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TRANSITIONING
TO
COLLEGE
WISDOM FROM THE BOSWELL COUNSELORS
College isn’t stressful…
Getting ready for it is!
And it is a year long
process that sneaks up on
you no matter how
diligently you plan.
First things first:
CHOOSING A COLLEGE
Research thoroughly
Internet and school website, college fairs, presentations, & college visits
Items to consider:
Location & surrounding area
Public vs. private
▪ Enrollment size, financial aid vs overall cost
First things first:
CHOOSING A COLLEGE
Additional items to consider:
Admission requirements
▪ GPA, class rank, average SAT/ACT scores, Essay/Recommendation Letters (if applicable)
Demographics
Student to faculty ratio vs class sizes
▪ Largest class & average class size
Academic majors
▪ collegeboard.org – Big Future
▪ Great resource to explore careers
First things first:
CHOOSING A COLLEGE
Additional items to consider:
University housing options
▪ Is living on campus mandatory?
▪ Is housing guaranteed?
▪ Percentage of students living on campus?
Specialty programs
▪ Honors programs, study abroad, internships, co-ops
Extracurricular activities
▪ Organizations, clubs, intramurals
▪ Greek life, service organizations, cultural
▪ Athletics on campus
▪ Division I, II, III? What sports?
Getting in:
APPLY EARLY
Deadlines
What’s required to apply? (may vary by University)
▪ Application – Common App, university website, Apply Texas
▪ Is an essay required?
▪ Application fee (Fee waivers)
▪ SAT or ACT scores
▪ Official transcripts
▪ Letters of recommendation (if required)
▪ Resume
▪ Some majors may require additional steps (i.e. auditions, portfolios, SAT II)
First things first:
Apply for FAFSA
Fafsa.ed.gov
Whether you know you
will qualify or not
Apply as soon as Oct. 1
Money, Money, Money
My kid is not a stud athlete!
There are many apps that
offer scholarships for students
as young as middle school…
If you are eligible for a
scholarship, it will more than
likely be from the University.
Check their Financial Aid
page!!
Organization is Here are some tips:
Create an email for colleges to
which you have applied.
Share with child/parent.
Keep shared notes:
College student ID
College student email
Username/password
FAFSA FSA ID and
Password
College Board
username/password
ACT username/password
Apply Texas/Common
App username/password
You mean i don’t get an
extension?
If there is an application for it, there is a deadline for it, too!
Admission application
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Honors
Housing
They are usually all different!
*Keep them with passwords.
Shop AP Scores
Not every college gives
the same credit.
Not every college gives
credit for every exam.
Know before you go!
Keep a notebook.
Also think about tests not
taken yet.
Pre-send required info!
You don’t have to have your application completed before you send:
SAT/ACT
Transcript
Recommendation Letters (if required)
i’m finallY aCCepted…
Deciding
Review your financial aid packages
▪ Ask questions. Call the school/admission counselors directly
Make your decision
▪ Don’t forget to celebrate!
Inform institution of decision to attend
▪ Inform other institutions of decision to attend
elsewhere (May 1st)
i’m finallY aCCepted…
Next Steps
Set up on campus email
▪ Check your email regularly throughout spring semester and summer
Accept/reject scholarships and financial
aid
Apply for on campus housing
Register for Orientation
Try to attend any pre-semester programs
or camps
i’m finallY aCCepted…
Next Steps:
Textbooks – You may want to wait until
you go to class before purchasing (consider renting or buying used online)
Have a discussion with your child about college expectations
Don’t forget Meningitis shot
Send final transcript
Claim AP Credit: Registrar
WEB RESOURCES
www.FAFSA.ed.gov
www. fastweb.com
www.collegeboard.org
www.collegeforalltexans.com
www.commonapp.org
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