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Finding The Right Fit Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Sequoyah High School. What Colleges Are Looking For. Factors for Admission. GPA/Course Selection/Class Rank Test Scores Activities & Leadership Essays/ Short Answer Letters of Recommendation Interest/ Contact Level Interviews Other.
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Finding The Right FitTuesday, August 31, 2010Sequoyah High School
Factors for Admission • GPA/Course Selection/Class Rank • Test Scores • Activities & Leadership • Essays/ Short Answer • Letters of Recommendation • Interest/ Contact Level • Interviews • Other
GPA/Course Selection/Class Rank School Profile Curriculum offerings Grade trends Meet requirements of individual college Use electives to demonstrate interests Institutional GPA calculation
Test Scores • SAT • www.collegeboard.com • Subject Tests– some require, others use for placement or course exemption/credit • ACT • www.act.org • Optional Writing Section
Activities and Leadership • Clubs and Organizations • Work & Volunteer Experiences • Summer Opportunities • Sports – School and Community • If applicable, utilize Special Circumstances Section • Depth of experience outweighs variety
Letters of Recommendation • How many letters needed? (only send req. amount)! • Junior or Senior year teacher usually better • Give writers plenty of time! • Provide writers with details (resume, deadlines, envelopes) • Send follow-up thank-you note to writers
Interest/Contact Level • Visit campus • Fill out contact cards at college fairs • Establish relationships with admission counselors, professors and current students • Create profile on admission websites and/or get yourself on the mailing list
Interviews • Arrive early • Be prepared/ Research the Institution • Formulate 5 unique questions • Dress appropriately/shake hands/eye contact • Note interviewer’s name & contact info • Send a thank you note/letter
Essays/ Short Answer • Choose unique topics that matter to you • Answer the question/stay on topic • Write articulately in space allotted • Revisit essay at least 2 times on different days • Don’t count on spell check – have a 2nd editor • Remember, it’s not only what you say, but also how you say it!
Other • Colleges may have specific goals that they are trying to accomplish • Alumni connections • Athletic recruits • Institute mission
Consider Your Major • Explore the school’s website • Talk to faculty, staff, students • Sit in on classes • Utilize college guides • Visit online search engines such as collegeboard.com or collegeview.com • Research job placement rates for that major
Evaluating the Size • Research • freshman year class size • student to faculty ratio • class size for your intended major • Question instructor accessibility • mandatory office hours • contact information for instructors • Explore specialized academic programs
Picking a Location • Determine the distance from home • Explore the surrounding towns and cities on-line • Make a list of pros and cons of a rural and urban setting • Visit the campus • Ask campus police for a list of incidents
Exploring Student Life • Research how easy it is to get involved • Examine Greek life opportunities • Inquire about specialty programs such as honors programs, student government, and community service • Explore cultural opportunities
The Freshman Experience • Ask to visit a typical freshman dorm • Research academic support programs • Explore the career center • Check out jobs on and off campus • Examine transportation options
Tiffany McLeanAssistant Director of Admissions Tiffany.mclean@admission.gatech.eduwww.gatech.edu/ADMISSIONS404.894.8639