TOOLKIT

PLANNING
FOR COLLEGE

Advice to begin the process

Every student’s college search is  Unique - no
magic formula.

●	Some students manage the whole process on their own.
●	Others are guided/nudged/prompted often by family members.
●	Other students are somewhere in the middle.

Yes, going to college is a big deal, and deciding
which one to attend is a major decision….BUT
the most important step is to consider options
carefully and conduct all of the research needed
to make a well-informed decision that fits YOU
best.
●	You Have Time
●	You Have Resources
●	You Have Options

The Big 3 Questions typically asked:
●	Does the college have my intended major
●	Can I get in?
●	Can I Afford it?

You are going to have to Dig Deeper!

...because majors change, you may have unique skills to offer & some colleges have more financial aid/scholarships

1.	Location, Location, Location….
--Big city or small town, close to home or a plane ride away...Environment plays a large role in the vibe of the institution.

--Students should think about what they like/don’t like about where they live and places they have visited. Also keep in mind hobbies & educational interests & which campuses would support them.

2. Make your search about you…

●	Learning style and personality are important factors to consider as you begin researching colleges.
●	Do some self-evaluation (How do you learn best? What’s your style?)
●	The school needs to fit you, not the other way around.

3. Mining for More--College “Fit”

What is “Fit”?
●	It’s how the college makes a student feel.
●	Is it welcoming?
●	Does it feel like the “right size”?

●	Do you feel like you can grow & excel in this environment?

Best way to determine fit is to VISIT CAMPUS!

Making the Most  of College Visits

●	Check Out college visit options at each school -
determine what makes sense for an initial visit &
potential future visits.
●	Schedule a visit through the admissions office.
●	Take Notes & photos while on campus
●	Connect w/staff member (admissions advisor,
professors, etc)
●	Leave Time: Sit in on a class, visit library, student
union, eat in the cafeteria etc.
●	Stay Engaged: Follow-up email, mailing list,
social media, website.

College Fair  Pros and  Cons

Navigating a college fair... (Tues. 3/6 @ UT from
6:30-8:00 pm in the student union auditorium) (so that it’s not a total bust!)
●	Chart A Path: Pick a start point and an end point
that will allow you to see as many tables as possible,
stopping at the ones on your list or that catch your
eye.
●	Be Open: check out some schools that might not be
on your radar.
●	Take Advantage: The school reps are there to
answer questions...so ask away!

College Fair  Pros and  Cons  Cont.

●	Sort It Later: Don’t try to digest everything
during the fair or even that same day. Go
through a little bit each day, saving what
intrigues you.
●	Sign Up: Fill out those info cards to get on
mailing lists -- this allows colleges that you’re
interested in ways to reach you with more info.
●	HINT: UT’s College Fair is March 6th,
6:30pm-8pm!

Here are a few to consider…
Even though your path may be individual you are
NOT on an island….there are people to HELP!

●	Regional Counselor/Admission Reps
●	Financial Aid Advisors
●	High School Counselor/Office
●	Friends/Neighbors
●	Online College Guides and Resources
●	Northview College Prep Pathway

● Plan your high school courses wisely.

● Increase your academic independence.

● Senior Year – no time to slump!

Check specific programs for
additional requirements

●	It is your responsibility to make sure you take all of
the necessary high school courses for a particular
program at a college/university.

● 	Sometimes there are different/additional requirements for acceptance outside of Northview’s graduation requirements.

● 	If you are concerned about this, we encourage a phone call to the admissions office of the college you are interested in.

College Entrance Tests:
ACT/SAT

●	Become familiar with ACT/SAT test content and format.
●	Practice tests/questions:
○ www.ohiomeansjobs.com (ACT)
○  www.khanacademy.com (SAT)
●	Visit the official websites for additional information and to sign up:
○  www.actstudent.org -ACT
○  www.collegeboard.com 	-SAT
** All Juniors will take the ACT in March

Test  Dates and  Deadlines

Test Dates/Registration Deadlines:
ACT
Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration
February 10, 2018	January 13, 2018	January 13–19, 2018

April 14, 2018	March 9, 2018	March 10–23, 2018

June 9, 2017	May 4, 2018	May 5–18, 2018

*SEE www.act.org for specific details & to register!

SAT
Test Date:	Registration Deadline	Late Registration
March 10, 2018	Feb. 9, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018

May 5, 2018	April 6, 2018	April 25, 2018

June 2, 2018	May 3, 2018	May 23, 2018

*SEE  www.collegeboard.org  for specific details & to register!

What Else?

Organize:
●	Begin drafting college essays in the summer (The common app prompts have been set for next year)

●	Put together a list or “resume” of things you’ve done during high school.

●	Your counselors will offer Senior Interviews to discuss one-on-one your college plan.  Parents are welcome to attend this meeting.

College Information
Packet/Paperwork

◼	Juniors will be emailed a copy of important
college information paperwork to their
sylvania student account.

◼	Some of this packet is informational, some is “worksheet style” that you can use during your college search and application process

End Goal:
Applying to College

●	Have your colleges narrowed down to those that you want to apply to by application time (Beginning of Senior Year)

●	Go through materials & information and determine schools that “fit” you best

●	Number of schools students apply to varies, but the average is 5-8. (Some less, some more).

Northview Guidance
Counselors

◼	Crystal Burnworth	A-Fl	419-824-8711
cburnworth@sylvaniaschools.org

◼	Melanie Rogers	Fo-L	419-824-8709
mrogers@sylvaniaschools.org

◼	Kate Henk	M-Ro	419-824-8716
khenk@sylvaniaschools.org

◼	Stacie Wachowiak	Ru-Z	419-824-8714
swachowiak@sylvaniaschools.org

◼	Ann Kuebler(Secretary)	419-824-8715

◼	School Website:   www.sylvanianorthview.org