College Admissions 101 Topics College Admissions Process Covered - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

College Admissions 101

Topics Covered Today

College Admissions Process Scholarships & Financial Aid Decision and Next Steps

The College Admissions Process

Step 1: The College Search

 Research Schools

 Visit school websites, social media, college fairs and presentations, visiting colleges  Consider:

 Location  Public vs. Private  Financial Aid vs. Cost  Average class size  Resources in reaching your career

 Research Majors and Career interests

 Consider your strengths and what you enjoy  Bigfuture.college board.org

Step 2: Applying to College

Types of Application Deadlines

 Early Decision  Early Action  Priority Deadline  Rolling Admission  Application Requirements

 Application – Common App, university website, Apply Texas, The Coalition App  Application fee (Fee waivers)  SAT or ACT scores  Official transcripts (HS, dual credit)  Letters of recommendation (if required)  Essay (if required)  Resume  Some majors may require additional steps (i.e. auditions, portfolios)

Step 3:

Admission

What is considered?

 Assured or Automatic Admission  Holistic Review

What is the timeframe?

 When should you expect to hear back?  Rolling admission or Review?

Financial Aid

Scholarships, Grants, and Loans

Step 4: Applying for Aid

Scholarships

University Scholarships Community and Local Scholarships Outside resources:

 Fastweb.com, scholarships.com, collegegreenlight.com, chegg.com, Scholly App, Communities of Texas Foundation

Step 4: Applying for Aid

 Need Based Financial Aid  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  FAFSA.gov  Opens October 1  Priority deadlines vary by university  Grants, Work Study, Loans  FAFSA is used to determine eligibility  Expected Family Contribution (EFC) & Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) are the biggest factors  CSS Profile  Not required by all institutions  Provided by the CollegeBoard

Your Decision & Next Steps

Step 5: Make Your College Decision

 Review and Compare Financial Aid Packages

 Ask questions. Call the school/admission counselors directly

 Make your decision

 Make sure you are aware of decision deadlines  Don’t forget to celebrate!

 Inform institution of decision to attend

 Inform other institutions of decision to attend elsewhere

 Next Steps

 New Student program, housing, accept financial aid package

Remember-College is What You Make of It!

Life and college is a journey, not a race!