77 Harris Street, Auburn, ME 04210
Phone: (207) 784-6943
Fax: (207) 784-9243
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ELHS Guidance Department 77 Harris Street, Auburn, ME 04210 Phone: (207) 784-6943 Fax: (207) 784-9243 |
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Senior CHOOSING YOUR COLLEGE
Use your personal network. Talk to counselors, family members, siblings
and friends to find someone who attended your prospective college. Ask
about their experiences and impressions.
Attend a college fair. Let colleges come to you. Ask your counselor about upcoming fairs and prepare some questions to ask the college representatives. Communicate with the college directly. Call or e-mail the admissions and financial aid offices. Write down the name of the person you talk with. Some colleges offer internet chat rooms. Narrow your choices with a campus visit either in person or online. Check out residence hall rooms, cafeterias, computer labs, health and recreational facilities, the library, etc. What is the area off-campus like? When scheduling an appointment be ready with multiple dates and times. Avoid major events or holidays. Arrange to speak to other students, professors, financial aid, admissions and career offices. Ask about a guided tour. Pack smart. You may want to pack more casual clothes for when you walk around campus, and something more formal for an interview with the admissions office. Go to a class. Note class size, instructors, difficulty level. Take notes as you visit. If you visit several colleges (especially in one day), the details can get blurry.
Get the Facts - Ask Questions!
Academics, Coursework Does this college offer the program you want? What is the reputation of the program you desire? Do required courses fill up quickly? What is the retention rate? How many students come back after their freshman year? How many students graduate in four years? If the on-time graduation rate is low, ask for an explanation. What is the quality of academic resources? Are the library, equipment, computer labs, etc., up-to-date? Accessible? How many graduates find jobs in their field of study? Does the school offer your preferred level of career development skills? What kind of career planning services are available? How easy is it to switch majors? Will it mean spending more time in school? What other majors are available? Expenses, Aid What is the actual cost? In addition to books, other expenses beyond tuition "sticker price" can include lab fees, course add/drop fees, computer/internet fees, application and document fees, security deposit, student activities fees, car expenses (permit, gas, parking, insurance), transportation home. What is the average increase in tuition and other costs from year to year? (View at least three yearsÌ worth of data to chart past increases.) What types of financial aid does the school offer? Room, Board, Lifestyle What kind of housing is available? How much does housing cost? Is finding off-campus housing difficult? What meal options are available? What is served in the cafeteria? Does the cafeteria accommodate students with special dietary requirements? What dining venues are available when the cafeteria is closed? Do you need a car? What jobs are close to campus? Would you need to drive to any classes? Is your prospective college safe? Does the school have emergency call boxes, campus escorts, shuttle services and ID checks? Is the campus well-lit at night? Does campus housing prevent intruders? What student organizations are on campus? Which ones match your interests or entice you to try them out? FastTip! Get a custom search of over 4,000 colleges and $3 billion in scholarships at www.fastweb.com College Applications
Checklist
Choosing a college is not an exact science. You may consider many things when selecting a college-cost, location, size, majors and courses, or athletic opportunities. Colleges also look at all your different characteristics-academic, special interests and activities, experience, and test scores. A plan and a checklist will help keep you organized. 1. Develop a list of colleges based on what's important to you as a student, usually ten to twelve schools. 2. Write or call for applications and information. Compare and contrast each college's strengths. 3. Organize the process. Make a file for each college. 4. Visit as many colleges as possible. 5. Narrow the list down to five or six schools: two reach, two probable, and two safety. 6. Ask teachers to write recommendations for you and supply them with any required forms. 7. Complete the applications. 8. Request transcripts well in advance of deadlines. 9. Send in the applications as early as possible. Keep a copy for your file. Tips for Tackling College Applications 1. The application should be neat, exact, and complete because it is the college's first look at you. 2. Read the entire application thoroughly before you begin because each application is different. Make a copy to work on as a first draft. 3. Edit, edit, and reedit! Obtain feedback from teachers, guidance staff, other students, and parents. 4. Completed applications should be typed. 5. In the PERSONAL STATEMENT section, speak to who you are, rather than what you have done. Use examples to illustrate your points and identify specific academic/career goals. 6. Leave yourself plenty of time to meet the college's application deadline because last-minute applications are not as well done as the ones you have worked on for a while. 7. Provide some advance notice of your application needs to the guidance staff. 8. CHECK DATES CLOSELY! College Application Essay Guide 1. Most importantly, be yourself! Write how you feel, not what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. 2. Be creative! If you try to come up with something different, you will stand out. 3. Captivate your audience with your introduction! 4. Stress the positive! If you are writing about a traumatic experience, explore how the experience changed you. 5. Strive for perfection! Use spell check, edit and revise the essay yourself, and ask your English teacher to review it. |
