INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
How to Use This Curriculum Manual
For the Instructor:
Apply Yourself! is an eight-week course that aims to help students successfully
research and apply to colleges and universities. This curriculum was designed to
assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, including Latino and
African American students. Although college enrollment is up overall, there is still
a huge gap between the enrollment rates of Caucasian students and the enrollment
rates of Latino and African American students. After much research, four factors
were determined that would help Latino and African American students. These
students were more likely to apply when they had the following: adequate and
current information about post-secondary institutions, access to resources,
knowledge of filling out college applications, and an encouraging and supportive
environment from teachers and peers. These four factors turned into the Student
Learning Outcomes for the curriculum.
This manual will be broken down by weekly lessons. An introduction sheet can be
found at the beginning of each week for the instructor, followed by the necessary
handouts for students. For ease of use, all sheets pertaining to the instructor only
have “INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL” written above the heading (see example
above). Also, the student handouts on the software CD have a header displaying
the appropriate week of the course (example: Apply Yourself! Week 1). The
PowerPoint presentations can be found on the accompanying CD, so that an
instructor may edit the content as necessary.
Although this course is aimed at assisting underserved populations that may not
have much background information about post-secondary education, the lessons
can be modified to meet the educational needs of most students. I hope you find
this curriculum helpful for yourself and your students.
INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Table of Contents
Week One: Introduction to the Course and to College ............................ 1
 Handout: Welcome letter ................................................................................. 2
 Handout: General schedule .............................................................................. 3
 Handout: Pre-survey (what you expect from this course and me) ......... 5
 PowerPoint/Discussion: Types of colleges/
universities ......................................................................... see accompanying CD
 Handout: Information sheet for websites ..................................................... 6
 Handout/Activity: Interest list......................................................................... 7
Week Two: Researching Schools...................................................................... 9
 PowerPoint/Discussion: Researching a college/
university ............................................................................ see accompanying CD
 Handout/Activity: What school is the best fit for me? ........................... 10
 Handout/Activity: College research table .................................................. 13
Week Three: Admission Standards and Applications............................ 15
 PowerPoint/Discussion: Admission standards and
applications ........................................................................ see accompanying CD
 Handout/Activity: Admission standards table .......................................... 16
Week Four: Standardized Tests ..................................................................... 18
 PowerPoint/Discussion: Standardized testing (SAT,
ACT, etc.) ........................................................................... see accompanying CD
 Handout/Activity: Resource sheet for standardized testing .................. 19
 Handout/Activity: Standardized test and registration table ................... 20
Week Five: Letters of Recommendation ..................................................... 21
 PowerPoint/Discussion: Letters of
recommendation ............................................................... see accompanying CD
 Handout/Activity: Bullet list of accomplishments .................................. 22
 Handout/Activity: Letter of recommendation table ................................ 23
Week Six: The Personal Statement ............................................................... 25
 PowerPoint/Discussion: The personal
statement............................................................................. see accompanying CD
 Handout/Activity: Brainstorming important events ................................ 26
 Handout/Activity: Sample personal statement prompts ......................... 27
 Handout/Activity: Note sheet for personal statements ........................... 28
Week Seven: College Is How Much?! ........................................................... 30
 PowerPoint/Discussion: Financial aid (PARENTS
ARE WELCOME) ........................................................... see accompanying CD
 Activity: Sample FAFSA and scholarship forms ..................................... 31
Week Eight: Wrap up! ....................................................................................... 32
 PowerPoint/Discussion: Next steps ............................. see accompanying CD
 Guest Speakers: Current college students will
answer questions and offer advice ............................... see accompanying CD
 Handout: Post-survey ...................................................................................... 33
INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week One: Introduction to the Course and to College
For the Instructor:
This week will be the introduction to the entire Apply Yourself! course. During
this class, students will take a pre-survey that will inform you of their expectations of
the course. They will learn about the different types of post-secondary education
institutions. They will also learn about available resources to help locate more
information about college in general. Please read through these surveys and adapt this
curriculum as necessary to fit your students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week One:
 Students will identify and describe different types of post-secondary institutions.
 Students will identify and list their personality traits.
 Students will rank their perspective career fields.
Materials for Week One:
Student Handout: Introduction letter to students - “Welcome to Apply Yourself!”
Student Handout: Tentative schedule - “Apply Yourself! Schedule and Topic
Introduction”
Student Handout: Pre-survey - “Apply Yourself! Pre-Survey”
PowerPoint Presentation: “Types of Schools” *
Student Handout: “Information Sheet for Websites”
Student Handout: Interest list - “Turn Your Interests into Careers!” **
*The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD so that you may
edit the presentation as necessary.
**This assignment may be completed in class or for homework, depending on time
1
Welcome to Apply Yourself!
Education is more important than ever when it comes to finding a career. More
and more jobs are requiring an education than ever before. Those who hold a
Bachelor’s degree also have a higher annual salary. This course plans to help you with
applying and getting accepted into the college or university that will help you achieve
your career goals. Although this course will help you with the basics and will give you
a lot of information, it cannot give you everything. Here is a list of what this program
plans to help you accomplish:






Helping you choose a career
Helping you find an education program for your career
Helping you understand the different types of post-secondary institutions
Informing you how to apply
Assisting you with your applications
Informing you on financial costs
Notice that YOU will be doing most of the work, and your teacher will be guiding
you. Although everyone wishes for you to be successful, your teacher cannot do the
work or make the decisions for you. This course will only help you if you put in the
time and effort.
This course will typically meet for 8 weeks, with two 90-minute sessions each week.
The first weekly session will give you information about steps in the application
process. We will also perform activities that will help you think about each step, and
help you make decisions for your future. The second weekly session is optional, but I
will be there for any questions or assistance you may need. You can also come to the
second weekly session if you simply need a quiet place to work on applications or
need a computer.
Below you will find a general weekly schedule. I hope you all find this course helpful
and fun. I look forward to working with each of you as you fulfill your goals and
reach your dreams. It’s difficult to get anywhere if you don’t apply yourself, so let’s
get to it!
Good Luck,
2
Name:
Apply Yourself! Schedule and Topic Introduction
This class will meet on ________________ and _________________.
The times of this class is from _______________ to ______________.
This class will meet at ______________________________________.
If you need to contact me, please ______________________________.
Topics and Activities
Week One: Introduction to the Course and to College
 We will review some general guidelines and information about the course.
 We will learn about the different types of colleges and universities.
Week Two: Researching Schools
 We will discuss how to gather information about colleges and universities.
 We will discuss how to pick a school that is a good fit.
Week Three: Admission Standards and Applications
 We will learn about the requirements to apply to a college or university.
 We will learn about the format and parts of an application.
 We will learn how to gather this information from potential schools.
3
Week Four: Standardized Tests
 We will learn about standardized tests.
 We will learn how to find out what tests are necessary.
 We will learn how to register for standardized tests.
Week Five: Letters of Recommendation
 We will learn about letters of recommendation and why they are necessary.
 We will discuss and list our accomplishments to use on letters of
recommendation.
Week Six: The Personal Statement
 We will learn about personal statements.
 We will discuss sample personal statements.
 We will discuss some of our events we may want to write about.
Week Seven: College Is How Much?!
 We will discuss college cost and financial aid. (PARENTS AND FAMILY
ARE WELCOME!)
Week Eight: Wrap up!
 We will discuss the last steps in the application process.
 We will listen to guest speakers offer advice.
 We will ask guest speakers any questions we have.
4
Apply Yourself! Pre-Survey
Directions: Please answer these questions truthfully and in detail.
1) What do you expect to get out of the Apply Yourself! program? (List specifics
such as “writing skills,” “information about college,” “how to research schools,”
etc.)
2) Do you want to go to college after you finish high school? Why?
3) How would you rate your writing ability on a scale of 1-10?
4) Do you already have some idea of where you want to go to school? If so,
where? (You can list the actual name or what type of school it is.)
5) Whom do you discuss your after high school plans with? (Family? Friends?
teachers?) Do you feel they support your decisions?
6) If you were not to attend college in the future, what is your backup plan?
(Would you work? Apply later? Others?)?
5
Name:
Information Sheet for Websites
During this course, you will be using two websites to assist you in your college
search and application process. The first, KnowHow2Go.Org, is a website that can
help you in the college search and application process. This website can help you
decide which classes to take, how to find a school, and when you should start each
step. The second, MappingYourFuture.Org, is a non-profit organization that can
help you pick a career field and find a school to fit your interests.
Though you will not be using these sites all the time, you should explore both on
your own. Use your lab time to take a look at both and get a head start. You can
find timelines or information on where to find resources. As always, your teacher
will be in the lab if you have any questions!
We will look at both websites together, but here is how to access each site when
you are in the lab or away from school.
How to Access a Website:
1. Open your web browser program (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox)
2. In the address bar, type in one of the following:
http://www.knowhow2go.org
http://mappingyourfuture.org
3. Read the homepage to get a general introduction.
4. Explore!
6
Name:
Turn Your Interests Into Careers!
Directions: Think about the questions below. Write down your answers in as much
detail as possible.
What do you like to do for fun? (Examples: bike riding, reading, swimming, etc.)
What are some of the activities that you have enjoyed over the past few years?
(Examples: Spanish Club, Football team, Future Teachers of Chicago, tutoring,
work, volunteering, etc.)
Directions: Complete the table on the next page with your answers above as best
you can. We will discuss your answers in small groups and as a class.
(Adapted from http://mappingyourfuture.org)
7
List activities
you choose
from the
questions
above.
Example:
Swim team
Example:
Babysitting
What did you
What skills did
enjoy about this you learn from
activity? Why? this activity?
I enjoyed
exercising and
having fun.
I really like
helping little
kids.
I learned how to
train myself and
others.
I learned how to
be on time and
responsible.
8
What careers
can this lead
to? Would you
want this as a
career?
Coach or PE
teacher. Unsure.
Pediatric Nurse
or Teacher.
Maybe.
INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week Two: Researching Schools
For the Instructor:
This week will focus on assisting students with finding an institution that
will fit their individual needs. During this class, students will learn about what
factors they should consider when picking an institution. They will also learn about
how to research these institutions to find necessary information. By the end of the
lessons, students will have three schools chosen that may fit their needs. They will
begin the application process with these three schools in the next lesson. Please
read through these materials and adapt this curriculum as necessary to fit your
students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week Two:
 Students will identify and describe different qualities and traits of postsecondary institutions.
 Students will identify what qualities of an institution are important.
 Students will research their prospective post-secondary institutions.
Materials for Week Two:
PowerPoint Presentation: “Researching Schools: What to Consider” *
Handout: “What School is the Best Fit for Me?”
Handout: Researching schools – “So You Want to Go to College?” **
* The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD; you may edit
the presentation as necessary.
** This assignment may be completed in class or for homework depending on time
9
Name:
What School Is the Best Fit for Me?
Directions (Part 1): Now that you have seen important factors for picking a
school, it’s time to decide if a potential school is a good fit for you. Think about the
factors below and rank how important each one is to you. Your ranking will help
you decide how a school fits with personal and professional preferences.
Remember: You are the one attending college. Only consider what is important to
you for right now. Don’t worry about your friends’ and family’s wishes for this
part.
Give each category a numerical value based on the scale below:
54321-
Can’t live without it!
Very important to me.
I don’t care either way.
Not very important to me.
Couldn’t care less!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Being far away from home
Being close to home
Being in an urban environment (large city)
Being in a rural environment (small town)
Being in the suburbs
Associating with other students that share my religion
Associating with other students that share my ethnic
background
8. Attending a school with a strong athletic program
9. Attending a school with a strong religious affiliation
10.Attending a same-sex school
11.Attending a campus with a conservative background
12.Attending a campus with a liberal background
10
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
13.Attending a school with a mild climate
14.Attending a school with the same climate as where I
live now
15.Attending a school where it is warm year-round
16.Going to a school where I have a lot of friends I
already know
17.Going to a school where I can live off campus my
first year
18.Attending a school with a large population of students
19.Attending a school with a smaller student body
20.Attending a school that is private
21.Attending a public school
22.Attending a school with a low cost for tuition and
room/board
23.Attending a school where I can live at home
24.Attending a school where there is a large party crowd
25.Attending a school where there are a lot of sororities/
fraternities
26.Attending a school with a diverse cultural background
27.Attending a campus that looks pretty
28.Attending a school that is handicap accessible
29.Attending a school that actively assists students with
disabilities
30.Attending a campus that is easy to get to without a car
31.Attending a campus with a military connection
(ROTC, etc)
32.Attending a campus with health services (health center,
counseling, etc)
33.Attending a school with opportunities o study abroad
or off-campus
34.Attending a school with a strong background in the
major I have chosen
35.Attending a school with research opportunities
36.Attending a school with graduate programs
11
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Directions (Part 2): After completing your ranking, look at the qualities in a
college that you ranked a 4 or 5. Highlight these! They are probably the most
important to you. One school may not have all of your 4’s and 5’s, so you might
have to compromise. You also might have to choose between what is important to
you personally and professionally. For example, if you want to attend a school in a
small town, but you want to be a businessperson in a large city, you may not have
as many opportunities to work with urban businesses at your school. Or you might
want to be far away from home, but you also want to go to a school where you
already know people. In this case, you also have to pick what is more important to
you.
Directions (Part 3): Let’s discuss in groups first, then as a class:
1. Which qualities were most important to you (your 4’s and 5’s)?
2. Why are they important?
3. Can you think of any schools that fit these qualities? (If you can’t think of any,
that’s ok! Now that you know how to research a school, you can start looking for
one that meets many of your 4’s and 5’s!)
12
Name:
So You Want to Go to College?
Directions: Here are some important questions to consider when looking at
different schools. Choose 3 schools that you are interested in and write the
answers to the questions in the table. A good place to gather information may be
the school’s website or pamphlet. If you are interested in more than 3 schools, ask
me for a second sheet.
School 1:
School 2:
Web Address:
Is this school public
or private?
Estimated tuition
per year?
Estimated cost of
room and board?
Where is the school
located? Is it urban,
suburban, rural?
What are some
things to do in the
community?
Does this school
offer the type of
program you are
interested in?
Is this school close
to your friends and
family?
Overall, can you
imaging being
happy here for 4
years?
13
School 3:
Use this table to fill in some of your 4’s and 5’s from the previous assignment.
Check whether or not each school can accommodate your 4’s and 5’s. If a school
does not have many of the qualities you find important, you may want to think
about choosing a new school to research. We will do an example together.
Quality that is important to me:
School 1
School 2
School 3
Being close to home (Chicago)
Now fill in the top 3 schools below you will be applying to based on how well they
fit your personal and professional needs.
School 1
School 2
14
School 3
INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week Three: Admission Standards and Applications
For the Instructor:
This week will focus on researching the admission requirements for schools.
Students will learn how to locate this information for the schools they are applying
to. They will also learn how to print applications or fill them out online. Since most
applications are submitted electronically, students can print out the paper version
as practice, then transfer the information to their electronic applications when they
apply. Please read through the materials and adapt this curriculum as necessary to
fit your students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week Three:
 Students will identify specific admission requirements for potential schools.
 Students will locate applications for potential schools.
 Students will compare the admission requirements with their academic history.
Materials for Week Three:
PowerPoint Presentation: “Admission Standards and Applications” *
Handout: Table for comparing admission standards. “How Do I Get In?”
* The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD so that you
may edit the presentation as necessary.
15
Name:
How Do I Get In?
Directions: Complete the table for the 3 schools you are interested in. If you don’t
know what specific program/college you are applying to, leave it blank for now.
School 1:
School 2:
When is the
application
DEADLINE for
Freshmen?
What specific
department and/or
program do I want to
apply to?
Is there a separate
application for the
school/program you
want to apply to?
What is the
application fee? Is it
free if you apply
online?
How many letters of
recommendation are
required?
What do I need to
attach anything to
the application
(photo, transcripts,
etc.)
How long must the
statement of purpose
be? (Word or page
count)
16
Is a SAT/ACT score
required?
How many
School 3:
years/semesters of
Math are required?
How many
years/semesters of
English are required?
How many
years/semesters of
Science?
Did you print out the
minimum admission
requirements?
Did you print out a
paper application (if
applicable)?
Let’s Discuss: Look at the admission requirements for your potential schools. Do
you meet the minimum admission requirements? Think about the questions below.
We will discuss them as a class.
1. What can I do if I am missing a class that I need in order to apply?
2. Am I willing to wait a year if I am missing some requirements?
3. Will I be able to meet this deadline with all of my other commitments (such as
work, babysitting, volunteering, sports, etc.)?
4. Should I apply as an Early Decision applicant?
5. Should I apply to this school even if I don’t know what I want to major in?
17
INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week Four: Standardized Testing
For the Instructor:
This week will focus on informing your students about standardized testing.
Students will learn about the different types of standardized tests that schools use
in the admission process. They will also learn about other standardized tests that
can help them earn college credit. The PowerPoint Presentation and handout give
websites and references where students can register and prepare for the tests.
Please read through the materials and adapt this curriculum as necessary to fit your
students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week Four:
 Students will distinguish between different standardized tests.
 Students will assess which standardized tests they need.
 Students will locate standardized testing registration dates and costs.
Materials for Week Four:
PowerPoint Presentation: “Standardized Tests” *
Handout: References for standardized tests- “Standardized Testing
Resources”
Handout: Testing registration and dates table- “When Do I Need to Test?”
* The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD so that you
may edit the presentation as necessary.
18
Name:
Standardized Testing Resources
1. http://www.collegeboard.com (Click on the “For Students” Link)
Use this resource to…
 find dates and cost for the SAT (I and II).
 register for the SAT (I and II).
 help find a college for you.
 get help with applications.
 purchase SAT study materials.
 find financial aid and scholarship info.
 order extra score reports to send to your potential schools.
2. http://www.actstudent.org
Use this resource to…
 find dates and cost for the ACT.
 register for the ACT.
 help find a college for you.
 get help with applications.
 purchase ACT study materials.
 find financial aid and scholarship info.
 order extra score reports to send to your potential schools.
3. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html
Use this resource to…
 learn about AP programs and testing. (You can also talk to your teachers to see if classes
are available for you)
4. Your local public library
Use this resource to…
 find FREE books to help you study for the SAT or ACT.
 find FREE books to help you apply to college.
 gain FREE internet and computer access.
19
Name:
When Do I Need To Test?
Directions: Use this table below to write down critical information for the
standardized tests you need to take. Keep in mind that you need to give the testing
authority enough time to send your scores to your potential schools. For example,
you can’t take the ACT on Dec 23 if the Application is due Dec 31. Once you know
the dates for registration and testing, write them in your planner so you won’t
forget!
School Name
Example:
University of
Ill Urbana
Application Test
Deadline
you
need to
take
Test
you
will
take
Date you
need to take
ACT/SAT
Date you
must
register for
ACT/SAT
01/02/2010
ACT
10/24/2009
09/18/2009
ACT or
SAT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
20
INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week Five: Letters of Recommendation
For the Instructor:
This week will focus on informing your students about letters of
recommendation. Students will learn what they need to do before they ask a person
for a letter of rec. They will also learn how much time and what information they
need to give the referrer. The PowerPoint Presentation will give students the
information on letters of recommendations. The first handout will help students
develop a bullet list of their achievements to give to each referrer. The second
handout will help students create a timeline so they will not miss any deadlines.
Please read through the materials and adapt this curriculum as necessary to fit your
students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week Five:
 Students will define letters of recommendation.
 Students will identify and evaluate potential referrers.
 Students will compose prep materials for referrers.
Materials for Week Five:
PowerPoint Presentation: “Letters of Recommendation” *
Handout: Bullet list of accomplishments- “What Should They Say About
Me?”
Handout: Letter of recommendation table- “5 W’s of Letters of Recommendation”
* The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD so that you
may edit the presentation as necessary.
21
Name:
What Should They Say About Me?
Directions: Think about why you would be an asset to the schools you are applying
to. What makes you special? Why should they pick you over someone else? You
know yourself better than anyone else, so you need to give this information to your
referrer. There may be many things that you do that the writer of your letter may
not know about. Start by writing down a list of accomplishments or activities that
you have done. You can give this list to your referrer. Tell them how to contact you
in case they have questions or need more information from you.
What I Did:
(Be specific)
How Long:
Ex) Volunteered
at a day camp
for Chicago
Park District for
3-4 year olds
3 hours a day,
M-F, for 6
weeks during
my summer
vacation
Special
Awards/Impact
on Community:
Received a
certificate for
my hard work
22
What I learned
from this
experience:
I learned to be
patient and how
to work hard
Name:
5 W’s of Letters Recommendation
Directions: Writing a letter of rec is hard work for both you and the writer. They
need to know specific information from you in order to write a great
recommendation. Use this table to keep yourself organized. You can give your
referrer a copy of this list if you choose.
Many schools have specific forms that the referrer must fill out. If this is the case,
give the form to your referrer and fill in as much information as you can. Use the
checklist on the back of this page to guide you.
Who am I
asking to
write this
letter?
Mr. Jones
(my
Biology
teacher)
What
school are
they
sending it
to?
University
of Illinois
Urbana
Where will
they send
the letter?
When do they
need to mail
it? When do I
need to give
it to them?
01/02/2010
Admissions
123 Fake St.
Urbana, IL
11/01/2009
61801
23
Why are
they a good
reference?
I’m getting a
good grade.
He sees me
work hard.
Checklist:
For each referrer, did you remember to…
_____ * give the writer some notes about your accomplishments?
_____ * give the writer the required form (if applicable)?
_____ * fill out as much of the reference form as you can (if applicable)?
_____ * give the writer an addressed envelope so they know where to
send it?
_____ * stamp the envelope so they don’t have to pay for postage?
_____ * tell the writer when the recommendation must be mailed by?
_____ * give the writer ample time to write the letter for you?
_____ * give the writer your contact information if they have questions?
_____ * say thank you for their time?
24
INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week Six: The Personal Statement
For the Instructor:
This week will focus on writing the personal statement. Although it is only a
brief glimpse into the personal lives of the applicants, it is one of few opportunities for
the student to share their challenges, experiences, and personal goals with the
admissions office. This important piece of the application needs to be emphasized to
students. The PowerPoint presentation focuses on defining a personal statement and
will offer tips. The presentation also informs students where they can find resources if
they need help. Finally, the presentation will feature sample personal statements that
the instructor will find. The handouts are to help students brainstorm and identify
certain life events that might be useful for the essay prompts. The final handout
features a notes page and a checklist so that the students can begin writing their
essays. Please read through these materials and adapt this curriculum as necessary to
fit your students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week Six:
 Students will identify the components of a personal statement.
 Students will evaluate sample personal statements for clarity and content.
 Students will compose a personal statement for their potential schools.
Materials for Week Six:
PowerPoint Presentation: “The (Dreaded) Personal Statement” *
Handout: Brainstorming important events- “Let’s Brainstorm!”
Handout: “Sample Personal Statement Prompts”
Handout: Note sheet for personal statement- “Personal Statement Notes”
* The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD so that you may
edit the presentation as necessary.
** This assignment may be completed in class or for homework depending on time.
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Name:
Let’s Brainstorm!
Directions: Think about and write down some things that are important to you in the
boxes surrounding the circle of “YOU” below. How has each topic impacted your life?
How will each circle continue to impact your life?
Example:
When I was
13, I moved to
Chicago from
Mexico with
my family.
YOU
Let’s Discuss:
What makes you who you are?
What are some events that have changed your life?
What made you decide to follow these career goals?
How can we transfer the chart above into a personal statement?
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Name:
Sample Personal Statement Prompts
Directions: Below are some sample personal statement prompts. In small groups,
answer the discussion questions that follow. We will talk about your answers as a
class.
Sample Prompts:
1. How do you envision the year 2050?
2. If you could meet anyone (real or imaginary, alive or dead), who would it be and
why?
3. Describe one moment that changed your life.
4. How will your education at this school help you achieve your goals?
Discussion Questions:
What would I say about this topic?
Are there certain things that shouldn’t be mentioned?
What are they looking for from me in this question? (For example: a personal
struggle, a personal success, a brief summary of who I am, etc)
(Adapted from: http://www.collegeboard.org)
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Name:
Personal Statement Notes
Directions: Take a look at the personal statement prompt from the school you are
applying to. Write it down on this sheet. Use the blank space to brainstorm or to
write notes. Make sure you have a separate sheet for each prompt.
Write the prompt here:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
This essay is DUE on: _____________
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Writing the personal statement is usually the hardest part of the application. It is a
lot of work, but it is also a great opportunity to really be creative and show who
you really are. Remember that you can do it! Use this checklist to make sure your
essay has everything it needs.
Checklist:
Did you remember to…
_____ * capture the reader’s attention with a strong opener?
_____ * make sure you have a main point or theme?
_____ * follow your main point throughout your essay?
_____ * make sure you have a beginning, middle, and end?
_____ * answer the prompt or question asked?
_____ * be creative and original in your essay?
_____ * proofread your essay and have someone else proofread it?
_____ * stay under the word count?
_____ * submit your essay before the deadline?
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INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week Seven: College Is How Much?!
For the Instructor:
This week will focus on paying for college. The PowerPoint presentation
gives students an introduction to FAFSA, student loans, grants, and scholarships. It
is strongly encouraged that you invite the parents/guardians of the students –
students will need their help when filling out the paperwork. It is also encouraged
that you find out about any financial aid nights at community centers or other
public venues; these are invaluable resources to students and families.
Please read through these materials and adapt this curriculum as necessary to fit
your students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week Seven:
 Students will understand the different types of financial aid available.
 Students will apply the knowledge learned to apply for financial aid.
Materials for Week Seven:
PowerPoint Presentation: “College Is How Much?!” *
Handout: “Financial Aid Resources”
* The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD so that you
may edit the presentation as necessary
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Name:
Financial Aid Resources
This is a very brief list of resources to help you secure financial aid. If you find
other resources that are helpful, share them with the class! All the paperwork
required takes time, but is worth it in the end. There are millions of dollars waiting
to be claimed. Don’t let it go to waste!
General Financial Aid Info:
Off To College - http://www.offtocollege.com/financial-aid/index.html
College Board- http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/
ACT- http://actstudent.org/finaid/index.html
KnowHow2Go- http://www.knowhow2go.org/seniors_costs.php
U.S. Department of Education- http://studentaid.ed.gov/
College.Gov- http://www.college.gov
Scholarships:
FastWeb- http://www.fastweb.com
College Scholarships- http://www.collegescholarships.org
FAFSA:
FAFSA Home- http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Student Loans:
Sallie Mae- http://www.salliemae.com
Federal Direct- http://www.ed.gov/directloan/
(Many private banks also offer student loans)
Others:
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INSTRUCTOR MATERIAL
Week Eight: Wrap Up!
For the Instructor:
This week will focus on the final steps of the application process. The
PowerPoint presentation will give students tips on what to do once they have sent
off their applications. It will also give them some strategies for success. This
week’s lesson also requires a guest speaker to answer questions your students may
have and to offer useful advice. The final task is for your students to complete the
post survey so that the program may continue to improve for future students.
Please read through these materials and adapt this curriculum as necessary to fit
your students’ needs.
Learning Objectives for Week Eight:
 Students will identify the last steps in the application process.
 Students will apply what they have learned to submit their applications.
Materials for Week Eight:
PowerPoint Presentation: “Next Steps” *
Guest Speaker: Current college students will talk about their experiences
will answer questions from your students
Handout: “Apply Yourself! Post Survey”
and
* The PPT presentation can be found on the accompanying data CD so that you
may edit the presentation as necessary
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Apply Yourself! Post-Survey
Directions: Now that you have completed the program, please help improve it for
the next session by giving your feedback. Please be detailed in your response (as
you now know how important details are). Don’t be afraid to be honest!
1) What did you like best about the program?
2) What did you like least?
3) Are there topics that you wished we covered that weren’t? What are they?
4) Do you feel this program helped you with your application process? How?
5) Would you recommend this program to another student?
6) The biggest improvement for this program should be…
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