Building Your ResuméCollege VisitsRecommendation LettersGovernor’s SchoolThe College Timeline

Cathy Taylor (English) and Jared Walker (Social Studies)

TIMELINE

● Fall of Junior Year○ Select Dream, Target, Safety schools○ Create list of requirements for each○ Plan out college visits○ Take ACT and get your baseline score○ ACT PREP

● Spring of Junior Year○ College Visits○ Select senior classes with care based on requirements/guidelines for application○ ACT/ACT PREP

● FAMILY DISCUSSION/REALITIES

TIMELINE● Fall of Senior Year

○ Begin and FINALIZE application process (recommendation letters, application essay)

○ VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES○ Apply for FAFSA ID/Fill out FAFSA

● Spring of Senior Year○ Make attendance decision○ Arrange for financial aid○ Register for housing/roommate

● Summer before college○ Attend freshman orientation (parent attends)○ Coordinate with roommates about

purchases/decorations/expectations

Building Your Resumé

Resumes give colleges a snapshot of your accomplishments, extracurriculars, hobbies, and work history.

They can also be a useful tool for prepping for a college interview or to give to the teachers who are writing your letters of recommendation.

Building Your Resumé

● Academic awards, publications, honors, and other achievements● Coursework (summer programs, college courses, or other specialized workshops)● Extracurricular activities● Community service● Work experience● Hobbies● Special skills (e.g. foreign language fluency or HTML expertise)

Building Your Resumé

Advice on Extracurriculars

Admissions officers are looking to create a class made up of students with diverse interests and backgrounds.

1. Be committed. Scattered involvement could be perceived as “flakey.”2. Demonstrate Leadership.3. After school jobs can show maturity. Schedule won’t allow it? No excuse.4. Extracurriculars within interest areas. Can help w/ getting in programs.

● Eleven challenging summer programs for upcoming 11th and 12th graders

● Nominated by high school faculty

TN Governor’s School

College Credit● Number of college credits

vary among schools● Completion of the program

will result in a certificate of merit signed by the governor

● Agricultural Sciences: 3-6 hours● Arts: 3 hours● Business, Innovation, and Technology: 3

hours● Computational Physics: 4 hours● Emerging Technologies: one credit in intro

to engineering and technology● Humanities: 3 hours● Integration of Biological & Statistical

Sciences: 7 hours ● International Studies: 3 hours● Prospective Teachers: 3 hours● Science and Engineering: 5 hours● Scientific Exploration of Tennessee

Heritage: 3 hours

● Get an application from an administrator, school counselor, or other faculty member

● Applications available on the Tennessee Department for Education website from September 1 to December 1○ **app deadline for School for the Arts is EARLY: November 9, 2018

● Applications must be postmarked no later that December 1● Letters of recommendation and verification of academic record are required

Application

2018 Governor’s Schools and Locations● Agricultural Sciences- University of Tennessee Martin● Arts- Middle Tennessee State University ● Business, Innovation, and Technology- Tennessee Technological University● Computational Physics- Austin Peay State University● Emerging Technologies- Tennessee Technological University● Humanities- University of Tennessee Martin● Integration of Biological & Statistical Sciences- East Tennessee State University● International Studies- University of Memphis ● Prospective Teachers- University of Chattanooga● Sciences and Engineering- University of Tennessee Knoxville● Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage- East Tennessee State University

College Visits● Individual and group visits

○ Register online○ Come prepared with questions○ Dress professionally and comfortably (you will WALK A LOT)○ Prepare for weather (they go rain or shine)

● Department visits (opportunity to speak with professors and/or students in the major) must be arranged ahead of time○ Some schools have specific dates reserved for students interested in a specific

major or school● Formal visits are NOT the same as driving through campus or walking around on

your own● Virtual tours (online, photos, in dorms, in academic buildings)

When to Go?

● Junior year (fall/spring break)○ Avoid college breaks, plan ahead○ NOT just for your final choice

● Summer before senior year○ Drawbacks: classes not in session, department meetings are not possible, not

an accurate assessment of campus life○ Advantages: not missing school, greater opportunity to explore surrounding

area● Senior year

○ Visit every single school to which you are applying○ Official tours ONLY (dorms, department meetings)

Let’s see how it’s done...

UTC: https://www.utc.edu/admissions/visit.php

TN Tech: https://www.tntech.edu/admissions/undergraduates/visit/#visitdates

UTK: https://admissions.utk.edu/campus-tours-events/campus-tours/

Fall or Spring Weekend Visits

● Once a semester, most schools offer a HUGE visitation weekend (sporting event with free tickets, meals in the dining hall, panel discussions with current students or alumni)○ Drawback: very little personal attention, crowded, little chance to ask

questions, tours are on tight schedules○ Advantages: full picture of how the active campus feels, FREE STUFF

Questions to Ask during a Campus Visit

● What’s the best dorm on campus and why?● What’s the biggest drawback of living on campus?● What is the average weekend like on campus?● What’s the best club/activity on campus? ● Where is the best place to study on campus?● Do sports teams play a major role on campus? ● Do resident counselors plan events to help freshmen meet new people?● What variety does the dining hall offer, and what are other options for

dining? Ask the student guide: Do I really need the biggest meal plan option?

● Where do students hang out off campus (movie theaters, concert venues, etc.)?

● Do a lot of students join a fraternity or sorority?

Don’t ask questions that can be answered by a simple Google search.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Questions to Ask during a Campus Visit● What are the transportation options around campus?● What reputation does my major have?● What tutoring options are available to students?● What is the relationship between the college and neighboring community like?● What does the college do to maintain campus safety?● What services does the health center offer?● Are there internship opportunities that are arranged with local companies?● What are some important deadlines that up-coming freshmen need to know?● What are the minimal requirements to receive scholarships?● How difficult is it to find parking spots on campus? ● Will applying early decision or early action be an advantage?● How is the WiFi on campus?● What is the number one complaint about the school?● How much time do students spend doing homework?● How are roommates assigned, and is it possible to change roommates?

Recommendation Letters

● From junior or senior teachers● ASK POLITELY--don’t assume● Waive FERPA (right to read)--huge red flag if not waived● Provide resume/brag sheet and DEADLINE● Develop relationship with teachers--letters are based on

performance○ Mediocre performance = mediocre letter (punctual and

personable)

Recommendation Letters● PERSONAL: requires time and care● Form letters reflect poorly on applicants● Taylor’s personal view?

○ My sworn statement as to ability and character of applicant--I WILL NOT LIE

○ If a teacher is hesitant or evasive, ask another teacher● Grammar counts and discipline matters (science major? Ask a

science teacher?)● Some schools specific (one English, one math, one of your

choosing)

Guidance Recommendation Letter

● Some schools require a guidance counselor recommendation letter○ Counselor must attest to personal knowledge of

candidate● Letter should not repeat what is on transcript● FORM LETTER = no relationship with or knowledge or

candidate