So, You Want to Go to College?

Ready

Set

Go* *You have approximately 8 months until

MAY 1, 2015

GETTING STARTED

• 3,913 college options (2 year and 4 year)

• How many schools should I apply to?

• How do I make the LIST?

THE PLAN

• Begin with a big list, and

then narrow it down

• Final List: REACH, REALISTIC/TARGET, SAFETY

FINAL LIST • REACH (“would love to go, may not get in”)

– Stretch, bubble school, long shot

• REALISTIC/TARGET (“likely to get in”)

– Your academics in line with school’s “profile”

• SAFETY (“assured of getting in”)

– Your academics above school’s “profile”

APPLY (FALL into WINTER, Senior year)

• Deadlines are NOT optional!

• Essay IS important!

• Senior year grades ARE important!

RESULTS (SPRING, Senior year)

• Accepted at ALL schools

• Accepted at SOME schools

• Waitlisted

• Not accepted anywhere (Plan B???)

WHAT’S NEXT?(Late SPRING, Senior year)

• Narrow down “accepted” options

– Compare

– VISIT VISIT VISIT (AGAIN!)

• Contact waitlisted schools

• Plan B (if needed)

MAKE DECISION!

? ? ?

PAY DEPOSIT! (buy sweatshirt)

(buy sweatshirt)

SO, HOW DO I BEGIN THIS PROCESS?

Questions to Ask Yourself….

Why are you going

to college?

“ Homebody” or

looking to go far away?

What careers interest you?

What activities do you enjoy doing?

What are your academic interests?

What is your learning style?

DO THIS

• Ask important questions (who, where, why)

• Use resources (Guidance, Naviance, College Board)

• Narrow down list • RESEARCH VISIT INTERVIEW CAMPUS EVENTS

• Narrow down list again (Reach, Target, Safety)

• Apply (deadlines are not OPTIONAL)

DON’T DO THIS • Apply to lots of schools (just because….)

• Apply (because you received free on-line application)

• Apply (because someone told you it was great)

• Apply (because parents went there, best friend is applying)

• “Hedge your bets” (apply to many without research)

• Hope “college application thing” goes away (it won’t)

REMEMBER

• Colleges should not be on list JUST because of name • Cost should be considered, but don’t eliminate choices

because of cost (initially)

• Deadlines are NOT suggestions • Stay organized • Think “outside the box”

TEST INFO SAT Test Dates

Date Registration Deadline Cost

October 11 September 12 $52.50

November 8 October 9 $52.50

December 6 November 6 $52.50

ACT Test Dates

Date Registration Deadline Cost

September 13 August 8 $36.50/Writing $52.50

October 25 September 18 $36.50/Writing $52.50

December 13 November 7 $36.50/Writing $52.50

Test Optional Schools Common App

www.fairtest.org www.commonapp.org

150+ schools 500+ schools use

GOOD LUCK LHS CLASS OF 2015!