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GET SET FOR

© 2010 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved.

CollegeCollege

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PlanningcollegePlanningcollege

for

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Options after

high school Work Military Technical programs College

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Remember—decision making is a process, not an event.

Let’s focus on

college

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66simple steps

You can organize

the college planning process in

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Recognize your strengths and weaknesses

Analyze your interests and values Achieve a personal goal Increase your earning power Prepare for a career Participate in extracurricular

activities and social life Consider the influence of family

and friends11STEPSTEP

Know yourself and

your reasons for attending college

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Take responsibility

for your future

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High school courses ACT

recommends for all students

English Four years

Mathematics Four years (including Algebra I and above)

Science Three years (including Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Social Studies Three years

Arts One year

Other Foreign language, visual and performing arts, computer science, etc.

Average ACT Scores by Core Curriculum Completion Status,

2007–2011

For each year from 2007 to 2011, ACT Composite and subject scores were higher for students who took a core curriculum or more in high school than for students who did not.

On average, high school graduates who completed at least a core curriculum earned Composite test scores 2.2 to 3.1 points higher than the scores of students who did not take a core curriculum. Similar ranges of higher scores for core or more curriculum completers are noted for each subject test: English (2.5 to 3.5 points), Reading (2.2 to 3.0), Mathematics (2.3 to 3.0), and Science (2.0 to 2.7).

Took Core or More

Took Less Than Core

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ACT test preparationThe best preparation is a solid high school curriculum

Become familiar with the ACT® test content and format Review your PLAN® results to identify academic weaknesses Learn appropriate test-taking strategies Use ACT Online Prep™—ACT’s test preparation program Review The Real ACT Prep Guide—with CD—the official

test prep book Take ACT’s free practice test See your counselor for other test preparation materials Visit the ACT website at www.actstudent.org

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Remember

Test scores are only one factor used for college admissionand scholarship decisions.

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Every campus has a

personalityEvery campus has a

personality

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Majors and educational programs Type of school and degrees offered Admission policy Location and size Costs and financial aid College affiliation and accreditation Campus activities Support services

Consider college

characteristics

22STEPSTEP

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List, compare, and

visit colleges Compile information from several resources:

– Internet/Websites

– College catalogs, viewbooks, videos, and computer-based services (DISCOVER®)

– College representatives and college fairs

– Counselors and teachers

– Parents, students, and alumni

– Directories and ACT score report33STEPSTEP

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Prepare a college comparison checklist

Weigh advantages and disadvantages

Contact the office of admission

Schedule appointments for your campus visits

Plan your visit

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Meet with an admission counselor Verify admission requirements Determine actual college costs Ask about financial aid opportunities Take a campus tour Investigate your academic program(s) Attend a class Talk with students and faculty

Checklist for a campus visit

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Discuss your

chances for success

Admission Graduation Placement

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Apply for admission

and meet all deadlines Narrow your choices

Review college admission test requirements (including the optional Writing Test)

Know application fees and deadlines

Submit application materials (paper/electronic)

– Application for admission

– High school transcript

– Recommendations

– Admission test results

Know scholarship requirements44STEPSTEP

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55STEPSTEP

Develop a plan to

pay for your education Determine college costs Investigate ALL possible resources

– Parents

– Savings

– Summer earnings

– Financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study

– Other sources Secure necessary forms and note deadlines Apply for financial aid as early as possible

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Don’t eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial assistance information!

Remember …

check with college officials for the most current costs.$$

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Estimated Expenses for a Year of CollegeBudget Item Average Annual Range

Tuition and fees $5,000 – 21,000*Room and board $5,000 – 8,000*Books and supplies $ 800 – 1,700*Transportation $ 400 – 1,500*Miscellaneous $1,200 – 2,700*(laundry, entertainment, and recreation)

Total $12,400 – 34,900**These figures represent average tuition and fee costs for Midwestern states. Some schools will be lower in costs, while other schools will have higher costs. These figures should be used as a guide only. Students should check with the institution(s) in which they are interested to determine more specific costs.

Budget Item 1st Choice 2nd Choice 3rd ChoiceName of College

—————— —————— ——————

Direct CostsTuition and fees —————— —————— ——————Room and board —————— —————— ——————

Indirect CostsBooks and supplies —————— —————— ——————Transportation —————— —————— ——————(including car expenses)

Miscellaneous —————— —————— ——————

Totals —————— —————— ——————

Costs at Your College Choices

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Show initiative and be assertive Talk with your parents and

counselor Select a college that meets

your needs and preferences Follow up with colleges to

which you have applied66STEPSTEP Review and

finalize your plans

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Important!Important!Keep your communication lines open.

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College

success factors

Test scores and high school grades are important. However, they measure ONLY PART of your POTENTIAL.

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Study habits Motivation Course selection Placement Interests Commitment

Additional success factors

Keep in mind . . . Making sound decisions will lead to satisfying and successful experiences.

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CollegeCollegeGET SET FOR