College Preparedness

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College Preparedness
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Whether you are a Junior or a Senior

• Plan ahead!!!

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Senior

• September
• Should be registered for the SAT/ACT (or have
  already taken it)
• SAT Oct. 6th
• Late
  registration Sept 14th
• cost- 43.00
• ACT Sept. 15th
• cost 30.00 without writing
• 44.50 with
• Use our ETS code 210570

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Juniors

• Prepare for PSAT
• Look at results and prepare to take SAT or ACT
• Sign up to take either test in the Spring

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Narrow down college choices

• Where to start looking..
• There are many websites to start search
• MyRoad.com- www.myroad.com
• Xap.com- www.xap.com
• Petersons- www.petersons.com
• Campustours- www.campustours.com
• Go college- www.gocollege.com

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What are you looking for

• Do they offer your major?
• (Do you know what you want to major in?)
• Location, location, location
• climate
• distance between college and home
• Student population-size
• Big
• Small

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School climate

• Is there school spirit?
• Is there sororities, fraternities?
• Extracurricular activities
• Division _ Sports

• Diversity
• Political Activities
• Is it a party school?
• Opportunities to study abroad?

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How do you know if it is a right fit?

• Start with a virtual tour
• Visit the school
• There is no better way to see if the school feels
  right for you or your child, then to go to campus
  and take a tour.

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Make sure you make a list of questions.

• What are the dorms like?
• What type of security does campus offer?
• What type of problems has there been in the past?
• Can Freshman drive? Where do they park?
• Are tutoring or learning labs available?
• Graduation statistics?

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What are requirements for acceptance?

• SAT/ACT score
• Avg. GPA
• Any special SAT II or other test
• What Division sports are there?
• Financial Aid available through school

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When you visit the school, prepare questions.

• Call and schedule a tour of the campus
• Juniors-colleges are set up for this over the
  summer.
• Seniors-college visits are not excused, plan them
  on school holidays.
• Research your college choices to see if you
  should schedule an interview
• If interviewed, send a thank you note after the
  interview

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Questions

• Are the dorms in one area.. Do you need to catch
  a shuttle bus to school?
• Is there an effective security system in the
  dorms?
• What services are offered by campus health?

• Do fraternities and sororities dominate campus
  life?
• What are the strongest majors?
• Do you feel comfortable and safe?
• What is the core curriculum?

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Top reasons NOT to pick a college

• I like this college because my friends want to go
  here.
• I like this college because I dont have to take
  math.
• I like this college because it has great sports
  teams.
• I like this college because it is close to home.
• I like this college because it is far from home.

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Contd

• I like this school because it is a party school.
• I like this school because it is close to
  mountains/beach.
• I like this school because my parents went here.

• I like this school because it looks like a great
  place to meet guys/girls.
• Lastly, I like this school because my
  boyfriend/girlfriend wants to go there.

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In review

• Establish your goals
• If you know your career interests find the best
  college for that major that fits the rest of your
  needs.
• Make sure you fit academically.
• Decide what characteristics you are looking for
  in a college.
• Make a short list.
• Apply for admission

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Applying to College

• Check application deadlines
• Early decision
• Early action
• Work on your resume
• Request recommendation letters from teachers who
  will write a good recommendation letter.

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Important !!!

• Students should make sure they give the
  Counseling Office enough time (5 days) to process
  at transcript request and college
  recommendations.
• Students should send the entire packet to the
  college at the same time.
• If they apply on line then all other items that
  need sent should go at the same time.
• YOUR EMERGENCY IS NOT OUR EMERGENCY!!!

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Calendar for Seniors

• September
• Register for SAT/ACT
• Ask teachers for recommendations
• Update resume
• Narrow list of colleges
• Sign up for meetings with college representatives

• October
• Work on college essays and applications (make
  copies)
• Attend college fairs
• Talk to counselor about early decision and early
  action.
• Check scholarships

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November

• Pay attention to deadlines
• Some colleges have a Priority Deadline of Dec.
  1st. (UMCP is one)
• Financial Aide Night is Nov. 29th at 7PM

• Check scholarships
• Thanksgiving holiday-good time for students to
  finish applications.

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December

• Remember schools are closed for the holidays get
  applications done early to meet January 1st
  deadline.
• Pick up FAFSA form or go online to create your
  PIN
• They are accepted Jan. 1st -Mar. 1st.
• Check scholarships in Guidance.

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Juniors

• Go to either Meade or Broadneck College Fair in
  October.
• Make sure to apply yourself for the PSAT
• Take Prep class or study for SAT or ACT
• Investigate career paths and majors
• Consider what type of college you want
• Large, small
• Urban, rural
• Private, public

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Contd

• Work on improving your GPA
• Plan for a rigorous academic schedule for Senior
  year
• Work toward a leadership position in a club or
  sport activity.
• Participate in community service activities
• Work on your resume
• There are a few scholarships Juniors can apply
  for.

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Remember

• Get organized and stay organized
• Checklists are good
• Know your time lines
• Work with your counselor
• Ask questions
• Remember we are here to help through this process