THE COLLEGE SEARCH

Post-Secondary Planning:

The Time is NOW

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL??

EXPLORE YOUR CHOICES

•Military•Service – Americorps•Apprenticeship/Work•Travel•College/University 2 year or 4 year?

Public or Private?

START TALKING. . .

•Parents•Teachers•Family Members•Counselor•College Representatives•Military Representatives•Friends

Introduction and the Basics of the College

Search

HOW DO I BEGIN THIS PROCESS?

Determine your priorities—use check list Remember parents may have different

priorities from students Cost Size Majors Location Selectivity Public/Private

Visit, visit, visit college campuses!!

OTHER THINGS TO LOOK FOR

Religious Affiliation Social Life

Residential vs. Commuter Campus Fraternities and Sororities

% that graduate in 5 years Diversity of student body Scholarship opportunities

Academic Need based

THE PERFECT SCHOOL

Doesn’t exist Many students transfer after their 1st year You are the consumer

Shop for the best fit! Find a school that fits your ideals, standards,

beliefs, budget, and abilities.

“A match to be made not a prize to be won”

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?

Academic Record – GPA, class rank, improvement, difficulty of classes

Testing – ACT or SAT with writing Extracurricular Activities

Work Community service

Letters of Recommendation Honors and Awards Essays Interviews Commitment/Passion Leadership

DETERMINING “MY PROFILE”

Factors in your “Profile” G.P.A. Class Rank ACT or SAT Test Scores Rigor of Courses Activities/ Unusual Talent Essays Recommendations

No Child Left Untested

ACT VS. SAT

Both measure general academic knowledge and college preparedness

All Juniors in CO take the ACT in the Spring of 11th grade Many students retake in the fall of their senior year Must retake if Writing section is required

Retesting is the best later in the spring or beginning of senior year

ACT

College Admission Test 3 ½ hours w/optional writing test Strongly recommend taking writing test Test in four subject areas

English, Math, Reading and Science reasoning plus writing

Possible scores of 1-36 in each area Composite score 1-36 Sending scores is test-date specific

SAT

College Admission Test 3 hours 45 min. Critical Reading, Math and Writing

200-800 each section 2400 total possible score

Register at www.collegeboard.com

SAT SUBJECT TESTS

May be required for college admission by most selective schools

Subject area tests offered in English, History, Math, Science, and Foreign Languages

Tests should be taken as soon as subject area class is completed (June)

Tests are conducted at the same sites on the same days as SAT Reasoning. Cost varies

Register at www.collegeboard.com

TESTING

ACT – Next test December 11, 2010 Register by November 5, 2010

$48 with writing Register at www.actstudent.org

SAT – Next test November 6, 2010 Register by October 8, 2010

$47 Register at www.collegeboard.com

Community College Placement Tests

Don’t wait to retake!!

NO TESTING

www.fairtest.org A list of schools who do not require tests to be

considered for admission or who are test optional

Over 750 schools Community Colleges

Do not require ACT/SAT Will use Accuplacer or similar

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Many Advantages: Smaller class sizes Less expensive Can live at home If you’re not quite ready to go to a 4 year college Flexible schedules, night, weekend classes

Beware Proprietary Schools!!! (Everest, Heritage, Westwood, DeVry) If you’re unsure, ask!

CCHE ADMISSIONS ELIGIBILITY INDEX

COMPARING YOUR PROFILE

Safety – (realistic) Your profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the typical freshman (60-90% chance of admission)

Target – (reasonable) Your profile is similar to the typical freshman (30-60% chance of admission)

Reach – (reach) Your profile is not as strong as the typical freshman

(less than 30% chance of admission)

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Check applications carefully to see if you need one Choose a teacher, coach, administrator,

counselor, who knows you really well Request 2 -3 weeks prior to when you need them Complete student profile and give to each person

writing a letter Always provide a complete list of schools to which

you are applying; provide stamped addressed envelopes

Send a thank you note

ESSAYS/PERSONAL STATEMENT

Don’t make up hardships Demonstrate Character Convey what they wouldn’t glean from your

application alone Have others read it for feedback (not just your parent)

WHERE DO I FIND APPLICATIONS?

College websites Apply online Download paper Get on mailing list

Counseling Office Limited number of paper

Colleges prefer that you apply on line

You, the student, are responsible for meeting deadlines and submitting complete applications!

THE PERFECT SCHOOL

Doesn’t exist. Many students transfer after their first semester

or year! You are the consumer

Shop for a good fit Find a school that fits your ideals, standards, beliefs,

budget, and abilities.

I’M NOT A SENIOR, WHAT CAN I DO?

It’s never too early to start! Consider your options Backwards plan Build your “resume” Visit campuses Start saving money

COLLEGE SEARCHES ON THE WEB

Collegeincolorado.org Colleges That Change Lives

Ctcl.com Local College Fairs

collegefairsdenver.org College View collegeview.com Peterson Education Petersons.com (Quick test-prep searches are

available on this site including ACT, ASVAB, SAT,

MCAT, TOEFL, firefighter and many, many more!)

College Search Collegesurfing.com College Search

Collegeincolorado.org College/Major Search/Test Prep

Princetonreview.com College/Major Search

Connection.naviance.com

College Answer Collegeanswer.com

College Board On-line Collegeboard.com

College Campus Tours Campustours.com

College Planning C3apply.org College Search Embark.com Go College Search

Gocollege.com How to Choose a College

Usnews.com (click on “education”)

Links to all Universities Universities.com

NACAC Nacac.com Study Skills & Careers

Kaplan.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Check our website! http://www.adams50.org/westminsterhs/site/

default.asp Personal Project Extended Essay Watch for college visits at WHS and field trips Metro State College Representative

Every Wednesday in WHS Library

From 8am-3pm

Help with college applications, scholarships, essays, financial aid, anything related to college!

Habitat for Humanity Spring Break

QUESTIONS?