In This Issue
Plan for College 
  Building an educational plan
 Matching Characteristics
 Which program? Which college?
 Requesting College Materials
How to get what you need
The Admission Process
 The application process timeline
The Application
Completing a successful application
Admission or Rejection
Does no really mean no?

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Requesting College Materials

College Planning on the Internet

Collecting information on colleges and applying for admission can be as easy as going online. While all individual colleges have sites on the World Wide Web, it is even simpler to use one of several free college search programs.

The College Board produces a well-organized, user-friendly college search site, offered free on the Internet. The Web site allows students and parents to enter student data and match characteristics with any college in the United States. Students can then request materials and apply for admission electronically with many colleges or fill out requests or uniform applications to be printed and sent to any college. College Planning Network offers direct links to several college planning sites and other online resources, as well as offering full college admission and financial aid information.

Until recently, many of these resources were only available through high school counseling offices or career centers that had purchased the programs. Now these tools are available right at home.

 

Campus Tour Check-List

Summer is an excellent time to tour college campuses. As colleges have summer classes, visiting campus can include interaction with students and provide an actual experience of college life. Visiting colleges when they are on break is to be avoided, as it is quite different from the campus environment when in session. For this reason, campus visits in the last two weeks of August are not recommended. When arranging a campus visit, start with the admission office. Ask if there are special campus visit events or weekends planned during the summer or academic year. Many colleges arrange special times to visit and many pay food, housing and even transportation costs. When you arrive on campus, be sure to include the following if possible:

1. Visit the admission, financial aid and student housing offices and pick up all necessary applications and informational materials. You may want to meet with admission and financial aid officers to discuss your specific situation and determine the likelihood of admission and financial aid offers.

2. Make sure your campus tour includes:

- the department or college representing your area of study

- a class-in-session that relates to your major

- campus housing

- campus food services, try the food, check the prices and options for on and off campus meals

- student services including the counseling center, academic advising

- the computer lab

- the athletic complex if you enjoy sports

- the bookstore

- the library

- the multi-cultural affairs office (especially for students of color)

3. Ask to speak with a student who is pursuing the same major you have chosen. Ask what campus life is really like in the classroom and the dormitories.

4. Take a camera for pictures of key areas and make good notes to review as you make your final choice.