COLLEGE PREPARATIONTHE JOURNEY

Grace Mills

EDUC 7202

2

SCHOOL AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? Is education after high school in your

plans? What work do you want to do after high

school?

DREAM BIG – THINK BIG. Now is Your time.

It is never too early to start thinking about your life after high school.

3

OVERVIEW – THINGS TO CONSIDER

College academic preparation1. 9th and 10th Grades2. 11th Grade3. 12th Grade

Standardized Tests 1. preliminary tests 2. SATs 3. ACTs Financial Aid 1. Scholarships 2. Grants 3. College work study Especially for Student Athletes

4

OVERVIEWMORE THINGS TO CONSIDER Financial Aid – what is available for you? The College Visit The College Application Process You’ve been Accepted! Now What?

5

STANDARDIZED TESTS What are they?

Preliminary testsACTsSATS

Why are they given? What taking these tests show a college admissions team

When are they given?

6

ACADEMIC PREPARATION 9TH & 10TH GRADES

Have you met with your Guidance Counselor? Honors/Extra Curricular Activities What classes will you take in high school to prepare for

college? Years of math completed Years of science completed Years of English completed Years of social/global studies completed Years of foreign language completed – specify language

Talk with your counselor about the classes you are taking. Can you take any AP/IB courses before you graduate High School?

Talk with your guidance counselor about your aspirations after high school.

Do you want to go to college after high school or are you interested in cosmetology, mechanical or trade school or the military service?

7

ACADEMIC PREPARATION - 11TH GRADE Why your Junior Year is Important Remember to meet with your Guidance

Counselor Are you on track academically for college? High School Education – what have you

done so far?Years of math completedYears of science completedYears of English completedYears of social/global studies completedYears of foreign language completed – specify

language  Do you have any Academic Honors? What are your Extra Curricular Activities?

8

MORE 11TH GRADE CONSIDERATIONS… Have you received any high school honors? Have you played in the band/orchestra,

theater, sports? Are you a member of any school clubs? Have you been active with any

organizations such as the Scouts/Rotary/4H? Have you gotten any awards from these

organizations? What do you enjoy doing? (A certain sport,

painting, working with animals - not your school work)

Are you interested in college? List colleges of interest.

Why are you interested in these colleges?

9

11TH GRADE PREPARATIONTHINKING ABOUT COLLEGES Location – where do you like living? Focus of college (is the college strong in the

sciences, math or languages?) Interested in options of another form of higher

education? Cosmetology school Mechanical school Trade school Military Service

Visiting colleges - There may be groups that visit several colleges, such as college tours of Historically Black Colleges, so you may be able to visit and not spend a lot of money.

10

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESS PREPARATION IN 12TH GRADE

Why your SENIOR YEAR is IMPORTANT Remember your High School Academic

Checklist – what courses have you taken? Any AP/IB courses? Any community college or college level courses?

Remember your extra curricular activities – colleges are looking for interest and commitment

Start the College Application process Give your Guidance Counselor and Teachers

advance notice of your interest Note all of the dates when items need to be sent

to colleges of your choice

11

TYPES OF COLLEGES Public Colleges and Universities Private Colleges and Universities Specialized colleges and Universities

Historically Black CollegesHispanic CollegesTribal CollegesReligiously Affiliated Colleges

Technical and Trade Colleges Military Colleges

US Air Force Academy (Air Force)West Point (Army)Merchant Marines

12

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESS

Beginning Your Search – factors to ponderType of college?Location?

Using the Internet to your advantage

The College Board web site, www.collegeboard.com

13

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESS You’ve found xx number of colleges – Now What? Narrowing your Search – considerations

Is this college a ‘good fit’ for you? Academic specialty of college Recommendations received from others

Recommendations by teachers/family members/people you respect

Recommendations by college friends Location of college – college visit possible? Tuition/fees (but don’t let this dissuade you – see

more about Financial Aid)

14

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESS COLLEGE VISITS

How you can use these to your advantage

Plan in advance List your schools of interest Contact your schools – remember dates

fill up quickly and time passes fast Not Much Money? No Problem -- There may

be groups that visit several colleges, such as College Tours of Historically Black Colleges, so you may be able to visit and not spend a lot of money.

15

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESSTHE COLLEGE APPLICATION What is in a College Application? The College Application

The Common application found onlineWhat if your college uses its own form?

Your high school grades Your extra curricular activities Your Letters of Recommendation

16

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESSTHE COMPONENTS OF AN APPLICATION

The College Essay – Your Personal Statement – what it is and why it is so important to YOU

The College InterviewWhy it can be a part of the Application It it required for admission to the school you

are considering?Where you can show your interest in THIS

COLLEGE – this is a chance for you to shine! What does a college admissions team

do with your application?

17

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESSLETTERS OF

RECOMMENDATION Why a good letter is so IMPORTANT Determine the teacher reommendations –

meet the individual teacher by October  List the teachers’ names/subjects and why you

want them to write for you Make sure to talk with the teacher to let

teacher know the names of each college, why you are planning to apply there and anything you would like the teacher to know when preparing their recommendation.

After the teacher has given the recommendation make sure that you send the teacher a ‘thank you’ note for writing the letter for you

18

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESSTHE ADMISSIONS CYCLE

A word about the college admissions cycle

Decisions, decisions – Early Decision, Early Admission or Regular Admission

What is Early Decision (ED)The PROS and CONS of EDREMEMBER -- THIS IS A BINDING DECISION

What is Early Admission (EA)The PROS and CONS of EA

April/May Madness – Regular Decision Time

19

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESSCOLLEGE VISITS REDUX

Why consider them? How to use the visits to your advantage

in making your decision What to do if you cannot make another

visit to the campus

20

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESSFINANCIAL AID

How to use financial aid to get into the school YOU want to attend

Filling out the FREE federal financial aid forms, [FAFSA], www.fafsa.ed.gov Why you should complete this formTips of what you can include

Consider these options for college:ScholarshipsGrantsCollege work/studyMilitary funding

21

YOUR COLLEGE PROCESSSPECIAL NEEDS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

Additional concerns of a person interested in getting an athletic scholarship

Use the Internet! College Board - NCAA Course Work Requirementshttp://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/prepare/athletes/ncaa e-guidance counselor http://www.eguidancecounselor.com/student_athletes.html NAIA - http://www.playnaia.org/index.php - National

Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NCAA – www.ncaa.org - National College Athletics

Association Studentathleteworld.com -

http://www.studentathleteworld.com/ Student athlete Foundation -

http://www.student-athlete.net/ Student athlete Showcase -

http://www.student-athleteshowcase.com/

22

YOU’RE ACCEPTED!NOW WHAT?

Evaluating your acceptance Financial Aid considerations

Who are given you the best financial aid?Contacting the school if you have more

financial need A word about telling others about your

acceptance Send in your deposit on time -

Remember the deadlines for acceptance

23

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE WAITLISTED OR DENIED ADMISSION

If you are denied admission1. It is not the end of the world2. Reevaluate your situation

1. Consideration of your other acceptances2. Consider the late admission situation

If you are waitlisted• Do you want to stay on the list?• How to improve your chances to still get admitted• What to do if you decide not to stay on the list

Above all please remember deadlines for contacting colleges – your reputation AND your school’s reputation count!

24

JOURNEY’S END Celebrate! Don’t slack off

Keep up your gradesStay involved in your extracurricular

activities and your community