College & Transition Resources
A Guide for Denver Academy Students & Parents
Navigating the Post-secondary World
This presentation is designed for the diverse learners at Denver
Academy, who will be looking at traditional &/or non-traditional
paths after graduation.
We appreciate the rich possibilities that all of you can consider.
Keep your options open
We recommend that you take a look at various post-secondary
opportunities
Don’t pigeon-hole yourself into one type of plan OR just one
school
Be prepared to change your mind about what interests you
Consider…
 Two-year/Community college
 Four year college or university
 Gap Year program
 Technical school
 Employment (even a summer
job after graduation)
First Things First!
Who Am I?
The better you know yourself—your
strengths & weaknesses, the way you
learn, what makes you tick, what
quirks & unique qualities you have—
the better equipped you will be to
start the college & transition
process.
A Few Assessment Tools
 Myers-Briggs/Jung Typology: Take the “Jung Typology” assessment to
see how you best navigate not only school, but the world around you.
http://www.humanmetrics.com
 School Buff:
Download the two starting assessments: The “Self Survey”
and the “Self-Knowledge Questionnaire.” http://www.schoolbuff.com
 Do What You Are/Personality Type: From Naviance. You will be
directed to the home page. Sign in as you usually do.
https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/main/personality-type
You’ve already done some work
 You probably have an idea (however vague) of what you want to do
 You have most likely had conversations with parents and friends
 You have thought about Career Clusters and have built a Passage
around your interest
 You have chosen a Senior Seminar class based on a potential career
interest
Time for Research: College
 College & Transition websites are a good place to start
 These are just a few of the sites that have functions to help
students narrow a college search by specific criteria
 Remember that this helps as a guide, and you are not locked into
suggestions offered
 If you don’t like your list, look carefully at the criteria you have
chosen
What is important to you in choosing a
college?
 Location?
 Sports?
 Private? Public?
 Extracurricular activities?
 School size?
 Legacy?
 Class size?
 Greek life?
 LD services?
 Career placement?
 Cost?
 Transfer options?
 Reputation?
 Programs & Majors?
 Denver Academy has a subscription to Naviance, a
comprehensive college & transition website
 Every DA high school student & parent has an account
 Explore this site first, wherever you are on the college &
transition path
 http://www.naviance.com
Other College & Transition Websites for
Preliminary Research
 ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/
 Big Future College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
 College in Colorado: http://www.collegeincolorado.org
 Colleges That Change Lives: http://www.ctcl.org/
 myUsearch: http://www.myUsearch.com
 Princeton Review: http://www.princetonreview.com/
Why Consider a Community College?
 Financial reasons
 Getting basic requirements out of the way
 Staying close to home
 Uncertainty about what you want to do
Community Colleges
 Campus Explorer: Searches for two-year degree programs &
certificate programs. http://www.campusexplorer.com/
 Colorado Council on High School & College Relations: The
Colorado Collegiate Handbook can be downloaded for information
on all Colorado two-year schools.
http://www.coloradocouncil.org/
 Matrix: A synopsis of Colorado colleges, universities and trade
schools. http://www.matrixbookstore.biz/cocolleges3.htm
Are you thinking about a
Technical route?
 The coursework is specific to a career path
 It takes less time to get into the work force
 It is more kinesthetic, “hands-on”
Technical Schools
 Bel-Rea: A veterinary technical training program.
http://belrea.edu
 Colorado Association of Career & Technical Education
(CACTE): A list and locations of the eight Designated Career &
Technical Schools in Colorado.
http://www.coloradostateplan.com/dcts.htm
 Emily Griffith Technical College: Denver’s public college for
apprenticeships & certificate program. http://www.egosschool.com/
Looking for a School with Strong
Academic Support?
 Beacon College: http://www.beaconcollege.edu
 Curry College: http://www.curry.edu
 Landmark College: http://www.landmark.edu
 Lynn University: http://www.lynn.edu
 Mitchell College: http://www.mitchell.edu
 University of Arizona/Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques
(SALT): http://www.salt.arizona.edu
 University of Denver/Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP):
http://www.du.edu/studentlife/disability/lep/
Schools with Learning Disability Services
 College Scholarships, Colleges, and Online Degrees. A list of
numerous colleges & universities with coordinated or
comprehensive LD services. http://www.collegescholarships.com/learning_disabilities.htm
 Colleges with Learning Disability Programs. Managed by Allen
Tinkler, “a nationally recognized consultant on college selection
and transition issues for students with special needs.”
http://kaarme.com/Learning_Disability_College_Programs
 National Center for Learning Disabilities. An excellent resource
for many transition issues for students with LD. :
http://ncld.org/college-aamp-work/post-high-school-options
Specific Communities
 Men’s
Colleges:http://www.univsource.com
http://www.christiancollegeguide.net
/mens.htm
 Historically Black Schools:
http://www.blackcollegesearch.com/  Women’s
Colleges:http://collegeapps.about.co
m/od/collegerankings/tp/top_wome
 Jewish Population:
ns_colleges.htm
http://collegestats.org/colleges/jewis
h
 Christian Schools:
 LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate
Index:
http://www.campusclimateindex.org/
Building Your List
 Once you and you parent(s) have decided on the criteria AND
how it is prioritized, you can start finding opportunities that fit
 We recommend: one reach, two match, & two foundation
 The options need to be REAL
Continuing to navigate…
The “preliminary” websites are completely suitable to continue
with your research.
There are websites that take a different approach to college research.
These websites give a “behind-the-scenes” look at colleges. They are
geared specifically towards high school students. (Parents are
welcome, too!)
 College Prowler:
http://collegeprowler.com
 Rate My Professors:
http://www.ratemyprofessorscom
 College Confidential:
 Students Review:
http://www.collegeconfidential.c http://www.studentsreview.com
om/
 Zinch: http://www.zinch.com
 Campus Grotto:
http://www.campusgrotto.com/
home/index.php
A Closer Look
 College Navigator. National Center of Education Statistics website. Home to surveys
and programs and to “College Affordability & Transparency Center”. Excellent
match function. http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
 College Results Online. A website from the Education Trust.
http://www.collegeresults.org
 Education Conservancy (EC). “Helps students, colleges and high schools overcome
commercial interference in college admission.”
http://www.educationconservancy.org
 NACAC. The National Association of College Admission Counseling website.
Excellent “student and parent resources” tab. http://www.nacacnet.org
 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Includes surveys of student
engagement by participating schools. http://www.nsse.iubedu/
Video/Virtual Campus Tours
 Campus Tours. “Video tours, photorealistic interactive campus
maps, mobile walking tours” &
more…http://www.campustours.com/
 Collegiate Choice Walking Tours. College videos of campus
tours plus other helpful college planning and admissions
information. http://www.collegiatechoice.com
 YOUniversity.“College video tours of every major college in the
US. Social network connects you with students, admissions,
faculty, and alumni.” http://www.youniversitytv.com/
 You Visit. “Virtual Campus Visits - Web, Mobile, Facebook.”
http://www.youvisit.com/
Other Research Tools
 The Choice. “Examines all facets of college and university
admissions.” A blog from The New York Times.
http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/
 College Week Live. Videos, live chats.
http://www.collegeweeklive.com
 College Admission Confidential. Interviews with people in the
college counseling field. LA Talk Radio.
http://www.latalkradio/College.php
Gap Year Opportunities
 Not quite ready for another rigorous academic experience?
 Want to travel and do service in a local or international
community?
 Do you need/want to earn money for college?
Gap Year Programs:
Local Opportunities
 Americorps. “Your chance to put your ideals into action while
learning new skills, making new connections, and earning
money to pay for college.” http://www.americorps.gov
 Mile High Youth Corps. “Meaningful service and educational
experiences.” http://www.milehighyouthcorps.org
 NOLS. National Outdoor Leadership School, a wilderness
education school. Based in Wyoming, several locations.
http://www.nols.edu
Gap Year Programs: Service & Travel
 Gap Year Programs. A good site to start your
research. http://www.gapyearprograms.net
 Dynamy. Internship year & Youth Academy. http://www.dynamy.org
 Earthwatch. For students concerned about the earth’s future.
http://www.earthwatch.org
 Leap Now. Agap year-for credit alternative college program.
http://www.leapnow.org
 Planet Gap Year. Offers opportunities in 25 countries that offer “adventure,
internships, volunteering, & independent travel.” http://www.planetearthyear.com
 Where There Be Dragons. “Language study, volunteering, internships, homestays,
backpacking and the study of philosophy, music & arts combine for authentic
learning adventures.” http://www.wheretherebedragons.com
Getting into the Work force NOW
 Do you have a clear idea of what you want for a career?
 Do you want/need to earn money for college?
Career Exploration
 Career One Stop. http://www.ajb.dni.us/
 ASVAB Career Exploration Program. http://www.asvabprogram.com/
 Candid Career. “Get reel about your career.” http://www.candidcareer.com
 Colorado Association of Career & Technical Education (CACTE).
http://coloradostateplan.comdefault_cluster.htm
 Drive of Your Life. “Test drive careers for the one and only you!”
http://www.driveofyourlife.org
 O*net Resource Center. The nation's primary source of occupational information.”
http://www.onetcenter.org
 Wet Feet. “Our mission is to equip job seekers like you with the advice, research,
and inspiration you need to plan and achieve a successful career.”
http://www.wetfeet.com
How to Tackle the College Admission
Process
The College Application Process:
The Common Application
 How to Navigate the Common Application. A power point tutorial from Chapman
University.
http://www.chapman.edu/admission/_files/CommonAppTutorialFall2012CThome.pdf
 A Student Perspective. Youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UGzlIbeLwY
 Questions & Answers, part 1. Youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpU7L47xYGg&feature=related
 Questions & Answers, part 2. Youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKu5OsFqJyA&feature=relmfu
 Questions & Answers, part 3. Youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qrvFpweB3c&feature=relmfu
The College Application Process:
College Essay
 Essays. Tips from Carleton
University. http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/apply/essay_ti
ps
 Essay2Review. “Work up your common application essay.”
http://www.essay2review.com/work-up-your-commonapplication-essay.html
 Purdue Owl. Writing a Personal Statement.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/
The College Application Process:
Letters & Interviews
 Advice for the College Interview. “Girls, Dress Discreetly; Boys, Mind Those
Hands.”http://www.thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/octoberinterview/
 Ask the Experts. Letters of Recommendation & College
Interviewshttp://www.petersons.com/college-search/letters-recommendationcollege-interviews.aspx
 College in Colorado. Letters of Recommendation/Interviews (Application
essays, too!) http://www.collegeincolorado.org
Need Help with ACT Prep?
 Multiple Choice Tests Help
Writing Portion Help
 The ACT student site. Free of
http://www.actstudent.org/testprep
charge. http://www.actstudent.org /tips/writing-test.html
 Bright Storm. Video tutorials; feebased. http://www.brightstorm.com
 Khan Academy. Free; currently has
video tutorials for the math section
only. http://www.khanacademy.org
 Number 2. Free of charge.
http://www.number2.com
SAT Prep for SAT Reasoning Test
 College Board. The SAT
website.
http://www.collegeboard.com
 I Need a Pencil.
http://www.ineedapencil.com
 Major Tests.
http://www.majortests.com/sa
t
 ProProfs.
http://www.proprofs.com
These sites are free of charge.
SAT Prep for SAT II Tests
 College Board.
http://www.sat.collegeboard.org
/practice/sat-subject-testpreparation
 Princeton Review.
http://www.princetonreview.co
m/college/sat-subject-testcourses.aspx
 University Language.
http:www.universitylanguage.com
Accuplacer Prep
 College Board. http://www.collegeboard/accuplacer
 Arapahoe Community College. Information about & sample
questions about this course placement test for reading, writing, and
math. http://www.arapahoe.edu/student-resources/testingcenter/accuplacer-placement-test
Fair Test Schools
Fair Test Schools. The extensive
list of colleges& universities that
do not consider standardized
testing as a major criterion in a
student’s application packet.
http://www.fairtest.org/universit
y/optional
How to Navigate the Job Search
Career Sources
 Resume Builder: http://www.aie.org
 How to Be an Outstanding Employee:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301 Writing a Cover Letter:
505143_162-47743958/9-traits-thathttp://www.myfuture.com/careers/arti
make-great-employees-outstanding/
cles-advice/creating-your-cover-letter
 How to Complete a Job Application:
http://www.jobsearch.about.com/cs/jo
bapplications/a/jobapplication.htm
 Job Interview: Tips and Advice:
http://www.careeradvice.monster.com/jobinterview/careers.aspx
Need money to make your plans work?
Financial Aid
 FAFSA. Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
RECOMMENDED FOR EVERYONE:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
 CSS Profile. A list of colleges, universities, and scholarship programs use
PROFILE, Noncustodial PROFILE, and/or IDOC as part of their financial aid
process for some or all of their financial aid applicants.
https:/www./profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/PXRemotePartInstitutionSer
vlet/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet.srv
Scholarship Sites
 CollegeInSight. From the Institute of College Access & Success.
http://www.college-insight.org/
 FinAid! A comprehensive financial aid information source.
http://www.finaid.org
 Merit Aid. Comprehensive list of merit & academic scholarships.
http://www.meritaid.com
 Saving for College. Offers a downloadable Family Guide to College
Savings. http://www.savingforcollege.com/
 Students Scholarship Search. Offers an ebook, Free Scholarship Guide for
College Students. http;//www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/
Scholarships for Students with
Disabilities
 Ann Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarship National Center for
Learning Disabilities. http://www.ncld.org/aboutus/scholarships-aamp-awards/the-anne-ford-and-allegra-fordscholarship-award
 Disaboom. A scholarship site for students with
disabilities. http://www.disaboom.com/Resources/DisabilitySc
holarships/Default.asp
 Learning Through Listening Award Recording for the Blind and
Dyslexic. http://www.rfbd.org/applications_awards.htm
Scholarship Programs in Colorado
 Boettcher Scholarship.
http://www.boettcherfoundation.
org/scholarships/
 College in Colorado.
http://www.collegeincolorado.org
 College Invest.
http://www.collegeinvest.org
 Daniels Fund.
http://www.danielsfund.org
For your Community Service hours
 Seniors at Denver Academy are required to perform 50 hours of
community service.
 The Phil Johnson & Lou Raders Community Service
Scholarship was established in 2008 to recognize a student with
extraordinary community service
 One $1,000 scholarship each year is available for a student who
nominates him/herself and goes through the selection process
 Please talk with any senior advisor if you are interested
Volunteer
 Clothes to Kids. Provides new and used clothing to low income children.
http://www.clothestokids.org
 Denver Public Library. Lists opportunities for teens.
http://www.teens.denverlibrary.org
 Girls, Inc. Volunteer opportunities, “inspiring all girls to be strong, smart,
& bold.” http://www.girlsincdenver.org/volunteer-opportunities.htm
 Habitat for Humanity. A Denver homeownership program.
http://www.habitatmetrodenver.org
 Metro Volunteers. “Denver’s leading source for volunteer engagement”
http:www.metrovolunteers.org/
 Volunteer Match. Volunteer opportunities in the Denver metro area.
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/index.jsp?r=msa&l=80640
Extra Support Services
 If you are not quite ready to embark on your new transition and
want to stay connected to Denver and Denver Academy,
consider:
 College Achievement Program (CAP):
http://www.denveracademy.org/page.aspx?pid=345
 College Living Experience (CLE):
http://www.experiencecle.com/locations/denver.aspx
Print Resources: College Search
 Antonoff, Steve. College Finder.
 Antonoff, Steve. College Match. Octameron: USA, 2011.
 Cool Colleges 101.
 The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges.
 Kravets, Marybeth, & Imy Wax. K & W Guide to Colleges for
Students with Learning Disabilities.
 Mangrum, Charles T., & Stephen S. Strichart. Peterson’s Colleges
with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities or Attention
Deficit Disorder.
Print Resources:
Scholarships & Financial Aid
 Leider, Anna, & Robert Leider. Don’t Miss Out: The Ambitious
Student’s Guide To Financial Aid.
 Chany, Kalman. Paying for College without Going Broke.
Print Resources: Career Exploration
 Bolles, Richard. What Color Is Your Parachute?
 Parfitt, Jo. A Career in Your Suitcase.
Many Thanks
 I am deeply indebted to Dr. Christine Hand Gonzales for her
resource book, College Bound: Proven Ways to Plan & Prepare for
Getting into the College of Your Dreams. College Path is her website:
http://www.college-path.com
 Many of the resources in this presentation come from her book
(available on Kindle).
If you are interested in having a copy of this power point, please
contact me by email, and I will send you a copy.
Thank you,
Carey Eskesen
ceskesen@denveracademy.org