The College Selection and Application Process

Welcome!

Self-Evaluation

Information Gathering

The “Right” College

Athletics

Admission Criteria

College Entrance Exams

Recommendations

The Essay

When to Apply

Financial Aid

Suggestions

Websites

Selecting a College Involves Many Factors

• Self – Evaluation• Information Gathering• Selection Process• Filing Applications• Applying for Financial Aid• Waiting • The Final Choice

Self-EvaluationThe first step in finding the right match

• Goals and values• Academic interests, abilities and learning

style• Activities and outside interests• Your personality and relationships • Career awareness and interests• Self-assessment tools• Exploring by major

Information Gathering• Send for publications from colleges

(postcards, e-mail, register on websites)

• Use print resources in Counseling Center

• College Fairs (Higher Education night, National College Fair)

• College Visits!!!• Open Houses at college campuses• Meet with college reps who visit

TIHS

The Right College

The right college for one student may not be the right one for another. YOU must decide what criteria is important in a college that makes it a good match for you.

• Size of campus • public/private• Class size • admissions criteria• Faculty/student ratio • campus clubs/organizations/athletics• Tuition cost • Majors of study• Distance from home • On-campus housing• Types of degrees offered • Selectivity

2-Year vs. 4-year College

2-year/ technical college- Lower tuition- Smaller class sizes- Closer to home- Live at home (few have

dorms)- Open Admission- Some have 1-year

certificate programs- Can start here then

transfer

4-year college- Bachelors Degree- Living on campus- Enriched experience- More selective- Options for large campus

or small campus- Typically more

clubs/activities

Admission Criteria – 2-Year/Technical

• Complete application for admission

• Placement tests – Math and English

• Graduate from high school

• If you complete 2-year BOCES program, certain courses in college could be waived

• Keep in mind, that getting into the college is often the easy part. STAYING there, is the hard part.

• Students often begin at a 2-year college, then transfer to a 4-year college for 2 more years

Admission Criteria – 4-Year• GPA• Strength of classes-challenging and rigorous • Test scores – SAT / ACT• Intended major • Activities outside the classroom • Special talents, skills and interests• Recommendations from teachers• Essay (4-year colleges)• Interview (selective colleges)

Minimum Course Requirements for Many 4-Year Colleges

Years• English 4• Science(3 labs) 4• Social Studies 4• Mathematics 4• Foreign Language 3-4• Electives* Most prefer an additional

math, science, or foreign language during senior year.

College Entrance ExamsBoth SAT and ACT test knowledge and aptitudes in the areas of math, critical reading, and writing. The ACT includes a science section as well.

• SAT and/or ACT are commonly taken in spring of junior year and fall of senior year• Sat II- 1 hour subject tests: required only for some private, more competitive schools

TIHS students take a preliminary test for the SAT and ACT to help them determine which test to take, identify strengths and weaknesses, and select careers and colleges:

PSAT – October of grade 10 & 11ACT – April or June of grade 11, Fall of Grade 12SAT – May of grade 11, Fall of Grade 12

High School Transcript• GPA and class rank• Standardized test scores

(SAT / ACT)• Courses taken and level

of difficulty• Regents exam scores• Attendance• Diploma type (Advanced

Regents; Regents; Honors)

Relative Importance to College Admissions Decision

Ninth Grade Tenth Grade Eleventh Grade Twelfth Grade

Letters of Recommendation

• Teachers, counselor, coach, advisor

•Required for most 4-year colleges

•Give your teachers plenty of notice (two weeks minimum)

•Supply the teacher with an informal resume of activities, interests, goals

•Students ask for letters of recommendation at the beginning of senior year

The College Essay…a few pointersShould be…

• Proofread• edited for mechanics, spelling, grammar,

punctuation and typos. *Don’t rely on spell-check

• Unique!!!• Write in student’s own voice• Write several drafts• Essay should give honest insight into who

student really is and how student views the world

• Enhance the overall application-provide the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of who you are besides how you look on paper

To How Many Colleges Should I apply?

Selection Process

Reach

Reasonable

Safe

When/How to ApplyApplications should be completed and submitted to the

Counseling Office by mid-November of senior year.

To obtain application:- Send for application from college or campus website

- Apply to more than 1 campus with 1 application: www.suny.edu (NYS public) www.commonapp.com (some public and private)

- Visit Counseling Office-application workshops

• All applications must be typed or neatly printed by student

• Fee waivers available for students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch

When/How to Apply

• Adhere to deadlines!• The application

process continues throughout the school year: mid-year reports, final reports

• May 1st is the deadline to make final decisions and send in deposits to commit to attend the college

• Common Application workshop in August

Application Options

• Early Decision (binding) – earlier application deadline; December notification; if accepted, must attend that college. Students would use this option if they are certain particular college is a first choice

• Early Action – earlier application deadline; December notification (typically well in advance of regular decision applicants); non-binding – may opt to attend another institution

• Regular Admission – Deadlines vary from college to college, notification in March-April ( most common)

Apply for Financial AidOnce the admission applications have been mailed, it is time to apply for

financial aid.

1) CCS Profile – private colleges (fee and must be done online)2) FAFSA – all colleges

• Families can apply for federal student aid with FAFSA after January 1.• Apply online www.fafsa.ed.gov or on paper worksheet.• Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) determined by family income.

SCHOLARSHIPS• Not based on financial need.• Based on merit (academic success), involvement in activities, etc.• Local scholarships – available in Counseling Center for seniors.

Families are strongly encouraged to attend the financial aid workshop duringparent conferences for more information and help completing the forms.

Is a Private College Affordable?

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$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

College A College B College C College D

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Final Suggestions

Students should…• Assess your values, goals, interests and abilities• Research careers and colleges that match your

criteria • Use resources in Counseling Center• Explore the college websites – virtual tour• Visit colleges• Talk to friends, family, teachers• Work hard in school (more options for the future!)• Get involved: clubs, sports, church, volunteer• Meet deadlines• Keep ongoing list of volunteer activities/hours• Set up internship-can be completed over the summer

or during internship week in November

Useful WebsitesCollege Information• Online Campus Tours www.campustours.com• Career and College Search www.collegeboard.org• Princeton Review for College Info. www.review.com• College NET www.collegenet.com• Peterson’s Education Center www.petersons.com

Testing Tips and Information• ACT/Plan www.actstudent.org • PSAT/SAT www.collegeboard.com

Financial Aid and Scholarship Searches• Fastweb- Financial Aid www.fastweb.com• NYS Financial Aid info. www.nysfaaa.org• Completing the FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov• Higher Education Services Corp www.hesc.org• College Athletic Scholarshipswww.eligibilitycenter.org

VAP Opportunities

• Marj Williams, BOCES

• Virtual Advanced Placement (VAP)

• A variety of online courses are available for students to take