College Fact, College Fiction

1
College Fact, College Fiction

• Walter Payton College Prep HS
• September 23, 2004

2
The very best schools are extremely expensive.
3
Help!

• Financial aid process in Winter/Spring enables
  students to attend very good schools.
• Many outstanding schools are inexpensive.
• With a college degree, you can pay off your loans.

4
Grades are important, but test scores are most
important.
5
Getting Better

• Good test scores and poor grades suggest that you
  are talented but dont study.
• Some schools seek talent others, studiousness.
• Most colleges take a combination of scores and
  grades into account.
• With good grades in college, you can transfer to
  a stronger school (even the one that rejected
  you!)
• Trend should be upward, not downward!

6
Applying early really helps your chances
7
Dont Pass Me By

• Applying early decision can help at some
  colleges, but it wont get you in somewhere
  youre not qualified to attend.
• Early decision means you commit to going there
  early action means you can pursue other options.
• Deadline is November 1 for most schools!

8
Colleges dont concern themselves with high
school attendance, since colleges themselves
dont require that students attend class.
9
Too Much Monkey Business

• Colleges see attendance (and tardy!) records on
  transcripts.
• Some college classes do take attendance (and
  count it towards grades).
• A very strong or very weak attendance record can
  make the difference in close cases.

10
If my parent or guardian writes a letter of
recommendation, that can really help my
application.
11
With A Little Help From My Friends

• Colleges assume your parents love you.
• Teacher letters carry the most weight.
• An employer or community member can complement
  the teachers viewpoint.

12
P.S. I Love You

• Ask teachers for recommendations earlyminimum of
  2-4 weeks before due date.
• Focus on two teachers who know you well.
• Provide forms stamped envelopes.
• Let teachers know your results.

13
If I havent started writing my essays by now, I
wont get into a top college.
14
If you know yourself well, you can write a good
college essay in one or two sittings.
15
Paperback Writer

• Plan for several rewrites edits.
• Introspection is essential and time-consuming.
• Essays can be re-used many applications use
  similar questions.
• An essay that shows whats important to you can
  be tailored to fit many others.

16
To get scholarships and financial aid, you have
to have really outstanding grades.
17
Cant Buy Me Love

• Financial aid packages are designed to let as
  many people as possible go to college.
• The EFC (Expected Family Contribution) computed
  from your FAFSA is constant for all schools you
  might attend.
• Grades, scores, etc. determine the mix of
  scholarships, loans, etc. in financial aid.
• Many peculiar scholarships available.

18
There is a school out there that fits me like a
glove. I just have to spend the time to find it.
19
Here, There, and Everywhere

• There are many colleges where you can
• Get a great education
• Have a terrific time
• Feel at home
• Research widely to find as many as possible.

20
Important Dates/Times

• September-October
• Find out about as many schools as possible
• Narrow application list to 5-10 schools
• November-December
• Fill out applications
• Request recommendations
• January 1FAFSA available
• February 15FAFSA filed