Getting Ready for that College Stuff:

1
Getting Ready for that College Stuff

• How to prepare for and get accepted into college!

2
Key Points for Each Year in High School
Freshman and Sophomore Years-

• Focus on BALANCE!
• Good grades are wonderful, but activities and
  community service make you a more valuable asset
  to colleges.
• Also, remember to take all required classes for
  the college you are wanting to attend.
• Best advice, stay in close contact with your high
  school counselor.

3
Key Points for Each Year in High School

• Junior Year-
• Start the college process, take the PSAT and
  continue the balancing act.
• This is the most important academic year!

4
Key Points for Each Year in High School

• Senior Year-
• College prep as well as graduation plans can make
  this a stressful year. Try to keep things in
  focus.
• Make checklists and keep a separate College
  Calendar with important deadlines somewhere
  visible. This makes it harder for things to sneak
  up on you!

5
Extracurricular

• Athletics
• Music (Band, Choir)
• Drama
• Jobs
• Clubs (NHS, Student Government)
• Community Service (Summer programs offering aid
  or weekly bingo at the nursing home)

6
Extracurricular

• There are many options. Anything outside of
  school is by definition extracurricular, but
  lead in the school play looks a lot better than
  watched a CSI Miami marathon!

7
Community Involvement

• This is important, not only to look good on
  applications, but also as a source of glowing
  recommendations.
• Many clubs and organizations offer scholarships
  for outstanding members as well as the children
  of members

8
Scholarships

• Apply! Apply! Apply! There are many scholarships
  that go un-awarded each year because no one
  applied!!!

9
Scholarships

• Parents
• Many employers offer financial aid to the
  children of employees.
• If your parents went to college, their Alma mater
  might offer scholarships to the children of
  alumni.

10
Scholarships

• Minorities many scholarships are tailored for
  students of minorities (women, African American,
  Native American, etc).

11
Scholarships

• Financial Aid Fill out the FAFSA even if you
  think you will not qualify. Many scholarships
  require that you do.