1. College Resource Counselor
College Planning 101:
A Guide for Juniors
Jennie Strohm
UW Colleges
College Resource Counselor
During today's discussion, we’ll cover the college timeline that all juniors might want to follow and examine what it takes to be a competitive college applicant

2. Big Choices are on the Horizon

4. Looking at the UW System?
Your new BEST FRIEND – UW HELP
Information about all 26 campuses
Admission requirements
Profile of admitted students including class rank, GPA, ACT/SAT scores
Essay Prompts
Costs
Contact information
Majormania

5. Thinking about a Wisconsin Technical College?
Start here: Info about all 16 colleges and links to each website Programs vary by college and campus

6. Private university more your style?
Check out:
Info about each of the 24 private colleges in Wisconsin.
Enrollmet
Admission requirements
Cost
Not a system like UW or WTC

7. Building Blocks of a Degree

8. How to Narrow Your Search
Educational goals.
Career aspirations
Personal interests
Start backwards
Personal Preference
Big city or smaller city
Large campus or small campus
How to spend free time

9. Get Out There
Visit Campuses – The best way to figure out if a campus is right for you is to physically go there, walk around, and ask questions.
Schedule a personal tour
Attend Open House/Preview Events
Check websites for upcoming dates
Make a list of questions/things you want to make sure the campus has or doesn’t have

10. Preparing for Campus Tours
Contact Admissions Office to set one up​
Includes: Tour and info session​
You can ask to do more​ (meet with professors, coaches)
Daily Visit VS Open House/Preview Events​
Wear appropriate shoes​
Make a list of questions/things you want to make sure the campus has or doesn’t have​
Check out Social Media

11. Possible Questions to Ask:
  What do students do during their free time/weekends?​
What do you love about this college?​
What is it like to live here (on campus and in the city)​
What are the most popular programs?​
Is living on campus required?​
What is the total cost of tuition, room and board and books?​
What types of scholarships are there and how do I apply?

12. Let the Info Sink in a Minute…

13. The “You” Schools Will See
Student
GPA
SAT/ACT Scores
School Involvement
Essay
Required Prep Credits
Outside Commitments

14. The Lens You Provide College application and fee
Personal statement/ essay
Test scores (ACT/ SAT/ AP)
High school transcripts

15. High School Transcript
What Story Does It Tell?
Performance
Grades, GPA
ACT test scores
Rigor
Course selection
Electives
Identify student interest
Validate what student discloses on college application

16. Make sure you are prepared academically.
Junior Year
Make sure you are prepared academically.

17. Take Rigorous Courses
Take courses that prepare you for further education
Take courses that put you ahead 
      of others
Take courses that challenge you – honors, AP, IB
Take courses that count for credit 
      after HS – AP, IB, YOP (ECC)

18. Testing… Take the ACT (possibly SAT as well).
Find out if the schools you are looking at have a preference.
Can retake in April or June if you desire.

19. Junior Year
Get to know your teachers…more! They will be writing letters of recommendation.
Meet with college reps at your high school. They are an excellent source of information.

20. Junior Year---SUMMER Visit College campuses
Draft personal statement/ essay
Make a note of college application deadlines
Retake ACT?

21. Senior Year---FALL Apply to first/second choice
Application
Fee
Transcript
ACT Scores
Follow up with those schools
Gather college event information
“College Options” nights
Open houses
Scholarships!
FAFSA –

22. Senior Year---Spring Watch your Email FAFSA If you haven’t done it
Placement Test
Housing
Registration
Orientation
Scholarships
FAFSA If you haven’t done it

23. Senior Year---Summer Watch Email Attend Send Final Transcript
Placement Testing
Registration
Orientation
Send Final Transcript
Complete any paperwork campus asks of you

25. Questions?

26. Let’s be friends! Jennie Strohm College Resource Counselor UW Colleges
Call/Text:
Facebook: UW Colleges Jennie