ASSESSING YOUR LIST OF COLLEGES

As= you develop a list (mental or otherwise) of colleges that interest you, be sure= you can answer these questions about them:

The basics:=

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Wh= ere is the college? Can you locate i= t on a map? Is it too close to home?= Is it too far? Is it too cold or too hot there?

Ha= ve you take the course work the college requires for admission?<= /p>

Wh= at size is the college? How many stud= ents are undergraduates?

Wh= at is the college’s selectivity ratio (what proportion = of applicants were admitted last year)?

Do= es the college offer majors that interest you?

Is= the college coed or single sex?

Wh= at percentage of students live off campus?

Ho= w many of the students graduate in four years?&nb= sp; Five years? Six years?=

Ho= w many first-year students return for their sophomore year?

Ho= w much does the program cost? What i= s the total per-year expense?

Wh= at type of financial aid is available?

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Where would you fit in?<= /o:p>

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Wh= at are the college scores for the ACT or SAT?&nbs= p; Where does that place you?

Wh= at was the high school GPAs of most of the freshmen last year?

Are freshmen guaranteed on-campus housing?&nbs= p; If not, where do they live?

Ar= e there extracurricular activities that interest you?

Visit the colleges’ Web= sites, read the guidebooks, and look at their literature.

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Wh= at are their strong academic programs? (Ask a college representative, students, graduates, etc.)=

Wh= at courses are required for graduation?

Ar= e the courses you need/want available each semester? At Convenient = times?

Ar= e there special programs that interest you (Study abroad, internships, etc.)?<= /o:p>

Wh= at is the social life like? What percentage of students join fraternities or sororities= ?

Do= the pictures and the language the college used to describe itself attract you?<= o:p>

Wh= at is your general impression of the college?

Is= the school accredited?

If professional certification is required for employment in the field that interests you, how many students enrolled in the school’s program pass the certification exam?

Admissions process:

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Wh= en are applications due?

Do= es the College accept the Common Application?&nbs= p; If so, does it require supplemental forms?

Wh= at does the application contain? Are = essay required?

Is= an interview suggested or required? Is an interview available from staff or alumni?

Wh= en may you visit the college? What i= s the policy regarding campus visits?

Wh= at are the financial aid deadlines? = What financial aid forms are required?

Now answer these questions:

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Am= I a strong candidate for admission to this college?

If= I am not a strong candidate, what are my chances?

Do= I want to visit his college?

Wh= at additional information do I need?