“College admission is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”

Getting into the Best College…   “ . . . the “best” college is the one that will challenge you appropriately, open your eyes to new ways of thinking, and help you develop and broaden your talents as you take your place in the world ahead.” Willard Dix, a former admissions officer at Amherst College and counselor at University of Chicago Laboratory High School

for Developing a Thoughtful College List Three Components for Developing a Thoughtful College List 1. Self-Knowledge - Who am I? How do I learn best (lecture, discussion, etc.)? Am I competitive or collaborative? 2. Hopes and Aspirations for My College Experience - career prep-renaissance education? Internships? Activism? Social networking and life-long friendships? 3. College Knowledge - We will help you match your personal and academic background and hopes and aspirations with colleges and universities in the U.S. and beyond.

Ideal College Profile

What is the easiest way to build a list? Start with what you know about yourself. Am I a free spirit or am socially conservative? Am I about life of the mind or campus spirit? Do I have specific career aspirations? Was I a slow academic starter but now on an upward academic trend? Am I planning to go to graduate school? Do I need a second chance?

Interesting Lists

Where PhD’s Received their Undergraduate Degrees over a Five-Year Period 1. California Institute of Technology 2.Harvey Mudd (CA) 3.Reed (OR) 4.Swarthmore (PA) 5.Carleton (MN) 6. Massachusetts Institute of College 7.Bryn Mawr (PA) 8.Oberllin (OH) 9. Grinnel (IA) Chicago University (IL) Source: Harvard Department of Educational Studies 2016

How to get to Final Goal of “Magic 8” Attend junior/parent college workshops (4) Junior student/parent CC meetings (2) College Visits Senior student/parent college workshop-Sept. Senior student/parent meetings (2+) College Fair Complete Applications Senior parent Financial Aid Workshops (3)

Reminders: Testing Every junior should have a testing plan. Know what tests are required. Every junior will take the State mandated SAT in April (on the house). Juniors need to know if the schools to which they will apply require SAT Subject tests.

SAT TEST DATES Test Date Normal Deadline Late Registration* Online Score Release November 4, 2017 October 5, 2017 October 25, 2017 November 20, 2017 December 2, 2017 November 2, 2017 November 21, 2017 December 20, 2017 March 10, 2018 February 9, 2018 February 28, 2018 March 23, 2018 May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 25, 2018 May 18, 2018 June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 May 23, 2018 July 11, 2018 Table: 2016, 2017 SAT Test Dates and Deadlines

The BEST College… “ . . . the “best” college is the one that will challenge you appropriately, open your eyes to new ways of thinking, and help you develop and broaden your talents as you take your place in the world ahead.”

Next College Prep Meeting Monday Oct 16 from 6-7 pm in the DHS Library - NCAA for grades 9-12 how to be eligible to play college sports Monday Feb 12 from 6-7pm in the DHS Library- For Grade 11 how to prepare for your college application submissions, essay writing, and application deadlines