Kathy Leaver, Gifted Education & College Advisor

Pat Holder, Counselor, 11th-12th (M-Z)

Bobby Deavers, Counselor, 11th-12th (A-L)

Looking for the Fit, Not the Brand:

College Search 101

Why College?Earn on average $19,500 per year more than someone with just a high school diploma

Over 40 years that’s an additional $780,000

Expand knowledge and skills

Improve written and oral communication skills

Grasp abstract content and theory

Experience self-discovery

Increase global awareness

Common Excuses

“I can’t afford it”

“Nobody in my family has ever gone to college”

“I don’t know how to apply or where to go”

“I don’t know what I want to do with my life”

“College is too hard for me”

“I just won’t fit in”

Research College Choices…Ask some questions… Does the college offer the major(s)

your student is considering?

What size institution would be the best fit?

What type of environment? Region of the country, city size, weather, convenience of travel?

What about costs? And scholarships? AND…

CAN HE/SHE GAIN ADMISSION?

Do Your College Homework…

College guidebooks and surveys

Web search engines-Google, etc.

College publications & web pages

College DVD visits

Admission rep visits, area college fairs

Try to narrow the list to 3-6 colleges by the beginning of the student’s senior year. Try to visit MOST, if not ALL, of those colleges! BUDGET for visiting!!

Public v. Private

Public Colleges/Universities– Institutions in a given state that are largely

funded by state tax monies– Usually easier for students to be admitted– Out-of-state refers to colleges outside state of

residence (tuition is usually higher)

Public v. Private

Private Colleges/Universities–Supported by tuition, endowment, and

donations from alumni and friends–Usually more expensive than public

colleges but depends on the school–Some are more selective but depends

on the school

Make Every Campus Visit Minute Count…

Make appointments BEFORE visiting!!

Have questions ready Ask to speak to faculty/staff in

area(s) of interest Check security reports and job/graduate

school placement info Eat on campus & ask to see residence halls Talk to/observe currently enrolled students Take a tour (preferably w/ a student guide)

Ask to sit in on a classroom session

Ask about academic support services

Thank You notes after a visit are appreciated!

What Factors Do Colleges Consider?

Test Scores (ACT and/or SAT)

Grades (in appropriately challenging college-prep courses)

Strength of curriculum (AP, Honors, Dual Enr., etc.)

And sometimes…

Essays (Follow directions and proof, proof, proof!)

Recommendation Letters (Don’t wait till the last minute and expect a great letter. Plan ahead for ‘who’ and ‘when’!)

Extracurricular Interests/Community Service (Laundry list resumes’ are easy to spot and not very credible. So is “service for resume’ building.” Focus on 3-5 things.)

The College Application Process

Apply online at the college’s website

Pay application fee, if applicable

Complete the transcript request form

Request ACT/SAT directly from ACT/Collegeboard…to be official scores must come from the testing company

Allow for timely completion of letters of recommendation, if needed

Complete essay/schedule interview, if needed

Making the Application Stand Out… What is an appropriate number of schools for your

student to apply to? Think about application fees!

Be mindful of deadlines. (The College Calendar)

Have the student treat this as a homework project. Care should be given to the accuracy of the application, but PLEASE….no MDI/DDI!!!

Complete the on-line application form (Always make a hard copy of anything submitted!)

Essay required? Give it proper attention!

Understand various kinds of admission decisions,

what they mean AND require, i.e. Early Decision, Early Action, Deferral, Wait List, etc.

The Common Application

“Common App”-www.commonapp.org

Admission application that is accepted by over 400 colleges & universities

Students, counselors and teachers complete their “sections” online

Once completed, “application” will be sent to selected colleges

Colleges may have additional supplemental pages to be completed

Early ActionA non-binding early admission program

Students apply early (usually Oct/Nov)

Students receive early response (usually Dec/Jan)

Students not restricted to one college

Early DecisionBinding early admission program

Students can submit only one early decision application

Receive decision as early as Nov 1st of senior year

If offered admission, student must withdraw all other applications

Deferred AdmissionCollege decision is delayed until:– the college has seen its full applicant

pool – receives additional testing/grade

information–Applicant may need to submit letter of

recommendation

Wait ListColleges’ process of initially delaying or denying admission

Colleges extend the possibility of admission in the future

Based on number of regularly admitted students accepting their offers

Students may choose whether or not to remain on the “Wait List”

Competitive Schools and/or Competitive Scholarships = Interviews and Essays…

Many selective schools require an admission essay. Many special programs and scholarships require essays and interviews.The more selective the school, the more likely a student will benefit by scheduling an interview IF they are well-prepared and polished!

BUT… the quality of an interview and/or an essay

will nearly ALWAYS affect scholarship amounts —positively or negatively,

it’s up to the student!!!

College EssaysTells a story only the student can tell

Allows the reader to get to know the student in ways other than the rest of the application

Illustrates uniqueness

Provides an example of writing and communication skills

Provides window to personality, values & goals

The InterviewAllows the college, special program or scholarship committee to learn more about the student

Provides opportunity for face-to-face communication

Allows the student to assess their “fit”

Could be held on campus or in the community

Practice, Practice, Practice

Special Opportunities

Honors Programs/Early Professional School Admission Programs

Cooperative Programs (Co-op)

Internships

Student Designed Majors

Study Away

Academic Common Market - Study in a specialized field at an out-of-state college, while paying in-state tuition rates

OK, Now What?

Make a list of colleges: research & visit

Take the ACT/SAT

Check grades to see if student meets requirements for admission

Register with NCAA Eligibility Center, if applicable

Research scholarship/fin aid possibilities

Create a resume

Get organized

Don’t let up

Resourceshttp://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/omhs-counselors/

http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/kleaver/

www.actstudent.org

www.collegeboard.com

www.fastweb.com

www.fafsa.ed.gov

http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/studentresources/scholarship.html

www.cappexx.com

Questions