2. College Planning 101

3. Let’s get started… Junior Year (or earlier)
Start thinking about the types of schools you might be interested in attending
Big/Small
Public/Private
Close to home/Far away
Liberal arts/Research
Etc. etc. etc.

4. TESTING
ACT and SAT
Most schools accept both test types of tests and do not have a preference
William Jewell College accepts both ACT and SAT (Scholarships start at a 24 or an 1150)
Jewell’s institutional code is 2394 for ACT and 6941 for SAT
When to take the ACT or SAT
Test early and often (to a point).
Register for tests at least one month before the test date
Test dates
ACT ( – September, October, December, February, April, June
SAT (sat.collegeboard.org) – October, November, December, January, March, May, June
How to prepare
Books, online courses, personal tutors, and classes are available to help you prepare for the exam (
Test Optional
William Jewell College offers a Test Optional application that allows students to submit alternative admission criteria in place of a test score.
Visit or speak with your admission counselor for more information.

5. The Campus Visit
Participate in a group visit, visit event, or schedule an individual visit
See the campus!
Meet with faculty members
See the faculty/student interaction
Talk with current students
Meet your future classmates

7. Meet With An Admission Counselor
Questions to expect from your college admission counselor:
How does this college fit your interests?
What are your goals?
What activities are important to you?
What are you interested in studying?
What are you passionate about?
Questions to ask your admission counselor:
Tell me more about my intended area of study.
What do students do for fun, on or off campus?
What is the college’s placement rate?
What is the average class size?
What are the residential policies on campus?

8. Senior Year… Narrow your list of schools (but keep your list balanced)
1-3 “Reach Schools”
1-3 “Target Schools”
1-3 “Safety Schools”
Ready, set, APPLY!

9. Submit an official high school transcript
The Application
Apply using the college’s application ( or with the common Application (
Submit an official high school transcript
Submit official ACT or SAT scores
Submit essay if necessary
Submit letter/s of recommendation if necessary
Some schools charge an application fee ($50 - $100)
Jewell’s application is free
Fee waivers are available

10. Personal statement or answer a specific prompt (250 – 650 words)
ESSAY
Help your admission counselor get to know you! Make the application process personal. Show off your writing ability.
Personal statement or answer a specific prompt (250 – 650 words)
Consult a teacher, counselor, peer, etc. when working on your essay. Be sure to edit and revise before submitting!
William Jewell College requires an essay with application
“The world needs _______. Why?” (250 words)

11. Allow adequate time for the letter to be written and sent
Letters of Recommendation
Ask someone who can speak to your work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and character
Ask teacher, coaches, counselors, community leaders, or church leaders
Allow adequate time for the letter to be written and sent
William Jewell College requires letters of recommendation for the following:
Test optional applicants
Oxbridge Honors Program (

12. RESUME
Keep a record of your high school accomplishments and activities (this will come in handy for college applications as well as scholarship applications.
Include
Honors and awards
Activities: sports, arts, clubs, organizations
Leadership positions
Camps and conferences
Community service
Work experience

13. Senior Year (continued)…
Narrow your list again
Where were you accepted?
Any special offers?
Revisit schools: talk to admissions, faculty, alums, current students

14. Financial Aid
Apply to college early to receive information on additional scholarships
William Jewell College’s priority deadline was October 15th
Ask about talent and departmental awards
Jewell offers awards in music, theatre, debate, journalism, and athletics
File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after October 1st
Talk with your guidance counselor, teachers, and community leaders to learn about community awards and scholarships
Check out scholarship databases (

15. Questions?
Becky Poskin
Assistant Director of Admission and Recruitment