Going to College? Prepare to take the Next Step! Jason Howard Associate Director Ohio University Zanesville *Presentation adapted from ACT: Planning for College

College Preparation: How do I make myself attractive to colleges and/or universities? How do I make myself attractive to colleges and/or universities? Academics Academics Grades Grades Test Scores Test Scores Curriculum Curriculum Extra-Curricular Activities Extra-Curricular Activities Community Involvement Community Involvement

Academics Colleges & Universities consider your academic record beginning with the 9 th grade Colleges & Universities consider your academic record beginning with the 9 th grade It is imperative you get off to a strong start! It is imperative you get off to a strong start! Earning an ‘A’ has as much impact on your overall gpa your freshman year as one earned during your senior year Earning an ‘A’ has as much impact on your overall gpa your freshman year as one earned during your senior year Your ability to be considered for admission to some of the best colleges and universities Your ability to be considered for admission to some of the best colleges and universities

Academics Keep in mind, earning an ‘A’ is only one piece of the puzzle Keep in mind, earning an ‘A’ is only one piece of the puzzle You MUST challenge yourself academically! You MUST challenge yourself academically! Don’t do the minimum to “get by” Don’t do the minimum to “get by” Take challenging subjects Take challenging subjects Colleges are more impressed by students who challenge themselves Colleges are more impressed by students who challenge themselves

Test Scores: ACT/SAT Standardized Exams Standardized Exams Required for admission to most 4 year institutions Required for admission to most 4 year institutions Test your overall knowledge Test your overall knowledge You CAN’T cram for the ACT/SAT! You CAN’T cram for the ACT/SAT! The best way to be successful…..focus on academics early on The best way to be successful…..focus on academics early on

Extra-Curricular Activities Colleges/Universities are looking for “well- rounded students” Colleges/Universities are looking for “well- rounded students” Academics play a HUGE role in determining college admissions Academics play a HUGE role in determining college admissions Extra-Curricular involvement can ‘push’ you over the top Extra-Curricular involvement can ‘push’ you over the top Being involved is important, however, being ACTIVELY involved is the key: Be a Leader! Being involved is important, however, being ACTIVELY involved is the key: Be a Leader!

Community Involvement Church Church Civic Organizations Civic Organizations Work Work Other Other EVERYTHING you do during your high school career shows Colleges WHO you are… Stand Out! EVERYTHING you do during your high school career shows Colleges WHO you are… Stand Out!

How do I decide? 10,000+ College and Universities in the United States alone… UGH!!! 10,000+ College and Universities in the United States alone… UGH!!!

Factors to Consider Location Location Size Size Environment Environment Admissions Req. Admissions Req. Academics Academics Cost Cost Financial Aid Financial Aid Housing Housing Facilities Facilities Activities Activities Support Services Support Services Campus Visits Campus Visits

Location How far from home do you want to be? How far from home do you want to be? Within 50 miles? Within 50 miles? miles? miles? miles? miles? As far away from my parents as possible! As far away from my parents as possible!

Size Enrollment Enrollment Colleges & Universities in the US range in size from a few hundred students to over 50,000 Colleges & Universities in the US range in size from a few hundred students to over 50,000 It is important that the environment you choose feels the most comfortable to you It is important that the environment you choose feels the most comfortable to you Physical Size Physical Size College campuses can be contained within a single building or spread out over hundreds of acres Consider whether or not a schools layout may present potential challenges

Environment Type of School- 2yr or 4yr school Type of School- 2yr or 4yr school Liberal Arts or Technical School Liberal Arts or Technical School School Setting- Urban, Small City, Rural School Setting- Urban, Small City, Rural Student Body- Co-ed, Male only, Female only Student Body- Co-ed, Male only, Female only Religious Affiliation- Catholic, Presbyterian, No Affiliation, Etc… Religious Affiliation- Catholic, Presbyterian, No Affiliation, Etc…

Admission Requirements What is the application deadline you must meet? What is the application deadline you must meet? What tests are required- SAT or ACT; do they require the written portion of either test? What tests are required- SAT or ACT; do they require the written portion of either test? What is the average GPA, Test Score, Class Rank of admitted students? What is the average GPA, Test Score, Class Rank of admitted students? Does the school have Early Decision or Rolling Admissions? Does the school have Early Decision or Rolling Admissions?

Academics Do they offer your Major? If you are Undecided does the school offer services to help you decide? Do they offer your Major? If you are Undecided does the school offer services to help you decide? Accreditation- It is important to find out if the school is accredited AND who the accrediting body is! Accreditation- It is important to find out if the school is accredited AND who the accrediting body is! Student to Faculty Ratio Student to Faculty Ratio Average Class Size- It is important to realize that you will have larger classes at times, especially during the first year or two in college Average Class Size- It is important to realize that you will have larger classes at times, especially during the first year or two in college

Cost Tuition, Room, & Board- You will also want to try to find out what typical increases may be each year Tuition, Room, & Board- You will also want to try to find out what typical increases may be each year Estimated Total Budget- This includes items such as: books, lab fees, travel, and other miscellaneous items Estimated Total Budget- This includes items such as: books, lab fees, travel, and other miscellaneous items Application fee Application fee Deposits- Is there a deposit to hold your space in the freshman class? How much is it? Is it refundable? When is it due? Deposits- Is there a deposit to hold your space in the freshman class? How much is it? Is it refundable? When is it due?

Financial Aid Required Forms- Virtually every College in the US requires the FAFSA Required Forms- Virtually every College in the US requires the FAFSA Deadline- What is the deadline for the FAFSA to be on file with your school(s) of choice? Deadline- What is the deadline for the FAFSA to be on file with your school(s) of choice? Availability- What percentage of students receive financial aid? Availability- What percentage of students receive financial aid? Scholarships- What are the deadlines for consideration? Additional information required? What award amounts are available? Are scholarships renewable? If so, for how many years and what are the academic requirements? Scholarships- What are the deadlines for consideration? Additional information required? What award amounts are available? Are scholarships renewable? If so, for how many years and what are the academic requirements?

Housing Is on campus housing available? Is on campus housing available? Are students required to live on campus? If so, for how long? Are students required to live on campus? If so, for how long? What type of housing is available- Floor plans of Residence Halls, number to a room, etc… What type of housing is available- Floor plans of Residence Halls, number to a room, etc… Meal Plan- What types of options are available? (If it’s possible ask about sampling the food during your college visit) Meal Plan- What types of options are available? (If it’s possible ask about sampling the food during your college visit) Transportation- Is transportation available to and from your residence to campus buildings? Transportation- Is transportation available to and from your residence to campus buildings?

Facilities Academic- Find out what the school has to offer in terms of technology, computer labs, etc… Academic- Find out what the school has to offer in terms of technology, computer labs, etc… Recreational- Does the school have a Fitness Center? If so, are students required to pay an additional fee? Recreational- Does the school have a Fitness Center? If so, are students required to pay an additional fee? Other- Outdoor recreation, Bike paths, Athletic Facilities, Facilities available in the community and their availability Other- Outdoor recreation, Bike paths, Athletic Facilities, Facilities available in the community and their availability

Activities Clubs & Organizations Clubs & Organizations Greek Life Greek Life Athletics & Intramurals Athletics & Intramurals Intercollegiate Sports Intercollegiate Sports

Support Services Support Services Accommodations- What types of services does the school offer for students with disabilities, both physical and learning? Accommodations- What types of services does the school offer for students with disabilities, both physical and learning? Academic- Does the school offer services for academic help, such as tutoring, supplemental instruction, etc…? Academic- Does the school offer services for academic help, such as tutoring, supplemental instruction, etc…? Career Services- What type of assistance is available for students? Career Services- What type of assistance is available for students? Resume Writing Resume Writing Job Search Job Search Internships Internships Interviewing Techniques Interviewing Techniques

Campus Visit This is the #1 way for you to decide if a College is right for YOU! This is the #1 way for you to decide if a College is right for YOU! Contact the schools you are considering to learn about opportunities to visit campus Contact the schools you are considering to learn about opportunities to visit campus Be prepared- Have a list of questions to ask during your visit and do not hesitate to ask them, it is the best way to make an informed decision! Be prepared- Have a list of questions to ask during your visit and do not hesitate to ask them, it is the best way to make an informed decision! Try to schedule visits while school is in session, this will give you a better idea of the environment on campus Try to schedule visits while school is in session, this will give you a better idea of the environment on campus

Keep Your Options Open! You KNOW what it takes to be prepared for College You KNOW what it takes to be prepared for College You KNOW how to go about selecting the right college for you You KNOW how to go about selecting the right college for you WILL you take the necessary steps to make it happen? WILL you take the necessary steps to make it happen? Always ask yourself… Did I do everything I could to prepare for the Next Step??? Always ask yourself… Did I do everything I could to prepare for the Next Step???

Resources Students can gain additional information and resources about the college search process by visiting the following websites: Students can gain additional information and resources about the college search process by visiting the following websites: