Selecting a

College

• Selecting a college is much like finding a new home for the next 4 years.

• Make sure you take this process seriously and conduct it thoroughly.

• Involve parents or trusted adults in the process.

Step 1Know thyself…

Identify strengths and weaknesses Know your academic profile Analyze your interests and values What do you want out of life? Are you socially self-sufficient or do you need familial support? Analyze your reasons for

attending college.

Step 2Consider college characteristics:• Location• Environment• Size• Admissions requirements• Academics• Cost• Financial aid• Housing• Facilities• Activities• Campus visit

Environment

Location• Small town setting like

Ripon or UW-Platteville?• Bustling streets like

Milwaukee or Madison or Minnesota Twin Cities?

• Do you want to take your car?

• Close to home or how far away?

Size• How large or small of a

school do you want?• Large lecture halls of 300 or

class size of 30?• Distance from dorms to

class

Admission Requirements• What ACT score is required?• What about rank in class?• Check out your ACT score report.

-How you would place among freshmen?

• What are your chances of being accepted?

• Once accepted, what are chances of being competitive?

Value

Academics• What majors are offered?• Contact with professors?• Classes are taught by TA’s?• Research and learning

outside the classroom?

Cost/Financial AidHow much is tuition?

-$11,000 or $30,000

Dorms/housing?-size of rooms, suites

Meal plans?-1/2/3 meals per day

Book purchase or rental?Other expenses?

Financial Aid

• Scholarships available • Work study opportunities• Campus jobs• Community employment• Who is available for assistance if you have

questions?

Lifestyle

Housing• Dorm requirements for

freshmen• Availability/wait list?• Types of housing• Size of dorm rooms• Air conditioning?• Procedure for assigning

roommates and what about changes?

Facilities• Computer labs• Library• Weight/exercise• Outdoor activities• Laundry facilities• Parking• Restaurants and

shopping in town

Extras

Activities• Sports including intramural• Clubs and student

organizations, most campuses have 100+

• Sororities and fraternities• Community and church

Safety• Campus security officers• Dorm entrance security• Transportation around

campus• Night escorts• Presence of outdoor lighting

and emergency phones• Crime rates on

campus/community

Step 3

List colleges from your research.

Consulting:Online informationCollege representativesCounselors and teachersParents, students, alumni

Step 4 Comparison List

Weigh advantages/disadvantages

CostDistance from homeMajorsAdmissionsEtc

Step 5 The College Visit

Talk to your counselor about arranging a visit to your top choices.

Tuesday, March 8 will address getting the most out of your college visit.

Best that you go with a parent.

Step 6 Process

After your visits, process the information you have gained.

Weigh pluses and minuses - discussing with parents/adult

Step 7 Application

Apply in the fall to your top choice.Also apply to your “plan B” school.

More information on the application process will be available next year in September. Colleges start accepting applications Sept. 15 and Sept. 1 for MATC programs.

Remember that everyone must

follow his or her own path in life.What will you

choose?