Introduction | III |
PART I: A Plan of Action | |
Chapter 1 A Journey Begins | 3 |
College Application Process | 4 |
Questionnaires: Student and Parent | 4 |
What Does It Say? | 6 |
Chapter 2 How Does College Work? | 11 |
College Semesters and Schedules | 11 |
Associate’s Degree | 15 |
Community Colleges | 16 |
Majors and Minors | 17 |
Bachelor’s Degree | 18 |
A Little of Both | 20 |
Study Abroad | 21 |
Cooperative Experience | 22 |
Graduate School | 22 |
Go Forward with a Plan | 25 |
Part II: GPS Your Trip | |
Chapter 3 Lets Get Ready | 29 |
Assessments | 29 |
The Process | 32 |
Stay Organized | 36 |
Chapter 4 Your Guidance Counselor and Department | 41 |
Naviance | 45 |
Colleges Tab | 45 |
Careers Tab | 46 |
About Me Tab | 47 |
Other Resources | 51 |
Chapter 5 Majors and Reputations | 53 |
Visualization Exercise: Career Research | 54 |
Book of Majors | 55 |
Putting It All Together | 56 |
Reputations Matter | 59 |
Rankings | 60 |
Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges | 60 |
U.S. News & World Report | 61 |
Bloomberg’s Businessweek | 61 |
Local Industry Professionals | 62 |
Declaring Your Major | 62 |
List of Schools | 63 |
Part III: Components of the College Application | |
Chapter 6 The Big Three: Academic Index | 69 |
Course Selection and Vigor | 69 |
Grade-Point Average and Rank | 71 |
College Admissions Tests | 72 |
SAT versus ACT: What Is the Difference? | 72 |
Should You Take the SAT or ACT? | 73 |
Test Registration | 77 |
SAT Subject Tests | 77 |
Chapter 7 And Three More | 79 |
Extracurricular Activity Sheet/Resume | 79 |
Letters of Recommendation | 90 |
College Essays | 95 |
Other Items to Include | 96 |
Part IV: Schools and Applications | |
Chapter 8 Do You Have What It Takes? | 99 |
College Websites | 103 |
How Many Schools? | 104 |
Getting Feedback | 105 |
Attitude Is Everything | 105 |
Final List | 106 |
Home or Away | 106 |
Size of School | 106 |
Campus Setting and Location | 107 |
Cost of Attendance | 108 |
For Athletes | 108 |
Compiling the Final List | 108 |
Chapter 9 Online Applications | 111 |
Access and Email | 111 |
Public Education Systems | 112 |
The Application | 114 |
Additional Materials | 115 |
Portfolios | 115 |
Performance/Sports Videos | 116 |
Admissions Office | 116 |
The Common App | 117 |
Individual Schools | 118 |
Immediate Decision Days | 119 |
U.S. Military Academies | 120 |
Early Decision versus Early Action—Big Difference | 121 |
Regular Decision versus Rolling Decision | 122 |
Application-Tracking | 122 |
Part V: Costs and Cash | |
Chapter 10 Tuition and More | 131 |
Total Cost of Attendance | 131 |
Net Price Calculator | 135 |
Your Cash | 136 |
Budgeting | 140 |
Chapter 11 Financial Aid | 141 |
Grants and Scholarships | 141 |
Local Opportunities | 142 |
Scholarship Databases | 143 |
Real Opportunities | 145 |
Loans and Work-Study Programs | 1 |
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) | |
Pep Talk | |
Part VI: Theirs and Yours | |
Chapter 12 Their Decisions | 157 |
Campus Safety | 158 |
Retention and Graduation Rates | 161 |
Campus Visit | 162 |
Junior Year | 162 |
Summer | 162 |
Senior Year | 163 |
Chapter 13 Your Decision | 167 |
Financial-Aid Award Letters | 168 |
Rank Them | 171 |
Final Date of Decision: Universal May 1st Deadline | 173 |
Part VII: Success on Campus | |
Chapter 14 Topics to Anticipate | 179 |
Orientation | 179 |
Time Management | 183 |
Roommates and Living Arrangements | 188 |
What to Bring to College | 189 |
Greek Life | 192 |
Chapter 15 Topics to Contemplate | 195 |
Senioritis | 195 |
Learning Styles | 196 |
Binge Drinking | 197 |
Date Rape | 199 |
Drug Use | 200 |
Hazing | 200 |
Health and Wellness | 200 |
Academic Integrity | 201 |
Part VIII: How It Plays Out | |
Chapter 16 This Is Awesome! | 205 |
For Students | 205 |
For Parents | 206 |