Finding The Right Fit

Tuesday, August 31, 2010Sequoyah High School

What Colleges Are Looking For

Factors for Admission

►GPA/Course Selection/Class Rank ►Test Scores►Activities & Leadership ►Essays/ Short Answer►Letters of Recommendation►Interest/ Contact Level►Interviews►Other

GPA/Course Selection/Class Rank

►School Profile►Curriculum offerings►Grade trends►Meet requirements of individual college►Use electives to demonstrate interests►Institutional GPA calculation

Test Scores

►SAT www.collegeboard.comSubject Tests– some require, others use for

placement or course exemption/credit

►ACTwww.act.orgOptional Writing Section

Activities and Leadership

►Clubs and Organizations►Work & Volunteer Experiences►Summer Opportunities►Sports – School and Community► If applicable, utilize Special Circumstances

Section

Depth of experience outweighs variety

Letters of Recommendation

►How many letters needed? (only send req. amount)!

►Junior or Senior year teacher usually better

►Give writers plenty of time!►Provide writers with details (resume,

deadlines, envelopes)

►Send follow-up thank-you note to writers

Interest/Contact Level

►Visit campus►Fill out contact cards at college fairs►Establish relationships with admission

counselors, professors and current students

►Create profile on admission websites and/or get yourself on the mailing list

Interviews►Arrive early►Be prepared/ Research the Institution►Formulate 5 unique questions►Dress appropriately/shake hands/eye

contact►Note interviewer’s name & contact info►Send a thank you note/letter

Essays/ Short Answer►Choose unique topics that matter to

you►Answer the question/stay on topic►Write articulately in space allotted►Revisit essay at least 2 times on

different days►Don’t count on spell check – have a 2nd

editor►Remember, it’s not only what you say,

but also how you say it!

Other

►Colleges may have specific goals that they are trying to accomplish

►Alumni connections►Athletic recruits►Institute mission

What You Should be Looking For in a College

Consider Your Major

Explore the school’s websiteTalk to faculty, staff, studentsSit in on classesUtilize college guidesVisit online search engines such as

collegeboard.com or collegeview.com

Research job placement rates for that major

Evaluating the Size Research

freshman year class sizestudent to faculty ratioclass size for your intended major

Question instructor accessibilitymandatory office hourscontact information for instructors

Explore specialized academic programs

Picking a Location Determine the distance from home Explore the surrounding towns and cities on-

line Make a list of pros and cons of a rural and

urban setting Visit the campus Ask campus police for a list of incidents

Exploring Student Life Research how easy it is to get involved Examine Greek life opportunities Inquire about specialty programs such as

honors programs, student government, and community service

Explore cultural opportunities

The Freshman Experience Ask to visit a typical freshman dorm Research academic support programs Explore the career center Check out jobs on and off campus Examine transportation options

Tiffany McLeanAssistant Director of Admissions

Tiffany.mclean@admission.gatech.eduwww.gatech.edu/ADMISSIONS

404.894.8639