The Path to The Path to CollegeCollege

How to plan early for the How to plan early for the college application process.college application process.

Key ElementsKey Elements

Course selection---most competitive Course selection---most competitive curriculum the student can handle wellcurriculum the student can handle well

GradesGrades

Board ScoresBoard Scores SAT Reasoning TestsSAT Reasoning Tests SAT Subject TestsSAT Subject Tests ACT with WritingACT with Writing

Additional ElementsAdditional Elements

Extra Curricular ActivitiesExtra Curricular Activities

EssayEssay

Counselor Letter of Counselor Letter of RecommendationRecommendation

Teacher Letter of RecommendationTeacher Letter of Recommendation

GPA GameGPA Game

How do you define How do you define “college”?“college”?

Two yearTwo year Four yearFour year Military academiesMilitary academies Ivy League—only 8Ivy League—only 8 Historically BlackHistorically Black

UrbanUrban SuburbanSuburban RuralRural

CoedCoed WomenWomen

PublicPublic PrivatePrivate

Special CategoriesSpecial Categories The 4 most common The 4 most common SpecialSpecial

categories are:categories are: Recruited athlete (+30%)Recruited athlete (+30%) Underrepresented minority (where Underrepresented minority (where

not restricted by legislation) (+28%)not restricted by legislation) (+28%) Legacy (+20%)Legacy (+20%) Early applicant (+20%)Early applicant (+20%)

One that is growing in popularity:One that is growing in popularity: Disadvantaged, low income, first Disadvantaged, low income, first

generation collegegeneration college

Other Special CategoriesOther Special Categories

These tend to vary a great deal by These tend to vary a great deal by institution:institution: In-state, out-of-stateIn-state, out-of-state Demonstrated interestDemonstrated interest Special institutional need, e.g. Special institutional need, e.g.

female engineer, cello player, Latin female engineer, cello player, Latin scholarscholar

ConnectionsConnections Miscellaneous, e.g. geographic, Miscellaneous, e.g. geographic,

gender, (full pay)gender, (full pay)

Religious AffiliationReligious Affiliation

UndergraduateUndergraduate GraduateGraduate

College/UniversityCollege/University

Personal RatingsPersonal Ratings The personal rating assigned to an The personal rating assigned to an

applicant is based on a applicant is based on a combination of combination of attributes in different areasattributes in different areas. They typically . They typically include: include:

AchievementAchievement TalentTalent Leadership/positions of responsibilityLeadership/positions of responsibility How you are revealed in the applicationHow you are revealed in the application Service to othersService to others Overcoming obstaclesOvercoming obstacles Personal attributesPersonal attributes

Personal AttributesPersonal Attributes Personal attributesPersonal attributes primarily come primarily come

from school and teacher reports and from school and teacher reports and required interviews. The categories required interviews. The categories are:are:

Respect accorded by facultyRespect accorded by faculty Class participationClass participation Academic achievementAcademic achievement Intellectual promiseIntellectual promise Writing quality,Writing quality, CreativityCreativity Work habitsWork habits

Personal AttributesPersonal Attributes Work habitsWork habits MaturityMaturity MotivationMotivation LeadershipLeadership IntegrityIntegrity Reaction to setbacksReaction to setbacks Concern for othersConcern for others Self confidenceSelf confidence InitiativeInitiative independenceindependence

Financial AidFinancial Aid

FAFSA—Due FAFSA—Due after after January 1 of January 1 of senior yearsenior year

Profile—Begin process anytime in Profile—Begin process anytime in the fallthe fall

School aid formsSchool aid forms

The Path to CollegeThe Path to College

An easy road to follow. An easy road to follow.

Relax and enjoy the excitement of Relax and enjoy the excitement of the process.the process.