FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE FIT

1. FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE FIT

2. YOU HAVE OVER 4,000 COLLEGE OPTIONS IN THE U.S. ALONE – 13,000+ WITH INTERNATIONAL

3. Choosing the Right College for You • There’s no magic formula for choosing a college, but there are factors to consider on your journey to finding the right college fit for YOU.

4. Some Questions to Consider • Major? Level of degree? • Costs? • Distance from home? Location? • Size of school? • Extracurriculars and other activities? • Public or private?

5. MAJORS • Decided or undecided • Career opportunities for intended degree program • If undecided, questions to ask yourself: • What are my favorite school subjects? What do I like doing when I’m not in class? • Do I want to take classes in many different subjects or focus mainly on one subject? • What do I want to do after college and which majors can help me get there?

6. COST • Published price versus actual cost • Net Cost Calculator will provide a ball-park estimate prior to final offers • Scholarship eligibility • Financial aid availability

7. LOCATION • Familiar setting or new experience • In-state or out-of-state • Big city amenities or more rural

8. CAMPUS SETTING • Large student body or smaller community • Residential versus commuter campus • More diverse student population or more homogeneous • Known for sports/activism/academic focus

9. LEARNING ENVIRONMENT • Small group discussions or lecture setting • Level of interaction with professors • Balance between academics and social life • Flexibility with class schedules or more structured curriculum

10. BUILDING YOUR LIST • Go to college fairs • Attend college visits at your high school • Talk to family • Get advice from high school counselors/post-grad coordinators • Explore online • Naviance Family Connection • College Confidential • College websites • College Board • Visit campuses • Keep an open mind when building your list!

11. Applying to College: FAQs • When should I start applying? • How many colleges should I apply to? • What is the Common App? The Coalition App? • Should I apply to colleges if my grades and test scores are below a school’s preferred ranges? • Should I apply to colleges that may appear out of my family’s price range?

12. Anatomy of a College Application • Application Forms • Application Fees • High School Transcript • ACT or SAT Test Scores • Letters of Recommendation • Essays • Auditions and Portfolios • Interviews

13. Estimating Your College Costs • Five main categories of expenses • Tuition and Fees • Room and Board • Books and Supplies • Personal Expenses • Transportation • Net Price Calculator • Provides early estimate on cost of attendance

14. Sources of Scholarships Think outside the box!

15. Scholarship Resources • University guides or websites • Scholarship search sites • Scholarships.com, Collegeboard.com, Unigo.com, Raise.me, Finaid.org, Scholarships for Students with Health Conditions, DoSomething.org plus many more! • Scholarship databases • Naviance, High school counselors and Post-grad coordinators • Community Organizations/Employers/Churches

16. What Should I Be Doing Now? • Take the ACT and/or SAT • Discuss senior year class schedule with counselor • Attend college fairs and HS visits • Visit your top college picks • Keep updating your resume • Consider who will write your letters of recommendation • Take advantage of summer academic programs • Get organized • Senior year attendance, grades and leadership still count! • Research scholarships

17. AND FINALLY…. • You are NOT in this alone! • College admission representatives, high school counselors, administration and teachers are available to help. • Just ask….we’re here to help you navigate the college selection and application process and provide you with the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

18. Q&A Session