THE COLLEGE SEARCH
Post-Secondary Planning:
The Time is NOW
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS
FOR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL??
EXPLORE YOUR CHOICES
•Military
•Service
– Americorps
•Apprenticeship/Work
•Travel
•College/University
2 year or 4 year?
Public or Private?
START TALKING. . .
•Parents
•Teachers
•Family
Members
•Counselor
•College Representatives
•Military Representatives
•Friends
Introduction and
the Basics of the College Search
HOW DO I BEGIN THIS PROCESS?
Determine your priorities—use check list
 Remember parents may have different priorities
from students
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Cost
Size
Majors
Location
Selectivity
Public/Private
Visit, visit, visit college campuses!!
OTHER THINGS TO LOOK FOR
 Religious
Affiliation
 Social Life
Residential vs. Commuter Campus
 Fraternities and Sororities
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%
that graduate in 5 years
 Diversity of student body
 Scholarship opportunities
Academic
 Need based
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THE PERFECT SCHOOL
Doesn’t exist
 Many students transfer after their 1st year
 You are the consumer
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Shop for the best fit!
 Find a school that fits your ideals, standards, beliefs,
budget, and abilities.
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“A match to be made not a prize to be won”
WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?
WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?
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Academic Record – GPA, class rank, improvement, difficulty of
classes
Testing – ACT or SAT with writing
Extracurricular Activities
 Work
 Community service
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Letters of Recommendation
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Honors and Awards
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Essays
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Interviews
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Commitment/Passion
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Leadership
DETERMINING “MY PROFILE”
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Factors in your “Profile”
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G.P.A.
Class Rank
ACT or SAT Test Scores
Rigor of Courses
Activities/ Unusual Talent
Essays
Recommendations
No Child Left Untested
ACT VS. SAT
Both measure general academic knowledge and
college preparedness
 All Juniors in CO take the ACT in the Spring of
11th grade
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Many students retake in the fall of their senior year
 Must retake if Writing section is required
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Retesting is the best later in the spring or
beginning of senior year
ACT
College Admission Test
 3 ½ hours w/optional writing test
 Strongly recommend taking writing test
 Test in four subject areas
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English, Math, Reading and Science reasoning plus writing
Possible scores of 1-36 in each area
 Composite score 1-36
 Sending scores is test-date specific
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SAT
College Admission Test 3 hours 45 min.
 Critical Reading, Math and Writing
200-800 each section
2400 total possible score
 Register at www.collegeboard.com
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SAT SUBJECT TESTS
May be required for college admission by most
selective schools
 Subject area tests offered in English, History, Math,
Science, and Foreign Languages
 Tests should be taken as soon as subject area class
is completed (June)
 Tests are conducted at the same sites on the same
days as SAT Reasoning.
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Cost varies
Register at www.collegeboard.com
TESTING
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Don’t wait to
retake!!
ACT – Next test December 11, 2010
Register by November 5, 2010
$48 with writing
Register at www.actstudent.org
SAT – Next test November 6, 2010
Register by October 8, 2010
$47
Register at www.collegeboard.com
Community College Placement Tests
NO TESTING
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www.fairtest.org
A list of schools who do not require tests to be
considered for admission or who are test optional
 Over 750 schools
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Community Colleges
Do not require ACT/SAT
 Will use Accuplacer or similar
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COMMUNITY COLLEGES
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Many Advantages:
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Smaller class sizes
Less expensive
Can live at home
If you’re not quite ready to go to a 4 year college
Flexible schedules, night, weekend classes
Beware Proprietary Schools!!!
(Everest, Heritage, Westwood, DeVry)
 If you’re unsure, ask!
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CCHE ADMISSIONS ELIGIBILITY INDEX
COMPARING YOUR PROFILE
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Safety – (realistic)
Your profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the
typical freshman (60-90% chance of admission)
Target – (reasonable)
Your profile is similar to the typical freshman
(30-60% chance of admission)
Reach – (reach)
Your profile is not as strong as the typical freshman
(less than 30% chance of admission)
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Check applications carefully to see if you need one
 Choose a teacher, coach, administrator, counselor, who
knows you really well
 Request 2 -3 weeks prior to when you need them
 Complete student profile and give to each person
writing a letter
 Always provide a complete list of schools to which you
are applying; provide stamped addressed envelopes
 Send a thank you note
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ESSAYS/PERSONAL STATEMENT
Don’t make up hardships
 Demonstrate Character
 Convey what they wouldn’t glean from your
application alone
 Have others read it for feedback
(not just your parent)
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WHERE DO I FIND
APPLICATIONS?
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College websites
Apply online
 Download paper
 Get on mailing list
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Counseling Office
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Limited number of paper
Colleges prefer that you apply on line
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You, the student, are
responsible for meeting
deadlines and submitting
complete applications!
THE PERFECT SCHOOL
Doesn’t exist.
 Many students transfer after their first semester or
year!
 You are the consumer

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Shop for a good fit
Find a school that fits your ideals, standards, beliefs, budget,
and abilities.
I’M NOT A SENIOR, WHAT CAN I DO?
It’s never too early to start!
 Consider your options
 Backwards plan
 Build your “resume”
 Visit campuses
 Start saving money
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COLLEGE SEARCHES ON THE WEB
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Collegeincolorado.org
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Colleges That Change Lives Ctcl.com
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Local College Fairs
collegefairsdenver.org
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College View collegeview.com
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Peterson Education Petersons.com
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(Quick test-prep searches are
available on this site including ACT,
ASVAB, SAT,
MCAT, TOEFL, firefighter and many,
many more!)
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College Search Collegesurfing.com
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College Search Collegeincolorado.org
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College/Major Search/Test Prep
Princetonreview.com
College/Major Search
Connection.naviance.com
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College Answer
Collegeanswer.com
College Board On-line
Collegeboard.com
College Campus Tours
Campustours.com
College Planning C3apply.org
College Search Embark.com
Go College Search Gocollege.com
How to Choose a College
Usnews.com (click on “education”)
Links to all Universities
Universities.com
NACAC Nacac.com
Study Skills & Careers
Kaplan.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Check our website!

http://www.adams50.org/westminsterhs/site/default.asp
Personal Project
 Extended Essay
 Watch for college visits at WHS and field trips
 Metro State College Representative

Every Wednesday in WHS Library
From 8am-3pm
Help with college applications, scholarships, essays, financial
aid, anything related to college!

Habitat for Humanity Spring Break
QUESTIONS?