High School Student Guide

High School Student Guide

		Fall of Junior Year: take the PSAT test
		Spring of Junior Year:
		take the ACT or SAT (you can retake it in the fall) begin reading publications and college guides prepare a working list of colleges in which you are interested
		Summer and Early Fall:
		call schools you are interested in for information begin visiting college campuses attend local college fairs and make contact with college representatives
		September-November of Senior Year:
		begin the admissions and housing applications process at 3-6 of your top schools start researching scholarship opportunities
		Christmas of Senior Year:
		begin writing scholarship essays, making sure to meet all deadlines
		January-February of Senior Year:
		turn in scholarship applications begin the financial aid application process
		Spring of Senior Year:
		narrow choices to 2-3 schools and research these thoroughly choose your college from those which have accepted you sit back and relax, it's over

	II. HOW DO I MAKE THE RIGHT COLLEGE CHOICE? (What to look for in a school)
		A. Academic Program How strong is the school in your major? Become an expert in your major; know what a school should offer, and see if this one does. Undergraduate Majors B. Curriculum How much depth and diversity is there? (Remember, 2 of 3 students change their major, so choose a school with several good programs.) C. Size and Type How large of a school do you want to attend? Do you want a public or private school, liberal arts, comprehensive, or technical? D. Location/Setting Do you want to go to school in a city or a small town, to a commuter school or one with a large on-campus population? How far away from home do you want to be? E. Student Body Do you think you will fit in comfortably at this school? F. Resources/Faculty What types of educational resources does the school have, and how available are they? How talented and accessible are the faculty members? G. Extracurricular Life What is there to do outside of class? H. Living Accommodations On and off campus, where do students live and what do these places look like? Don't rule out a school because of finances but look for living accommodations within your family's budget.
	III. I LIKE THE SCHOOL... WHAT NEXT?
		A. Find out about selective admissions criteria - how to apply and what scores, tests, and grades you need for acceptance. B. Do some housing research - find out when to apply (if possible) for on-campus housing, and if off-campus housing is available. C. Research your major - are there special admissions requirements, are there minimum ACT/SAT scores, etc. D. Ask about scholarships, financial aid, and work - what is available and how do you apply. E. MAKE A CAMPUS VISIT: It's the only way to decide if you truly like the school.
	IV. TIPS FROM THE OLD PROS IN ADMISSIONS
		A. Apply to between 3-6 schools -- any less and you limit yourself too much; any more and the process may become too large to manage. B. Don't rule out a school because of finances until you have heard the final decision on all scholarships and financial aid. C. Don't be late! Make sure to meet all of your deadlines. D. Keep all correspondence from every school you are interested in, and seprate it into neat stacks Remember, that letter- you lose could be a scholarship notification. E. Get to know a college representative at the schools you are interested in. You need a contact person on the campus, and you may need personalized help with problems or questions. F. Follow a college preparatory curriculum in high school if at all possible. G. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Don't be afraid to ask questions. You are what makes a university tick. They need you, not the reverse. Be aggressive, find out what you need to know and don't be afraid to ask tough questions.