Academics

2. Admissions Requirements/Process- High school course requirements, standardized test(s) required, recommendations, essays, personal interview, required forms, application fee, application deadline, type of admission-rolling or early decision and notification date.

3. Admissions Selectivity- What are your chances of being admitted? Percent of applicants who are accepted. Percent of acceptances who eventually enrolled.

4. Affiliation- Ant religion or state government with which the school is affiliated.

5. Athletics- NCAA or NAIA Division, availability of intercollegiate sports programs for men and women.

6. Campus Employment- Availability of student jobs, typical rate of pay, number of hours typically worked, most common type of student job.

7. Campus Environment- Size of campus, convenience, atmosphere, friendliness and “fit and feel.”

8. Campus Safety- Methods of safety enforcement, previous campus safety history record.

9. Class Size- Average, largest, typical size for freshmen year classes.

10. Computer Access- Availability and hours for computer labs, computer connectivity to internet residence hall rooms.

11. Control- Private or public (religious affiliation)

12. Cost of Attendance- In-state tuition, out-of-state tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, total fixed costs, total estimated cost budget for one year, considering actual cost after financial aid.

13. Credit by Examination- CLEP and AP credit acceptance policies.

14. Employment Success of Graduates- Employment statistics of former graduates.

15. Enrollment Profile- Male/Female ratio, resident/non-resident mix, minority/non-minority ration, # of international students, full-time/part-time students, etc.

16. Faculty- Academic qualifications, faculty/student ratio, percent of faculty holding doctorate degree (Ph.D. or higher in their primary field of instruction), use of teaching assistants, accessibility of professors outside the classroom.

17. Financial Aid- Types of program availability, application process, application deadlines, the percentage of students who have received scholarships need-based aid, loans or student employment. Total percentage of students receiving aid.

18. Fraternities/Sororities- Availability, popularity, percentage of students who are members.

19. General Education Requirements- Options, choices, basic requirements for all students regardless of their major.

20. Graduation Rate- The percentage of students who graduate from a 4 year program in four, five, or six years.

21. Honors Programs- Content, entrance requirements, etc. 22. Internship Programs- Availability, types, popularity.

23. Location- State, region, urban, suburban or rural area, and/or distance from home.

24. On-Campus Housing-Required/optional, number of residence halls, types of halls (i.e. single sex, coed, apartment style, high rise, etc.)

25. Parking On-Campus- Policy for cars on campus-campus parking lots.

26. Payment Options- Monthly payment plans, deferral charges, use of credit cards, etc.

27. Placement Services- Types of services, records of past year(s) placement success.

28. Programs of Study- Availability, academic strengths and reputation; most popular academic majors.

29. Remedial/Developmental Courses- Availability, options, requirements, placement process, etc.

30. Retention Statistics- Percentage of freshmen who return as sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

31. Scholarships- Type, sizes, initial qualifications, renewal provisions, renewal qualifications, deadlines, forms required (application forms, letters of recommendation, etc.) selection notification process and time line.

32. Size of Enrollment- Total enrollment, undergraduate/graduate mix, day class/night class mix, part-time/full-time mix.

33. Student Activities/Extracurricular Opportunities- Clubs, organizations, intramural sports, special interest groups.

34. Student Exchange/Study Aoad Programs- Opportunities and procedures.

35. Student Life Convenience Features- Student Id computerization-use of student card for daily purchases, telephone toll calls, access to facilities/services, etc. 36. Student Services- Counseling, testing, tutoring, health services, physically handicapped, learning disabled, etc.

37. Type of Institution- Technical College, community college, four-year college/university private, public, or a research university.

38. Transferability of credits- Ease with which student can transfer earned credits to another institution; acceptance of credits by receiving institution.

39. World Wide Web Home Page- Vast amounts of information about any institution can be accessed by computer.

Planning for College

… College is a time for exploration, opportunities, planning. Planning is key; and those students who plan will do better than those that don’t. The world changes rapidly and in college you may learn about opportunities that you didn’t even know existed.
1. Learn to use your college career services that are available in the Counseling Office. The PGC also has information about career choices and skills development.

2. Think about what you might major in and what your minor might be.

3. Work on your interview and communication skills. The ability to write and speak well is important for all careers.

4. Be flexible and adapt.

5. Learn to network with all the new people you are meeting in your quest for the right school and future career.

6. Be active, clubs, activities and organizations can help with people skills and it will show employers that you have leadership ability and can work with a team.

7. Work experience is important.

8. Keep your computer skills. They will come in handy for the rest of your life.

9. Be kind to the environment you would like to work or study in.

10. Be realistic and preserve. The world doesn’t owe you anything. It is a competitive place out there and the better prepared you are the better you will have it.

All Students Applying to Colleges

It is the purpose of this information sheet to assist you in completing your college applications. Please read this carefully prior to filling in your application.

1. Decide upon the college or colleges to which you wish to apply. (A counselor conference is important.) Review the admission policies and standards for college.

2. Use the necessary resources (including the college’s view books and catalogues, The Colorado Collegiate Handbook, reference books, etc.) to find out important information including: The date the application is due, the test required (you don’t need to wait for results to apply) and if that schools offers the program or major you wish to purse.

3. Complete the application: answer each question accurately and completely, indicate a proposed major or major interest; be sure you and your parents have signed the application.

4. If there is any question about your chances of admission it is a good idea to consider one or two other colleges as alternates.

5. Check to make your teachers have turned in your recommendations, if needed, before you turn in your application.

6. Turn in your application to Andrew Tucker. Be sure the following items are turned in together: application, application fee-must be a check or money order made out to the college/university; letters of recommendation (if needed), personal statement/essay (if needed), and $2.00 to the Registrar for processing the application. Allow 4-5 days for processing.

7. In most cases, you should hear from the college in 4-6 weeks.

What Art Liberal Arts???

This question is often asked by students, and it can be confusing. Here is a list of Liberal Arts majors offered at Colorado State University:

American Studies
 French
 Philosophy
 
Anthropology
 German
 Political Science
 
Art
 History
 Public Relations
 
Art History
 International Studies
 Sociology
 
Creative Writing
 Liberal Arts
 Spanish
 
Criminal Justice
 Music
 Speech Communication
 
Dance
 Music Therapy
 Technical Journalism
 
Economics
 Performing Arts
 Theatre
 
English
  

ACT & SAT Tests:

Have you taken them? Are you going to take them? Did you know…
- Most four-year colleges/universities require you take one of them
– 99% so not care which one you take -The NCAA require you take one of them for freshmen eligibility status
- You can take it more than once and schools will accept your highest score
- There are classes you may take to help you improve your scores, information about these classes can be obtained from the Counseling Office Counseling or the Post Grad Center can help you register, study and send your scores to particular schools

SO-TAKE THE TEST!!!

ACT TEST DATES:
Website : www.actstudent.org Cost: $29.00 + $14.00 (essay) = $43.00

SAT TEST DATES: Website: www.collegeboard.com Cost: $41.50 (includes writing/essay)

Tips for Getting into an Ivy League School: Taken from presentation 9/19/01 by James Mondorf, Director of Recruitment, Yale University Essay

1. Do not choose a book to impress the reader unless you are very passionate about the book. 2. Do not let an adult give input into the creative process. Do let an adult (or several) proofread.
3. If you have to write two essays, write the first and then wait a week or two to write the second (admissions people see a lot of “stinky” second essays!)
4. Make sure that you have the correct school listed at the bottom of the essay!
5. Whatever the subject of your essay is… make sure it is you!

Recommendation

1. Make sure it is a teacher who knows you very well. (Rather than someone with an impressive title!)
2. If you are an athlete, don’t have your coach write a letter. The coach from the college will send a request for one to the admissions office if they really want you.

Interviews

1. Optional, but highly recommended

2. Basic information – look at the interviewer in the eye, SMILE, make eye contact

3. Usually they ask two questions:
a. Tell me about yourself. (Now is not the time to be humble, but do adjust for attitude)
b. So…why do you want to go to Yale? Do you have nay questions? Ask questions. Some good ones to ask are, “I hear you have a great _______ department. Can you tell me about it?” No questions mean that you have not done your research or that you do not care.

Colorado College Contact Information and Application Fees:  Fees may have changed. Check with the college.
College/University Contact Application Fee
Adams State www.adams.edu $ 20.00
Aims Community College www.aims.edu None
Arapahoe Community College www.arapahoe.edu None
Art Institute of Colorado www.aic.artinstitutes.edu $ 50.00
Colorado Christian University www.ccu.edu $ 30.00 online/ $ 50.00 paper
Colorado College www.coloradocollege.edu $ 50.00
Colorado Mountain College www.coloradomtn.edu None
Colorado Northwestern CC www.cncc.edu None
Colorado School of Mines www.mines.edu $ 45.00
Colorado State University www.colostate.edu $ 50.00
Colorado State University-Pueblo www.colostate-pueblo.edu $ 25.00
Colorado Technical University www.coloradotech.edu $ 50.00
Community College of Aurora www.ccAurora.edu None
Community College of Denver www.ccd.edu None
Fort Lewis College www.fortlewis.edu $ 30.00
Front Range Community College www.frontrange.edu None
Lamar Community College www.lamarcc.edu $ 10.40 registration fee
Mesa State College www.mesastate.edu $ 30.00
Metro State College-Denver www.mscd.edu $ 25.00
Morgan Community College www.MorganCC.edu None
Naropa University www.naropa.edu $ 50.00
Northeastern Junior College www.njc.edu None
Otero Junior College www.ojc.edu None
Pikes Pike Community College www.ppcc.edu None
Pueblo Community College www.pueblocc.edu None
Red Rocks Community College www.rrcc.edu None
Regis University www.regis.edu $ 40.00 RM
College of Art & Design www.rmcad.edu $ 50.00
Trinidad State Junior College www.trinidadstate.edu None
United States Air Force Academy www.academyadmission.com $ 350.00
University of Colorado-Boulder www.colorado.edu $ 50.00
University of Colorado-Denver www.cudenver.edu $50.00
Univ. of Colorado Health Sciences Center www.ucdhsc.edu $ 50.00
Univ. of Colorado-Colorado Springs www.uccs.edu $ 50.00
University of Denver www.du.edu $ 50.00
University of Northern Colorado www.unco.edu $ 40.00
Western State College www.western.edu $ 30.00

Meet with a counselor to help with plans –
BRING YOUR PARENTS!! Check in the PGC or with appropriate counselor about dates when college representatives are visiting our school. You should meet with them if you are interested in their school. Find out if you need a letter of recommendation for the college of your choice. Fill out the recommendation form (in the counseling office) and give it to those people who you would like to write a letter. If you don’t know if you need a letter, see an appropriate counselor. Be thinking about an essay topic. For many colleges and scholarships, you may need to write one. Fill your applications out soon. Many schools have deadlines that are coming up soon. Remember you need to bring all your applications to counseling office for processing. If you apply online, you will still need to have an official transcript from Mrs. Abbott.

Don’t Procrastinate – Get it done EARLY!!!

Many students and their parents hesitate to talk with college representatives because they feel they may have an obligation to that school as a result of a visit, or they feel uncomfortable not knowing what to ask a representative. You should remember that just as students are shopping for a college, representatives are also shopping. Signing up for more information or talking with a representative does not commit you to fill out an application or to attend that particular college. In fact, sometimes representatives will recommend a different school to a student, because the representative feels another college may better fit your needs.
Before talking with college representatives, students should know his/her grade point average (GPA), and test scores (ACT/SAT). This information can help a college representative give more accurate information regarding your admission status.

*** The following suggested questions may assist you in obtaining useful information from the college representatives that will make your visit much more meaningful:

Does the college have a preference as to the ACT or SAT? Do you need to take the essay portion of either test? If so, why?
Is an admission essay required? If so, how much emphasis is placed on it? What factors are emphasized in the admission process? For example, how important is GPA, test scores, recommendations, essays, etc.
Does the college give credit for AP/IB test scores? CLEP scores? If they do what score do you need to get in order to receive credit?
What is the academic profile of students currently attending the college?
Average GPA, test scores, and courses taken?
If you know what you wish to study, ask if it is offered at that school and how many students are currently pursing that major.
Does your particular major have any specific requirements for admission in addition to the usual requirements for admission to that college? I.e. specific high school courses, portfolios, auditions, or tests?
If you’re undecided about a major, ask what are the strongest/most popular majors at that college.
Check out the college costs. How much is tuition? Room and board? Books? Other costs?
Find out about financial aid. What percent of qualifying students receive aid? Do they offer scholarships? What kind, and what does it take to qualify and apply?
Is a housing spot guaranteed if you are accepted?
Do students eat in their dorms, or is there a central dining hall? What kind of meal plans do they offer, and what is the cost? How large is the school? What is the average freshmen class size? In general what is the average class size?
Are freshmen taught by professors or grad students?
Are advisors assigned to students? If so, are they in the same field or study as the student?
What percentage of freshmen return for the second year? What was the major reason that caused them not to return?
Are cars allowed on campus? If so, are there any parking restrictions? Fees?
What are the main social activities on campus? Do students tend to leave campus on the weekends? Sports, intercollegiate, club, intramural, etc?
What else is there to do around campus/town in your spare time?
After you have narrowed down your choices to several schools, try to visit as many of these schools as possible, walk the campus, and really get a sense of what each school is like. Talk to the financial aid staff, speak with an admissions representative again while you are at the campus, talk with current students: if possible, visit a class and stay overnight in a dorm. This way you will be able to make a better decision based on your experiences.
Do you see yourself on that campus for the next 4 years!!!