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