Navigating the College Search Process for Sophomores

Susie Bremen Coordinator for College CounselingNorth Central High SchoolDecember 11, 2013

Why Go To College?

“College graduates can expect to earn an average of 70 percent more during their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma. That means that during a 40-year career, the difference in earning is about $1 million!”

Source: Overview.com/colleges, 2011

The College Search is a Process

Explore the criteria for a good match

Academic EnvironmentMajorLocation & Type of CollegeAdmission StandardsPeopleCost

College “To-Do” List for Sophomores & Their Parents

Academic Planning - type of diploma Learn about NC’s college prep

resources Use online major & career

exploration tools Visit college websites for information

on admission requirements, campus visits, virtual campus tours & scholarships

College “To-Do” List for Sophomores & Their Parents

Use summer months to learn more about careers, develop leadership, or service to community

Take the PSAT again in 11th grade – National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)

Targets for Sophomores

Core 40 is the minimum diploma for applying to four-year colleges

Add rigor: Watch the number of non-academic electives

Build reading & vocabulary skills

Targets for Sophomores

Research majors & career options

Strengthen leadership skills

Summer immersion programs: Academic, leadership, wilderness, overseas, etc.

Resources forStudents & Parents

Guidance counselors & teachers College & Career Fairs College guide books Online resources Summer programs Current students & recent alums

College Options

4-Year Colleges – PublicBall State, IN State, IU, Purdue

4-Year Colleges – PrivateButler, DePauw, Hanover, Valpo

Two-Year CollegesIvy Tech, Vincennes

Proprietary Schools

How 4-year Colleges Evaluate Admission Applications

o Academic classes taken

o Diploma track

o Grades

o Grade trends / Junior year emphasis

o SAT or ACT scores – SEND FROM TESTING AGENCIES!

o Rigor of senior schedule

College Major & Career Exploration

Summer shadowing

Talk to current professionals

College and career www.learnmoreindiana.org www.triptocollege.org www.collegeview.com www.mappingyourfuture.org

Vocational Schools www.overview.com/colleges/

Favorite Web Resourcesfor Basic Help

www.learnmoreindiana.org

www.review.com

www.collegeboard.org

www.nacac.net

www.petersons.com

www.act.org/path/parent/

Websites with Specific Focus

www.collegeconfidential.com – College Planning www.ncaa.org – Athletes

www.blackexcel.org – African American

www.hsf.net – Hispanic

www.bls.gov/oco - Occupational Outlook

www.commonapp.org – The Common App

www.fastweb.com – Scholarships

www.finaid.org – Financial Aid

www.in.gov/ssaci/ - Indiana Financial Aid

NAVIANCEhttp://connection.naviance.com/northcentral

Web-based College Planning System

Research possible majors and careers

Research colleges & scholarships

Get college e-newsletters from Guidance

Links to dozens of helpful websites

Track the entire college search process

REQUIRES VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES!

Thank you for being here!

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