1. College Admissions Workshop for Juniors Presented by Lori Palmer and Chris Wheeler

2. Starting Your College Search Start thinking about what you want in a college. Large or small? Far away or close to home? Any ideas for a major? Interested in sports? Make a list! Start thinking about what you want in a college. Large or small? Far away or close to home? Any ideas for a major? Interested in sports? Make a list! Use resources such as your school counseling/career center, the internet, and college fairs to find schools that match your interests Use resources such as your school counseling/career center, the internet, and college fairs to find schools that match your interests Do some research on the schools by visiting their website or calling their admissions office. Make sure and get on their mailing list so you can keep track of important dates and learn more information about the school Do some research on the schools by visiting their website or calling their admissions office. Make sure and get on their mailing list so you can keep track of important dates and learn more information about the school

3. Starting Your College Search, cont’d Visit as many campuses as you can! Visit campuses of all sizes to see where you feel most comfortable. Most schools have “Preview Days” or open house days Visit as many campuses as you can! Visit campuses of all sizes to see where you feel most comfortable. Most schools have “Preview Days” or open house days Talk to friends, family members, or anyone you know that has gone through the college search process recently for their advice Talk to friends, family members, or anyone you know that has gone through the college search process recently for their advice Don’t be afraid to ask questions! (ex. How’s the food? Are people attractive there? How much does it cost? Etc.) Don’t be afraid to ask questions! (ex. How’s the food? Are people attractive there? How much does it cost? Etc.)

4. What Colleges Look For in a Student Did you graduate high school? Did you graduate high school? –Did you finish strong or get senioritis? Did you pass college prep classes? Did you pass college prep classes? –What are College Prep classes? Extracurricular activities (ex. Church, sports, clubs, volunteering in the community, etc.) Extracurricular activities (ex. Church, sports, clubs, volunteering in the community, etc.) Hobbies or interest areas that make you unique Hobbies or interest areas that make you unique Personal motivation to attend college (not Mom and Dad forcing you to go) Personal motivation to attend college (not Mom and Dad forcing you to go)

5. Common Admission Requirements High School transcripts/GPA High School transcripts/GPA SAT or ACT scores SAT or ACT scores Essays (depending on the school) Essays (depending on the school) Fees (Application fees, tuition deposits) Fees (Application fees, tuition deposits) Keep your contact information with the college up to date throughout the admissions process Keep your contact information with the college up to date throughout the admissions process Complete everything that is required for the application!! Complete everything that is required for the application!!

6. You’re Ready to Apply…what now? Be aware of application deadlines Be aware of application deadlines Pick your top choices and apply Pick your top choices and apply What happens next? What happens next? –You get admitted, conditionally admitted, or denied –Fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) –Look for scholarships and other awards from your high school, community, the schools you’re applying to….wherever –Complete the Housing Application

7. So you’ve decided WOU is one of your top choices… Do you meet WOU’s Admissions requirements? Do you meet WOU’s Admissions requirements? February 15 is the Priority Deadline February 15 is the Priority Deadline Don’t slack off your senior year! To be eligible for WOU scholarships next year, you must complete 4 core subject units in your senior year Don’t slack off your senior year! To be eligible for WOU scholarships next year, you must complete 4 core subject units in your senior year Apply for housing early so you don’t miss out on WOU’s nationally ranked residence hall and food service! Apply for housing early so you don’t miss out on WOU’s nationally ranked residence hall and food service!