Preparing for College

GOALSDecide early on your student’s goals and your goals for your student:

Academic goals: high school and college

College goals: where, major, degree

Career goals: be flexible

Encourage your student to talk to teachers & counselors

Talk to your student often about goals and progress toward reaching them

PORTFOLIO

Start rounding up everything you’ve collected over the years!PapersProjectsAwardsCertificates

A paper trail on your end will make filling out admission and scholarship applications much easier.

TAKING THE ACT

Register online – note registration deadlines

Preparation (don’t skip this important step!)www.act.orgwww.testprepreview.comOld ACT prep books available for check-

outACT Prep class offered each semester

ADMISSIONS

Apply to several institutionsNote early application deadlinesKnow what’s required with the application

ACT writing test?TranscriptLetters of recommendation

Let Admissions Office answer your questions

FAFSA & SCHOLARSHIPS

FAFSA Financial Aid Workshop at CHS on January 19 at 7 PM.Do it earlyAsk tax preparer for formPull paperwork before starting and do a rough draft on paperDon’t be afraid of it!

SCHOLARSHIPSUniversity academic scholarshipsLocal scholarshipsFoundation scholarshipsLetters of recommendation

Appropriate email addressLet Financial Aid office answer your questions!

MAKING THE CHOICE

Campus visitsNever too early to start12th grade = 2 daysTake advantage of them – GO! ( group days vs. personal visit?)Know what you want to ask

WebsitesVisit websites frequentlySign up for emails, newsletters, etc.

Talk with your student often but try not to pressure!

THE CHOICE IS MADE

Watch mail carefullyAcceptance lettersContractsScholarshipsWork with financial aid…

Register for and attend orientation

Request transcripts for dual credit classes

Send thank you notes for scholarships

Check websiteTextbook reservation & purchaseDorm life and what to packParking permitsThe multitude of things you’ll need to do!

SURPRISE!

Some of the things you didn’t expectMandatory feesCourse feesBookstore expensesParking tickets

Money goes through them like a sieve! Never put your checkbook or bank card too far away!

MAKING THE ADJUSTMENTDorm life and the roommate

Be flexibleBe tolerantBe open-mindedBe looking for a new roommate if necessary!

Time ManagementTime between classes is NOT naptime!Prioritize – school first, then funYou can’t afford to waste a single minute – you never know when something is going

to come up!

Work EthicBe committed to your studies3 hours out of class for every hour in classBe prepared to work hard – harder than you worked in high school

AND REMEMBER…

They’ll make mistakes, but it’s okay. They’ll learn from them.

They’re finding out who they want to be – help them on their journey!

This is the moment you’ve raised them for – trust that they’ll do the right thing!