| 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 |
