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Self evaluation:
◦ Why do you want to go to college?
◦ What are your areas of interest?
◦ What do you have a passion for learning
about?
◦ What stimulates you intellectually?
◦ What kind of environment would you like?
◦ How well do you respond to academic
pressure?
◦ How best do you learn?
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How far away from home do you want to
go?
How large or small of a school do you want?
Do you want to be near a city or away from
a city?
Do you want a diverse student body?
Do you want a community spirit?
Do you want a religious affiliation?
What kind of activities would you like?
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Academic rigor in high school
Grades/rank in class
Test scores
Special talent (especially if you have
something they are looking for)
Extracurricular activities
Honors and Awards
Evidence of intellectual curiosity
Geography
 Legacy (siblings and/or parents)
 Demonstrated interest
 Major (can work for you but can also
work against you)
 First generation student
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Application
Essay – and maybe a supplemental essay or
two
Recommendations – usually two teachers
and one counselor
Transcript
Test scores
Sometimes an interview
Certain programs – a portfolio
Value of PSAT and/or PLAN
 SAT – Critical reasoning/Math/Writing
 ACT English/math/science/reading/writing
 SAT Subject Tests – subject specific in
English/Science/Math/Foreign
Language/History/Social Studies
 AP/IB scores
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ACT – will be given in April at your high
school
SAT – May want to take in March or May or
June
SAT Subject tests – take them as soon as
you finish the class, especially if you are
taking the AP or IB exams in May
Look at first scores – do you feel the
accurately represent you?
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If you don’t feel that they represent you,
you can take a summer study course or if
you are good at self study, there are books
you can use – especially those that have old
tests in them.
There are on-line study guides and
questions.
Retake either the SAT or ACT again in the
fall of your senior year, or you can retake
both.
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State colleges and universities:
◦ Usually have their own application
◦ May or may not have an essay
◦ Usually do not ask for recommendations
Private colleges and universities:
◦ Most use the Common Application
◦ Will have an essay or two or maybe three
◦ Will ask for recommendations
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You will be the first class to use the “new”
Common Application. I have not seen a
prototype yet. Two new things: there will be
new essay questions and the old “Topic of
your Choice” will not be there. The electronic
system is set up to cut you off at 500 words,
so you will no longer be able to “fudge” a
little on word count. The new essay topics
are to be released this spring – the Common
Application itself is usually available August
1st.
Regular Decision
 Rolling Admission
 Early Action (EA)
 Early Decision (ED)
 Restrictive Early Action (REA)
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Print materials:
◦ Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges
◦ The College Board Book of Majors
◦ Fiske Guide to Colleges
◦ The College Finder – Steven Antonoff
◦ Colleges That Change Lives – Loren Pope
◦ K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with
Learning Disabilities – Kravets and Wax
◦ Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges
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www.collegesearch.collegeboard.com
www.collegedata.com
www.collegeview.com
www.petersons.com
www.finaid.org
www.FAFSA.ed.gov
www.meritaid.com
www.osac.state.or.us
www.wue.wiche.edu
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Campus visits
◦ Informal
◦ Planned
◦ Keep notes and take pictures of each visit
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College representatives’ visit to high school
College fairs
◦ Spring College Fair at the University of Portland –
Sunday, April 21st , noon to 3 p.m.
◦ Colleges That Change Lives – Sunday, July 28th –
usually held at the Oregon Convention Center at 6
p.m.
◦ Gap Year Fair – Lincoln High School – Thursday,
January 31st at 6 p.m.
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Students and parents need to have a sitdown conversation about what is possible
and what is not possible. There will be a
District Financial Aid Night, usually in
November, where an expert will walk you
through the process and the FAFSA. You
cannot submit the FAFSA until January 1st of
the student’s senior year but then you will
want to send it in as soon as you can after
that date.
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There are many search engines for finding
scholarships but I think the best source is
your own high school. Your high school will
have information about LOCAL scholarships.
If you use the search engines for national
scholarships it can be overwhelming. Look
for local scholarships from your school, your
place of work, your Credit Union, your
church, local organizations like the Elk’s Club
and the Rotary. Find out where your high
school posts local scholarship information.
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Make a spread sheet of the colleges you will
be applying to:
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Name of school
Deadline for application
Testing required
Recommendations required (who are you going to
ask?)
Essay required (how many?)
Interview required?
Application fee?
Date you send your application – keep copies of
EVERYTHING!
BEST
OF LUCK
MAY YOU ALL BE
ADMITTED TO
YOUR NUMBER
ONE SCHOOL