1. OCAN Advisor Training New Advisor Track
Admissions 101
OCAN Advisor Training
New Advisor Track

2. The College Admission Process
What is it really all about?

3. Factors in Selecting a College
4 year vs. 2 year school
Public vs. Private
Small, Medium or Large
Urban, Suburban or Rural
Location (i.e. East Coast, West Cost, Midwest, etc.)
Has major of interest

4. Academic Preparation
The College Prep Curriculum/College Entrance Requirements
English: 4 years
Math: through Algebra 2, best: every year of HS
Science: 2 – 3 years
Social Science: 2 – 3 years
Foreign Language: 2 – 3 years
Visual/Performing Arts: 1 year

5. Challenging Curriculum Choices
Advanced Placement (AP)
Earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities while still in high school.
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Enables high school students in grades nine through twelve to earn college and high school graduation credit through the successful completion of college courses.

6. Advantages of AP & PSEO Get a head start on college-level work
Improve writing skills and sharpen problem-solving techniques
Demonstrate maturity and readiness for college
Show willingness to push beyond the minimum
Study subjects in greater depth and detail

7. The College Search Process
Choosing the right college is a process that students can start as early as middle school
First generation, low-income and minority students often start the process late and poorly prepared

8. Online Tools to Help Narrow the Search

9. Print Media Tools

10. Types of Admissions Policies
Open Enrollment
Liberal Enrollment
Selective & Highly Selective
Early Admission
70% of all colleges have open or liberal enrollment

11. Admission Factors for Selective Colleges
Grade Point Average
Class Rank
Standardized Test Scores
Essays
Extra-curricular Activities
Letters of Recommendation
Legacy Status
Race, Ethnicity

12. Standardized Tests – ACT/SAT
Assess general educational development
Most colleges will accept both tests
Each college will set the level of score needed for admission
Students should prepare for the tests in advance
Free resources available on-line

13. The College Essay Why do colleges want you to write an essay?
To learn more about you
To see how well you can write
For scholarship purposes
Each college has different requirements
Different topics
Different lengths

14. Visiting College Campuses
It’s never too early to start visiting college campuses
The visit is a college “test drive”
Students should
Take the campus tour
Meet with faculty
Ask lots of questions

15. Admissions Checklist Admission application with essay
Application fee (depending on the school, waivers may be used)
Official high school transcript
ACT/SAT test scores
Extracurricular activities resume
Letters of recommendation

16. College Success
Many students focus on the financial concerns and not on academic preparation
The ultimate goal is College Graduation!
This requires academic, social and financial preparation

17. How can 9th & 10th grade students prepare for college?
Identify goals, academic interests, and possible career interests
Identify strengths and interests, join related activities
Seek help to strengthen areas of weakness
Develop good study habits
Keep grades up
Practice reading and math skills

18. How can you help 9th & 10th graders?
Assist with Self-Assessments
Understanding themselves, their talents, their interests is first step in the process
Tools:

19. What should Juniors do to prepare for college?
Take Challenging coursework
Visit College Campuses
Research colleges for best fit and scholarship information
Take the ACT/SAT no later than summer between junior & senior year
Sign up to meet with college representatives that visit the high school
Narrow list of possible colleges

20. How you can help Juniors?
Make sure students take the ACT or SAT before the end of Junior Year
Registration, practice questions, college searches available on their websites:

21. High School Senior timeline
Fall
Finalize list of college choices
Re-take the ACT or SAT if desired
Submit applications for admissions and scholarships
Apply for PIN#
Ask for letters of recommendations
Campus Visits

22. High School Senior timeline
Winter
Complete and file the FAFSA
Admissions Decisions from colleges arrive
Campus visits

23. High School Senior timeline
Spring
Financial Aid Awards arrive
Track awards and scholarships
May 1 is National Candidates Reply Date
Housing, Orientation, scheduling materials sent

24. High School Senior timeline
Summer
Students attend Orientation/Scheduling programs
Summer Bridge Programs
Housing assignments, class schedules set

25. How to Help Seniors? Stress importance of deadlines
Review applications and essays
Write letters of recommendation
Stress importance of deadlines some more

26. Questions? Michele Brown The Ohio State University brown.1112@osu.edu
Kelley Lieb
Ohio Dominican University