Now that you know you and your college(s)...

It's time to get into college!

Just how do you get into the college of your choice? 

First, follow the DRS orders- narrow down your colleges to the following 3:

D- dream (your dream school- somewhere you've "always" wanted to attend but may not have all of the qualifications or a rigorous admission process)

R- real (a school you would be happy to attend and fulfill all or most of the admission requirements)

S- safe (a school you would be happy at and fulfill all or possible exceed admission requirements)

And second, seek out advice for the application process and connect with your counselor! There is a wealth of information to be discovered - check out http://www.getintocollegeblog.com for advice from a Columbia graduate on how to earn money and admission to the college of your choice! Your counseling department also contains many resources such as college books and brochures. 

It's never too early to search- DRS order should be determined by the end of your Junior year or November of Senior year. 

Choosing a college continued...

Know the College

It's important to evaluate each university, based on your own order of importance or priority. The following are simply considerations that should be examined by each individual. Review all materials for more information about each university.

• Type of School
  • Public vs. Private
  • Religious or Secular
  • Co-ed or Single sex
  • Liberal Arts or Pre-Professional (specific programs)
  • Conservative or Liberal Student Body

• Enrollment
  • Number of Undergraduates (Bachelor degree seeking students)
  • Male/Female ratio
  • Percentage of International Students
  • Residential or Commuting percentage

• Location and Environment
  • Geographic location
  • Weather/Climate
  • Proximity to Friends & Family
  • Size of the Town/City
  • Activities to get involved in

• Curriculum and Academic Environment
  • Degree of Competitiveness
  • Availability of Professors
  • Quality of Faculty; Teaching vs. Research
  • Majors Offered
  • Academic Pressure and Workload
  • IB or AP Recognition

• Campus Life
  • Clubs, Activities, Fraternities/Sororities
  • Weekend Events
  • Religious Organizations
  • Housing options & Meal Plans
  • Security
  • Recreational Facilities

• Expense
  • Cost of Tuition, Room/Board, Books & Supplies
  • Travel Expense
  • Financial Aid Available
  • Percent of Students receiving aid
  • Work Study Programs

• Entrance Requirements
  • Course pre-requisites
  • Application process/deadlines
  • SAT and/or Subject Tests
  • Selectivity; Percentage of applicants accepted
  • Average scores of Freshmen

Choosing a college...

Many factors go into choosing the right college for you- one of the most important factors is…YOU! Consider the questions below when you're exploring your college options:

Know Yourself

• What are my goals and values?
  • How do you define success? What unique gifts and strengths do you possess? What kind of person do you aspire to become? What experiences have shaped who you have become or your way of thinking? Which do you value more, people or things, action or reflection?
    
    

• What emphasis do I place on education?
  • What are your academic interests? What courses do you enjoy? If you could choose, what would you prefer to learn about? How do you best learn? What is your attitude towards studying? Are particular teaching methods more effective for your learning style?
    
    

• What about my academic record?
  • Have you taken the most challenging courses available? What are your grades? What is your rank/GPA? What are your SAT scores? How does your academic record represent you? Have there been circumstances that have affected your academic performance?
    
    

• What types of activities do I spend most of my time with outside of the classroom?
  • Which have been the most fulfilling? If there a pattern of commitment and success? What is your role in your high school and surrounding community? What would others recognize as your contributions to the school?
    
    

• How do I perceive the world around me?
  • Has the school environment encouraged your skills, interests and talents? How has your family influence your outlook on life? Have your interests been nurtured or limited? Have you found a cause for which to stand up? How do you react when face with people who think or behave differently than you? What issues do you feel strongly about?
    
    And remember, you don't have to have EVERYTHING figured out - but a general idea goes a long way. Click on the following link for information on majors---> Courtesy of CollegeBoard.org- How to choose a Major in College.
    
    

Welcome to the CHS Counselor's Blog!

The Counseling Department at Central High School is made up of three amazing school counselors, one superb secretary and a phenomenal volunteer. Together, we work to to assist students throughout their 4-year graduation track and post-high school planning!

There are many services that go along with that- college preparation, career planning, alternative education and more! Stay tuned for further information that may be pertinent to your future!