Making a list – no, not that list…
It’s that time of year – making a list and checking it twice. And no – we’re not talking about a Santa list. Now is a good time to begin thinking about your college list. Use some of your down time during winter break and the steps below to get a jump start on your college list.
- Identify and prioritize your criteria. Size, location, academic programs, cost, extracurricular activities, campus life – there are many factors to consider when thinking about a perfect college. What are you looking for and what factors are most important to you?
- Gather and organize information. Maybe you’ve received brochures from colleges in the mail, or perhaps you went to a college fair this fall. It’s likely that you’ve already collected materials from some colleges. Organize those materials (make a folder for each school) and list what you like and don’t...
How to Build Your College List & Measure Your Chances for Admissions
How do you measure your chances of admission for any given college? This is based on several factors. Some factors are more objectively measurable in the college application process than others. The easily measured factors include:
- Your GPA
- Your test scores on ACT, SAT, Subject Tests and AP.
Less measurable, but also important to your college application are:
- The quality (rigor) of your course schedule
- Your resume of activities, work, and other experiences
- Contributions you made to your community
- Your love of learning
- Your life’s experiences
Using Measurable Factors
Check admissions data for each college on your list. Look at the range of SAT or ACT scores, and GPA’s. Your test scores will put you in one of three zones for the college: green, yellow or red.
What puts a school in your GREEN zone?
- your test scores are in the top...
