Where Do I Begin?

Take a Look at “ME”  Where will I be happy?  Close to home? Far away from home?  Large or small college?  Am I a good match academically?  Does the school have my major?  Does the school fit my interests/hobbies?  Do I meet the admission criteria?  What can my family afford?  Where will I be happy?  Close to home? Far away from home?  Large or small college?  Am I a good match academically?  Does the school have my major?  Does the school fit my interests/hobbies?  Do I meet the admission criteria?  What can my family afford?

Choosing a College Is Similar to Buying a Car!  Colleges come in all shapes and sizes.  Public colleges tend to be bigger. GPA and test scores are admission criteria  Private colleges tend to be smaller. Other factors are considered in addition to GPA and test scores.  Colleges come in all shapes and sizes.  Public colleges tend to be bigger. GPA and test scores are admission criteria  Private colleges tend to be smaller. Other factors are considered in addition to GPA and test scores.

Test Drive Before You Buy!  Each college looks and feels differently. --Do your research; go on-line. --Check out the campus --Attend college fairs --Visit with college reps --Visit with current students or alumni --Prepare college comparison checklist --Weigh pros and cons of each school  Each college looks and feels differently. --Do your research; go on-line. --Check out the campus --Attend college fairs --Visit with college reps --Visit with current students or alumni --Prepare college comparison checklist --Weigh pros and cons of each school

College Want to See…  Positive slope to the academic record.  “Meaty” academic courses all 4 years.  Senior year should show continued academic courses, hard work and good grades

A Strong College Bound Schedule  English 4 credits  S.S.3-4 credits  Math 3-4 credits  Science 3-4 credits  F. Lang. 2-3 credits  English 4 credits  S.S.3-4 credits  Math 3-4 credits  Science 3-4 credits  F. Lang. 2-3 credits

Factors Influencing the Admission Decision  Accumulative GPA  Test Scores  Class Rank  Teacher/Counselor Recommendations  Essay  Activities

Making Application  When: 1 st semester of senior year. Deadline: Thanksgiving  How: On-line or hard copy  How many: 3-5 apps  “ Early Decision/Early Action ” or Rolling Admission; Two year  When: 1 st semester of senior year. Deadline: Thanksgiving  How: On-line or hard copy  How many: 3-5 apps  “ Early Decision/Early Action ” or Rolling Admission; Two year

Additional Application Information  Know college test requirements: ACT/SAT and/or SAT II  Know application fees and deadlines  Know application components: personal information, essay, teacher/counselor recommendations.  Know scholarship requirements  Know college test requirements: ACT/SAT and/or SAT II  Know application fees and deadlines  Know application components: personal information, essay, teacher/counselor recommendations.  Know scholarship requirements

Funding Your College Education  It is the family’s responsibility to pay for college education.  Types: Need based and No-Need (Merit Based)  Cannot apply for need- based aid until after January 1 of senior year.

Funding Your College Education  Need-based aid requires completion of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) -  Grants/Scholarships are “no-need” based aid and are awarded to students for superior grades and/or talent.  Loans/work study  Need-based aid requires completion of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) -  Grants/Scholarships are “no-need” based aid and are awarded to students for superior grades and/or talent.  Loans/work study

Funding Your College Education  Financial Aid Eligibility = Cost of Attendance - Family Contribution  Cost of attendance: --Tuition/fees --Books --Room and board --Transportation --Loan fees --Miscellaneous expenses  Financial Aid Eligibility = Cost of Attendance - Family Contribution  Cost of attendance: --Tuition/fees --Books --Room and board --Transportation --Loan fees --Miscellaneous expenses

Develop a Plan to Finance Your Education  Determine college costs  Investigate all possible resources (Parents, Savings, Summer $$, Financial Aid, Other sources.)  Complete necessary forms and note deadlines  Apply as early as possible!  Determine college costs  Investigate all possible resources (Parents, Savings, Summer $$, Financial Aid, Other sources.)  Complete necessary forms and note deadlines  Apply as early as possible!

Review and Finalize Your Plans  Talk with your parents and counselor  Select a college that meets your needs and preferences.  Follow up with colleges to which you have applied  Talk with your parents and counselor  Select a college that meets your needs and preferences.  Follow up with colleges to which you have applied

Final Tips!  Choose your college for YOU, not where your best friend is going.  Maintain good grades through the end of year.  Give teachers & counselor two weeks lead time for letters of recommendations  Spend extra time on your essay.