Choosing a College that is Right for You

1. Choosing a College that is Right for You Presented by Milton High School College & Career Center

2. Thinking About Your Major • Tips for choosing possible majors: Here are a few questions you should ask yourselves… • What are my favorite classes? • What are my favorite hobbies/extracurricular activities? • What do I love doing? • Where do I see myself for the rest of my life? • What do I see myself doing for the rest of my life? • Research a few possible fields of study that you may want to pursue in college. • Majors/minors • It is perfectly fine—and sometimes advisable – to apply as “Undeclared”. • 50% of college students change their major 1-3 times!

3. Make-or-Break Criteria • Degrees offered: • A.A., B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., Ph.D., Certificates, etc. • Majors and minors offered: • Do the majors offered match your interests? • Faculty: • Number, background, distribution • Academic focus of campus: • Theoretical vs. practical • Popular majors (and percentage of students in each major) • Graduation rate/time: • Past student performances • Institution type: • Public • Private • Vocational/specialized • 4-year • 2-year

4. Campus Environment • Campus/enrollment size: • Large vs. small classes • Campus quality/reputation: • National rankings • Alumni advice • Note of caution: Campus reputation is highly subjective and should not be one’s ultimate priority. • Geographic location: • Distance from home • In-state vs. out-of-state • Campus and community setting: • Urban vs. rural • Safety • Surrounding resources (stores, eateries, residential areas) • Housing: • Availability (Guarantees?)

5. Other Things to Consider • Campus resources: • Libraries • Computer labs • Food and social quads • Extracurricular activities offered: • Sports (Division I, II, III) • Creative and performing arts (theatre, music, dance, art, design, etc.) • Clubs and student organizations (i.e. social justice, social networking, environmental conservation, etc.) • Social life: • Sororities and fraternities • Student involvement • Religious Affiliation • Gender specific vs. coed • Student body diversity

6. College Search Resources • Milton High School College & Career Center • College Fairs • College Visits at Milton High School • Sign up for visits @ www.mhsccc.com • These college reps actually read your application • Gafutures.org (HOPE GPA) • Milton High School CCC Facebook page • Milton High School CCC Twitter @MHS_CCC • Individual College websites & Twitter feeds • Your counselor • College Campus visits • Cappex @ www.cappex.com

7. Making Your List • What is the middle 50% data? • The ACT or SAT score and GPA of admitted students that fall in the 25-75 percentile of the admitted class. • Diversify your list • 1 DREAM School • 2 -3 REACH Schools • 2-3 MATCH Schools • 2-3 SAFETY Schools • Begin by looking at the middle 50% so you can determine your potential academic fit. • How to use the middle 50% data: • If you are IN THE MIDDLE 50% - it is a MATCH • If you are BELOW THE MIDDLE 50% - it is a REACH • If you are ABOVE THE MIDDLE 50% - it is a SAFETY • If the school is EXTREMELY SELECTIVE – it is a DREAM

8. Final Tips… • Always try to visit your campus choices. • Don’t rely on name recognition. Find your best fit! • Don’t accept generalizations about colleges (i.e. “hard to get into,”“party school,”“too expensive”). Do your own research. • Don’t be afraid to apply to “reach schools.” But, always have a few back-up plans. • Don’t pick campuses just because your friends are going there. Make your own decisions! • Don’t rule out colleges because of cost. There is financial aid available. And, remember, college is an investment in your future. • Talk with your family, teachers, counselors, and CCC staff about your choices. We are here to help!

9. Meeting the College Rep • We host college rep visits throughout the fall at Milton High School • The reps that visit Milton High School WILL READ your application. • Our complete schedule can be found on our website www.mhsccc.com • Sign up for college visits through our Eventbrite sign up system (found on our home page) • Come prepared to ask questions and take notes. We have sample questions that you help you.

10. Campus Visits • The best way to really get a feel for a college is to personally visit the campus. • Experience your potential home of 4 years by taking a tour, staying in the dorms, talking to students and faculty, eating in the quad, and sitting in on a class. • Take notes on your visit so you remember what you liked and what you didn’t. After a few visits, it will all be a blur. • If something is important to you, make sure you see it at every school so can accurately compare your options. • Plan your visits on days when your high school is on break to minimize makeup work. • If possible, begin visiting schools in your junior year.

11. What if you can’t visit the schools? • If you cannot visit the campus, here are some tips: • Visit the campus website– many have “virtual tours”. • Research online for campus history, statistics, and interesting facts. • Email or call faculty and staff by looking for the Contacts page on the campus website. • Acquaint yourself with the classes offered by reading syllabi posted online. • Read the campus and community newspapers to get a sense of local issues and activities.

12. College Finances • Financial aid offered: • Financial aid package • Federal/state grants (FAFSA) • Campus grants • Scholarships (campus-based and external) • Loans • Costs: • Tuition fees • Room and board • Books and supplies • Basic living costs