1. Navigating the College Search Process for Sophomores Susie Bremen Coordinator for College Counseling North Central High School December 11, 2013

3. Why Go To College? “College graduates can expect to earn an average of 70 percent more during their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma. That means that during a 40-year career, the difference in earning is about $1 million!” Source: Overview.com/colleges, 2011

4. The College Search is a Process Explore the criteria for a good match  Academic Environment  Major  Location & Type of College  Admission Standards  People  Cost

5. College “To-Do” List for Sophomores & Their Parents  Academic Planning - type of diploma  Learn about NC’s college prep resources  Use online major & career exploration tools  Visit college websites for information on admission requirements, campus visits, virtual campus tours & scholarships

6. College “To-Do” List for Sophomores & Their Parents  Use summer months to learn more about careers, develop leadership, or service to community  Take the PSAT again in 11 th grade – National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)

7. Targets for Sophomores  Core 40 is the minimum diploma for applying to four-year colleges  Add rigor: Watch the number of non-academic electives  Build reading & vocabulary skills

8. Targets for Sophomores  Research majors & career options  Strengthen leadership skills  Summer immersion programs: Academic, leadership, wilderness, overseas, etc.

9. Resources for Students & Parents  Guidance counselors & teachers  College & Career Fairs  College guide books  Online resources  Summer programs  Current students & recent alums

10. College Options  4-Year Colleges – Public Ball State, IN State, IU, Purdue  4-Year Colleges – Private Butler, DePauw, Hanover, Valpo  Two-Year Colleges Ivy Tech, Vincennes  Proprietary Schools

11. How 4-year Colleges Evaluate Admission Applications o Academic classes taken o Diploma track o Grades o Grade trends / Junior year emphasis o SAT or ACT scores – SEND FROM TESTING AGENCIES! o Rigor of senior schedule

12. College Major & Career Exploration  Summer shadowing  Talk to current professionals  College and career www.learnmoreindiana.org www.triptocollege.org www.collegeview.com www.mappingyourfuture.org  Vocational Schools www.overview.com/colleges/

13. Favorite Web Resources for Basic Help  www.learnmoreindiana.org www.learnmoreindiana.org  www.review.com www.review.com  www.collegeboard.org  www.nacac.net www.nacac.net  www.petersons.com www.petersons.com  www.act.org/path/parent / www.act.org/path/parent /

14. Websites with Specific Focus  www.collegeconfidential.com – College Planning  www.ncaa.org – Athletes www.ncaa.org  www.blackexcel.org – African American www.blackexcel.org  www.hsf.net – Hispanic www.hsf.net  www.bls.gov/oco - Occupational Outlook www.bls.gov/oco  www.commonapp.org – The Common App www.commonapp.org  www.fastweb.com – Scholarships www.fastweb.com  www.finaid.org – Financial Aid www.finaid.org  www.in.gov/ssaci/ - Indiana Financial Aid www.in.gov/ssaci/

16. NAVIANCE http://connection.naviance.com/northcentral Web-based College Planning System  Research possible majors and careers  Research colleges & scholarships  Get college e-newsletters from Guidance  Links to dozens of helpful websites  Track the entire college search process REQUIRES VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES!

26. Thank you for being here! Drawing for FREE Princeton Review course!