Preparing for College

1. Preparing for College

2. GOALS Decide early on your student’s goals and your goals for your student: Academic goals: high school and college College goals: where, major, degree Career goals: be flexible Encourage your student to talk to teachers & counselors Talk to your student often about goals and progress toward reaching them

3. PORTFOLIO Start rounding up everything you’ve collected over the years! Papers Projects Awards Certificates A paper trail on your end will make filling out admission and scholarship applications much easier.

4. TAKING THE ACT Register online – note registration deadlines Preparation (don’t skip this important step!) www.act.org www.testprepreview.com Old ACT prep books available for check-out ACT Prep class offered each semester

5. ADMISSIONS Apply to several institutions Note early application deadlines Know what’s required with the application ACT writing test? Transcript Letters of recommendation Let Admissions Office answer your questions

6. FAFSA & SCHOLARSHIPS FAFSA Financial Aid Workshop at CHS on January 19 at 7 PM. Do it early Ask tax preparer for form Pull paperwork before starting and do a rough draft on paper Don’t be afraid of it! SCHOLARSHIPS University academic scholarships Local scholarships Foundation scholarships Letters of recommendation Appropriate email address Let Financial Aid office answer your questions!

7. MAKING THE CHOICE Campus visits Never too early to start 12th grade = 2 days Take advantage of them – GO! ( group days vs. personal visit?) Know what you want to ask Websites Visit websites frequently Sign up for emails, newsletters, etc. Talk with your student often but try not to pressure!

8. THE CHOICE IS MADE Watch mail carefully Acceptance letters Contracts Scholarships Work with financial aid… Register for and attend orientation Request transcripts for dual credit classes Send thank you notes for scholarships Check website Textbook reservation & purchase Dorm life and what to pack Parking permits The multitude of things you’ll need to do!

9. SURPRISE! Some of the things you didn’t expect Mandatory fees Course fees Bookstore expenses Parking tickets Money goes through them like a sieve! Never put your checkbook or bank card too far away!

10. MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT Dorm life and the roommate Be flexible Be tolerant Be open-minded Be looking for a new roommate if necessary! Time Management Time between classes is NOT naptime! Prioritize – school first, then fun You can’t afford to waste a single minute – you never know when something is going to come up! Work Ethic Be committed to your studies 3 hours out of class for every hour in class Be prepared to work hard – harder than you worked in high school

11. AND REMEMBER… They’ll make mistakes, but it’s okay. They’ll learn from them. They’re finding out who they want to be – help them on their journey! This is the moment you’ve raised them for – trust that they’ll do the right thing!