Planning Ahead for Your College Career Rich Quadrel, Ph.D. Sage College Prep Services October 19, 2016
Sage College Prep Services
Median Earnings of Full-Time Year-Round Workers Ages 25 and Older, by Education Level, 2008 Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009; Internal Revenue Service, 2008; Davis et al., 2009.
Unemployment Rates of Individuals Ages 25 and Older, by Education Level, 2009 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010c.
Obesity Among Adults Ages 25 and Older, by Age and Education Level, 2008 Sources: NCHS, 2008 National Health Interview Survey, calculations by the College Board.
School Readiness of Preschool Children Ages 3 –5, by Parents’ Highest Education Level, 2007 Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2007.
Voting Rates Among U.S. Citizens Ages 18 – 24, by Education Level, 2008 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008.
It will take some planning! When you graduate high school, you would like to have as many college options as possible
5 Elements of Your College Plan 1. Academics 2. Extracurricular activities 3. College search and selection process 4. College applications 5. Paying for college
Academics Choose your college prep curriculum Challenge yourself with a • 3-4 credits in each of English, Math, Social rigorous schedule – Studies, and Science strive for a high GPA • 2 years world language • Special requirements for your intended major (e.g., Physics or Calculus)? • Stay on track with your counselor
Sample 4-year Academic Plan • 4 years of math & science (note the progression) • 3 years of World Language • 2 or 3 AP classes (additional AP courses can be substituted if offered) • 24 credits
Academics Choose your college prep curriculum Challenge yourself with a • 3-4 credits in each of English, Math, Social rigorous schedule – Studies, Science strive for a high GPA • 2 years world language • Special requirements for your intended Maintain a high GPA major (e.g., Physics or Calculus)? • • Keep your curriculum on track – talk to Study hard; organize your time • your counselor Start a study group – network with other college-bound students • Ask for tutoring if needed Start strong in 9 th grade! Each year, your • GPA becomes more difficult to change Advanced Placement (AP) classes • Boost your GPA: An “A” in an AP class is worth 5.0, compared to a 4.0 • Take the AP test at the end of the term – scoring well can earn college credits!
What about Running Start? Running Start is a dual-enrollment program in Washington (and Hawaii) which allows high school juniors and seniors to attend college courses numbered 100 or above while completing high school. Pros Cons • • Reduces the time required to achieve Selective colleges may prefer AP a college degree classes over Running Start classes • • Saves a significant amount of money Running Start class credits are not transferable to all universities • Broadens the students’ horizons – but • they must be sufficiently mature to Students may miss some high school thrive in a college environment and college experiences • • Class schedule may be more flexible, Students need to find their own allowing for a part-time job or other transportation to CBC or WSU Tri- activities Cities
Extracurricular activities Quality over quantity • “Laundry lists do not impress” Who are you outside of the classroom? • Better to have 1-3 activities over a number of years than 10-12 activities for shorter periods of time Pursue your passion • Activities in which you have a genuine interest • Choose activities in which you can excel and demonstrate leadership • Start your own after-school club or organize a community service project • Organize a school event or competition • Start your own mini-business
What college admissions officers look for Quality of the activity Examples • Productive & Meaningful Have you made a difference? • Contributed to a worthwhile cause? • Learned something, or developed a new skill? • Reached a goal? • Leadership & Initiative Been founder or president? • Served as a captain of a team? • Progressed from regular member status to leadership status? • Changed the nature of the organization? • Outside recognition Received awards or honors? • Publication of work? • Letters of acknowledgement? • Other specific qualities Competent, high energy level, adventurous, curious, cooperative, sustained commitment, passion and focus Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz, Founder, www.adMISSIONPOSSIBLE.com
Extracurricular activities Quality over quantity • “Laundry lists do not impress” Who are you outside of the classroom? • Better to have 1-3 activities over a number of years than 10-12 activities for shorter periods of time Pursue your passion • Activities in which you have a genuine interest • Choose activities in which you can excel and demonstrate leadership • Start your own after-school club or organize a community service project • Organize a school event or competition Internships can be a differentiator • Start your own mini-business • Work closely with your high school’s Career Center to find opportunities Keep a journal of your activities
College search and selection Online Search Tools Remember: college is a means to an end. The idea is to choose a college that will launch you into a successful and fulfilling career CollegeView.com – Most comprehensive search criteria BigFuture.com – Best summary profiles WOIS.org – Excellent search engine, and includes career exploration and portfolio management tools (by subscription)
College profile report • Deadlines for admission, early decision, financial aid • % applicants admitted • Criteria used for admissions decisions • GPAs and SAT/ACT scores of incoming freshmen • Student-to-faculty ratio • % students who return for their sophomore year • Most popular majors
College search and selection Online Search Tools Remember: college is a means to an end. The idea is to choose a college that will launch you into a successful and fulfilling career CollegeView.com – Most comprehensive search criteria BigFuture.com – Best summary profiles WOIS.org – Excellent search engine, and includes career exploration and portfolio management tools (by subscription)
Talk to a college representative National College Fairs – Over 150 colleges from across the U.S. • Oct 21-22: Seattle – WA State Convention and Trade Center • Oct 23-24: Portland – Oregon Convention Center • Oct 25: Spokane – Spokane Convention Center Register at www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/students-parents
Make the most of your college visit • Schedule your visit while school is in session • Talk to students • Visit the admissions office. Collect information, pick up financial aid forms, sign up for their mailing list • Take the campus tour… • …but take your own tour too (especially the library, dining hall, and freshmen dorms) • Read the media (student newspaper, department newsletters). Check out the bulletin boards. • Be a student for a day (or night) • Save the best college for last • Keep a record of every visit • Don’t rush to judgment
College applications Most students apply to 4-8 colleges, College Application • with a range of “safe” to “stretch” Know your application submission deadlines, and create a schedule schools • The Common App – used by nearly 700 colleges Standardized testing plan • Get recommendations early • Your extracurricular activities journal will come in handy now! Fall semester, Junior year (October) Your application essay can be a key Spring semester, Junior year (4x) differentiator Fall semester, Senior year (3x) • Generalization • Precision • Problem solving • Test of knowledge • Deeper Algebra • Broader Math • Reading – 13 min • Reading – 8½ min • No Science test • Science! • Slower pace (154 Q) • Faster pace (215 Q)
College application essays Common App essay prompts • Meaningful background, identity, interest, or talent • Experience of failure and what did you learn? • Time when you challenged a belief or idea • Problem that you’ve solved or would like to solve • Accomplishment that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood Overused essay topics to avoid • “The Big Game” or “The Big Orchestra Recital” • Pet Death • Religious Epiphanies • Trials and Tribulations of Travel • My Grandfather (or Grandmother) • Achieving World Peace Through Mutual Understanding
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