So you want to go to college

1
So you want to go to college?

• How do you choose from over 5000 colleges out
  there?

2
What Kind of College Meets Your Needs?

• Community College
• Art or Culinary School
• Trade or Technical School
• 2 or 4 year Public or Private College

3
Community College

• Generally less expensive
• 2-Year Degrees
• Transfer opportunities to 4-year colleges
• Open Admissions
• Go to www.ccsnh.edu/

4
Fine Arts and Culinary Schools

• Vary in Cost
• 2 to 4 year degrees
• Different admissions requirements
• Art Portfolio

5
Trade and Technical Schools

• Hands-on Job Training and Certification
• 2-year degrees
• Immediate placement in careers such as
• Accounting, Dental Assistant, Criminal Justice
• www.technical-schools-guide.com
• www.trade-schools.com

6
Four Year Colleges

• Bachelors Degree
• Certifications
• Associates Degree
• Usually more expensive
• Admissions can be anywhere from minimally to
  rigorously selective

• These college search engines can help you find
  the best fit for you
• www.princetonreview.com
• www.Collegeboard.com
• www.careercruising.com
• www.campustours.com

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Public versus Private

• Public Colleges
• Few scholarship opportunities
• Classes can be large

• Private Colleges
• Generally more expensive
• More financial aid packages available

8
How do you Select the Right School for you?

• Key things to think about
• How far from home do you want to be?
• What would you like to major in?
• What size college do you want to attend?
• Location Urban, Suburban or Rural?

9
How do you Select the Right School for you?

• Competitive vs. Non-Competitive
• Competitive schools will look at
• Your high school courses (AP and CP)
• GPA and SAT scores
• Extra-curricular activities and leadership
• Strong college essay and recommendations

10
How do you Select the Right School for you?

• What else are you looking for?
• Sports
• Radio/TV
• Quality of Instructors
• Internships
• Greek Life

11
SAT ACT

• Now is the time to start taking the SATs
• Some colleges require SAT II subject tests
• Most colleges will accept ACT SAT
• The ACT includes questions on science and social
  studies.
• www.collegeboard.com
• www.actstudent.org

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SAT Dates

• Test Date May 3
• Early Deadline March 12
• Regular Deadline April 1
• Test Date June 7
• Early Deadline April 16
• Regular Deadline May 6
• You cannot take Sat I and Sat II on the same day

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SAT

• Some schools dont require SATs
• If you dont do well on standardized testing
  check out this site
• www.fairtest.org/optinit.htm

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Developing a List of Colleges

• Narrow it down to 6-10 schools
• 1) Reach average GPA/SAT scores are higher than
  yours
• 2) Match GPA/Scores match yours
• 3) Safety GPA/Scores lower than yours
• 4) Financially Safe schools that you can afford

16
Visiting Your Prospective Schools

• Contact Admissions to find tour dates
• Observe a class
• Overnight dorm visits

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Find out Which College Fits you Best

• Dont put off touring until the summer
• Visit during February April Break
• Visit during Weekdays
• What if you cant visit your schools?
• Online tours

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Applying

• Early Decision
• Best if you know where you want to go
• Gives an advantage over other students
• Essay
• Think about essay over the summer
• Applications
• Get familiar with application process