College Admissions College Admissions Workshop for JuniorsWorkshop for Juniors

Presented by Lori Palmer and Chris Wheeler

Starting Your College Starting Your College SearchSearch

Start thinking about what you want in a college. Start thinking about what you want in a college. Large or small? Far away or close to home? Any Large or small? Far away or close to home? Any ideas for a major? Interested in sports? Make a ideas for a major? Interested in sports? Make a list!list!

Use resources such as your school Use resources such as your school counseling/career center, the internet, and college counseling/career center, the internet, and college fairs to find schools that match your interestsfairs to find schools that match your interests

Do some research on the schools by visiting their Do some research on the schools by visiting their website or calling their admissions office. Make website or calling their admissions office. Make sure and get on their mailing list so you can keep sure and get on their mailing list so you can keep track of important dates and learn more track of important dates and learn more information about the schoolinformation about the school

Starting Your College Search, Starting Your College Search, cont’dcont’d

Visit as many campuses as you can! Visit Visit as many campuses as you can! Visit campuses of all sizes to see where you campuses of all sizes to see where you feel most comfortable. Most schools have feel most comfortable. Most schools have “Preview Days” or open house days “Preview Days” or open house days

Talk to friends, family members, or anyone Talk to friends, family members, or anyone you know that has gone through the you know that has gone through the college search process recently for their college search process recently for their adviceadvice

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! (ex. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! (ex. How’s the food? Are people attractive How’s the food? Are people attractive there? How much does it cost? Etc.)there? How much does it cost? Etc.)

What Colleges Look For in a What Colleges Look For in a StudentStudent

Did you graduate high school?Did you graduate high school?– Did you finish strong or get senioritis?Did you finish strong or get senioritis?

Did you pass college prep classes?Did you pass college prep classes?– What are College Prep classes?What are College Prep classes?

Extracurricular activities (ex. Church, sports, Extracurricular activities (ex. Church, sports, clubs, volunteering in the community, etc.)clubs, volunteering in the community, etc.)

Hobbies or interest areas that make you Hobbies or interest areas that make you uniqueunique

Personal motivation to attend college (not Personal motivation to attend college (not Mom and Dad forcing you to go)Mom and Dad forcing you to go)

Common Admission Common Admission RequirementsRequirements

High School transcripts/GPAHigh School transcripts/GPA SAT or ACT scoresSAT or ACT scores Essays (depending on the school)Essays (depending on the school) Fees (Application fees, tuition deposits)Fees (Application fees, tuition deposits) Keep your contact information with the Keep your contact information with the

college up to date throughout the college up to date throughout the admissions processadmissions process

Complete Complete everythingeverything that is required for that is required for the application!!the application!!

You’re Ready to Apply…what You’re Ready to Apply…what now?now?

Be aware of application deadlinesBe aware of application deadlines Pick your top choices and applyPick your top choices and apply What happens next?What happens next?

– You get admitted, conditionally admitted, or You get admitted, conditionally admitted, or denieddenied

– Fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)Student Aid)

– Look for scholarships and other awards from Look for scholarships and other awards from your high school, community, the schools you’re your high school, community, the schools you’re applying to….whereverapplying to….wherever

– Complete the Housing ApplicationComplete the Housing Application

So you’ve decided WOU is one So you’ve decided WOU is one of your top choices…of your top choices…

Do you meet WOU’s Admissions Do you meet WOU’s Admissions requirements?requirements?

February 15 is the Priority DeadlineFebruary 15 is the Priority Deadline Don’t slack off your senior year! To be Don’t slack off your senior year! To be

eligible for WOU scholarships next year, eligible for WOU scholarships next year, you must complete 4 core subject units in you must complete 4 core subject units in your senior yearyour senior year

Apply for housing early so you don’t miss Apply for housing early so you don’t miss out on WOU’s nationally ranked residence out on WOU’s nationally ranked residence hall and food service!hall and food service!