Navigating the College Search
Process for Sophomores
Susie Bremen
Coordinator for College Counseling
North Central High School
December 10, 2014
Why Go To College?
“College graduates can expect to
earn an average of 70 percent
more during their lifetime than
those with only a high school
diploma. That means that during a
40-year career, the difference in
earning is about $1 million!”
Source: Overview.com/colleges, 2011
The College Search is a Process
Explore the criteria for a good match
Academic
Environment
Major
Location
& Type of College
Admission Standards
People
Cost
College “To-Do” List for
Sophomores & Their Parents
Academic Planning - type of diploma
 Learn about NC’s college prep
resources
 Use online major & career
exploration tools
 Visit college websites for information
on admission requirements, campus
visits, virtual campus tours &
scholarships

College “To-Do” List for
Sophomores & Their Parents
 Use
summer months to learn
more about careers, develop
leadership, or service to
community
 Take
the PSAT again in 11th
grade – National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test
(NMSQT)
Targets for Sophomores
 Core
40 is the minimum diploma
for applying to four-year colleges
 Add
rigor: Watch the number of
non-academic electives
 Build
reading & vocabulary skills
Targets for Sophomores
 Research
majors & career options
 Strengthen
 Summer
leadership skills
immersion programs:
Academic, leadership, wilderness,
overseas, etc.
Resources for
Students & Parents
Guidance counselors & teachers
 College & Career Fairs
 College guide books
 Online resources
 Summer programs
 Current students & recent alums

College Options
 4-Year
 Ball
Colleges – Public
State, IN State, IU, Purdue
 4-Year
 Butler,
Colleges – Private
DePauw, Hanover, Valpo
 Two-Year
 Ivy
Colleges
Tech, Vincennes
 Proprietary
Schools
How 4-year Colleges Evaluate
Admission Applications
o
Academic classes taken
o
Diploma track
o
Grades
o
Grade trends / Junior year emphasis
o
SAT or ACT scores – SEND FROM
TESTING AGENCIES!
o
Rigor of senior schedule
College Major & Career
Exploration

Summer shadowing

Talk to current professionals

College and career





www.learnmoreindiana.org
www.triptocollege.org
www.collegeview.com
www.mappingyourfuture.org
Vocational Schools

www.overview.com/colleges/
Favorite Web Resources
for Basic Help

www.learnmoreindiana.org

www.review.com

www.collegeboard.org

www.nacac.net

www.petersons.com

www.act.org/path/parent/
Websites with Specific Focus

www.collegeconfidential.com – College Planning

www.ncaa.org – Athletes

www.blackexcel.org – African American

www.hsf.net – Hispanic

www.bls.gov/oco - Occupational Outlook

www.cappex.com – Scholarships & College Search

www.finaid.org – Financial Aid

www.in.gov/sfa - Indiana Financial Aid
National Center for College Costs



Complete a College Cost Estimator
@ www.indianacollegecosts.com
Receive advice on how to make
college affordable
Maximize financial aid opportunities
Email: info@collegecosts.com
Phone: (877) 687-7291
NAVIANCE
http://connection.naviance.com/northcentral
Web-based College Planning System

Research possible majors and careers

Research colleges & scholarships

Get college e-newsletters from Guidance

Links to dozens of helpful websites

Track the entire college search process
REQUIRES VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES!
Thank you for being
here!
Drawing for
FREE
Princeton Review
course!