Selecting a College or UniversitySelecting a College or University

A Program for Students and ParentsStone Bridge High School

Points to Consider

Location Costs Gender Housing Guidance Resources Majors Size Admissions

Requirements Activities Self-assessment

Let’s Begin with a Self-Let’s Begin with a Self-assessmentassessment

Why am I going to college?

What do I have to offer?

What do I expect from the college?

Will I be able to participate in activities?

What do the admissions officers What do the admissions officers evaluate?evaluate?

Academic Transcript (grades & course selection)

Standardized Testing Extra-curricular

Activities Community Service Leadership Qualities Letters of

Recommendation Personal Interviews

Valuable ResourcesValuable Resources Index of Majors and

Graduate Degrees Career Center Bridges.com Interview field of study

professionals Discuss ideas with parents,

teachers, SBHS graduates, and counselors

College Night Guidance Counselor Family Connection SBHS Guidance Website SAT Online Course

Where do I want to attend Where do I want to attend college?college?

Stay close to home or move away

In-state or out-of-state Physical location

(inner city, college-town, or other setting)

Geographic location Climate Transportation Extended family and friends

What learning environment is What learning environment is best for me?best for me?

Average classroom size

Physical sizeWhat setting do I

learn better in?Participation factors

(academic/nonacademic)Curriculum diversity

vs. specialization

School gender considerationsSchool gender considerations

How important are social interaction opportunities?

In what environment would I best learn?

In what setting would I be most successful?

Activities and Experiences

Where will I live?Where will I live?

Guaranteed On-Campus Housing

Off-Campus HousingCommuters

Available Guidance ResourcesAvailable Guidance Resources

Career Center Internet based

InformationCollege VideosTest preparationWritten materialsCollege

RepresentativesBrown Bag Lunch

Series

Financial ConcernsFinancial Concerns

Don’t allow costs to keep you from applying

More expensive colleges usually have more unrestricted aid

Aid qualification varies widely

Financial Aid workshops

JUNIORSWhere are you now?

SAT/ACT StatusCollege exploration and

inquiryPlanned visitsCourse selections for next yearGrades and activities (resume)Applications available in the

fall from the college Be responsible, proactive and

prompt

Things to find outWhat admission policy does

the college use? (regular, rolling admissions, early decision and/or early action)

Requirements for admission (SAT ‘s, essays, letters of recommendation and specific courses completed)

Investigate the college…it will be home for the next four years!!

College application proceduresStep one: collect applications, check

and meet deadlines, make copy for rough draft & notify references

Step two: fill out application thoroughly and carefully, concentrate on essay & keep copy for your records

Step three: notify guidance by completing the Transcript Request Form

Step four: reviewed by counselor, transcript attached,counselor section completed & mailed