Preparing for College JUNIOR Year Informing Exploring Defining Shaping

Preparing for College a good college: Is in the location/environment you want Offers the academics you’re interested in Offers internships/research opportunities/co-ops/career placement you need Offers activities you are interested in Is affordable for you and your family Is a place that will challenge and support you Is a place you will graduate from

Preparing for College A GOOD COLLEGE LIST: Is in the single digits Has at least 2-3 ‘likely’ schools No more than 1/3 are reach schools Every school meets student’s priorities Accounts for family financial situation Represents collaboration between students, parents, and college counselor

Preparing for College STRESS INDUCING MYTHS: It takes all As to get into a “good” college If I don’t get into a Name Brand (“good”) college, I will have no future A public university will cost me less than a private one The more selective a college is, the better it is My ACT/SAT scores will make or break my admissions chances The higher the college’s ranking in the US News & World Report, the better it is

Preparing for College WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOUR JOURNEY Campus culture…what will living there be like? Academic culture…how will I learn? Academic support…what if I need help? Location…again, what will living there be like? Opportunities…activities and internships? Prestige…where will I go afterward? Selectivity…can I get in?

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE tools for exploration College Board’s Big Future Search Naviance search Meeting with counselor “Family” input It is extremely important for the student to understand his/her priorities for characteristics before exploring

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE ADDITIONAL TOOLS NACAC and local college fairs Visits by college admission officers Visiting colleges Guidebooks (Fiske college guide) Websites College Portrait Unigo College Navigator NCAA College Board WCS website (School & College Counseling)

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE January-February Meet/work with Mr. Kraynak to set your senior schedule Think about continuing to challenge yourself academically Take the state-sponsored ACT this March at WC

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE march-may Start researching colleges Go to college fairs Plan college visits Develop a college list in Naviance Take a look at some college applications Think about your ACT/SAT re-test strategy

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE JUNE-AUGUST Register for a spot in the May ACT Boot Camp at WC (taught by Brian Stewart) Register for the Common Application Take a look at the essay prompts Begin to shape your college list Make a list of potential recommenders Attend a free college application workshop taught by Mr. Kraynak

QUESTIONS? *some information used in this presentation was taken from sessions in the 2017 NACAC convention.