College Counseling—11th Grade
Friday, March 2, 2012
Welcome to the 11th grade college counseling message board!
UPCOMING COLLEGE FAIRS:
Sun. August 26th at noon in Schaumburg: Colleges That Change Lives Tour (see www.CTCL.org)
Sun. August 26th at 5:00 in Naperville: College That Change Lives Tour (see www.CTCL.org)
Sat. Sept. 29th 11:00 - 3:00 at Navy Pier: NACAC National College Fair (see www.nacacnet.org)
Sun. Oct. 14th 1:00 - 3:30 at ChiArts: NACAC Performing & Visual Arts College Fair (see www.nacacnet.org)
DEVELOPING YOUR LIST OF COLLEGES:
There are over 3,500 colleges in the U.S. alone, and so the process of developing a list of 6-8 schools may seem daunting! The most successful approach is one that involves self-reflection and open conversations. In the end, the goal is a balanced list of schools at which a student could be happy and academically successful. The goal is not only to get into a desired college, but to be able to thrive once there. A good guide is to apply to 2 or more "reach" schools, 2 or more "good fit" schools, and 2 or more "very likely & possible scholarship opportunity" schools. Some schools must always be considered a "reach" due to the large number of applicants and small percentage of students accepted. With other colleges, one student might consider the college a "very likely" possibility, while another student would consider the same school to be a "reach" school. Students will have one or more individual meetings with the college counselor in the spring, and parents are invited to be part of these discussions.
The following websites should be helpful is getting started:
- www.collegeboard.com (SAT information plus a college search tool)
- www.princetonreview.com (college rankings, including various subcategories, plus a college search tool)
- www.xap.com (college planning, career exploration, college search)
- www.collegedata.com (college search tool, plus "College Chances")
- www.commonapp.org (Common Application website)
- www.campustours.com (virtual college campus tours)
- www.ctcl.org (Consortium of 40 liberal arts colleges; the "Colleges That Change Lives")
SAT AND ACT TEST DATES:
SAT Test Dates (visit www.collegeboard.com)
ACT Test Dates (visit www.actstudent.org)
Downloads:
College Visit Request Form
Gap Year & Deferred Admission
Pros & Cons of Early Decision and Early Action
Scholarship Spreadsheet