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Kathy Leaver, Gifted Education & College Advisor
Pat Holder, Counselor, 11th-12th (M-Z)
Bobby Deavers, Counselor, 11th-12th (A-L)
Looking for the Fit, Not the Brand:
College Search 101
Why College?Earn on average $19,500 per year more than someone with just a high school diploma
Over 40 years that’s an additional $780,000
Expand knowledge and skills
Improve written and oral communication skills
Grasp abstract content and theory
Experience self-discovery
Increase global awareness
Common Excuses
“I can’t afford it”
“Nobody in my family has ever gone to college”
“I don’t know how to apply or where to go”
“I don’t know what I want to do with my life”
“College is too hard for me”
“I just won’t fit in”
Research College Choices…Ask some questions… Does the college offer the major(s)
your student is considering?
What size institution would be the best fit?
What type of environment? Region of the country, city size, weather, convenience of travel?
What about costs? And scholarships? AND…
CAN HE/SHE GAIN ADMISSION?
Do Your College Homework…
College guidebooks and surveys
Web search engines-Google, etc.
College publications & web pages
College DVD visits
Admission rep visits, area college fairs
Try to narrow the list to 3-6 colleges by the beginning of the student’s senior year. Try to visit MOST, if not ALL, of those colleges! BUDGET for visiting!!
Public v. Private
Public Colleges/Universities– Institutions in a given state that are largely
funded by state tax monies– Usually easier for students to be admitted– Out-of-state refers to colleges outside state of
residence (tuition is usually higher)
Public v. Private
Private Colleges/Universities–Supported by tuition, endowment, and
donations from alumni and friends–Usually more expensive than public
colleges but depends on the school–Some are more selective but depends
on the school
Make Every Campus Visit Minute Count…
Make appointments BEFORE visiting!!
Have questions ready Ask to speak to faculty/staff in
area(s) of interest Check security reports and job/graduate
school placement info Eat on campus & ask to see residence halls Talk to/observe currently enrolled students Take a tour (preferably w/ a student guide)
Ask to sit in on a classroom session
Ask about academic support services
Thank You notes after a visit are appreciated!
What Factors Do Colleges Consider?
Test Scores (ACT and/or SAT)
Grades (in appropriately challenging college-prep courses)
Strength of curriculum (AP, Honors, Dual Enr., etc.)
And sometimes…
Essays (Follow directions and proof, proof, proof!)
Recommendation Letters (Don’t wait till the last minute and expect a great letter. Plan ahead for ‘who’ and ‘when’!)
Extracurricular Interests/Community Service (Laundry list resumes’ are easy to spot and not very credible. So is “service for resume’ building.” Focus on 3-5 things.)
The College Application Process
Apply online at the college’s website
Pay application fee, if applicable
Complete the transcript request form
Request ACT/SAT directly from ACT/Collegeboard…to be official scores must come from the testing company
Allow for timely completion of letters of recommendation, if needed
Complete essay/schedule interview, if needed
Making the Application Stand Out… What is an appropriate number of schools for your
student to apply to? Think about application fees!
Be mindful of deadlines. (The College Calendar)
Have the student treat this as a homework project. Care should be given to the accuracy of the application, but PLEASE….no MDI/DDI!!!
Complete the on-line application form (Always make a hard copy of anything submitted!)
Essay required? Give it proper attention!
Understand various kinds of admission decisions,
what they mean AND require, i.e. Early Decision, Early Action, Deferral, Wait List, etc.
The Common Application
“Common App”-www.commonapp.org
Admission application that is accepted by over 400 colleges & universities
Students, counselors and teachers complete their “sections” online
Once completed, “application” will be sent to selected colleges
Colleges may have additional supplemental pages to be completed
Early ActionA non-binding early admission program
Students apply early (usually Oct/Nov)
Students receive early response (usually Dec/Jan)
Students not restricted to one college
Early DecisionBinding early admission program
Students can submit only one early decision application
Receive decision as early as Nov 1st of senior year
If offered admission, student must withdraw all other applications
Deferred AdmissionCollege decision is delayed until:– the college has seen its full applicant
pool – receives additional testing/grade
information–Applicant may need to submit letter of
recommendation
Wait ListColleges’ process of initially delaying or denying admission
Colleges extend the possibility of admission in the future
Based on number of regularly admitted students accepting their offers
Students may choose whether or not to remain on the “Wait List”
Competitive Schools and/or Competitive Scholarships = Interviews and Essays…
Many selective schools require an admission essay. Many special programs and scholarships require essays and interviews.The more selective the school, the more likely a student will benefit by scheduling an interview IF they are well-prepared and polished!
BUT… the quality of an interview and/or an essay
will nearly ALWAYS affect scholarship amounts —positively or negatively,
it’s up to the student!!!
College EssaysTells a story only the student can tell
Allows the reader to get to know the student in ways other than the rest of the application
Illustrates uniqueness
Provides an example of writing and communication skills
Provides window to personality, values & goals
The InterviewAllows the college, special program or scholarship committee to learn more about the student
Provides opportunity for face-to-face communication
Allows the student to assess their “fit”
Could be held on campus or in the community
Practice, Practice, Practice
Special Opportunities
Honors Programs/Early Professional School Admission Programs
Cooperative Programs (Co-op)
Internships
Student Designed Majors
Study Away
Academic Common Market - Study in a specialized field at an out-of-state college, while paying in-state tuition rates
OK, Now What?
Make a list of colleges: research & visit
Take the ACT/SAT
Check grades to see if student meets requirements for admission
Register with NCAA Eligibility Center, if applicable
Research scholarship/fin aid possibilities
Create a resume
Get organized
Don’t let up
Resourceshttp://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/omhs-counselors/
http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/kleaver/
www.actstudent.org
www.collegeboard.com
www.fastweb.com
www.fafsa.ed.gov
http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/studentresources/scholarship.html
www.cappexx.com
Questions