Selecting a College or University

1
Selecting a College or University

• A Program for Students and Parents
• Stone Bridge High School

2
Points to Consider

• Location
• Costs
• Gender
• Housing
• Guidance Resources
• Majors
• Size
• Admissions Requirements
• Activities
• Self-assessment

3
Lets Begin with a Self-assessment

• Why am I going to college?
• What do I have to offer?
• What do I expect from the college?
• Will I be able to participate in activities?

4
What do the admissions officers evaluate?

• Academic Transcript (grades course selection)
• Standardized Testing
• Extra-curricular Activities
• Community Service
• Leadership Qualities
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Interviews

5
Valuable Resources

• Index of Majors and Graduate Degrees
• Career Center
• Bridges.com
• Interview field of study professionals
• Discuss ideas with parents, teachers, SBHS
  graduates, and counselors
• College Night
• Guidance Counselor
• Family Connection
• SBHS Guidance Website
• SAT Online Course

6
Where do I want to attend college?

• Stay close to home or move away
• In-state or out-of-state
• Physical location
  (inner city, college-town, or other setting)
• Geographic location
• Climate
• Transportation
• Extended family and friends

7
What learning environment is best for me?

• Average classroom size
• Physical size
• What setting do I learn better in?
• Participation factors (academic/nonacademic)
• Curriculum diversity vs. specialization

8
School gender considerations

• How important are social interaction
  opportunities?
• In what environment would I best learn?
• In what setting would I be most successful?
• Activities and Experiences

9
Where will I live?

• Guaranteed On-Campus Housing
• Off-Campus Housing
• Commuters

10
Available Guidance Resources

• Career Center
• Internet based Information
• College Videos
• Test preparation
• Written materials
• College Representatives
• Brown Bag Lunch Series

11
Financial Concerns

• Dont allow costs to keep you from applying
• More expensive colleges usually have more
  unrestricted aid
• Aid qualification varies widely
• Financial Aid workshops

12
JUNIORSWhere are you now?

• SAT/ACT Status
• College exploration and inquiry
• Planned visits
• Course selections for next year
• Grades and activities (resume)
• Applications available in the fall from the
  college
• Be responsible, proactive and prompt

13
Things to find out

• What admission policy does the college use?
  (regular, rolling admissions, early decision
  and/or early action)
• Requirements for admission (SAT s, essays,
  letters of recommendation and specific courses
  completed)
• Investigate the collegeit will be home for the
  next four years!!

14
College application procedures

• Step one collect applications, check and meet
  deadlines, make copy for rough draft notify
  references
• Step two fill out application thoroughly and
  carefully, concentrate on essay keep copy for
  your records
• Step three notify guidance by completing the
  Transcript Request Form
• Step four reviewed by counselor, transcript
  attached,counselor section completed mailed