Beginning the College Search

Ms. Alamilla and Ms. Voss,

College Counselors

Judge Memorial CHS

What to do today

Why we’re hereOur goal: start you

thinking about post-HS plans

Testing scheduleSite/search activity

EXPAND what know NARROW search

Reflect on yourself What kind of student

have you been? What do you want

out of college? Out of life?

What to focus on in resume? (most important pursuits)

Identifying what you want/need

Reflecting on yourself What have you liked or disliked about Judge? What kind of people/community do you see

yourself fitting in with? What do you expect from the college experience?

Researching/informing yourself What types of colleges are out there? What curriculum/community would meet your

needs?Resources: Where do you look?

Evaluating Needs and Goals

Learning StylePersonality TypeAptitudes,

Strengths, Areas to improve

College Experience Expectations (goals)

Personal commitment (other responsibilities)

Finding out about yourselfSelf-assessment questions

Answer a question now (notebook)

Temperament/Personality Artisans, Guardians,

Rationals, Idealists www.keirsey.com

Holland Codes (PLAN) Social, Enterprising,

Investigative, Conventional, Realistic, Artistic

www.careerkey.org/english

Determining your Profile

Academic: GPA? Test scores? How much do you

like school? How competitive are

you? Reaches/possibles/

foundations

Extracurricular Standout areas?

(sports, leadership, talent in the arts, comm. service)

Work? Hobbies/interests Will you play sports?

Audition? Need portfolio?

Figuring out Timeline Based on Goals/Profile

In-stateDeadlinesACT only (no

writing) in S OR FFocus on AI (U of U,

USU), or reqs (Westminster)

Research the familiar!

Out-of-stateEA/ED/REA/RD?SAT and ACT (with

writing) + subject tests?

Create initial listNarrow down listChart reqs

Determining Testing Schedule

Which test(s) and when to take them?Depends on whether:

Applying in-state or out-of-state Applying for early deadlines

See registration dates at www.judgememorial.com/academics/college

Register online at www.collegeboard.com and/or www.act.org School code = 450375

Reporting scores (ScoreChoice)

Types of Schools: Distinguishing CharacteristicsLocation/how far from

homeUrban/Sub v. ruralLarge v. smallRegional v. diversePrograms of studyPublic v. private, pre-

professional v. liberal artsCost

Research: Preliminary listSearch engines (handout):

www.collegeboard.com, www.review.comJudge College Counseling website (Family

Connection + other links)Recommended:

www.zinch.com www.ctcl.org (Colleges that Change Lives)

College websites (google) What to look for: virtual tour, academics, “about

us”

Narrowing Search: Questions to Consider

Faculty/student interaction?

Level of academic challenge? Strength of major?

Study abroad programs?

What level of sports do you want available (to play or to attend games)?

What kinds of research opportunities are there for undergrads?

% of grads going on to professional schools (PT, law, med school)?

Campus culture (issues students care about, traditions, mainstream or left/right)?

Research: Narrowing the Search

Compare/contrast colleges with these websites: www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator www.unigo.com www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm NSSE: www.usatoday.com/news/education/2007-

11-04-nsse-how-to_N.htm Other websites on back of “Beginning the Search”

handout

Break/Activity

Get laptop (sign in with “student” and “bulldog” as password)

Get set up on Family Connection (create new password)

If have no schools in mind, start with “Beginning an Online College Search”

If already have schools in mind, start with “College Comparison Activity”

SIGN UP FOR APPOINTMENT (on free or elective)!

Checklist for Junior year

Preliminary list: research w/ Mrs. Price

Register for tests (requirements)

Meet with Ms. A or Ms. V (SIGN UP! In-state v. out of state) Review transcript Review strengths Develop list with a

RANGE of schools

Plan college visits (spring break/summer)

Challenge yourself senior year

Write resume Summer activities? For more on overview

and developing timeline, come to pres tonight