1. Junior College Prep
1/11/18

2. College Meetings
Talk to your parents about scheduling a meeting with me!
We will discuss:
Colleges that interest you
College preferences (type distance, location, size, academics, activities, housing & cost)
Grades
PSAT results
Plan for standardized testing (SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests)
Graduation requirements
What we have learned in college prep so far
What we plan to cover in college prep

3. Searching For Colleges

4. Two Year vs Four Year

5. Two Year
Save money
Familiar with area
Maintain support from family

6. Four Year
Traditional freshman experience
Establish independence

7. Public vs Private

8. Public
Public colleges are funded by the state, which is why tuition costs are lower than private colleges.
Public colleges have in-state and out-of-state tuition. In-state is lower than out of state.
Public colleges tend to be larger.

9. Private
Private colleges do not receive funds from the state, which is why tuition costs are higher than public colleges.
Private colleges have the same cost for in-state and out-of-state students.
Private colleges tend to be smaller.

10. Public vs Private: Cost
In state, public schools are usually the most affordable, but that is not always the case. Financial aid can sometimes make private colleges as affordable as public colleges. Don’t rule out a school based on the sticker price. Use the net price calculator to estimate the cost.

11. Distance from Home

12. Close to Home
Can go home easily
Familiar with area/weather

13. Far from Home Cannot go home easily – May get homesick
Opportunity to experience something totally different
Traveling is expensive

14. College Is What You Make Of It
No matter how close you are to home, your college experience will be what you make of it. You could be 10 minutes away and choose to never go home on the weekends, or be three hours away and go home every weekend. It all depends on how much time you want to invest in your college experience!

15. Region

16. Region: Things to Consider
What climate do you want to live in?
What are the people like?
What is there to do?

17. Environment: Rural, Suburban, Urban

18. Rural
Most rural campuses are self-contained, with a majority of the students living on campus. This can increase a college’s sense of community.
Many rural colleges bring entertainment to their students and provide free events. Comedians, bands, movies, bus trips, etc.
Depending on the geographic location, rural areas can offer more abundant outdoor activities.

19. Suburban
Suburban campuses usually offer access to nearby cities and to outdoor activities.
Suburban colleges are frequently self-contained, which can create a strong sense of community.
Suburban colleges often have connections to the towns where they are located. This can provide opportunities such as jobs and entertainment.
Public transportation may be available in addition to a college’s transportation options.

20. Urban
More social and cultural opportunities: museums, theaters, music venues, comedy clubs, parks, bars and restaurants, street festivals, etc.
Multiple public transportation options (trains, buses, taxis, airport)
Surrounded by a large number of varied businesses. Internship opportunities are more plentiful. There are also more job opportunities.
Urban campuses tend to be more diverse.

21. Size Small – Less than 2,000 Medium – 2,000 to 15,000
Large – Larger than 15,000

22. Small Small class sizes Courses will be taught by professors
Easy access to professors
Smaller range of majors, but often have a particular academic focus
Strong advising system
Strong sense of community and connection
Smaller physical campus

23. Medium Medium class sizes Most classes will be taught by professors
Easy access to professors
Medium range of majors
Strong advising program
Strong sense of community
Medium sized physical campus

24. Large Large class sizes, at least in introductory courses
Lecture style courses, sometimes with 200 students in a class
Some courses will be taught by teaching assistants
You will have less access to professors
Wider choice of majors ranging from traditional liberal arts to highly specialized technical fields
Wide range of student activities, for example, big sporting events
Large physical campus

25. Academics
Don’t limit your selection to academic program alone. Studies show that many college students change their college major at least once. It is important to pick a school that will offer you many appealing possibilities.
Look for well respected academic departments. Talk with professors and students in these departments.
If you are undecided, relax and pick an academically balanced institution that offers a range of majors.

26. Activities Clubs Sports Greek life Community service
Academic, Social, Religious, Ethnic
Sports
Intramurals, Club Sports, Division I, II, III
Greek life
Community service

27. Residence Life What percentage of students live on campus?
What are the dorms like?
What amenities are offered?
Are there living learning communities?
What is the food like?

28. Cost What is the total cost for the year?
Am I eligible for scholarships?
Am I eligible for financial aid?
Use net price calculators to estimate your cost
Talk to your parents and establish a price range

29. Building Your College List
You need to be aware of the admissions criteria (average GPA, SAT/ACT scores) at each school. The quickest way to find this information is to google: “Name of school” freshman profile. Always refer to the school’s website.
Your list should have a mixture of safety, match, and dream schools.
Safety means you are above the admissions criteria.
Match means you are within the admissions criteria.
Dream means you are below the admissions criteria.

30. How to Search for Colleges
Go to
Under “Find Colleges” click “Search”
Click on each section
Select your preferences
Click “Close and see results”
Move the cursor to “Don’t Care,” “Want,” or “Must Have.”
Playing with the cursor will give you more or less options. Try to keep your search as open as you can.

31. Exploring Colleges Click on colleges to learn more about them.
The Big Future College Search is a great tool when starting your search and it has a lot of valuable information. However, when you find a school that you are interested in, I would recommend looking at the college website to get the most accurate information.