1. AaBbCc
College Admissions 101

2. About Us
ASA College Planning Center

3. Multilingual Advisors
What we do
Free Services
Walk-in only, no appointment necessary!
One-on-one Advising
Assistance completing applications and forms
Resources on education, financial aid and loan counseling
Multilingual Advisors
English, Spanish, Chinese, French, and Haitian-Creole
@ASAPlan4College
ASA College Planning Center

4. The Many Paths to College The College Application Process
The College Enrollment Process
How to Choose the Right Path for YOU
Resources to Assist You
Agenda
Title

5. What… The College Overview
Presentation Title

6. Doctorate/Professional Degree
Types of Degrees
Certificate*
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Doctorate/Professional
Degree
*Certificates are NOT degrees, although they may be applied toward a degree.

7. Community College (or Junior College)
Types of Colleges
Community College (or Junior College)
Grants Associate Degrees and Certificates
Usually 2 years or less
Colleges and Universities
Grants Bachelor’s degrees and higher
Usually 4-6 years for a Bachelor’s program

8. Academic Benefits Financial Benefits Community College Open Admissions
Chance to Start New
Stackable credits/programs
Financial Benefits
Affordable
Mass Transfer (MA residents)

9. Admissions Requirements Admissions Application
Community College
Admissions Requirements
HS Diploma or HiSet
Admissions Application
“Phone book” information
Intended program of study
Accuplacer / Computer Placement Test
Required of ALL students
“Phone book” information: Basically name, address, phone number…No essays, recommendations, or test scores needed!!!

10. Applying to a 4-Year College
HS Record
SAT Scores
Application
Essay
Letters of Rec
What do 4-Year colleges look for in an applicant?
Grade Point Average (GPA)
SAT or ACT scores
Rigorous academic course load
AP and Honors
Personal Character
Interview

11. Applying to a 4-Year College
Early Action – Non-Binding
Early Decision – Commitment to attend
Regular Decision
Rolling Admission
“Phone book” information: Basically name, address, phone number…No essays, recommendations, or test scores needed!!!

12. Bachelor’s Degree The Alternative Path Community College Formal
Gap Year
Work

13. When… A Timeline for HS Students
Presentation Title

14. Grades Matter! 12th Grade When to do What Grades 9-10
February/March
Financial Aid Applications Due
Grades 9-10
Visit Colleges/Fairs, Get Good Grades, Join Activities, Take the PSAT, Prepare for AP classes
September
Secure Letters of Recommendations
April
Financial Aid Awards sent out
Grades Matter!
October 1
Financial Aid Applications become Available
May 1
Deposits Due
November/ December
Early Applications due
Grade 11
Start Building Your College List, Draft an Essay, Take SAT’s/SAT Subjects
August 1
College Applications become available
January
Regular Applications due
Title

15. Student Debt Remains a Growing, National Problem

16. Admissions and Affordability
Why you must consider affordability in your college selection process
Safety, Target and Reach Schools
“Financial Safety Schools”
Back Up Plans

17. Admissions and Affordability
Net Price Calculator
Every College Has One!

18. What is GPA?

19. Definition of grade point average
The average obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits attempted — also called quality point average
Total # of grade points = GPA
Total # of credits attempted
Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2016

20. GPA
Letter Grade
Points A
4.00 A-
3.70 B+
3.33 B
3.00 B-
2.70 C+
2.30 C
2.00 C-
1.70 D+
1.30 D
1.00 D-
0.70 F
0.00

21. Why is GPA Important?

22. Long-term patterns Work Ethic Work Habits Balance Predicts College
What does GPA tell us
Predicts College
Success
Work Ethic
Work Habits
Long-term patterns
Balance
Presentation Title

23. Wanna go to a good school?
Total number of Colleges
GPA Preferred 63
3.75+
227
639
468
1742
Open Admissions
3757 colleges in the US
2015 of them prefer a GPA above a 2.0

24. How do I calculate my GPA?

25. Total # of grade points = GPA
Calculating the GPA
Total # of grade points = GPA
Total # of credits attempted

26. 61.6 22 Calculating the GPA # of points depends on you! = 2.8
Total # of grade points = GPA
Total # of credits attempted
# of points depends on you!
61.6 = 22
# of credits required to graduate

27. How do I improve my GPA?

28. Keep your GPA high from the beginning!
Go To Class
Be organized and study
Participate and ask questions
Ask for help when you need it

29. How does GPA fit into my college applications?

30. GPA and College Applications
First thing a college sees
Helps admissions focus on qualified candidates
More important than Standardized Tests
Can help you get scholarships
Can help you get into your major

31. Main location: Boston Public Library, Copley Square
Come visit us!
Main location: Boston Public Library, Copley Square
700 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116
(617) or Toll-free: (877)
Mon-Thurs. 9AM-7:30PM Friday-Saturday 9AM-5PM
ASA College Planning Center

32. Thank you