Things to remember before applying to college: 1. Make your senior year count a. Incomplete high preparation can contribute to academic problems in college. b. Senioritis jeopardizes your chances for success later on in college; it can also affect your grades and college admissions. c. College admission officers pay close attention to your performance during your senior year. d. The entire senior year is actually looked at by college admissions. e. Many college applications require you to list our senior course, including information about course levels and credit hours. f. It will be obvious to admissions officers if you’ve decided to take the year off. g. It is not at all rare for a college to withdraw an offer of admission when grades drop significantly over the course of the senior year. 2. How to make the most of your senior year. a. Use this year as an opportunity to strengthen our skills and broaden your experiences in school and out of school. b. Maintain a challenging course load by taking the most rigorous courses available and be sure to continue taking college track subjects. c. Stay active and involved in activities, sports, and volunteer work to keep you active and focused throughout your final year. d. Try out college early by taking a class or two from a local college or dual credit courses. 3. Extracurricular activities: a. Life outside the classroom b. Colleges care about the following: i. How you’ve made a meaningful contribution to something ii. What your non-academic interests are iii. Whether you can maintain a long-term commitment iv. Whether you can manage our time and priorities v. What diversity you’d bring to the student body. c. Maintaining a balance i. Remember colleges are not interested in seeing you do it all but looking for a commitment to and passion for an activity outside of the academic setting. ii. Looking for depth rather than breadth. iii. Colleges want to see individuality d. Don’t worry about being president, or captain because the key is whether you’ve done something significant, center stage or behind the scenes. 4. Extracurricular edge: a. Admissions officers know that what potential students do with their time outside of school reveals important personal dimensions that statistics cannot show. b. Participating in an extracurricular activity while maintaining good grades demonstrates the following: i. Time management skills ii. Ability to prioritize iii. Motivation iv. Responsibility v. Leadership qualities c. Choose depth over breadth i. Admissions officers are more likely to consider an applicant who is deeply and passionately committed to a specific activity rather than one who is superficially involved in multiple activities. ii. Look for activities to enhance your specific interests and skills iii. Seek a balance between academics and extracurricular activities because too many activities can take away from study time or lead to burnout. iv. Count working and volunteering which reveals certain personality characteristics that appeal to admissions officer by showing significant level of employment or community service while maintaining academic excellence. v. Realize that inclusion in most lists and publications is not significant because most colleges are interested in actual achievements and don’t give much weight to being listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students or other “name only” accomplishments. vi. Strengthen college application by exploring a couple of activities and sticking with them through high school. Early decision and early action calendar: Junior year: January – May 1. 2. 3. 4. Take the SAT and/or ACT as many times as needed Start looking at colleges of interest Research college admissions requirements Work hard and keep up grades May – July: 1. Continue to take SAT and/or ACT as needed 2. Start planning for senior year 3. Visit colleges a. Call ahead for campus tour schedule b. Schedule an on-campus interview with an admissions representative c. Begin looking at and attending activities geared for high school students on college campus 4. Finalize your list of colleges a. Request college applications and informational packets b. Organize materials into separate files by college 5. Keep a college calendar of all admissions deadlines 6. If you plan on competing in Division I or Division Ii college sports and want to be eligible to be recruited by colleges, you must register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. 7. Research: a. Campus checklist b. SAT /ACT score requirements Senior year: August – September 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Work on college essays – focus on your experiences and make you stand out from the crowd Visit colleges and meet with college admissions counselors Attend opportunities and activities geared for high school students on the college campus Research scholarships Get started on your applications Update your resume a. List of accomplishments b. List of involvements c. List of work experiences d. List of senior year activities September – October 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Visit colleges Work on paperwork needed for college application Obtain teacher recommendations. File early decision or early action applications according to school deadlines and procedures. Take SAT or ACT if necessary: Remember – October is the last test date that makes scores available in time for application deadlines. 6. Be aware of deadlines for college application submission 7. Be aware of deadlines for scholarships 8. Continue researching scholarships and submit required information November – January 1. Submit college application: be aware of deadlines for application deadlines 2. Look at housing opportunities 3. Gather information for financial aid and deadlines: FAFSA Choosing a college Things to consider: 1. 2. 3. 4. Identify your priorities Carefully research the characteristics of a various colleges of interest Compare and contrast the colleges Learn about the admissions process to improve your chances of getting into your school of choice Rank the following in order of importance to you and see how well each college matches up. 1. Location: a. Close enough to visit home frequently b. Environment with access to museums, ethnic food or major league ball games c. Easy access to outdoors d. Small town atmosphere e. Experience a different part of the country f. Specific weather/temperature climate 2. Size a. b. c. d. e. f. g. Student body population Range of academic majors offered Extracurricular possibilities Amount of personal attention you’ll receive Look beyond raw number of students attending Look at small departments within a large university Investigate number of faculty members and accessibility to students i. Professor : student ratio 3. Mix of students a. Coed or not coed b. Diverse student body c. Think about geographic, ethnic, racial, and religious diversity of students and what you might gain from a diverse student body 4. Academics a. Does the college offer programs of study that interest you b. Research reputations of academic departments c. If unsure of major, look at a college which offers a range of majors and programs. 5. Extracurricular a. Does the college have the types and ranges of activities you are interested in b. Consider what your college life will be like beyond the classroom c. Aim for a balance between academics, activities, and social life i. What extracurricular activities, athletics, and special interest groups are available ii. Does the community around the college offer interesting outlets for students iii. Are students welcomed by the community iv. Is the an ethnic or religious group in which to take part v. How do fraternities and sororities influence campus life vi. Is housing guaranteed vii. How are dorms assigned viii. Types of dorms ix. Choice of living on campus or off campus x. Transportation availability for off campus living 6. Cost a. b. c. d. Look beyond price tag Research grants, scholarships, loans Financial aid availability Out of state tuition and possibility of waiver for out of state tuition 7. Facilities a. Will you have access to labs, athletic facilities, recreational facilities, theater, music 8. Retention and graduation rates: comparatively good retention and graduation rates are indicators that responsible academic, social, and financial support systems exist for most students. a. Post grad work b. Transfer opportunities c. # of students who return after the first year d. % of students who remain to graduate College Admissions: A. After you have selected a college, you must apply to be admitted. B. Supply accurate and complete information on your college admissions application. a. Failure to do so will delay your admittance. b. Failure to do so may keep you from being admitted. C. Applications vary from college to college, but most require some or all of the following parts 1. Application form a. On-line directly to college b. On- line through Common Application c. On-line through www.applytexas.org 2. Application fee a. Average application fee is $35 - $60. b. Fee is usually nonrefundable c. Some colleges offer fee waiver for applicants from low income families 3. High school transcript a. Filled out by high school official b. Sent by you to the college or high school 4. Admissions Test Scores a. Submit test scores i. SAT ii. SAT subject iii. SAT with writing iv. ACT b. Test score requirements for admission vary from college to college. c. Test score requirements vary per Majors 5. Letters of recommendation a. Private colleges ask you to submit one or more from a teacher, counselor or other adult who know you well. b. Ask well before the college’s deadline c. Make sure the person writing the recommendation knows you well 6. Essay a. Often plays a very important role b. Whether writing autobiographical statement or essay on specific theme, take the opportunity to express your individuality in a way that sets you apart from other applicants. 7. Interview a. Required or recommended b. If not required, it’s a good idea to set up an interview because it gives a chance to make a personal connection with someone who will have a voice in deciding whether or not you’ll be offered admission 8. Summary: a. Your entire application should create a consistent portrait of who you are and what you’ll bring to the college. b. The more pieces of the puzzle support one impression, the more confident the admissions committee will be in admitting you. c. If the essay or interview contradicts information you gave on other forms, you may cause them to have doubts about accepting you. d. If all the parts of your application are filled out honestly and carefully, with an attention to your conviction that each school is a good match for you, you will come across in the best light possible. College Application Tips for filling out application: Remember your application makes your first impression for you. Keep a few things in mind when filling out your application: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Give yourself plenty of time to met deadlines – arriving late will not make a good first impression Answer all questions – don’t leave anything blank. Follow the directions completely Type or print your answers – be neat because presentation is important Include supporting materials – letters of recommendation, outstanding examples of your work, interests Make a copy – applications can get misplaced Sign the application Include any required processing fees with your application If the application requires an essay practice writing one before putting the final version on the application. Fine tune your essay – don’t ramble and have someone else read over your essay. Be yourself – don’t exaggerate your achievements or abilities Proofread your application – have a parent or a friend proofread it too Support materials; some things you will have to provide when you fill out a college application 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Personal information – residency requirements, address,etc Family information – parents’ names, addresses, and SS# Educational background – where you went to high school, class ranking, dual credit classes Test scores – SAT , ACT, THEA Academic experience – specific courses you have taken Awards and honors Extracurricular activities – school, religious, civic, work, and volunteer Written essay Recommendations from teachers and counselors An official high school transcript – you can usually submit an unofficial one when you apply but your acceptance will require an official one eventually. 11. Application fee Writing your college essay: Write an effective application essay a. Great application essay will present a vivid, personal, and compelling view of you to the admissions staff. b. Help you stand out from the other applicants. Do: 1. Keep your focus narrow and personal a. Must prove a single point or thesis b. Reader must be able to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. c. Try having someone read just your introduction to see what your essay is about d. It’s not about telling the committee what you’ve done – they can pick this up from your list of activities – instead it’s about showing them who you are. 2. Prove it a. Develop your main idea with vivid and specific facts, events, quotations, examples, and reasons. b. There’s a big difference between simply stating a point of view and letting an idea unfold in the details 3. Be specific a. Avoid clichéd, generic, and predicable writing by using vivid and specific details. Don’ts: 1. Don’t tell them what you think they want to hear a. Most admission officers read plenty of essays about the charms of their university, the evils of terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in being a doctor. b. Bring something new to the table not just what you think they want to hear 2. Don’t write a resume a. Don’t include information that is found elsewhere in the application b. Your essay will end up sounding like an autobiography, travelogue, or laundry list 3. Don’t use 50 words when 5 words will do – eliminate unnecessary words 4. Don’t forget to proofread a. Typos, spelling errors, or grammatical errors can be interpreted as carelessness or just bad writing. b. Don’t rely on y our computer’s spell check it can miss spelling errors Three steps to a great college essay: You, in 500 words or less 1. Pre-write 2. Draft 3. Edit Prewriting: collect and organize potential ideas for your essay’s focus 1. 2. 3. 4. Brainstorm Discover your strengths Create a self – outline Find patterns and connections Drafting: actual writing 1. Write in three basic parts a. Introduction – gives reader your essay’s content b. Body – presents evidence that supports your main idea – use narration and incident to show rather than tell c. Conclusion – brief – a few sentences to nail down the meaning of the events and incidents you have described. 2. Three basic essay styles a. Standard essay i. take 2 or 3 points from your self-outline ii. Give a paragraph to each and make sure you provide plenty of evidence. iii. Choose things not apparent from the rest of your application or light up some of the activities and experiences listed there. b. Less is more essay i. Focus on a single interesting point about you ii. Works well for brief essays of a paragraph or half page c. Narrative essay i. Tells a short and vivid story ii. Omit the introduction, write one or two narrative paragraphs that grab and engage the reader’s attention iii. Explain what this little tale reveals about you. Editing: final improvements to your draft 1. Find and correct any error 2. Feedback from others 3. Remember you are your best editor – no one can speak for you because your own words and ideas are your best bet. 4. Remember: a. Let it cool – take a break from your work and come back to it in a few days i. Does your main idea come across clearly ii. Do you prove your point with specific details iii. Is your essay easy to read aloud b. Feedback time – someone you like and trust who will tell the truth read your essay i. Ask them to tell you what they think you are trying to convey ii. Did they get it right c. Edit down – your language should be simple direct, and clear. i. This is a personal essay not a term paper ii. Make every word count d. Proofread two more times – careless spelling or grammatical errors, awkward language, or fuzzy logic will make your essay memorable but in a bad way. Remember: 1. Always check the college admission requirements for specific essay topics. 2. Check to make sure which ones are required and which ones are optional. 3. Some majors require essays. Examples of topics: 1. Tell about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you 2. Choose an issue of importance to you. The issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope. Explain the significance of the issue to yourself, your family, your community or generation. 3. Major specific essay – personal interaction with objects, images, and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics 4. Special circumstances – personal information you want considered as part of your admissions application. Describe information. Include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities which have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment. College bound: Offer of admission: if your application is approved, you will receive an offer of admission from the college. 1. 2. 3. 4. Sent to student’s permanent address Contains student’s deadline for acceptance and payment of enrollment deposit Deadlines for registration, housing requirements, and financial aid Information concerning orientation and campus life. Reminder: Once you have made a decision, send in your acceptance letter. Don’t forget to inform all of the schools that offered you admission of your final choice because you are holding onto someone else’s spot. A simple letter thanking y=them for their consideration, but declining their offer will do. A list of things you’ll need to take care of before you arrive on campus. 1. Read all college materials carefully – a lot of these will require prompt decisions and responses so pay close attention to deadlines. a. Acceptance letter b. Orientation information c. Financial aid d. Housing e. Meal plans f. Information for smooth transition 2. Send the tuition deposit a. Deadline for sending in your deposit b. Deposit to the college signifies your acceptance of the college offer and reserves your place in the college. c. Turning in deposit late can jeopardize things 3. Make a decision about financial aid – Don’t miss deadlines! a. Award letter will outline the various types of financial aid you’ve been offered including gift aid like scholarships and grants along with loans and work study information. b. Remember these things: i. You‘re not required to accept the entire aid package as offer (example is declining work study offer and accept a loan for lesser amount.) ii. If there are any significant changes to your financial aid status or contact information, you must inform the financial aid office. iii. Make sure you complete, sign and return the form by the designated deadline. c. Take care of loan paperwork i. Need to fill out paperwork for loan application before the start of the semester ii. Look over all the information and interest rate information d. If you have any questions or concerns, make an appointment with the financial aid office to go over the offer and what’s available. 4. Choose housing: Living on campus vs. off campus i. Living on campus – apply for on-campus housing ii. Dormitory information 1. Housing contract 2. Deposit form 3. Move- in dates with instructions 4. Roommate questionnaire 5. Resident rules and regulations 6. Overview of services available 7. Read all information carefully iii. Off campus – research location and transportation availability 5. Contact roommate i. Introduce yourself ii. Discuss common living situation 6. Select a meal plan i. Decide on meal plan or not ii. Return meal plan contract before college begins iii. Consider how you eat and live iv. Choose plan best suits you 7. Go shopping i. Research websites for college checklist ii. Bed Bath and Beyond store has a checklist 8. Buy a computer i. Look at purchasing a laptop ii. Look at purchasing a printer 9. Send your final school transcript i. Confirm with your counselor that your final high school transcript will be mailed to your college’s admissions office. ii. Make sure not to slack off your last few months of high school – Remember colleges do look at your final transcript iii. Send transcript from any college in which you have taken courses like dual credit 10. Schedule a check –up with your doctor i. Immunizations needed ii. Physical / check up iii. Prescription refills iv. Obtain a copy of immunization record 11. Attending a pre-orientation programs i. Some colleges have mandatory orientation to attend prior to school starting. 1. Check into this before senior year is over 2. Double check deadlines ii. Fish camps 12. Prepare for placement exams i. There’s a good chance you’ll need to take one or more exams to determine your placement in science, math, writing, or language classes ii. Previous standardized test scores could exempt you from certain placement exams. 13. Thank your supporters i. Express your gratitude to everyone who has helped you during the college application process