link to the editorial you’ve written for your school paper, upload a video of your cello recital, or post a photo of your soccer team after a big win. Share articles that underscore your interest in history or your love of modern dance.

4. Find out if your prospective colleges use ZeeMee ZeeMee is a new social media platform geared toward college admissions. College-bound students can set up a free profile and then upload photos and videos, list their study interests, or expound on a favorite extracurricular activity. Colleges that partner with ZeeMee provide a place to include your profile link on their applications.

5. Not happy with your Google results? Change the story. If you’re not thrilled with what shows up about you online, there are ways to fix it. Social media accounts are usually some of the top returns, so cleaning up those profiles goes a long way. School activity is likely to show high up as well from writing an article for the school paper to participating in an extracurricular activity or club that’s on the high school website. Try starting your own foodie blog or commenting on online news stories from your local paper or even the New York Times to boost your online presence. Just make sure your comments are positive. The bottom line is that social media is yet another opportunity to show college who you really are beyond grades and test scores. While colleges may not officially evaluate your Twitter feed as part of the decision process, you have to assume that a curious admissions officer could take a look.

10 Ways to Overcome Test Anxiety

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/test-anxiety

Has this ever happened to you? You’ve been studying hard for your chemistry midterm, but when you walk into your exam, your mind goes blank. As you sit down to start your test, you notice your sweaty palms and a pit in your stomach.

If these classic signs of test anxiety sound familiar, your grades and test scores may not reflect your true abilities. Learn ways to manage test anxiety before and during a stressful test.

What is Test Anxiety? While it’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous before a test, some students find test anxiety debilitating. Racing thoughts, inability to concentrate, or feelings of dread can combine with physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, headache, or nausea. Whether it’s the ACT, an AP exam, or an important history final, test anxiety has the power to derail weeks and months of hard work.

Test Anxiety Tips According to the ADAA, causes of test anxiety may include a fear of failure, lack of adequate prep time, or bad experiences taking tests in the past. You're not alone! Here's what you can do to stay calm in the days leading up to and during your test.

1. Be prepared. Yes, this seems obvious, but it bears repeating. If you feel confident that you’ve prepped thoroughly, you’ll feel more confident walking into the test. 2. Get a good night’s sleep. Cramming is never the answer, and pulling an all-nighter can exacerbate your nerves. Having adequate rest (9–10 hours per night) is likely to be more beneficial than rereading a text until dawn.

3. Fuel up. Eat a nutritious breakfast before the test and pack smart snacks for ongoing energy. Look for foods that offer a steady stream of nutrients, rather than a sugar high followed by a crash.

4. Get to class—or the testing site—early. Feeling rushed will only amp up the anxiety. Pack everything you need for the exam the night before and set the alarm, so you can get out the door on time.

5. Have a positive mental attitude. Bring a picture of your happy place or come up with a morale-boosting mantra like “I can do this” or “I worked hard and deserve this.” Peek at your picture or recite your mantra, right before the test begins.

6. Read carefully. Read the directions thoroughly and read all answers before making a choice or starting the essay. There is nothing worse than putting time into a question and realizing you are not solving for x, or the essay is off target. Slowing down can help you stay focused.

7. Just start. The blank page can maximize your anxiety. After you’ve read the directions, dive right in by making an outline for an essay answer. Or, find some questions you can ace to build up your confidence and momentum. You can always go back and change things later if needed, but a few quick answers can get the ball rolling.

8. Don’t pay attention to what other people are doing. Everyone else is scribbling away? Ack! What do they know that you don’t? It doesn’t matter. Pay attention to your own test and pace, and forget about the other students in the room.

9. Watch the clock. Realizing that time is almost up and there are lots of test questions left can make it hard to do anything useful in those final minutes. Stay on pace by scoping out the whole test before getting started. Mentally allocate how much time you’ll spend on each section. If there’s time to recheck, even better.

10. Focus on calm breathing and positive thoughts. Deep breathing can slow down a beating heart or a racing mind, so practice these techniques at home. The very act of concentrating on breathing and thinking can biometrically alter those anxious feelings.

    

  

     If classes aren’t in session, just see

what the classrooms are like. 

    

    

     

Get the names and business cards of the people you meet soyou can contact them later if youhave questions. 

 

   

  

     

  Talk to the coaches of sports that you may want to play. 

  Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus. 

    

  

  

  Read other student publications, such as department newsletters, alternativenewspapers, and literary reviews. 

All Grades

Campus Visit Checklist Visiting a college campus helps you get a sense of what a college — and life at that college — is like. This can help you decide whether the college is right for you.

GATHER INFORMATION )LQG�RXW�ZKDW�\RX�QHHG�WR�GR�WR�DSSO\��DQG�VHH�LI�WKH�FROOHJHoV�FODVV�DQG�PDMRU�RƬHULQJV�DUH�ZKDW�\RX�ZDQW��

� Take part in a group information � Sit in on a class that interests you. � Talk to students about what theysession at the admission office. think of their classes and professors. 

� Interview with an admission officer. �� Meet a professor who teaches a

� Pick up financial aid forms. subject that interests you.

EXPLORE THE CAMPUS *HW�D�IHHO�IRU�VWXGHQW�OLIH��DQG�VHH�LI�WKLV�FROOHJH�LV�D�SODFH�ZKHUH�\RX�ZLOO�GR�ZHOO��

� Take a campus tour.  � Talk to current students about the  �college and life on campus. 

� Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, career center, bookstore, and  � Check out the freshman dorms,  �other campus facilities.  and stay overnight with a student,

if possible. 

CHECK OUT CAMPUS MEDIA 7XQH�LQ�WR�OHDUQ�ZKDWoV�KDSSHQLQJ�RQ�FDPSXV�DQG�ZKDWoV�RQ�VWXGHQWVo�PLQGV��

� Listen to the college radio station.  � Go to the career center and learn what  �services it offers.   

� Read the student newspaper. � Browse the school’s website and any 

� Scan bulletin boards to see what daily campus blogs. student life is like. 

/MyBigFuture @MyBigFuture @collegeboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

   

 

    

 

 

 

Before you set out, get a map of the college campus and pick out places of interest. Call the college’s admissionRƱFH�WR�VFKHGXOH�D�JXLGHG�WRXU�RI the campus. 

 

 

GET THE MOST OUT OF A CAMPUS VISIT IN 

6 STEPS

1 DECIDE WHERE AND HOW See if your school arranges group trips to colleges or if you could get a group of friends together and visit the campus. A family trip is another option and allows you to involve your family in the process. 

2 PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT 

3 TAKE YOUR OWN TOUR 

4 Just wandering around the campus on your own or with friends can be the best way to get a feel for what a college is like. 

EXPLORE THE FACILITIES Find the spots on campus where students gather or ask a student where the best place to eat is to get a feel for the character of the college. Visit the library and check out the gym or theater. $VN�DQ�DGPLVVLRQ�RƱFHU�LI�\RX�FDQ�WRXU�D�dorm and a classroom. 

5 MAKE CONNECTIONS 

6 Talk to current students. Ask the students at the next table or sitting nearby what they like best about the college. 

TAKE NOTES During your visit, write down some notes about your experience. What did yousee that excited you? Are there aspects of the college that you don’t like? If so, what are they? 

Questions to Ask During Your Visit:

ASK TOUR GUIDES/STUDENTS 

� What are the best reasons to go to this college? 

� What’s it like to go from high school to college? 

� What do you do in your free time? On the weekends? 

� What do you love about this college? 

� What do you wish you could change about this college? 

� Why did you choose this college? 

� What is it like to live here? 

� What does the college do to promote student involvement in campus groups, extracurricular activities, or volunteerism? 

ASK PROFESSORS 

� What are the best reasons to go to this college? 

� Can a student be mentored by professors, graduate students,or upperclassmen? 

� How are professors rated by the college? Does the college think mentoring and meetings for project guidance are important? 

� How does the college help students have access to professors outside class? Do professors join students for lunch, help with community service groups, or guide student organizations? 

� How many students do research or other kinds of projects for a semester or more? 

ASK THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE 

� How much has your total college cost for each student risenin the past year? 

� How much do your students usually end up owing whenthey graduate? 

� What is the average income of graduates who had the same major that interests me? 

� Will my costs go up when your tuition goes up, or can we usethe same tuition rate I started with so I’ll know the costs for four years? 

� How many students usually graduate in the major that interests me? How long do these students usually take to get their degree? In what ways does the college help students graduate in four years? 

© 2017  The College Board.00712-006  160851609Visit bigfuture.org for more information.