Planning the College Visit
Experiential Education
Colorado College Tour
Parent-Led College Visits
2012
By PresenterMedia.com
EX. ED. MEETING: COLLEGE TOURS
-----------------------
I. “Planning College Visits" Slideshow
II. Short Break
III. Meet in Mezzanine after Break; Set Up Computers
IV.
A. Parent-Led: Complete the College Planning
"Template" and Begin Logistics Planning for Trips
B. Colorado College Tour: Colorado College Knowledge
V.
Short Break; Return to Mezzanine After Break
VI.
Complete the Qualities that Will Make a College Right
for You" survey
VII.
Short Break
VIII. Discuss "Evaluating a College" Sheets and Requirements
for Ex. Ed. Credits.
IX.
A. Parent-Led: Continue Working on Logistics for Trips
B. Colorado College Tour: Investigate Activities in
Boulder and Denver; Drug/Alcohol Policy; Scholarships
X.
Questions and Wrap Up
Why Visit Colleges?
-------
Colleges and universities are a lot like students in
that they can be, in some sense, defined by
numbers. But there are characteristics of spirit
and personality and texture that you can’t judge
by sterile measures. You’ve got to go visit.
Figure out a way to do it.”
Jon Boeckenstedt, associate vice president for
enrollment, DePaul University
College Visit Tips
_• Visit colleges in which you are most interested and those where you
are likely to be admitted. Create a College Visit List that includes a
balance of “probable,” “likely,” and “reach” schools.
•
Try to visit when schools are in session.
•
Check the website of each college you plan to visit for tours,
information sessions, interview availability, etc.
•
If you plan to play a varsity sport, try to arrange a visit with the coach.
•
Don’t schedule more than two college visits on any one day.
•
Print out directions for each destination, and download campus maps from the colleges’ websites.
The Art of the College Visit
(How to Take it All In)
“Every college visit should have at least two dimensions, formal and informal,” notes Janet Schneider, director
of college counseling at the University School of Nashville (TN). To cover both dimensions, begin your
planning with the following checklist. To make sure you’re able to see everything you’d like to, don't forget
to call or go online to the college ahead of time and schedule your visit!
Formal Dimensions
•
Take a campus tour
•
Participate in group information session at the admission office
•
Sit in on a class (or two!)
•
Talk to a professor (or two) in your chosen major(s)
•
Talk to a coach in your chosen sport
•
Talk to a student or counselor in the career center
•
Spend the night in the dorm with a current student
•
Things to Do on a Campus Visit
Informal Dimensions
•
Read the student newspaper, even the ads
•
Try to find other student publications—department newsletters, 'alternative'
newspapers, literary reviews
•
Eat in the cafeteria
•
Ask a student why he/she chose this college, and what their favorite part about it is
•
Wander around the campus by yourself
•
Search for your favorite book in the library
•
Read the bulletin boards in the student union and in the academic department
you're interested in
•
Ask a student what he/she dislikes about the college
•
Browse in the college bookstore
More Things to Do on a Campus Visit
•
Eavesdrop on students to hear what they’re talking, or complaining about
•
Surf the Net in the student computer center
•
Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus to explore the
surrounding area
•
Find out if there is public transportation or if you can have your vehicle on campus
•
Ask a student what he/she does on weekends
•
Ask career services about upcoming job opportunities
•
Look into clubs and organizations on campus that interest you
•
Listen to the college's radio station
•
Try to see a dorm that you didn't see on the tour
•
See if you can imagine yourself at this college
Outline of Trips
Effective Trips Require Good Planning
OUTLINE OF COLORADO TOUR
•
Region defined by Colorado
•
Two College Visits Per Day
•
Planning can
make your
college visit a
success
OUTLINE OF PARENT-LED TOUR
•
Mapping of the Region and Possible
College Visits Considered **
Several Meals on Campus
•
Drive Times are Critical **
•
Familiar with Route and Timing
•
•
Known College Reps
Tours and Info Sessions Need to be
Mapped and Arranged **
•
Group Planned Activities **
•
Make Reservations
Online or Call **
** Student responsibility
Colorado College Tour: Agenda for Days
of Trip
---------
Monday
Fort Collins - Colorado State University Tour and Information Session
Greeley - University of Northern Colorado Tour and Information Session
Drive to Boulder for Overnight
Tuesday
Boulder - CU Boulder Tour and Information Session
Denver – University of Denver Tour and Information Session
Stay at Hotel in Denver
Wed.
Thursday
Friday
Colorado Springs - Colorado College Tour & Information Session
CU - Colorado Springs, Tour and Information Session
Overnight in Denver
Denver - Johnson & Wales Tour and Information Session
Denver - CU Denver & Metro State College, Campus Tours
Overnight in Denver
Regis College, Denver Tour and Information Session
Colorado School of Mines, Tour and Info Session
Home
Understanding the Colleges on Your Visits
The College Planning Template will help you better understand the colleges you plan
to visit. It will also help you organize your college search and application process.
The college planning template enables
you to determine where you are in the
range that the college considers its
“student body.”
•
GPA information from transcript
•
ACT/SAT: Any pre-tests or
testing that might indicate if you
are a high, medium, or
challenged tester
•
Rigor of coursework now and in
the future
•
Requirements of admission?
(completed Level 3 of a world
language?)
College Planning Template Information
This chart informs or contextualizes your college list
The template is used to inform your
college search and application
process.
L=Likely means that you are in the
colleges range and that you have a
credible chance to make a good
application to that school.
P=Probable and means that your
numbers exceed the range (middle
50% of accepted applicants and that
you probably will be admitted)
R= Reach and this school’s Range is
higher than your achieved numbers
and it would be a reach for the
college to admit you.
College Name
#
ACT
Range
GPA
R<L<P
CU Boulder
30,000
25+
3.5
L
Northern Colorado
10,000
20+
3.0
P
CSU
25,000
24
3.2
L
Colorado College
2500
30+
3.8
R
University of Denver
5000
26+
3.6
L
Fort Lewis
5000
20+
3.0
L
Colorado Mesa
5000
20
2.7
P
A College List Is a Result of Good Searching
You can look “virtually” or at fairs or on actual campuses to
discover the characteristics you want in your “college.”
The Colorado Western Slope College Fair
• Sunday, September 30, 2012
• 220 College Representatives
•
Applications come from identifying places that
are a “Fit” & Match” for your interests and for
what you want in a college.
•
E.g. school spirit, sports, labs, physics, etc.
Steven Antonoff's
"Qualities that Will Make a College Right
for You"
Complete this survey to help you discover characteristics of
colleges that may be good “fits” for you.
Link: http://www.schoolbuff.com/qualities%20PRINT.pdf
•Three College Thumbnails
Collegeboard.com - a great resource for this data
•
•
Flagship State
University of Colorado
at Boulder
3 campuses
•
•
•
•
3.5 GPA
ACT Test range 25-27
•
•
A Highly Selective Ivy
League college and
university.
3.8+ GPA
ACT 30+
SAT II _2 Required
•
•
A local college with 2
and 4 year programs
Many campuses
AA Degree and 4 year
Degree in Business and
Sustainable Studies
•
Aspen High School Profile
Know the Story of your School: Know Where you Fit In
Review the AHS School Profile
Review your transcript
Review test prep opportunities
Review your pre-testing
Review the IB course scale
Determine how rigor in course
selection is accounted for
Star
Burst!
The College Search Can Be Hard
But Rewarding Work!
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