Finding The Right Fit Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Sequoyah 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 Subject Tests– some require, others use for placement or course exemption/credit Subject Tests– some require, others use for placement or course exemption/credit ► ACT Optional Writing Section Optional 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 2 nd 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 website Explore the school’s website Talk to faculty, staff, students Talk to faculty, staff, students Sit in on classes Sit in on classes Utilize college guides Utilize college guides Visit online search engines such as collegeboard.com or collegeview.com Visit online search engines such as collegeboard.com or collegeview.com Research job placement rates for that major Research job placement rates for that major

Evaluating the Size Research Research freshman year class size freshman year class size student to faculty ratio student to faculty ratio class size for your intended major class size for your intended major Question instructor accessibility Question instructor accessibility mandatory office hours mandatory office hours contact information for instructors contact information for instructors Explore specialized academic programs Explore specialized academic programs

Picking a Location Determine the distance from home Determine the distance from home Explore the surrounding towns and cities on-line Explore the surrounding towns and cities on-line Make a list of pros and cons of a rural and urban setting Make a list of pros and cons of a rural and urban setting Visit the campus Visit the campus Ask campus police for a list of incidents Ask campus police for a list of incidents

Exploring Student Life Research how easy it is to get involved Research how easy it is to get involved Examine Greek life opportunities Examine Greek life opportunities Inquire about specialty programs such as honors programs, student government, and community service Inquire about specialty programs such as honors programs, student government, and community service Explore cultural opportunities Explore cultural opportunities

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

Tiffany McLean Assistant Director of Admissions