College 101:
WHAT YOU AND YOUR
STUDENT SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
PROVISO WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Simplify the College Planning Process
College opportunities exist for everyone.
These four steps can help simplify the planning
process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Understand admissions factors
Learn about the SAT and ACT
Explore college options
Develop a financial plan
Understand Admissions
Factors
What Colleges are Looking At:
The first part of planning for college is understanding
what factors colleges consider when looking at a
student profile.
•Primary Factors
•Quality/Rigor of Academic
Courses
•Academic Performance/Grades
•Test Scores (SAT & ACT)
•Additional Factors
•Extracurricular Activities
•Essay(s)
•Letters of Recommendation
•Demonstrated Interest
Understanding Admissions Factors
Grades & Course Work
Your high school academic record is one of the most
important factors in college admissions. Colleges will look at
a few aspects:
Course selection: Challenge yourself with a rigorous
course load and high-level classes, including AP or honors
courses.
Grades: Every year counts, starting with freshman year
GPA trends: Keep improving through every grade.
Class rank (if offered by your school).
Understanding Admissions Factors
Other Considerations
 Positive recommendations from educators and mentors
 Personal statement and essay(s) demonstrating writing
ability and self-expression
 A “demonstrated interest” that shows your enthusiasm for
the colleges to which you’re applying
 Extracurricular activities, including participation in sports,
performing/visual arts, volunteering, etc.
 Community involvement, part-time work or internship
 Interview (if applicable)
Understanding Admissions Factors
Learn about
SAT & ACT
Test Preparation
Getting Ready for the SAT & ACT
 Select challenging high school courses
 Read widely and write extensively, both in and out
of school
 Take the PLAN your sophomore year
 Take the PSAT/NMSQT soph./junior year
 Become familiar with SAT & ACT question types,
format and directions
 Take advantage of free College Board and ACT
resources/High School Test Prep
 Free/Reduced Lunch-option to retest 2xs for free.
Learn about SAT and ACT Preparation
Explore College Options
Now that you know what colleges
are looking for, it’s time to put
them to the test.
Which college is a good fit??
Explore College Options
What to consider:
Size and diversity of student body
Location (distance, urban/rural)
Academic programs
Campus Life—athletics, activities, housing
Graduation and retention rates
Financial aid/scholarship opportunities
Above all, think about where your child will be happy
and successful in their college life.
Explore College Options
Factors to consider:
Kinds of Colleges
Selectivity
 Public
-Open
-Traditional
-Selective -Highly Selective
 Private
 Historically Black
Colleges/Universities
Size
 Small
 Medium
 Large
Application Options
-Early Action
-Early Decision
-Regular Decision
-Rolling Admissions
Explore College Options
Visit Campuses
Get to know a school from the inside:
 Take a campus tour.
 Speak with an admissions counselor.
 Ask about academic and career services.
 Ask about financial aid opportunities.
 Inquire about support services (counseling, health
clinic, etc.).
 Sit in on a class of interest.
 Learn about security measures/crime rate.
 Talk to students and faculty. Ask questions!!
Explore College Options
Get Organized and Apply
 Narrow and categorize your choices:

“More than likely” schools (1 or 2)

“Good match” schools (2 to 4)

“Reach” schools (1 to 2)
 Review scholarship and financial aid requirements
 Revise application essays and share drafts with a trusted
teacher/counselor, adviser or family member.
 Ask for recommendations and set firm dates for their
completion
 Request transcripts and schedule interviews, if needed.
 Apply for fee waivers, if applicable.
Explore College Options
Develop a Financial
Plan
Add It Up
 Determine all college costs – not just tuition.
 Research the percentage of need-based aid met at




prospective schools.
In-state compared to out-of-state tuition.
Estimate your family’s expected contribution – an
EFC calculator is available at fafsa.ed.gov.
Search free scholarships at collegeboard.com,
fastweb.com, scholarships.com, and
whatsnextillinois.org.
The early bird catches the worm!!
***Remember to explore every opportunity (NJROTC,
community organizations, employer, minority
scholarships, etc.).
Develop a Financial Plan
Apply and Compare
 Know your options: grants, loans, work-study, etc.
 Fill out the free FAFSA application as early as
possible (Jan. 1st), and meet all individual school
deadlines.
 Compare financial aid awards and determine how
they fit with other contributions:
Family
 Savings
 Scholarships

Develop a Financial Plan
Making a Decision
 Try to visit colleges where you’ve been accepted.
 Compare financial aid packages; inform fin. aid
offices of any changes that may occur.
 Send your deposit; read contracts & academic
catalogs carefully.
 Maintain good grades/clean discipline record;
colleges can rescind admissions due to poor grades
and/or suspensions/arrests.
Congratulations, you’re off to college!
Now the REAL work begins!!
College Planning Recap
Remember: College opportunities exist for
everyone!
 Simplify the planning process:
 Understand admissions factors
 Learn about the SAT
 Explore college options
 Develop a financial plan
Alternative Options
 Community College
 Trade/Vocational School
 Military
 Gap Year
 Employment
Don’t Ask…Don’t Tell…
 Face book/Professional Student Emails
 Alternative Admissions Programs
(Pros/Cons)
 Academic Probation (below 2.0 gpa at most
schools)
 Credit Card Debt
 For Profit Schools
 Average annual tuition increase
College Planning Web Sites
 whatsnextillinois.org
 collegeboard.com
 fastweb.com
 fafsa.ed.gov
 scholarships.com
 actstudent.org and march2success.com (test prep)
 ncaa.org (potential athletes)
 careercrusing.com (username triton2000/password
rivergrove) (career/college exploration)