COLLEGECOLLEGE KNOWLEDGE:

College Fairs, Colleges Qualities, and College Visits

Universidad Ferias de Universidades, visitas a

universidades, y las calidades de universidades

COLLEGE PLANNING: OCTOBER & NOVEMBER (Junior Year)

Attend college fairs.

Take the PSAT.

Review different kinds of schools and think about what's important to you.

Plan and make college visits.

Learn the basics about financial aid and ways to pay for your education.

Octubre y Noviembre : Junior Year

Asistía la feria de colegios Hace el PSAT Examina los tipos diferentes de colegios y

piensa en que es importante para tu Visita los colegios Aprende los básicos de ayuda financiero

y métodos de pagando para tu educación

INCREASE YOUR COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE: COLORADO WESTERN SLOPE COLLEGE FAIR

MAKE THE MOST OF THE COLLEGE FAIR: PREPARATION

BEFORE THE COLLEGE FAIR: Prepare and print your college fair

“information cards” (template available on School Fusion)

Review the list of schools attending the fair

Review the list of workshops available

Research schools of interest (Naviance and resources listed at the end of this ppt.)

Pick your top 10 schools of interest

Develop questions for college representatives

Rehearse your “2 minute pitch” to college representatives

Prepara para la feria de colegios

Antes de la feria de colegios Prepara y imprime feria de colegios “information

cards” (la plantilla esta en School Fusion) Examina la lista de colegios que estarán en la

feria Examina la lista de clases durante la feria de

colegios Escoge tu lista de 10 colegios que tiene mas

interés para tu Desarrolla una lista de preguntas para los colegios Ensaya tu “discurso de 2 minutos” para los

representados de los colegios

COLLEGE FAIR: FINDING “FIT AND MATCH” SCHOOLS TO EXPLORE

If you want to make the most of the college fair, don't just talk to representatives from the schools your friends are excited about. Do your own research to find schools that are a great fit for you.

Most students consider size, location, academic environment, academic programs/majors available, student life, extracurriculars, and cost and financial aid. Think about what you absolutely must have: (e.g.) a strong biology program, small classes, “big” sports, etc.

Adapted from: http://www.princetonreview.com/college/find-your-best-fit.aspx

La Feria de Colegios – Encuentra los colegios mas apropiadas para tu

No es necesario a hablar a representados de colegios que no tienes ningún interés

Habla a colegios en que tienes interés, haz un investigación antes de la feria para encontrar los colegios mejores par TU.

La mayoría de estudiantes consideran , el tamaño , la colocación , programas académicas, extracurriculares, el costo y la ayuda financiera. Piensa en que es absolutamente necesario para tu.

COLLEGE QUALITIESCollege Qualities to Consider and Research: Size Location Academic Environment Academic Programs/Majors available Student Life

ReligionEthnicityStudent Body CharacteristicsCoeducation or Single SexExtracurricular Activities (including athletics)

Admission Difficulty Cost/Availability of Financial Aid

Adapted from: Dr. Steven R. Antonoff, Qualities That Will Make A College Right For You

Calidades de Colegios

Tamaño Locación El ambiente académica Programas académicas/ Majors La vida de los estudiantes

Religión etnicidad Los dos sexos o solo uno Actividades extracurriculares (incluyen los deportivos)

La dificultada de admisión El costo y la disponibilidad de ayuda financiera

COLLEGE QUALITIES: SIZE (recap)

Characteristics of Small Colleges/Universities:

Classes tend to be smaller, provide more interaction with professors, discussion based

Teaching is usually the top priority of faculty, and most classes are taught by professors

Students often experience a great sense of community

Students often participate in a range of extracurricular activities (“don’t have to be a superstar to get involved”)

Tendency: “Significant fish, small pond”

COLLEGE QUALITIES: SIZE (recap)

Characteristics of Large Colleges/Universities: Great range and variety of courses and majors

offered; may offer more pre-professional majors (e.g. engineering, business, physical therapy, architecture, etc.) ; more lecture based classes

Greater anonymity

Research is often the top priority of faculty, and classes may be taught by graduate students

Students may find more activities from which to choose

More likely to have nationally known and popular sports teams

Tendency: “Smaller fish, bigger pond”

COLLEGE QUALITIES: SIZE

Be Cautious of Overgeneralizations and False Assumptions!

Smaller colleges can be as diverse, fun, and interesting as larger universities

Large universities may provide personal attention and strong academic advising

COLLEGE QUALITIES: LOCATION

How important is location? Is it the most important factor? A relatively low priority? Something in between?

Do you want to attend college close to home?

Are you considering a specific geographic region or regions?

Do you prefer certain types of climates?

Would you like to attend college in or close to a city (for internship, cultural opportunities, perhaps) or would you prefer a suburban location, small town, or rural location?

Other location preferences: close to outdoor activities (skiing, hiking, golfing, surfing, etc.)?

Lugar

Es importante ? Es lo mas importante ? Que tipa de clima prefieres? Quieres un región especifico ? Quieres asistir a colegio cerca de tu

casa ? Quieres asistir a colegio cerca de un

ciudad ( para un internship o otros oportunidades) o lejos de un ciudad?

COLLEGE QUALITIES: ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT

The academic environment of a college includes your priority on academics, the amount of academic pressure you desire, and the learning resources that you need/desire.

How much academic challenge do you desire (rigorous academics or a comfortable balance of academic/social life)?

How do you respond to academic pressure and a demanding workload?

Do you prefer a collaborative or competitive academic environment?

Do you have special academic needs or desires (tutors, academic resource centers, etc.)?

Adapted from: Steven Antonoff, Qualities That Will Make A College Right For You

El Ambiente Académico

La prioridad de académicas, los recursos que necesitas

Quieres muchos desafío académicos o quieres un equilibrio entre académicas y tu vida social?

Como respondes de mucho desafío académico?

Prefieres a trabajar en grupos o solo? Tienes necesidades académicos

especiales ( como ayuda , tutores ) ??

COLLEGE QUALITIES: ACADEMICPROGRAMS & MAJORS

Most high school students do not know what their ultimate career(s) will be. Some, however, already have a career goal in mind.

Liberal arts and sciences includes humanities (English, languages, philosophy, music, art, etc.), social sciences (psychology, history, political science, etc.) , and the “hard” sciences (biology, chemistry, mathematics, geology, etc.).

Career oriented colleges (often within the context of a larger university) offer classes that directly lead to careers in fields such as engineering, business, physical therapy, architecture, etc. upon completion of an undergraduate degree.

Your list of prospective colleges should consider your goal for a more general education (liberal arts/sciences) or a career oriented undergraduate education.

Adapted from: Steven Antonoff, Qualities That Will Make A College Right For You

COLLEGE QUALITIES: STUDENT LIFE

Consider the importance of the following for you: Most students live on campus Lots of spectator sports / very spirited student body Lots of students participate in intramural sports Availability of fraternities and sororities Lots of weekend activities A safe campus A beautiful campus Good food Availability of leadership opportunities Nice residence halls / living spaces Sense of community Students “don’t feel like a number” Community service opportunities Specialized programs for women/gay/multicultural students Adapted from: Dr. Steven R. Antonoff, Qualities That Will Make A College Right For You

COLLEGE QUALITIES: STUDENT LIFE (Additional Factors)

Religion: Is religious life an important factor? Do you want to attend a college in which many students share your religion?

Ethnicity: Do you want to attend a college where many students share your racial/ethnic heritage?

Student Body Characteristics: Are there any particular characteristics (e.g. diverse, liberal, conservative, traditional, alternative, scholarly, spirited, etc.) that you would like to find in your future classmates?

Coeducation or Single Sex: Coed / Women / Men

Extracurricular Activities (including athletics): Are there any specific “must have” activities that you are looking for in your college experience?

Adapted from: Steven Antonoff, Qualities That Will Make A College Right For You

Calidades de Colegio

Religión – Es importante ? Quieres asistir un colegio donde los estudiantes comparten tu religión?

Etnicidad- quieres asistir un colegio donde los estudiantes tienen lo mismo etnicidad de tu?

Los característicos de los estudiantes- Hay característicos particulares que quieres en tus futuros compañeros de clase ? ( estudiantes liberales , conservadores, diverso)

Mujeres? Hombres ? Los dos?

Actividades Extracurriculares – Hay actividades específicos que requieres en tu experiencia de colegio?

COLLEGE QUALITIES: COST/FINANCIAL AID

It’s never too early to begin thinking about how you (and, possibly, your family) will pay for college.

“Many students, however, make too many assumptions about cost too early in the process of choosing a college.”*

We will discuss financial aid and paying for college in greater depth later in the Discovery: College course; however, at this point, you should know (or find out) whether cost will be a major factor in choosing a college.

*Steven Antonoff, Qualities That Will Make A College Right For You

COLLEGE QUALITIES: ADMISSIONS DIFFICULTY

Think about the level of admissions difficulty you desire and the category of admissions difficulty that “fits” you.

Many colleges and universities admit the majority of students who apply for admission.

The most selective colleges admit less than 10% of students who apply.

The most important factors in admission, according to colleges, include: GPA, strength of curriculum and ACT/SAT scores.* Of course, your extracurricular activities, letters of rec., essays, etc. will also be considered.

From NACAC, 2011 State of College Admission

La Dificultad de Admisión

Piensa en la dificultad de admisión de un colegio y decide si es apropiada para tu .

Muchos colegios se admiten la mayoría de estudiantes que aplicaron.

Los colegios mas selectivos se admiten menos de 10% de los estudiantes que aplicaron.

Los factores mas importantes para admisión son G.PA. , tu currículo, los resultados de SAT/ACT. * También, actividades, ensayos y las cartas de recomendación

COLLEGE QUALITIES: WHICH ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Which college qualities are most important to you? Why? How does your self-knowledge help you to identify college qualities that are important to you?

Are there other college qualities that are important to you that we haven’t mentioned? What are they? Why are they important to you?

COLLEGE QUALITIES & 10 COLLEGES

Complete College Qualities That Are Important to Me (in School Fusion folder)

Review the list of colleges attending the Colorado Western Slope College Fair

Research colleges that you may wish to explore at the fair (Naviance)

Construct a list of 10 colleges that you plan to explore at the fair

DEVELOP QUESTIONS FOR REPS

Review general questions that you might ask a college representative: College Fair Checklist5 fabulous Questions to Ask a College

Develop specific questions that are related to the things that you most want and/or need to know about your prospective college experience.

Develop questions that are related to a particular college of interest.

2-MINUTE “PITCH” TO COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

APPEARANCE:

DEMEANOR:Firm HandshakeEye ContactBody Language

PRACTICE: Practice your 2-minute pitch with a classmate (you can also practice at home!)

Discurso de 2 minutos para los representados de los coelgios

Tu presentación Tu comportamiento –

Un apretón de manos fuerte Contacto de ojos Tu lenguaje corporal

Practica tu discurso de dos minutos !

MAKE THE MOST OF THE COLLEGE FAIR: AT THE FAIR

DURING THE COLLEGE FAIR:**Tools to Carry:

Information cardsStapler, paper clipsPencil/penName tag

**Attend College Workshops on Topics of Interest to You

**Present Your 2-Minute Pitch to College Reps.

HAVE FUN! YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR COLLEGE FITS AND MATCHES!

MAKE THE MOST OF THE COLLEGE FAIR: AFTER THE FAIR

Consider sending a “Thank You” email to college representatives with whom you spoke

Record your impressions of the colleges that you explored (Use NACAC College Fair Checklist form in Discovery: College – Class 5 folder)

Record college representatives’ answers to your questions (Use NACAC College Fair Checklist in Discovery: College – Class 5 folder)

Consider follow-up campus visits to the schools that interest you

COLLEGE VISITS

Consider taking a college trip during the AHS October break (October12 – 15).

Other Potential Times for College Visits: Spring Break Ex. Ed. Week Thanksgiving Break (possibly) In conjunction with family trips As an add-on to sports or other

extracurricular activities Summer Break (late August is best)

THE ART OF THE CAMPUS VISIT

“Every college visit should have at least two dimensions, formal and informal.” To cover both dimensions and to make sure you’re able to see everything you’d like to, don't forget to call or go online to the college ahead of time and schedule your visit!

Janet Schneider, director of college counseling at the University School of Nashville (TN).

COLLEGE VISITS: PLANNING

Visit colleges in which you are most interested and those where you are likely to be admitted. Create a College Visit List that includes a balance of “very likely,” “probable,” and “reach” schools.

Try to visit when schools are in session.

Check the website of each college you plan to visit for tours, information sessions, interview availability, etc. Register for information sessions and tours, if required.

If you plan to play a varsity sport, try to arrange a visit with the coach.

Don’t schedule more than two college visits on any one day.

Get directions for each destination, and plan to arrive on campus early. Download campus maps from the colleges’ websites.

La visita del Colegio

Visita colegios en que tienes la mas interés y la mas probabilidad de entrada

Crea una lista de colegios ( “reach” – hay menos probabilidad de entrada y escuelas que tienen mas probabilidad de entrada)

Visita el sitio de web del colegio, tour ? Sesiones de información ? Una entrevista es posible?

Si querría jugar un deporte (varsity) es importante a conocer el coach

Obtenga mapas del colegio

COLLEGES VISITS: FORMAL DIMENSIONS

FORMAL DIMENSIONS Take a campus tour Participate in a group information session Sit in on a class (or two!) Talk to a professor (or two) in your chosen

major(s) Talk to a coach in your chosen sport (if

you hope to play) Talk to a student or counselor in the

career center Spend the night in the dorm with a

current student

COLLEGE VISITS: INFORMAL DIMENSIONS

Wander around the campus by yourself.

Read the student newspaper.

Find other student publications—department newsletters, 'alternative' newspapers, literary reviews.

Eat in the student dining hall.

Ask students what they like and dislike about the college.

Read the bulletin boards in the student union and in the academic department you're interested in.

Browse in the campus bookstore.

INCREASE YOUR COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE (web resources)

EXPLORE COLLEGES ON THE WEBNaviance

Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/This is an excellent resource for finding colleges, exploring careers, and learning the details about many colleges and universities.

Colleges' Websites: Each college's website provides current information regarding student life, admission policies, testing requirements, scholarship and financial aid, etc. The easiest way to find a college's website is to Google the college name and/or link through Naviance or Big Future.

Inside College: www.insidecollege.com. This website provides college lists of all kinds. Search on anything from prospective majors to most beautiful campuses to college fight songs.

College Prowler: This link provides subjective reviews of colleges from the perspective of the students who attend: www.collegeprowler.com

Unigo: www.unigo.com. This website provides information that helps students find, get in, and pay for college.

TODAY’S “TAKE AWAY”

What is your College Knowledge “take away” tonight?