1. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS: C.O.O.L. STYLE MS. GANTT C.O.O.L. COLLEGE ADVISOR

2. PREPARING FOR COLLEGE Do well in school. Visit colleges Compare colleges Find out admissions requirements Take SAT/ACT Apply to colleges Apply for scholarships Wait for admissions letters Choose college

3. SAT The SAT test is a national college admissions test for students interested in pursuing education beyond high school. This 3 hour and 45 minute test covers the following: Writing Critical Reading Math Most test questions are multiple choice, although the first writing section (there are two) is an essay and the math sections may include some open-answer questions.

4. ACT The ACT test (American College Test) is a national college admissions test for students interested in pursuing education beyond high school. Most colleges accept both ACT and SAT scores, so it is up to you whether you want to take one or both tests. The ACT test covers the following subject areas: English Math Reading Science Writing (optional) Most test questions are multiple choice, although the optional writing test is an essay. Expect to spend more than 4 hours at the testing center.

5. SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarship book located in the counselor's office. Visit www.aaaeeff.org regularlywww.aaaeeff.org Check with your college advisor (me!) for scholarships as well

6. FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID AKA FAFSA Complete FAFSA regardless of family’s economic status Renew FAFSA every year. Apply for student aid as early as possible Always apply for “free” student aid - grants and scholarships – first Beware of student aid scams Educate yourself about the different types of loans: subsidized and unsubsidized Compare apples to apples when you look at the cost of education Don’t let tuition costs prevent you from applying to a college you want to go to Get to know people in your financial aid office

7. COMPLETING YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Know your deadlines Read the instructions Provide all of the requested info Be honest Proofread, proofread, proofread. Choose your recommendations wisely Make sure your essay represents who you are Request copies of transcripts Keep copies of everything Confirm that your application materials arrived.

8. COLLEGE ESSAY TIPS 1.Hook the reader with an opening 2.Focus on a small subject even if you are conveying a big idea 3.Avoid “ten dollar SAT words” 4.Show, don’t tell 5.Prune unneeded adjectives and adverbs – which means most of them 6.Have an ending which leaves the reader wanting more 7.Read every essay aloud to make sure it sounds right – even if your family thinks you are crazy 8.The college admissions process is about discovering who you are – don’t be afraid to put yourself out there in your essay.

9. COLLEGE ESSAY TIPS CONTINUED Every sentence must be 10 words long Every paragraph must have 5 sentences Every Essay must have 5 paragraphs Minimum of 250 words Did you know that if you send more than 1,000 texts a month, you can write this essay in less than 3 minutes?

10. QUESTIONS???