Introduction
Approved for distribution to NDSCA 2019
Edited by Jared Bollom
Decision-Making Process 1
RU Ready 2
Letters of Recommendation 3
What Colleges are Looking For 4
Starting the College Search Process 5
College Terms 6-7
Types of Colleges 8
College Visits 9
Students with Disabilities 10
Student Athletes: NCAA 11-12
College Entrance Exams 13-14
Choice Ready 15
Military Information 16
The Scholarship Search and Application Process 17-18
ND Scholarship 19
The Student’s Role 20
The Parents and Counselor Role 21
The College Application Process 22
Financial Aid 23
The Career Center 24
Prepare to decide about your future by focusing on yourself, including your strengths, weaknesses, and your values.
Ask yourself…
What do I enjoy doing? What do I dislike? What’s important to me? What do I do well? What areas do I need to work on? What are my dreams for the future? What type of lifestyle do I want?
Explore the answers to these questions by journaling, discussing with others, using the RU Ready program and career assessment tools.
Important factors…
Review your high school transcript. Do you have the grades and the courses needed to get into the colleges or majors that you are interested in? Do you have the motivation and commitment to be successful in college or the career of your choice?
Who has to live with the choices…
You – Remember that you are in charge. You are responsible for the quality of your school work and the degree of effort you devote to the process. You are the one who is going to live out the plan.
Parents/Guardians – They are very important people in a student’s life. They can be a source of encouragement and have valuable information about the world of work. Their supportive listening and questions can be invaluable to you.
Counselor – He/She can assist you by providing information and help direct you to resources that can answer your questions.
Teachers – They can assist you with questions you may have, essay writing and give you letters of recommendations.
The Key is to communicate!
How to get into your RU Ready account: (Need help? Contact your Counselor)
Go to:
Username: Your student network login (nd, last name, first name, birth date)
Password:
For Example: Username: nd.smith.john.06222002
Password:
My Username is:
My Password is:
Start keeping track of your activities and volunteer hours NOW. Many colleges require students to submit letters of recommendations from teachers, coaches, and others as part of the college application process. Students are strongly encouraged to request letters of recommendations from teachers during May of their junior year. This will help students to meet college application deadlines.
The following survey is beneficial to gather information and prepare for this survey ahead of time.
Most colleges have clear expectations for admission. You will have to research the admission requirements for the specific schools of your interest. Generally, the following factors are considered in the admissions decisions.
Academic Record: Your entire high school career, not just your junior and senior years, will be evaluated. This includes the courses you have taken, the difficulty of the courses and your grades. To demonstrate your ability to succeed in college, you are encouraged to take the most challenging program you are capable of handling in high school, including your senior year. Colleges look for four years of Math, four years of Science, three years of Foreign Language, honors classes, and advanced placement classes.
Standardized Test Scores: Most colleges will require the ACT exam. This is viewed as a measure of one’s ability to do college level work. Some of the more competitive colleges may also require SAT.
Extracurricular Activities: Most colleges are interested in your school and community activities. Involvement in clubs, sports, music, church, volunteer work, scouts and internships will make you are stronger applicant. Colleges also look at leadership roles along with honors and awards you have earned in the extracurricular activities.
Letters of Recommendations: Letters of recommendation from adults who know you well, such as teachers, your counselor, coaches, club advisors, your employer and clergy can provide valuable insights about you. These letters may be required or recommended as part of the application process.
The Personal Essay: Use the college application essay to express yourself and stand out from others. The admissions staff wants information about you as an individual as well as your writing ability. It may be an open-ended prompt in which you may write almost anything, or you may respond to a specific question. Regardless, use this opportunity to market yourself and your assets as an applicant. Your English teacher and school counselors are resources for assistance with this part of the process.
The Interview:
Some colleges may require an interview. It may be evaluative or for information sharing. They may invite information regarding your background, interests, hobbies, goals and why you are applying to the college. It is also an opportunity for you to find out more about the college by asking questions, so go prepared with questions.
The college search process can be overwhelming and confusing. Begin this process by contemplating the following questions:
▪ How far away from home do I want to go?
▪ If I am going far away, what will be my transportation/travel arrangements for holidays, vacations, and breaks?
▪ Do I want to attend a large/small institution?
▪ Do I want to attend college in a metropolitan or rural setting?
▪ How much can I afford out of pocket for college?
▪ Do I have any idea about the career path I want to pursue?
▪ Do I know my Grade Point Average (GPA), my class rank, my SAT/ACT scores?
▪ Do my academic records and work ethic match my career aspirations?
Develop a criteria list:
The next step is to consider these items in greater detail. You should make a list of all the things you want to check out in different colleges. Each student should determine what is important and the priority of those items when selecting among several colleges. Academic program is the most important aspect of college decision making. Thereafter, highlight those items of greatest importance to you.
Activities and Organizations Athletic Programs
Campus Environment Financial Aid
Academic/Counseling Support Services Internships
Location/proximity to home Living Accommodations
Male/Female Ratio Majors and Minors
Parking Career Placement Services
Reserve Officer’s Training Core (ROTC) Cost - Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Size/Type of School
Academic Programs
If you have not identified a career path, then choose a college that is well rounded and offers a variety of academic programs in the areas of your interest.
Admission Standards
Once you have identified schools that meet your personal needs, you must then determine if your academic achievement and standardized test scores meet the admissions requirements.
Compile a list of all the colleges that are available to you and compare them with your list of criteria. The Internet can be your best asset during this process. Once you have narrowed down the number of colleges, it is time to schedule your campus visits, especially if you are considering colleges that are out of town.
ACT - The American College Test is designed to measure classroom achievement in four broad content areas (English, math, reading and natural science reasoning.) It also measures the ability to apply problem solving skills. The highest achievable score is 36.
Associate Degree – A degree which is granted to a student who has completed a two-year program (64-66 credits) and is equivalent to the first two years of study for a bachelor’s degree. An Associates degree may be further specified as an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS).
Award Letter – The form which notifies the student that financial aid is being offered. The award letter usually provides information about the types and amounts of aid offered, as well as specific program responsibilities and the conditions which govern the award. The letter often includes an Acceptance form.
Bachelor or Baccalaureate Degree – A degree which is granted to a student who has completed a four-year program (120-128 credits). The most common types of bachelor’s degree programs are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Sciences (BS).
Early Action – An admissions option allowing students to learn of the decision on their application before the standard April notification date. Early action is distinguished from early decision in that students are not required to accept admission or withdraw other applications if accepted.
Early Decision – A plan in which students apply earlier than the designated regular admit deadline and learns of the decision on their application during December or January. This plan is suggested only for students who are academically superior. Early decision plans are "binding," meaning if you apply as an early decision candidate, you agree to attend the college if it accepts you. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications.
Early Notification – This program is similar in purpose and process to the early action option. Under the early notification program, applicants must file their papers by December 1st in order to receive an admission decision by February 1st. In contrast to the rule in early decision programs, an applicant is not obligated to attend if admitted.
Enrollment Deposit – A nonrefundable deposit required of accepted students at many colleges and universities to reserve a space in the incoming class.
Family Contribution – The amount the Federal Student Aid estimates that you and your family should be able to contribute to the cost of your college education, as determined by such factors as your parents’ income, assets and debts, your earnings and savings, and the number of children in your family currently in college.
Liberal Arts – Courses in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences as opposed to technical or professional subjects.
Matriculation – Enrollment at a college or university to begin work toward an academic degree.
Open Admissions – A policy adopted by several institutions-mostly public-that allows virtually all applicants to be accepted, without regard to such traditional qualifying criteria as test scores, class rank, grades, etc. Community Colleges typically have open admissions.
Registrar – College or university official who keeps records of enrollment and academic standing.
Rolling Admissions - An admissions procedure in which a candidate’s college application package is reviewed when all the required documents are received (e.g. application form, transcript, test scores, recommendations, etc.).
SAT - The Scholastic Aptitude Test
•4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay
•400–1600 score scale
•3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it
•4 answer choices
•Essay — optional
•No penalty for guessing
SAT Subject Test – Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where you excel. There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science. SAT Subject Test scores are reported on a scale from 200-800, with sub scores being reported on a scale from 20 to 80. Some colleges require one or more SAT Subject exams to help with decisions about admission and about course placement.
In planning for college, you should begin to think about the kind of college you might like to attend. Most colleges fit into one of the categories described below.
Public Colleges and Universities: They generally enroll large numbers of students and offer many different majors and types of degrees (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral). They are funded by the state, so they are usually the least expensive of the four-year schools, especially for in-state residents.
Private Colleges and Universities: They also offer a wide range of majors and degrees. They are usually more expensive than public colleges and universities but may have more options for financial aid.
Liberal Arts Colleges: They are primarily undergraduate schools with smaller class sizes, offering a wide range of majors.
Two Year Technical Institutes: They offer programs in specialized or technical areas. Typical programs of study offer preparation for jobs such as engineering technology, dental hygienist, electrical technician or paralegal aide. A student applying to a technical institute usually has a defined vocational goal. These programs are usually one or two-year courses of study that result in an Associate Degree or certificate. A two-year technical degree program is not usually designed for transfer to a four-year program.
Community Colleges: They are two-year post-secondary schools whose purpose is to provide academic, vocational and professional education. The highest degree at a community college is an associate degree, but many times students continue their education at a four-year college or university by transferring some or all their credits earned. Transferring may also occur through a 2+2 program which guarantees admission to a four-year college upon completion of the Associates degree.
Military Academies: these schools are designed to prepare students for a specific career in government service. These schools include Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, and West Point. These institutions are highly selective and require a military obligation after graduation. (Note: an alternative for those who are interested in military careers would be ROTC within a regular college or university setting where available.)
Vocational Schools: These schools prepare students for specific occupations such as carpentry, auto mechanics, computer technology, or nursing. These careers require special training or certification. Vocational Schools do not offer a degree, but often prepare students to pass a state licensing exam.
ROTC: The Reserve Officers Training Corps is a program that prepares students to serve in the military. ROTC offers scholarships that pay for your college tuition, which enables you to go to college first and then complete military service after graduation.
Nonresident: Any student who lives out of state or does not meet specific state residency requirements
Visiting a college will give you a “feel” for the school that no virtual tour on the computer, college catalog, or meeting with an admissions representative can accomplish. Here is a list of things you should do while on your visit to get a sense of what the school and student life is really like.
• Make an appointment through the colleges’ admissions office prior to a visit.
• Attend Open Houses.
• Take the campus tour: financial aid office, athletic department, admissions office, the dorms, library, computing center, academic resource and career placement centers.
• Participate in a group information session at the admissions office. You may gain valuable information from other people’s questions.
• Attend a college class and speak with a professor in a major of interest to you.
• Speak with students on campus for their thoughts and experiences about the school.
• Ask students what they do on weekends.
• Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.
• Eat in the Dining Hall.
• Spend an overnight in the dorm.
• Read bulletin boards.
• Speak with a Career and Placement representative regarding your major and employment opportunities upon graduation.
• Ask questions regarding: academics, financial aid, graduation rate, academic support, outside opportunities, student life and activities.
Campus Visit Checklist
College/University: _______________________________
This checklist includes tasks to complete and locations/buildings to see during a college campus visit. Check-off the tasks you complete and campus locations you visit.
Things to do: Things to see:
( Take the campus guided tour ( Classrooms
( Interview with admissions officer ( Lab facilities (Science)
( Visit with a professor in your major ( Your major’s department building
( Sit in on a class ( Computer lab
( Meet with a financial aid officer ( Large lecture halls
( Eat lunch in the cafeteria ( Residence Halls
( Attend information sessions ( Dining Hall / Cafeteria
( Walk around campus on your own ( On-campus snack shops / restaurants
( Walk the hallways in buildings where ( Library (ask about the hours and services)
professors have offices ( Recreational facilities
( Read bulletin boards ( Freshman Support / Study Center
( Read campus newspaper ( College Bookstore
( Talk with random students ( Student Center / Student Union Bldg.
( Talk with students in your major ( Main Quad (central area of campus)
( Talk with students in clubs you want to join ( Career Center
( Tour/drive the area surrounding the campus ( Tutoring Center
( Music practice rooms
Students who are classified through the district Committee on Special Education and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan should be aware of how accommodations are provided in post-secondary education settings. A student with a disability is guaranteed equal access to educational opportunities only if the student identifies him/herself and requests reasonable accommodations. The delivery of services varies with each college. When visiting colleges, you should ask:
▪ What specific services and academic accommodations are available, how and where are services provided?
▪ Who oversees approving and providing accommodations and services?
▪ What documentation or evaluations does the college require?
▪ How many support service providers are there per total number of students with disabilities on campus?
NCAA Eligibility Center –
The Division I and II academic-eligibility model provides a seamless set of standards that begin when a high school student is considering becoming a Division I or II student-athlete and end when the student-athlete earns a degree from a Division I or II institution.
Before a high school student can be eligible to play Division I or II sports, he or she must meet academic requirements in high school. Those standards include the successful completion of 16 core courses and a sliding-scale combination of grades in high school core courses and standardized-test scores.
Getting Started…
Students intending to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics will need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Certification requires that students successfully complete a standard core curriculum at the highest possible level of achievement. Register with the eligibility center –
After your junior year, request your high school counselor to send a copy of your transcript to the eligibility center.
When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999").
To be eligible to practice, compete and receive athletic scholarships in your first full-time year at a Division I school, you must graduate from high school and meet ALL the following requirements:
1. Complete 16 NCAA core courses, ten of which must be before the start of your 7th semester. Once you begin the start of your 7th semester, you may not repeat or replace any of those ten courses for GPA improvement.
2. Earn at least a 2.3 GPA in your core courses.
3. Earn an SAT combined or ACT sum score that matches your core-course GPA on the Division I scale
To be eligible to practice, compete and receive athletic scholarships in your first full-time year at a Division II school, you must graduate from high school and meet ALL the following requirements:
1. Complete 16 NCAA core courses, ten of which must be before the start of your 7th semester. Once you begin the start of your 7th semester, you may not repeat or replace any of those ten courses for GPA improvement.
4. Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in your core courses.
5. Earn an SAT combined or ACT sum score that matches your core-course GPA on the Division II sliding scale for students enrolling on or after August 1, 2016.
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College entrance tests are designed to measure a student’s ability to do college level work and are required by most four-year colleges. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a test of reasoning skills and The American College Test (ACT) is a general achievement test. The content and skills measured are different. Both tests provide important information regarding the student applicant. Standardized test scores enable admissions personnel to compare student applicants from different states, schools, and academic backgrounds. Juniors are encouraged to take both tests in the spring of their junior year and repeat early in the senior year to attempt higher scores.
Register online for SAT:
Register online for ACT:
The High School Code ###### is needed to register
Study Study Study
Practice in a stress-free environment on your own time frame
Testive on RU Ready
ACT prep apps are a good supplement to these resources, and they provide a ton of questions for you to continue to drill and test your knowledge
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After graduation, you may be considering opportunities with the Armed Forces. The Military offers several options including: Military Academies, ROTC, active duty or reserve enlistment.
MILITARY ACADEMIES
Any junior interested in the United States Military Academies should investigate the application procedure leading to acceptance. The process includes filling out application forms, taking the necessary college admissions examinations and sending test scores to the appropriate institution. Candidates for all but the Coast Guard Academy must have a nomination, usually from a member of Congress or the Vice President of the United States. Contact the academy of your choice for additional information.
ROTC
The Reserve Officer’s Training Program (ROTC) is composed of nearly 700 Army, Navy, and Air Force units at public and private colleges and universities throughout the country. ROTC training consists of approximately two to five hours of military instruction per week, as well as some summer training programs.
ROTC graduates fulfill their military obligation by serving on active duty as a regular officer with the National Guard or Reserves for a stipulated period of time - approximately three to four years. Please contact a military representative for more details.
ENLISTMENT
Military representatives from each branch of the service have scheduled times that they come into the high school and are available to meet with students. Students who plan to enlist in the Armed Forces must take the ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Please contact a military representative for more details.
MILITARY Service Information
Enlisted Officer
Air Force Reserves Air Force Academy Air force ROTC
usafa.af.mil
Army Reserves Army- West Point Army ROTC
army.mil usma.edu rotc
Coast Guard Reserves US Coast Guard Academy
uscg.mil uscga.edu
Navy Reserves US Naval Academy Navy ROTC
navy.mil navyreserve.navy.mil usna.edu nrotc.navy.mil
Marine Corps Reserves
Air National Guard
Army National Guard
The scholarship search can be an overwhelming process. 97% of scholarship dollars are awarded by colleges to students attending that college. While it is true that there are millions of dollars available, scholarship money can be difficult to get. Each scholarship requires an application, and many of these require essays. Scholarships tend to focus on students who have distinguished themselves in some way from other students. Most scholarships will focus on one or more of the following:
MERIT-BASED: Students who have maintained a high GPA and/or have earned high SAT scores may be eligible for Merit-Based scholarships. Most scholarships also emphasize involvement in community service and extracurricular activities.
NEED-BASED: Students whose parents have considerable financial need may be eligible for a scholarship, though a certain minimum GPA is often emphasized.
ATHLETIC: Private colleges are typically the first to offer tuition waivers for students who will play at their school, though it may still be cheaper to attend a public university without a scholarship. To earn an athletic scholarship, students must work closely with their coach for scouting and recruitment opportunities. Student Athletes must work with their Counselors who will assist with NCAA Clearinghouse requirements for Division I and II schools (see STUDENT ATHLETES section). They can also suggest the best schools that match their level of athleticism.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: More and more scholarships are being awarded to students who have volunteered their time after school to improve the community. The sooner students get involved in a service they enjoy, the better. When possible, students should pursue leadership opportunities or initiate their own service projects in an effort to distinguish themselves from other volunteers.
MINORITY: Many schools seek to enrich their academic environment by fostering diversity, and offer scholarships to do so. Contact the colleges that interest you and inquire about minority scholarships.
OCCUPATIONAL: Some scholarships focus on rewarding students based on their career direction and major in college. This can also include students bound for Technical College. Students who are working or apprenticing in their future career are sometimes offered scholarships by their employers. Such scholarships may also in clued monies offered by a parent’s employer.
MISC.: A number of miscellaneous scholarships exist on both a local and national level. Some emphasize the "well rounded" student, some focus on leadership. Some require a nomination from teachers. There are scholarships awarded by local churches and organizations, scholarships based on grandparents who fought in wars, scholarships for tall people. Just remember, applications can be time-consuming, especially if there's an essay.
Finding and applying for scholarships is hard work, but the investment in time can often pay off. The following guidelines will help you get started.
1. Write/update your resume.
2. Identify all references that may be required in advance. Teachers are bombarded with requests to write recommendations. They want to do a good job, so try to give them at least 2 -3 weeks notice.
3. Create a Scholarship File.
4. Begin writing a generic essay and thoughts on common topics such as "Why I deserve This Scholarship…” or "The most important thing that happened to me in High School is..." It's important to tailor each essay to specific scholarships, so just see this as a starting point for future essays.
5. Contact the colleges you're interested in attending to see what scholarships they offer. Thoroughly search college web sites, call the financial aid office, and inquire on college visits.
6. Use the internet as a source for your scholarship search (never pay for a scholarship search).
7. Have your parents inquire at their place of business about any scholarship that may be offered.
Academic Scholarship
1. ND resident graduating from a ND high school, a public high school in a bordering state according to NDCC 15.1-29, or a nonpublic school in a bordering state while residing with a custodial parent (NDCC 15.1-21-02.6)
2. Complete: 1 unit of Algebra II; 1 unit of math for which Algebra II is a prerequisite; 2 units of the same foreign language, the same Native American language, American Sign Language, or 2 units of CTE from a coordinated plan of study; 1 unit selected from foreign language, Native American language, American Sign Language, fine arts, or CTE
3. Earn no grade lower than a “C” on any unit required for the scholarship
4. Earn a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
5. Complete 1 unit of an AP course and exam, 1/2 unit of a dual credit course, or 1 unit of an early entrance college course from a college which has a physical presence in North Dakota
6. Earn a 24 or higher on an ACT
Career and Technical Education Scholarship
1. ND resident graduating from a ND high school, a public high school in a bordering state according to NDCC 15.1-29, or a nonpublic school in a bordering state while residing with a custodial parent (NDCC 15.1-21-02.6)
2. Complete: 1 unit of Algebra II and 2 other units of math; 4 units of CTE in which two units must be in a coordinated plan of study; 1 unit selected from foreign languages, Native American languages, American Sign Language, fine arts, or CTE
3. Earn no grade lower than a “C” on any unit required for the scholarship
4. Earn a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale
5. Earn a 24 or higher on an ACT or score of at least “5” on each of 3 WorkKeys assessments
Note: 1 unit = 1 full credit
Qualifying ND Colleges and Universities
Dickinson State University
Mayville State University
Minot State University
North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Valley City State University
University of Jamestown
Trinity Bible College
University of Mary
Rasmussen College
Bismarck State College
Williston State College
Lake Region State College
Dakota College at Bottineau
Sitting Bull College
North Dakota State College of Science
Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
Turtle Mt. Community College
United Tribes Technical College
Students have several distinct responsibilities, some of which need to be carried out during the summer prior to the senior year. Visiting colleges is an absolute necessity. Most colleges offer a schedule of open campus tours/visits. Appointments should be made by calling the college well ahead of the intended visit.
The summer affords the convenience of time, a luxury few of us have in the fall. It is strongly recommended that students draft a generic essay that may be modified for the purposes of college and scholarship applications. Since most application essay questions are autobiographical, it is a good idea to do some substantial thinking and writing about oneself. This may later be incorporated into essays.
▪ Check online for college applications and be aware of deadlines.
Fine Art/Graphics Portfolio: Students pursuing majors in the fine and graphic arts will need to compile a fine arts portfolio. The items required in the portfolio will vary with each school and artistic focus. Methods and deadlines for presenting the portfolio for review will also vary and may include slides, DVD or electronic submission. Fine Arts/graphics students should work closely with their art instructors and school counselor to successfully complete this requirement.
The Music Audition: Students pursuing majors in performance, music education, etc will need to deliver an audition. Musical repertoire for the audition will be defined in the admissions requirements and may include a classical piece, art song and various forms of sight reading and aural skills. Methods and deadlines for delivering the audition will also vary and may include recordings and well as on sight performance before a panel. Music students should work closely with their music instructors and school counselor to successfully complete this requirement.
▪ Identify the individuals from whom you will request letters of recommendation. Request the favor of a recommendation in person and then put your request in writing. Provide your recommender a current resume of your achievements and activities.
▪ Follow through on all parts of the application process, including the teacher recommendations, secondary school reports, and financial aid forms. Always make duplicate copies for your own records.
The role of the parent during the college search and application process is to provide guidance and support. Remember that you play an important role in the college search process, so become an active participant.
• Attend school functions and other activities such as Parent Nights, College Fairs, Financial Aid Meetings, etc.
• Facilitate family conversations about academic planning, reasonable goal setting and financial planning.
Your child’s counselor is available by phone or by appointment to discuss any questions relating to the college search process.
There are many resources available to assist parents with the college search process.
There are four general rules that apply equally to applicants, parents, teachers, school counselors and college admission counselors:
▪ We are all in this together.
▪ The parent is not the candidate.
▪ Students and their parents should be realistic in assessing academic strengths and weaknesses. If students are sensible in matching these attributes to college choices, it is likely they will be admitted to a college of their liking.
▪ If your child is mature enough to be considering college, s/he is mature enough to handle most of the admission process.
The school counselor works with students and parents to help in the post-high school educational planning. To help in the selection process, the Counseling Office provides information on:
Various standardized tests (ACT, etc.)
▪ Graduation Requirements
▪ College application process
▪ Financial aid resources
▪ Scholarship searches
▪ College Fairs
The counselors are available by appointment to assist in all aspects of the college search and application process. Ask questions! It is up to you to do the research and selection.
HOW MANY APPLICATIONS?
This answer depends upon you, your record, your career goal and the schools you choose. Ordinarily, if you choose wisely and diversify your selections, more than five applications should not be necessary. You will want to choose them as follows: one application to your “dream” college, also known as your reach school, a state school, others, a back up, and at least one as your safe school, a school where you would be likely to be accepted because you easily fulfill the admission requirements.
Safe or Safety: school a school where you would be likely to be accepted because you easily fulfill the admission requirements.
WHEN TO APPLY TO COLLEGE?
You need to apply to colleges as early in your senior year as possible. Submit all applications by Thanksgiving, at the very latest. If you plan on applying Early Action or Early Decision, then your applications will have to be sent earlier and by the dates specified by the institution.
Pay close attention to the application deadline.
The turnaround time from the time applications/ transcript requests are submitted to the counseling office to the time they are mailed from the counseling office will be at least one week. Please know applications, transcript requests, and school reports are processed in the order in which they are received.
WHERE TO FIND APPLICATIONS?
The best place to find college applications is online. Most often the college website has an online application available. Most college applications are now paperless.
EARLY DECISION vs. EARLY ACTION
Early Decision is designed for students with strong academic records and test scores who have made a definite decision about the college that they wish to attend. Most colleges will ask that you agree to withdraw all applications if you are accepted on an early decision basis. Deadline dates for Early Decision vary widely among colleges. However, the early decision deadlines are generally early in the fall. Carefully read the college catalog and consult your counselor early on all details for a college.
Early Action requires that a student submit his/her a few months in advance of the typical deadline. Doing so will result in an earlier response.
Many students and their families face the challenge of financing a college education today when costs are at an all-time high. Even though the family is still primarily responsible for meeting college costs, financial assistance is available. Sources of aid are available from federal and state governments, private programs, and colleges.
WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?
Financial aid is assistance in meeting the cost of your college, vocational, or trade school education. This aid can be applied to direct costs such as tuition, fees, books, and for living expenses such as food, housing, and transportation.
HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
In order to apply for financial assistance, you must complete the appropriate applications. These applications are online.
The Federal Funding Source: Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FASFA.
▪ Parents and students must each request a personal identification account number to apply for aid online.
▪ Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID) – Go to
▪ Download the online FAFSA worksheet fafsa.
▪ Complete all information in draft form. This requires that parents and students have available current financial information, W2’s, savings, college funds, investment and asset information
WHEN DO YOU APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
The FAFSA form listed above must be filed as soon as possible after October 1st. The forms must be re-filed every year at the same time while you are attending college.
|Financial Aid Websites |
| |ACT the Test |
| |College Board - CSS Profile |
|fafsa. |Federal Student Aid |
| |Bank of ND |
| |Fin Aid! |
| |Department of Education Financial Aid |
WEBSITES
CAREERS:
COLLEGE SEARCH:
SCHOLARSHIPS:
FINANCIAL AID
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM TEST PREP:
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Developed by
Wahpeton High School Counseling Department
(701) 642-2604
Jessica Gilsrud
Daisy Canfield
10 and 11
9 and 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Decision-Making Process
RU Ready
RU Ready is a tool to help you develop an awareness of your personal abilities, skills, interests, values, motivation and relate them to a career choice. You can use this to help you establish meaningful post high school goals and connect those goals with high school classes, college and/or career.
You can also use the ACT test prep, TESTIVE, available through RU Ready.
Letters of Recommendation
Most colleges require a letter of recommendation from your teachers and school counselor. In order to prepare an in-depth letter that accurately reflects your unique qualities, we are asking you to answer the following questions as completely as possible.
1. Full Name:
2. Identify the Colleges/Universities to which you intend to apply in the order of importance beginning with your first-choice institution.
3. What is your College Major or Career Goal and why?
5. Work/Employment Experience
6. Volunteer Work and/or Community Service:
7. List the activities and organization you participated in during 9th grade (in or outside of school):
8. List the activities and organizations you participated in during 10th grade (in or outside of school):
9. List the activities and organizations you participated in during 11th grade (in or outside of school):
10. List the activities and organizations you participated in during 12th grade (in or outside of school):
11. Describe awards and honors that you have received.
12. List your hobbies and interests:
13. What do you consider to be your outstanding personality traits? Examples: Extraverted, Introvert, Assertive, Energetic, Active, Kind, Cooperative, Sympathetic, Warm, Conscientious, Helpful, Generous, Organized, Thorough, Efficient, Conscientious, Prompt, Relaxed, Intellectual, Creative, Imaginative, Bright, Philosophical, Artistic, Innovative, etc.
14. What is the biggest challenge or obstacle you've overcome and how has it impacted you?
15. Are there any specific topics you would like addressed in your counselor letter of recommendation?
16. Career Related Experiences (Career Shadowing, Explorers Program, Internship/Volunteering):
WHAT COLLEGES ARE LOOKING FOR
STARTING THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS
Career
College
College Terms
College Terms - Continued
TYPES OF COLLEGES
COLLEGE VISITS
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
STUDENT ATHLETES
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS
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Study and RETAKE to improve your scores.
Choice Ready
MILITARY INFORMATION
THE SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH PROCESS
THE SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
AND APPLICATION PROCESS
ND Academic/CTE Scholarship
THE STUDENT’S ROLE
THE PARENT’S ROLE
THE COUNSELOR’S ROLE
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
FINANCIAL AID
THE CAREER CENTER
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