Applying for College

Planning: How Today’s Choices Impact Tomorrow’s Goals

(information on selective colleges)

Kathryn Sosa, CoordinatorHigh School Gifted Education Services

Rapid City Area SchoolsKathryn.sosa@k12.sd.us

Know what you want to accomplish.

Create and organize a plan of action.

Take the appropriate steps and follow through.

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

How Today’s Choices Impact Tomorrow’s Goals

Take Control

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

Get into the college of your choice:

Have self-discipline Evaluate what you have to offer the college Decide what you want from a college education

Be determined Challenge yourself – take control – get involved

Relax Believe that you deserve the best possible education

because of your hard work

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

It’s all about us!! • Message from selective college deans of admission

• TEACH Summer Institute, 2007

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

Answers to all your questions:

1. “It’s all about us.” - College institutions

2. “It depends!”

3. “It’s a crap shoot.” – Mrs. Batchelder

Admissions Officers ask:

1. Can the student do the work?

2. How can the student benefit our freshman class?

3. Who is the student?

4. Did the student become ill with “senioritis”?

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

Eligible vs QualifiedMet HS graduation requirements !!! Prepared for college life ???

Colleges are looking for highly motivated students from diverse backgrounds who challenge themselves with an increasingly difficult course load.

Only YOU and your focused effort can get you into your choice school.

Can the student do the work?Academic Record (go beyond the basics)

Grades 9-12 count (transcript, grades, courses, test scores)GPA considered in relation to HS competitivenessGrade Trends- have grade increases through high schoolSAT Subject Test should be taken when the course is finishedAlternate academic opportunities after completing HS work

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

ADMISSIONS APPLICATION = Student + Person(consistency – commitment – challenge)

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

How can this student benefit our freshmen class?Personal Characteristics (differentiate yourself)

Have a giving spirit (loyal to school and local community)Demonstrate leadership ability (initiate ideas)Distinctive characteristic (what is unique to you)

ADMISSIONS APPLICATION = Student + Person(consistency – commitment – challenge)

Learning Opportunities Beyond Classroom

Competitions Online Learning

Service Learning Opportunities Summer Programs

Out of School Programs Internships / Mentorships

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

Competitive Colleges – Getting In

Who is this student?Essay / Interview / Letters of Recommendation

Opportunity to make first impressionUse your personal writing voice – no gimmicksGive a glimpse – one defining moment that tells allGive true sense of your personality – don’t be shy or hide (Those too meek to get noticed will get passed over.)

STAND OUT but don’t STICK OUT

ADMISSIONS APPLICATION = Student + Person(consistency – commitment – challenge)

“Hey.”

“I’m here.”

“Where is everybody?”

Reality Check

Now What Are You Going To Do?

Here’s the competition !!!

Why Are You Going To College?

Sandra L. Berger, author and lecturer, has found that certain reasons for going to college will determine what type of college you should look for.

Almost any college can offer you these opportunities: to be exposed to new ideas, have fun and not work too hard

to have a more interesting, independent social life

to participate in athletic activities

to develop abilities, potential, talents, and interests

to satisfy my parents

A more selective college can offer these opportunities: to live in a different part of the country

to be near cultural activities

to meet people different from myself

to get a solid liberal arts background

to get specific vocational or career training

to get practical experience in my chosen field

to participate in a special educational program

to compete with others on my level

to study and live abroad

to join in extracurricular activities

to earn a better living and life-style

to satisfy my parents

A highly competitive school can offer these opportunities:

to prepare for a specific professional school

(e.g., law, architecture, dentistry, or medicine)

to be challenged academically

to go to a high-status school

to take classes from renowned professors

Berger, S.L. (1989) College planning for gifted students. Reston, VA: The Council for Exceptional Children.

Twelfth Grade Calendar Review HS transcript

Maintain/improve academic standing

Review/shorten college list – have filing system

Check for Common Application schools

Review admissions criteria – send applications

Prepared students – Early Action/Decision

Begin scholarship search – FAFSA Jan. 1

Request teacher/counselor recommendations

Retake SAT/ACT if needed to raise scores

Practice college interview

Visit colleges seriously considering

Consider

12th grade – classes, grades, attendance & behavior

Senioritis can be fatal

College list – values/interests/needs range of opportunities constraints – cost/distance

Demonstrate interest in the college

Distinguish yourself – be yourself

Explain special circumstances

Test scores in area of interest top – mid range

First StepsCreate a personal profile of preferences

SDMyLife.com or Collegeboard.org

Search college majors and careers

Visit college websites – take virtual tourscholarship opportunitiesdepartment facilities / equipmentcourse expectationsopportunities in areas of interestclubs and organizationssurrounding communitycollege and community relationship

Next Steps

Visit Admissions page –

deadlines & important informationcheck for application fee (fee waiver)

payment methodprevious freshman class data apply online / paper –

college app / common appcheck essay promptsdownload any counselor information

Admissions OptionsRegular Admissions – typical application deadline

Early Decision – early deadline and early notification – indicates extreme interest in college /strong studentHOWEVER – you will be expected to accept and go there and your financial flexibility is limited.

Early Action – non-binding w/early notification – strong student, choice of colleges

Rolling Admission – applications processed as they arrive

Early Notification/Evaluation – a courtesy by college

Wait List – well qualified students waiting for a space

Next StepsStart early --- meet deadlinesFollow directionsOrganize your application materialsMake or save copies for your recordsBe neatWaive your right to read recommendation

Cautions:Plan to attend a college that meets your preferences.

Apply to reach, good match, and safety colleges.

Consider finances last – very few students pay the sticker price.

Investigate Need-blind colleges

Cautions:Investigate scholarships from your colleges of choice – they last longest.

Investigate how outside scholarships are used by the college.

ResourcesThe Best 376 Colleges – Princeton Review

Best Colleges – U.S. News & World Report

America’s Best Colleges for B Students – Tamra B. Orr

Creative Colleges – A Guide for Student Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians and Writers – Elaina Loveland

The College App Map – A Start to Finish Workbook for Mastering the Admissions Process

Joyce E. Suber and The Princeton Review

Colleges are looking for highly motivated students from diverse backgrounds who challenge themselves with an increasingly difficult course load.

Are colleges looking for YOU?