A Guide to College Planning
Read the ACT PowerPoint presentation on College Planning at www.act.org/ppt/collegeprep/
What do I do when I Graduate?
In your senior year, you'll be faced with a major decision: What to do after you graduate!? If your career plans require more training or education, getting more information NOW about different types of schools will prove invaluable when it's time to make this important decision.
To broaden your career possibilities, you should begin NOW to:
*Understand Yourself
Evaluate your abilities and limitations, interests and needs, goals and career options as the first step in your search.
*Explore Career Options
Use your time in high school to help you decide which career is best for you. Talk with your counselor about the possibility of testing to help identify your career interests. You can get a better perspective of skills required in your career choice by interviewing and observing people in the career field you like most.
How do I find the Right College?
It's not easy to find the college that is best suited to your needs and interests. To narrow your search, consider the institution's:
Admissions Requirements
The most important factor in college admissions is your high school performance. Enrolling in academic courses and making the best grades you can is your first step in being admitted to the school of your choice. a solid high school curriculum is also the best preparation for success on standardized tests.
Colleges generally require a high school transcript and standardized test score (SAT or ACT) form each applicant. Varying by school, other requirements may include a personal interview, an audition, a portfolio, involvement in extracurricular activities, recommendations, or a personal essay. Consult a college representative to determine the requirements of your specific school.
*Gather Information
The key to finding the right college is to use your resources wisely! A good place to begin your search is in your high school guidance office.
*Use these references:
College Checklist
Sophomores
Fall Semester Spring Semester
| -Select high school courses wisely | -Initiate Inquiry into careers |
| -If college bound, take the PSAT, which is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test (October) | -Register for classes with your counselor, making the proper choices dependant upon your college or career plans. |
Juniors
Fall Semester Spring Semester
| -Begin the college exploration process | -Take the ACT or SAT |
| -Interview and observe people in career fields | -Narrow your list of college choices you like most |
| -Take the PSAT | -Request general info from each college |
| -Attend College Night (ED-Op) | -Register for your senior year carefully, reviewing college admissions requirements and your proposed course schedule |
| -Begin looking for scholarship programs | -continue looking for scholarship programs and summer opportunities for success |
Seniors
Fall Semester Spring Semester
| -Meet with your counselor to discuss college plans | -Continue to look for scholarships |
| -Finalize list of colleges | -Attend Financial Aid workshops |
| -Attend College Day or College Night programs | -Fill out the FAFSA in January and any other required Financial Aid info from your college. If you need help with this, click here |
| -Visit Colleges | -Respond to college admissions offers |
| -Submit college applications (Begin in September) | -Submit required deposits |
| -Take the SAT or ACT again (ASSET if you are planning on attending a technical college after high school) | Confirm with a counselor that a final transcript will be sent to he college of your choice |
| -Search and apply for scholarships | -Continue to apply for scholarships |
Financial Planning
Never rule out any institution solely because of it's cost. When planning your budget, also consider financial aid. Most colleges determine the amount of aid you could receive by estimating your financial need. Therefore, you may be offered a larger amount of financial aid at a more expensive school.
Talk with each school's financial aid officer and discuss alternative means of covering expenses. There are several types of aid (scholarships, grants, work programs, and loans). Also ask each school if they require any special application forms.
Financial Aid Guidelines
Types of Aid
Sources of Aid
Federal Programs
The Application Process
Information from "A Guide to College Planning", a joint project of CACRAO and Careers & Colleges Magazine