1. College Planning SETTING UP YOUR FILES AND GETTING ORGANIZED

2. Visiting College Campuses During your Junior and Senior Years, you should visit schools. It is never too early to start planning for your future. The College Search

3. 1. Check Their Schedules Tips on Visiting Campuses If you are planning to visit during your school breaks, check online to make sure the colleges will be in session.

4. 2. Contact the Admissions Office Tips on Visiting Campuses Announce Yourself Request to sit in a class Ask for an interview Meet with Financial Aid Officer

5. 3. Be Prepared Dress Neat – you may not be expected to wear a suit. But a little polish goes a long way Be On Time – if you are on time, you are late. Arrive early Plan Ahead – Figure out beforehand where you are going and how long it will take to get there Tips on Visiting Campuses

6. 4. Explore the Campus. Normally, the admissions officer or student guide will probably take you on a tour. Tips on Visiting Campuses

7. 5. Stay Over Night Consider spending the night in a dorm. It is a great way to get a genuine feel for the environment and the student body. Tips on Visiting Campuses

8. 4. You don ’ t need to pick a major to pick a college. All of your college years will not be spent on campus. Get an idea of your surroundings. BE SAFE! 6. Go Off-Campus

9. 7. Take Notes Write down ALL of your impressions Tips on Visiting Campuses

10. 8. Send a Thank You Note When you get home, write a quick thank you note to the administrators and professors with whom you met. The notes do not have to be elaborate. But a thank you goes a long way. Tips on Visiting Campuses

11. Check Online Resources for Your College Search http://college.sparknotes.com www.collegeboard.com www.collegesource.com www.gocollege.com www.studentsreview.com http://.campusdirt.com http://collegeprowler.com Planning for College

12. Create a College Visit Journal SCHOOL NAMEDATE OF VISIT Overall impression: The Students: The Campus: The Dorms: The Dining Halls:

13. Create a College Visit Journal SCHOOL NAMEDATE OF VISIT The City/Town: What My Parents Thought: The Bottom Line: Will I Apply Here: Which Category Does This School Fall Into (My Dream School, Target School, or Safety School:

14. You will get a large number of documents from a lot of people. Keep your files up to date Getting Organized

15. Get a File Cabinet or an old mild crate, file folders and labels. Getting Organized

16. Label Your File Folders Accordingly; 1.Grades / Transcripts 2.Awards 3.Articles by and/or about me 4.Summer Programs 5.Jobs 6.Art or Writing Portfolio 7.Resume 8.Scholarships 9.Financial Aid Information 10.College Brochures and Forms 11.Completed Applications Getting Organized

17. Stay on top of deadlines Regular college applications are due starting November 30, and the deadline season runs through December-unless you apply early, in which case they are due in October or early November. Keep track of every deadline. Getting Organized

18. DEADLINEWHAT’S DUE

19. College Search Contacts SCHOOL NAME City: State: Admissions Officer: Financial Aid Officer: College Rep: Professor: Student: Notes: