Selecting a College

Selecting a college is much like finding a new home for the next 4 years. Make sure you take this process seriously and conduct it thoroughly. Involve parents or trusted adults in the process.

Step 1 Know thyself…  Identify strengths and weaknesses  Know your academic profile  Analyze your interests and values  What do you want out of life?  Are you socially self-sufficient or do you need familial support?  Analyze your reasons for attending college.

Step 2 Consider college characteristics: Location Environment Size Admissions requirements Academics Cost Financial aid Housing Facilities Activities Campus visit

Environment Location Small town setting like Ripon or UW-Platteville? Bustling streets like Milwaukee or Madison or Minnesota Twin Cities? Do you want to take your car? Close to home or how far away? Size How large or small of a school do you want? Large lecture halls of 300 or class size of 30? Distance from dorms to class

Admission Requirements What ACT score is required? What about rank in class? Check out your ACT score report. -How you would place among freshmen? What are your chances of being accepted? Once accepted, what are chances of being competitive?

Value Academics What majors are offered? Contact with professors? Classes are taught by TA’s? Research and learning outside the classroom? Cost/Financial Aid How much is tuition? -$11,000 or $30,000 Dorms/housing? -size of rooms, suites Meal plans? -1/2/3 meals per day Book purchase or rental? Other expenses?

Financial Aid Scholarships available Work study opportunities Campus jobs Community employment Who is available for assistance if you have questions?

Lifestyle Housing Dorm requirements for freshmen Availability/wait list? Types of housing Size of dorm rooms Air conditioning? Procedure for assigning roommates and what about changes? Facilities Computer labs Library Weight/exercise Outdoor activities Laundry facilities Parking Restaurants and shopping in town

Extras Activities Sports including intramural Clubs and student organizations, most campuses have 100+ Sororities and fraternities Community and church Safety Campus security officers Dorm entrance security Transportation around campus Night escorts Presence of outdoor lighting and emergency phones Crime rates on campus/community

Step 3 List colleges from your research. Consulting: Online information College representatives Counselors and teachers Parents, students, alumni

Step 4Comparison List Weigh advantages/disadvantages Cost Distance from home Majors Admissions Etc

Step 5 The College Visit Talk to your counselor about arranging a visit to your top choices. Tuesday, March 8 will address getting the most out of your college visit. Best that you go with a parent.

Step 6Process After your visits, process the information you have gained. Weigh pluses and minuses - discussing with parents/adult

Step 7 Application Apply in the fall to your top choice. Also apply to your “plan B” school. More information on the application process will be available next year in September. Colleges start accepting applications Sept. 15 and Sept. 1 for MATC programs.

Remember that everyone must follow his or her own path in life. What will you choose?