The Nitty GrittyAnd you are?

The GoodThe BadThe Ugly

Let the buyerbeware When I

grow upI want tobe…..

GraduationNow what?

Let the buyer beware

Why do people continue education after high school?

• Achievement of a personal goal• Career preparation• Learning opportunities• Influence of family & friends• Involvement in extracurricular activities• To become more independent• Opportunity

When I grow upI want tobe…..

Your education is just beginning after high school

• Everyone will be involved in some form of learning after high school

• Further training is essential in an ever increasing technical world

• Life long learning

When I grow upI want tobe…..

What are you options after graduation?

• Vocational training• Apprenticeships• Military• Work• 2 year college• 4 year college

GraduationNow what?

What are good reasons to consider college?

• To find more about a particular area of interest

• To become more independent• To get a better paying job• Opportunity• Career preparation/Earn a degree

GraduationNow what?

What are bad reasons to go to college?

• To play sports• Everybody else is going to college• So I can party for the next four year

GraduationNow what?

Reasons not to count college out

• Too expensive• Nobody in my family ever went to college• I won’t be able to keep up academically• I can get a job without a college degree• There’s too much work involved in applying

GraduationNow what?

What criteria do you use to select a college?

• Major & educational programs• Location & Size• Academic reputation• Cost• Campus environment• Student activities• Social life

The GoodThe BadThe Ugly

Examples of poor selection criteria

• My friend & family went there and they liked it

• Great sports teams• I hear the parties are awesome• I don’t know what else to do, so I’ll

go to college

The GoodThe BadThe Ugly

Myths about college

• You have to be a genius to get into college– False, It is a buyers market out there, there is a college

for everyone• Most student are rejected from the college of their choice– Fals,e Over 92% of students go to their first or second

choice of colleges• My test scores are too low– Test scores are not the only criteria that colleges

examine when considering your application

The GoodThe BadThe Ugly

Myths about college

• I can’t afford to go to college– False, College is expensive and does require a substantial

commitment but…….• Financial Aid Scholarships Grants

• Colleges will protect, control, and properly guide my student– False, Colleges will offer many services to assist you in reaching

your goals but it is up to you to take the initiative to seek help.• Once I’m in college everything will be O.K.

– False, Over 50% of the college freshmen do not graduate from the college where they begin

The GoodThe BadThe Ugly

College is a possibility for everyone

The admissions interview

•Questions they will ask: Handout

•Questions you will ask: Handout

And you are?

• Quality of academic program you have taken - Have you challenged yourself?

• Commitment - How committed are you to succeeding in college?

• Career goal - Are you realistic, are you future minded?

And you are?What things admissions counselors

look for in students?

What things do admissions counselors look for in students

• Extracurricular activities - Are you involved?• Recommendations - What do people have

to say about you?• Volunteer experiences?• What have you done to separate yourself

from other students?

And you are?

Procedure on getting a campus visit

• Call the college admissions department • Schedule and interview and campus tour• Get unofficial transcripts from your counselor• Prepare and be prepared for lists of questions• Wear appropriate clothing• If you can not make the appointment call the

admissions office

Let the buyerbeware

Things to do during a campus visit

• Campus tour• Talk to students and faculty• Meet an admissions counselor - interview• Verify requirements and deadlines• Meet with a financial aid counselor• Ask about sitting in on a class• Talk about career success….job placement• Meet faculty in your academic area

Let the buyerbeware

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

•College Comparison Checklist

Let the buyerbeware

Questions to ask yourself after the visit

• Were the people friendly and did they answer your questions?

• Did you feel the students were people you would be comfortable with?

• Did you like the social atmosphere?• What do you think about the quality of the

instruction?• What do you feel about the academic demands?

Let the buyerbeware

Things you need know about college

• Time management• Supervisions & discipline• Safety• Career focus & employment• Athletics

The Nitty Gritty

The habits you establish in high school will follow you….

Where can I get information on careers and colleges?

• Counselors• Internet sites• Career Room– College catalogs– College representatives– College guide books

• Parents, students, alumni

The Nitty Gritty

The most important factor in college planning…

• Know Yourself– Recognize your strengths and weaknesses– Analyze your interests– Identify your values– Learn about you alternatives– Consider all colleges of interests, regardless

of cost

The Nitty Gritty

Take responsibility for you future