Planning for College Workshop

1. Planning for College Workshop Presented by the Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Updated Spring 2011

2. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY!

3. Get started EARLY!! • What will you do when you graduate? • Begin gathering information on schools that offer your program of interest • Remember, there are over 50 college choices in Kansas!

4. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY! Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS

5. Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS • What are your skills and talents? • What classes have you enjoyed the most during your high school career? • Would you like to • work with people, • things or ideas?

6. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY! Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS Know what factors to consider

7. Know what factors to consider... • Characteristics • Location • Public and Private colleges • 2 year and 4 year colleges • Size • Campus Life • Commuter or Residential • Activities, clubs, organizations, sports, etc. • Cost • Tuition, Room and Board, Fees, Books, Spending Cash

8. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY! Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS Know what factors to consider Know your choices... in Kansas!

9. Know your choices... in Kansas! • Technical School • 2 year Public College • 2 year Private College • 4 year State University • 4 year Public College and University • 4 year Private College and University • Municipal University

10. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY! Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS Know what factors to consider Know your choices... in Kansas! Utilize your resources!

11. Utilize your resources! • High School Guidance Counselor • Reliable Internet Sources • Individual School Website • KACRAO Website : www.kacrao.org • College Board: www.collegeboard.org • College Admissions Counselors

12. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY! Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS Know what factors to consider Know your choices... in Kansas! Utilize your resources! Attend a College Planning Conference

13. Attend a College Planning Conference • Put the date on your calendar! • Check with your counselor for dates • Decide which schools you want to visit with at the CPC and stop by their tables • Write down your questions in advance so you can ask them of each representative you visit with • Complete the contact cards! • Easiest way to get your information to the schools of your choice • If time allows, visit with other schools • You never know what’s out there if you don’t explore! • When you get home, read the brochures!

14. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY! Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS Know what factors to consider Know your choices... in Kansas! Utilize your resources! Attend a College Planning Conference Visit Campus

15. Visit Campus • Set up an appointment with the Admissions Office in advance • Visit when school is IN SESSION! • Avoid Holidays, Breaks and Summer • Be on time • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes • Check your schedule for the day • Are you meeting with faculty, financial aid, going on a campus tour? • Notify the school if you wont be able to attend your scheduled visit

16. Steps to making your best college choice Get started EARLY! Identify your ABILITIES and INTERESTS Know what factors to consider Know your choices... in Kansas! Utilize your resources! Attend a College Planning Conference Visit Campus

17. Steps to making your dream a reality... Do your research!

18. Do your research! • What are the requirements for admission? • View the school website for details • Contact the Admissions Office • What is the application deadline? • Some schools will have deadlines, others will not • How selective is the school? • Apply to your top 3-5 choices • It is better to be prepared for each school in the event you decide to attend rather than playing “catch up” at a single school once your decision is made.

19. Steps to making your dream a reality Do your research! Start the Admission Process

20. Start the Admission Process • Complete an application for admission • Paper Application • Online Application (some schools only offer this) • Pay the application fee • Fees will range from $0 - $50 • Submit your information!! • ACT Scores • High School Transcript and Senior Class Schedule • College Transcripts • Be aware of any other documents you need to send • Letters of Recommendation, Interviews or Essays • Create a professional e-mail and CHECK IT! • Use for applying online, contacting schools, and scholarships

21. Start the Admission Process • Keep in mind: • Use Social Media…WISELY! • Review your privacy settings and make changes if needed • Review your photos and remove any albums or tagged photos that are not appropriate • Do not post blogs, notes, or make derogatory wall comments about colleges especially if you choose not to limit your privacy. • www.youropenbook.org

22. Steps to making your dream a reality Do your research! Start the Admissions Process I’ve been accepted…now what?

23. I’ve been accepted...now what? • CELEBRATE! • Make housing arrangements • Learn your school’s requirements • On campus vs. Off campus • Complete the FAFSA form • www.fafsa.gov • Enroll in classes • Many schools have orientation programs • Take care of all deposits • Notify other schools of your decision • Don’t feel bad for deciding that another school is a better fit for you personally.

24. Steps to making your dream a reality Do your research! Start the Admissions Process I’ve been accepted...now what? Know the cost of your education

25. Know the cost of your education • Tuition and Fees • Room and Board • Books • Travel Expenses • Personal Expenses

26. Steps to making your dream a reality Do your research! Start the Admissions Process I’ve been accepted...now what? Know the cost of your education Can I afford it?

27. Can I afford it? • Don’t rule out a school based on their cost of attendance alone • Consider this: • Financial Aid amounts are based on the cost of attendance for each individual school • Scholarships and Grants could be available!

28. Steps to making your dream a reality Do your research! Start the Admissions Process I’ve been accepted...now what? Know the cost of your education Can I afford it? Get online!

29. Get online! • Visiting Financial Aid and Scholarship websites can help you pay for your education! • Consider checking out the following sites: • Free Application for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.gov • Eligible to apply in January of your Senior Year • Gather all the necessary information to complete the form • Remember… it’s first come, first served so don’t delay! • Scholarship Websites • Online Database of scholarships…just waiting for YOU! • www.fastweb.com • www.scholarships.com

30. Steps to making your dream a reality Do your research! Start the Admissions Process I’ve been accepted...now what? Know the cost of your education Can I afford it? Get online! Remember...it’s YOUR future!

31. Remember...it’s YOUR future! • Be sure to avoid: • Deciding not to apply to a school because you think you won’t be accepted • Procrastination • Letting others make the choice for you

32. Steps to making your dream a reality Do your research! Start the Admissions Process I’ve been accepted...now what? Know the cost of your education Can I afford it? Get online! Remember...it’s YOUR future!

33. Time for a review! • Get started EARLY! • RESEARCH your options • Attend COLLEGE PLANNING CONFERENCES • VISIT the colleges you’re considering • APPLY for admission • Check into FINANCIAL AID • Make HOUSING arrangements • ENROLL in classes