Planning the College Visit

1. Planning the College Visit Experiential Education Colorado College Tour Parent-Led College Visits 2012 ByPresenterMedia.com

2. EX. ED. MEETING: COLLEGE TOURS ----------------------- I. “Planning College Visits" Slideshow II. Short Break III. Meet in Mezzanine after Break; Set Up Computers IV. A. Parent-Led: Complete the College Planning "Template" and Begin Logistics Planning for Trips B. Colorado College Tour: Colorado College Knowledge V. Short Break; Return to Mezzanine After Break VI. Complete the Qualities that Will Make a College Right for You" survey VII. Short Break VIII. Discuss "Evaluating a College" Sheets and Requirements for Ex. Ed. Credits. IX. A. Parent-Led: Continue Working on Logistics for Trips B. Colorado College Tour: Investigate Activities in Boulder and Denver; Drug/Alcohol Policy; Scholarships X. Questions and Wrap Up

3. Why Visit Colleges? ------- Colleges and universities are a lot like students in that they can be, in some sense, defined by numbers. But there are characteristics of spirit and personality and texture that you can’t judge by sterile measures. You’ve got to go visit. Figure out a way to do it.” Jon Boeckenstedt, associate vice president for enrollment, DePaul University

4. College Visit Tips _ • Visit colleges in which you are most interested and those where you are likely to be admitted. Create a College Visit List that includes a balance of “probable,” “likely,” and “reach” schools. • Try to visit when schools are in session. • Check the website of each college you plan to visit for tours, information sessions, interview availability, etc. • If you plan to play a varsity sport, try to arrange a visit with the coach. • Don’t schedule more than two college visits on any one day. • Print out directions for each destination, and down- load campus maps from the colleges’ websites.

5. The Art of the College Visit (How to Take it All In) “Every college visit should have at least two dimensions, formal and informal,” notes Janet Schneider, director of college counseling at the University School of Nashville (TN). To cover both dimensions, begin your planning with the following checklist. To make sure you’re able to see everything you’d like to, don't forget to call or go online to the college ahead of time and schedule your visit! Formal Dimensions • Take a campus tour • Participate in group information session at the admission office • Sit in on a class (or two!) • Talk to a professor (or two) in your chosen major(s) • Talk to a coach in your chosen sport • Talk to a student or counselor in the career center • Spend the night in the dorm with a current student

6. Things to Do on a Campus Visit Informal Dimensions Read the student newspaper, even the ads Try to find other student publications—department newsletters, 'alternative' newspapers, literary reviews Eat in the cafeteria Ask a student why he/she chose this college, and what their favorite part about it is Wander around the campus by yourself Search for your favorite book in the library Read the bulletin boards in the student union and in the academic department you're interested in Ask a student what he/she dislikes about the college Browse in the college bookstore

7. More Things to Do on a Campus Visit Eavesdrop on students to hear what they’re talking, or complaining about Surf the Net in the student computer center Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus to explore the surrounding area Find out if there is public transportation or if you can have your vehicle on campus Ask a student what he/she does on weekends Ask career services about upcoming job opportunities Look into clubs and organizations on campus that interest you Listen to the college's radio station Try to see a dorm that you didn't see on the tour See if you can imagine yourself at this college

8. Planning can make your college visit a success Outline of Trips Effective Trips Require Good Planning outline of Colorado tour outline of parent-led tour • Region defined by Colorado • Two College Visits Per Day • Several Meals on Campus • Familiar with Route and Timing • Known College Reps • Group Planned Activities ** ** Student responsibility • Mapping of the Region and Possible College Visits Considered ** • Drive Times are Critical ** • Tours and Info Sessions Need to be Mapped and Arranged ** • Make Reservations Online or Call **

9. Colorado College Tour: Agenda for Days of Trip Monday Tuesday Fort Collins - Colorado State University Tour and Information Session Greeley - University of Northern Colorado Tour and Information Session Drive to Boulder for Overnight Boulder - CU Boulder Tour and Information Session Denver – University of Denver Tour and Information Session Stay at Hotel in Denver Denver - Johnson & Wales Tour and Information Session Denver - CU Denver & Metro State College, Campus Tours Overnight in Denver Regis College, Denver Tour and Information Session Colorado School of Mines, Tour and Info Session Home Colorado Springs - Colorado College Tour & Information Session CU - Colorado Springs, Tour and Information Session Overnight in Denver --------- Wed. Thursday Friday

10. Understanding the Colleges on Your Visits The College Planning Template will help you better understand the colleges you plan to visit. It will also help you organize your college search and application process. The college planning template enables you to determine where you are in the range that the college considers its “student body.” • GPA information from transcript • ACT/SAT: Any pre-tests or testing that might indicate if you are a high, medium, or challenged tester • Rigor of coursework now and in the future • Requirements of admission? (completed Level 3of a world language?)

11. College Planning Template Information This chart informs or contextualizes your college list The template is used to inform your college search and application process. L=Likely means that you are in the colleges range and that you have a credible chance to make a good application to that school. P=Probable and means that your numbers exceed the range (middle 50% of accepted applicants and that you probably will be admitted) R= Reach and this school’s Range is higher than your achieved numbers and it would be a reach for the college to admit you.

12. A College List Is a Result of Good Searching You can look “virtually” or at fairs or on actual campuses to discover the characteristics you want in your “college.” The Colorado Western Slope College Fair • Sunday, September 30, 2012 • 220 College Representatives • Applications come from identifying places that are a “Fit” & Match” for your interests and for what you want in a college. • E.g. school spirit, sports, labs, physics, etc.

13. Steven Antonoff's"Qualities that Will Make a College Right for You" Complete this survey to help you discover characteristics of colleges that may be good “fits” for you. Link: http://www.schoolbuff.com/qualities%20PRINT.pdf

14. Three College Thumbnails Collegeboard.com - a great resource for this data • Flagship State University of Colorado at Boulder • 3 campuses • 3.5 GPA • ACT Test range 25-27 • A Highly Selective Ivy League college and university. • 3.8+ GPA • ACT 30+ • SAT II _2 Required • A local college with 2 and 4 year programs • Many campuses • AA Degree and 4 year Degree in Business and Sustainable Studies

15. Aspen High School Profile Know the Story of your School: Know Where you Fit In Star Burst! Review the AHS School Profile Review your transcript Review test prep opportunities Review your pre-testing Review the IB course scale Determine how rigor in course selection is accounted for

16. The College Search Can Be Hard But Rewarding Work! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------