1. Preparing for College JUNIOR Year
Informing
Exploring
Defining
Shaping

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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