Choosing a College that is Right for you! College Advisor: Ms. Arguelles

Kinds of Colleges Most students start by thinking about the kind of college they want to attend.Most students start by thinking about the kind of college they want to attend. Two Year/Four Year InstitutionsTwo Year/Four Year Institutions Public/PrivatePublic/Private Church Affiliated InstitutionsChurch Affiliated Institutions Don’t narrow your choices!Don’t narrow your choices! Many students exclude private colleges because they think they're more expensive when sometimes financial aid available can make a private college more affordable!Many students exclude private colleges because they think they're more expensive when sometimes financial aid available can make a private college more affordable!

Step 1) Let’s focus on Majors! Research a few possible fields of study you may want to pursueResearch a few possible fields of study you may want to pursue Go to a University that offers multiple majors you’re interested in!Go to a University that offers multiple majors you’re interested in!  Tips for choosing possible majors: Here are a few questions you should ask yourselves…  What are my favorite classes?  What are my favorite hobbies/extracurricular activities?  What do career/personality assessment tests usually suggest for me? (collegeboard.com; princetonreview.com)  What do I love doing?  Where do I see myself for the rest of my life?  What do I see myself doing for the rest of my life?

Majors/Minors UC Davis MajorsUC Davis MajorsUC Davis MajorsUC Davis Majors CSU Pomona MajorsCSU Pomona MajorsCSU Pomona MajorsCSU Pomona Majors Chapman University MajorsChapman University MajorsChapman University MajorsChapman University Majors

Step 2) Campus Setting Location Some students might begin their college search by setting a limit on how far away from home they want to be.Some students might begin their college search by setting a limit on how far away from home they want to be. Might be an easy way to narrow options, but it doesn’t mean you’ll find the best colleges for you Keep Your options open!

Questions to Consider How close to home do I want to be? Close enough for meals and laundry, to visit on weekends, or to only come home on breaks?How close to home do I want to be? Close enough for meals and laundry, to visit on weekends, or to only come home on breaks? Do I want to stick to a setting I’m used to or try something new?Do I want to stick to a setting I’m used to or try something new? If I look just a little farther — a few more miles or another half hour away — what other opportunities open up to me?If I look just a little farther — a few more miles or another half hour away — what other opportunities open up to me? Am I staying close because I think it will be less expensive?Am I staying close because I think it will be less expensive?

Campus and Community Setting Faculty to Student RatioFaculty to Student Ratio Campus ReputationCampus Reputation National RankingsNational Rankings SizeSize Large vs. Small ClassesLarge vs. Small Classes Urban vs. RuralUrban vs. Rural SafetySafety Surrounding resources (Supermarkets, transportation, shops, etc.)Surrounding resources (Supermarkets, transportation, shops, etc.)

Just a few other Characteristics! Gender specific vs. Co-EdGender specific vs. Co-Ed Student Body DiversityStudent Body Diversity HIS: Hispanic Serving InstitutionHIS: Hispanic Serving Institution HBCU: Historically Black Colleges and UniversitiesHBCU: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Religious AffiliationReligious Affiliation La Sierra, Biola, Concordia, Pepperdine, etc.La Sierra, Biola, Concordia, Pepperdine, etc.

How involved do you want to be!? Sports! (Division I, II, III)Sports! (Division I, II, III) Clubs and Student Organizations!!Clubs and Student Organizations!! UCD Student OrgsUCD Student OrgsUCD Student OrgsUCD Student Orgs Contact information listed on WebsiteContact information listed on Website Get involved!Get involved!

Step 3) Costs and Financial Aid Want to Consider:  Tuition fees  Room and board  Books and supplies  Basic living costs But Remember!  Financial aid package (March-June)  Federal/state grants (FAFSA)  Campus grants (supplementary forms?)  Scholarships (campus- based and external)  Loans

STEP 4) Strategize Apply to at least 4-6 Schools Apply to at least 4-6 Schools Apply to at least one school in each other categories below Apply to at least one school in each other categories below Target: Acceptance is likelyTarget: Acceptance is likely Your grades and scores place you in the middle 50 th percentile of the school’s studentsYour grades and scores place you in the middle 50 th percentile of the school’s students Safety: Acceptance is highly likelySafety: Acceptance is highly likely Your credentials clearly place you in the top 10 th percentile of the College’s applicant pool.Your credentials clearly place you in the top 10 th percentile of the College’s applicant pool. Reach: The Long Shot or Dream SchoolReach: The Long Shot or Dream School Your grades and test scores put you in the bottom 25 th percentileYour grades and test scores put you in the bottom 25 th percentile

Step 5) Visit the Campus! Always try to visit your campus choices! The best way to really get a feel for a college is to personally visit!!Always try to visit your campus choices! The best way to really get a feel for a college is to personally visit!! If you can’t then visit the campus website- “virtual tours”If you can’t then visit the campus website- “virtual tours” Read the campus andRead the campus and community newspapers community newspapers to get a sense of local to get a sense of local issues and activities issues and activities

Final Advice Don’t rely on name recognition, find your best fit!Don’t rely on name recognition, find your best fit! Do your own research. Don’t accept generalizations about hard to get into schools. You might just be the right fit!Do your own research. Don’t accept generalizations about hard to get into schools. You might just be the right fit! Make your own decisions when deciding which University to attend. Don’t go to a school just because of friends.Make your own decisions when deciding which University to attend. Don’t go to a school just because of friends. Don’t rule out cost when thinking to applying for a school. Lots of financial aid and resources available to you!Don’t rule out cost when thinking to applying for a school. Lots of financial aid and resources available to you!

Visit me sometime: Visit me sometime: Career CenterCareer Center M-F 7:30-3:30M-F 7:30-3:30 Bolsa Grande College Fair! Bolsa Grande College Fair! Monday, October 13 th 2014.Monday, October 13 th :30pm-8:00pm.6:30pm-8:00pm. Bolsa Grande high School GymBolsa Grande high School Gym