The College Search
November 18, 2015
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Today – The College Search
Nov. 30th – Admission Committee – Part 1 (SL)
Dec. 1st – Admission Committee – Part 2 (SL)
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First, how do you make decisions?
Next, determine what’s important to you.
◦ It’simportant for each student to understand
his/her priorities and preferences before exploring.
◦ Factors in the First Cut
- Dependent
- Intuitive
- Planful
Decision Making Cycle
Distance
 Size
 Location
 Majors
 Academic Rigor
 Students
 Housing
 Cost
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Naviance/Family Connection
College Board’s Big Future
Guidebooks (Fiske Guide, Insider’s Guide,
College Board’s College Handbook, etc.)
Outside input (family, friends, teachers, etc.)
College Counselor
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1800 undergraduates with Div. I sports . . .
ideal for a Cannon student who is interested
in learning for learning’s sake and athletic
excitement. Known as the “Dartmouth of the
South.” Very selective in admissions but very
generous in financial aid (no loans for needy
students.) Located in a small college town.
Honor Code is important here, and
interdisciplinary and pre-professional and
international programs. Largest studies in
biology, psychology, political science, theatre.
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Similar Institutions
◦ The obvious:
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Amherst College
Williams College
Middlebury College
Dartmouth College
◦ Others:
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Washington and Lee University (VA)
Haverford College (PA)
Bowdoin College (ME)
Carleton College (MN)
Occidental College (CA)
Pomona College (CA)
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If you’re looking for a truly urban campus in the
East, you might want to consider School #2.
13,000 undergrads on a beautiful “real” campus
in a major city. It has long been known for the
high quality co-op program, which places
students in 2 – 3 high profile and often paying
internships throughout the world. Offers the
entire range of academics, including engineering,
architecture, business, the arts, computer
science, and criminology, as well as merit and
Div. I athletic scholarships.
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Similar Institutions
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Boston University (MA)
New York University (NY)
George Washington University (DC)
Pace University (NY)
Drexel University (PA)
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Emory University
University of Miami
Tulane University
Washington University
Vanderbilt University
American University
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western University
Butler University
University of Rochester
University of Chicago
Northwestern University
University of Denver
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If you’re considering Elon University, but you’re
also open to going far away, School #3 should be
on your list. 4200 students, only 50% from that
state. Business, political science and international
affairs, and communications are big (Condoleeza
Rice is a double alum.) Also, specialization in
hotel, restaurant, and tourism management – one
of the few in the country. Honors program and
merit scholarships. Moderately selective. D1
Hockey is huge . . . also support for lacrosse,
soccer, and swimming. “Winter sports rule” as
mountain resorts are a short hour away. Greek
life dominates.
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Similar Institutions
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University of Richmond (VA)
University of Redlands (CA)
Butler University (IN)
Ithaca College (NY)
Lehigh University (PA)
University of Puget Sound (WA)
University of San Diego (CA)
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School #4 is located in a beautiful college
town and offers easy access to both outdoor
activities and an easy drive to a major city.
Especially strong in humanities, business,
communication, and sciences, but also offers
many other areas of study. Very laid-back
campus of 17,000+ undergrads; Greek
system and D-I athletics are at the center of
school spirit. Ask about the Honors College
experience here.
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University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
University of South
Carolina
University of Georgia
University of Alabama
University of Florida
University of Mississippi
University of Arkansas
Louisiana State University
University of Texas
West Virginia University
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Miami University of Ohio
Penn State University
University of Wisconsin –
Madison
University of Michigan
University of Illinois Champaign
Indiana University
University of Colorado –
Boulder
University of Arizona
University of Oregon
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NC State
Appalachian State University
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Family Connection
◦ http://connection.naviance.com/cannonschool
 Colleges
 “SuperMatch”
 College Search
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College Board
◦ http://bigfuture.collegeboard.com
◦ Lots of options from creating a plan to
searching for colleges, paying for college to
careers
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A few words about College Prowler
◦ Student comments and reviews
◦ Interesting information usually on personal opinion
versus facts and data
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The best place to look is a school’s
website. Example:
◦ Prospective Students (or “Future Students”)
◦ Academics
1. Sign in to Family Connection
http://connection.naviance.com/cannonschool
a. Under About Me, complete “Factors in the F
First Cut”
2. Do your own search via Family Connection
or College Board’s Big Future site
http://bigfuture.collegeboard.com