Feeling overwhelmed with the process of choosing a college? Take a look at some suggested tips from the CollegeBoard website -

 

Identify Your Priorities

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Think about who you are and what you're looking for in a college. Make a list of what's most important to you - here's some things to consider

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• Affiliation - Public or Private? Independent or Religion Affiliated?

• Size of the Student Body - Size will affect many of your opportunities and experiences, including: Range of academic majors offered, Extracurricular activities, Amount of personal attention you'll receive, When considering size, look beyond the raw number of students attending; a large school may offers some smaller departments or learning communities. Investigate not just the ratio of faculty to students, but how accessible faculty are.

• Location - Do you want to visit home frequently, or do you want to experience a new part of the country? Perhaps you want a city or urban location with access to museums, major league sports, or ethnic foods. Or maybe you prefer easy access to the outdoors or the culture of a small college town?

• Campus Life - Consider what life will be like beyond the classroom. Aim for a balance between academics, activities, and social life. Consider what extracurricular activities, athletics, and special interest groups are available? Does the community around the college offer interesting outlets for students and are students welcomed by the community? Think about the geographic, ethnic, racial and religious diversity of the students. How do fraternities and sororities influence campus life? How are dorms assigned? Is Housing guaranteed - and for how many years? 

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Research Colleges

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• Academic Programs - If you know what you want to study, research reputations of academic departments by talking to people in the fields that interest you. If you are undecided, relax and pick an academically balanced institution that offers a range of majors and programs.

• Athletic Programs - If you are an Athlete, which sports are offered and what Division?

• Accreditation - Accreditation is a voluntary process of review and self-regulation by members of an accrediting agency. Accreditation ensures that the instutution meets the basic standards of that particular Agency in their administrative procedures, physical facilities and the quality of their academic programs. There are many regional and national accrediting agencies with varying standards. Colleges accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education meet the basic standards for college-level study, their students can apply for Federal Financial Aid and/or federal education tax breaks, and the degree you will earn at the end of your studies will be recognized by future employers.

• Admission Requirements - Required Course work, Tests, GPA?

• Selectivity - How many students apply each year and how many are accepted? What are the average GPA and Test Scores for those accepted? 

• Retention and Graduation Rates - Learn the percent of students who return after the first year and the percent of entering students who remain to graduate. Comparatively good retention and graduation rates are indicators that responsible academic, social, and financial support systems exist for most students. 

• If the Campus or Major is impacted due to overcrowding, what is the likelihood of getting the courses I need and what is the projected time required to complete the degree program?

• What is the school's policy regarding Advanced Placement high school courses?

• As a freshman, will I be taught by Professors or Teaching Assistants?

• Is the surrounding community safe?

• Can I Afford this College? Today's college price tags make cost an important consideration for most students. Most colleges work to ensure that academically qualified students from every economic circumstance can find financial aid. 

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Attend College Fairs

 

Pick up catalogs and brochures, talk to representatives and other students, and feel like you're officially starting the search process.

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Attend "College Preview Days" or "Open House" Events and Information Nights - Generally held in the Fall (for seniors) and Spring (for Juniors), these events provide prospective students and parents the opportunity to obtain information and get answers to questions about institutions, their admissions process, financial aid, programs and much more. Preview Days and Open House Events are held at the individual campuses. Information Nights are generally held at a location (such as a Hotels, Public Libraries and Selected High School Campuses) and typically are given by Colleges and Universities located outside of our region or state. Many of the Information Nights are held in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

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View College Websites and Guidebooks - These resources provide a wealth of information about majors and programs offered, activites, campus life and often Virtual Campus Tours.

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Attend Presentations by visiting Admissions Representatives in the Sheldon Career Center - See Ms. McCabe in the Career Center for a calendar of which campuses will be visiting Sheldon. Presentations begin in late September and continue through early November.

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Schedule Campus Visits

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You've heard the old saying,"A picture is worth a thousand words." Well, a campus visit is worth a thousand brochures. Nothing beats walking around a campus to get a feel for it. Campus visits are a chance to see the campus and its dorms, libraries, and other facilities in person, talk to admissions officers, observe classes and talk to students, and much more. Visiting may even make you think of needs you didn't know you had.