Your College Search Your College Search

What to What to consider…consider…

What to ConsiderWhat to Consider

• Start with your MAJOR• Calculate the DISTANCE from

home• Consider the COST• Compare your SCORES• Find the right FIT

Your MAJORYour MAJOR• What do you want to study?• Is it consistent with your career

choice?• Does the college offer a high

quality program of study?• What other majors does the

college offer that are of interest?

DISTANCE from HomeDISTANCE from Home• You do not need to go far away to

“feel” like you are far away.

• How often will you want to return for holidays or other special occasions?

• How much will it cost to travel to and from college?

Consider Consider the COSTthe COST

• Start a discussion with your parent/guardian about what you will be able to afford.

• Like buying a car, the sticker price may not be what you actually pay.

• Begin by considering all of the schools you like, regardless of cost.

• Remember – cost does not always equal a better education.

Compare your Compare your SCORESSCORES

• Your overall grade point average

• Your rank in class

• Your regents exam scores

• Your college entrance exams

• The college’s published scores

Find the right FITFind the right FIT• Like finding the right pair of

blue jeans, look for a school that is a good “fit” for you.

• Small or large or something in between?

• Ivy on the walls, sleek and modern looking or quaint college town?

• Big city, suburban or rural?• Competitive athletics program? • Great art department?

What Colleges What Colleges Want to SeeWant to See

• Your transcript - a list of your courses and grades.

• Your college entrance exams.• Your extracurricular activities.• Your ability to write essays.• Recommendations from your

teachers and counselors.• Quality senior year courses.

SUNY Admission Info SUNY Admission Info (middle 50%)(middle 50%)

SUNY SCHOOL HS Average SAT Score ACT Score

Albany 88-94 1100-1240 24-28

Binghamton 91-97 1190-1390 27-31

University at Buffalo (UB)

92-96 1120-1260 24-29

Brockport 87-93 1030-1170 22-26

Cortland 88-94 1050-1175 23-26

Environmental Science & Forestry

(ESF)89-94 1140-1260 26-29

Oswego 87-93 1050-1190 22-27

Cornell: School of Human Ecology

  1320-1450 30-33

Morrisville State 80-88 920-1100 19-23

Alfred State 79-87 860-1060 18-23

To how many schools To how many schools should I apply?should I apply?

Think “Levels”Think “Levels”

Level 1 – your dream college.Level 1 – your dream college.

Level 2 – colleges that match your Level 2 – colleges that match your gpa and exam scores closely.gpa and exam scores closely.

Level 3 – safety schools, if level 1 Level 3 – safety schools, if level 1 and 2 schools were eliminated due and 2 schools were eliminated due to cost or competitive applications.to cost or competitive applications.

Degrees – Associates, Degrees – Associates, Bachelors, Masters?Bachelors, Masters?

• Associate degree – generally a two-year program of study.

• Bachelors degree – generally a four-year program of study.

• Masters/Doctorate/Professional degrees – extend beyond the bachelors degree.

Public or Private College?Public or Private College?

• Public colleges (SUNY system) receive funding from the state government.

• The funding keeps tuition costs lower for state residents.

• Out-of-state residents pay more.• Private colleges may offer more

grants and scholarships to compete with public colleges.

Mistakes to AvoidMistakes to Avoid

• Applying to, but not visiting collegesApplying to, but not visiting colleges

• Ignoring email or regular mail sent from Ignoring email or regular mail sent from collegescolleges

• Using an inappropriate email addressUsing an inappropriate email address

• Rushing through applicationsRushing through applications

• Waiting too long to complete Waiting too long to complete applications and essaysapplications and essays

• Failing to edit your workFailing to edit your work

Available Available Resources…Resources…

• Your school counselor • The GRB Guidance Office Website• Guidance Website• Your GRB Course Catalog• Individual College Websites• Parents, teachers, advisors• College Catalogs and Viewbooks