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Preparing for College: Academic Excellence and Beyond

Join Jason Howard, Associate Director at Ohio University Zanesville, as he shares insights on college prep strategies. Learn how to boost your academics, test scores, extracurriculars, and community involvement to stand out to colleges and universities. Discover key factors to consider when choosing a college, such as location, size, environment, admissions requirements, academics, cost, financial aid, housing, facilities, and activities. Equip yourself with the knowledge needed to take the next step in your educational journey and make a successful transition to higher education.

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Preparing for College: Academic Excellence and Beyond

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  1. Going to College?Prepare to take theNext Step! Jason Howard Associate Director Ohio University Zanesville *Presentation adapted from ACT: Planning for College

  2. College Preparation: • How do I make myself attractive to colleges and/or universities? • Academics • Grades • Test Scores • Curriculum • Extra-Curricular Activities • Community Involvement

  3. Academics • Colleges & Universities consider your academic record beginning with the 9th grade • It is imperative you get off to a strong start! • Earning an ‘A’ has as much impact on your overall gpa your freshman year as one earned during your senior year • Your ability to be considered for admission to some of the best colleges and universities

  4. Academics • Keep in mind, earning an ‘A’ is only one piece of the puzzle • You MUST challenge yourself academically! • Don’t do the minimum to “get by” • Take challenging subjects • Colleges are more impressed by students who challenge themselves

  5. Test Scores: ACT/SAT • Standardized Exams • Required for admission to most 4 year institutions • Test your overall knowledge • You CAN’T cram for the ACT/SAT! • The best way to be successful…..focus on academics early on

  6. Extra-Curricular Activities • Colleges/Universities are looking for “well-rounded students” • Academics play a HUGE role in determining college admissions • Extra-Curricular involvement can ‘push’ you over the top • Being involved is important, however, being ACTIVELY involved is the key: Be a Leader!

  7. Community Involvement • Church • Civic Organizations • Work • Other • EVERYTHING you do during your high school career shows Colleges WHO you are… Stand Out!

  8. How do I decide? • 10,000+ College and Universities in the United States alone… UGH!!!

  9. Location Size Environment Admissions Req. Academics Cost Financial Aid Housing Facilities Activities Support Services Campus Visits Factors to Consider

  10. Location • How far from home do you want to be? • Within 50 miles? • 50-100 miles? • 100-250 miles? • As far away from my parents as possible!

  11. Enrollment Colleges & Universities in the US range in size from a few hundred students to over 50,000 It is important that the environment you choose feels the most comfortable to you Physical Size College campuses can be contained within a single building or spread out over hundreds of acres Consider whether or not a schools layout may present potential challenges Size

  12. Environment • Type of School- 2yr or 4yr school • Liberal Arts or Technical School • School Setting- Urban, Small City, Rural • Student Body- Co-ed, Male only, Female only • Religious Affiliation- Catholic, Presbyterian, No Affiliation, Etc…

  13. Admission Requirements • What is the application deadline you must meet? • What tests are required- SAT or ACT; do they require the written portion of either test? • What is the average GPA, Test Score, Class Rank of admitted students? • Does the school have Early Decision or Rolling Admissions?

  14. Academics • Do they offer your Major? If you are Undecided does the school offer services to help you decide? • Accreditation- It is important to find out if the school is accredited AND who the accrediting body is! • Student to Faculty Ratio • Average Class Size- It is important to realize that you will have larger classes at times, especially during the first year or two in college

  15. Cost • Tuition, Room, & Board- You will also want to try to find out what typical increases may be each year • Estimated Total Budget- This includes items such as: books, lab fees, travel, and other miscellaneous items • Application fee • Deposits- Is there a deposit to hold your space in the freshman class? How much is it? Is it refundable? When is it due?

  16. Financial Aid • Required Forms- Virtually every College in the US requires the FAFSA • Deadline- What is the deadline for the FAFSA to be on file with your school(s) of choice? • Availability- What percentage of students receive financial aid? • Scholarships- What are the deadlines for consideration? Additional information required? What award amounts are available? Are scholarships renewable? If so, for how many years and what are the academic requirements?

  17. Housing • Is on campus housing available? • Are students required to live on campus? If so, for how long? • What type of housing is available- Floor plans of Residence Halls, number to a room, etc… • Meal Plan- What types of options are available? (If it’s possible ask about sampling the food during your college visit) • Transportation- Is transportation available to and from your residence to campus buildings?

  18. Facilities • Academic- Find out what the school has to offer in terms of technology, computer labs, etc… • Recreational- Does the school have a Fitness Center? If so, are students required to pay an additional fee? • Other- Outdoor recreation, Bike paths, Athletic Facilities, Facilities available in the community and their availability

  19. Activities • Clubs & Organizations • Greek Life • Athletics & Intramurals • Intercollegiate Sports

  20. Support Services • Accommodations- What types of services does the school offer for students with disabilities, both physical and learning? • Academic- Does the school offer services for academic help, such as tutoring, supplemental instruction, etc…? • Career Services- What type of assistance is available for students? • Resume Writing • Job Search • Internships • Interviewing Techniques

  21. Campus Visit • This is the #1 way for you to decide if a College is right for YOU! • Contact the schools you are considering to learn about opportunities to visit campus • Be prepared- Have a list of questions to ask during your visit and do not hesitate to ask them, it is the best way to make an informed decision! • Try to schedule visits while school is in session, this will give you a better idea of the environment on campus

  22. Keep Your Options Open! • You KNOW what it takes to be prepared for College • You KNOW how to go about selecting the right college for you • WILL you take the necessary steps to make it happen? • Always ask yourself… Did I do everything I could to prepare for the Next Step???

  23. Resources • Students can gain additional information and resources about the college search process by visiting the following websites: www.c3apply.org www.act.org

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