College Search Tips
While Comparing Colleges Use this worksheet to help organize your thoughts on schools you are currently considering.
This is a helpful tool to stay organized and give you a graphic representation of what each school has to offer you!
College Comparison Worksheet
College Search Tool (click here) check out https://www.scholarships.com/college-search
The College Selection Process can be described as having 4 main components:
Information, Preparation, Visitation, & Application.
Information, Preparation, Visitation, & Application.
1. PREPARATION:
Begin by prioritizing the factors is most important to you in a college. By prioritizing, you begin to develop a means for compromise, if necessary. Before you begin gathering information and speaking to colleges, ask yourself where and what you are willing to compromise on.
TO DO: Meet with counselor to discuss your grades & GPA. See how you compare to students enrolled.
Ask for Advice on taking SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests, & ACT
Maintain academically rigorous schedule and good grades through 12th grade
2. INFORMATION
Once you have prioritized the factors that are important to you in a potential school play a simple game of matching. Research and visit schools that come the closest to your "ideal". Remember this is an involved process and you should use these factors that are a way of assessing your post-secondary options.
TO DO: Attend WCCC College Fair in September and/or Pittsburgh National College Fair in February.
Use these sites to search for schools to visit: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges
Begin by prioritizing the factors is most important to you in a college. By prioritizing, you begin to develop a means for compromise, if necessary. Before you begin gathering information and speaking to colleges, ask yourself where and what you are willing to compromise on.
TO DO: Meet with counselor to discuss your grades & GPA. See how you compare to students enrolled.
Ask for Advice on taking SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests, & ACT
Maintain academically rigorous schedule and good grades through 12th grade
2. INFORMATION
Once you have prioritized the factors that are important to you in a potential school play a simple game of matching. Research and visit schools that come the closest to your "ideal". Remember this is an involved process and you should use these factors that are a way of assessing your post-secondary options.
TO DO: Attend WCCC College Fair in September and/or Pittsburgh National College Fair in February.
Use these sites to search for schools to visit: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges
Attend College Rep visits during your Junior & Senior years.
3. VISITATION
The campus visit is the most important way of assessing the school. Pay attention to your gut feelings while there. You may have 2 days excused from school during your Junior & Senior years. See the Guidance Office for the College Visitation Form.
TO DO: Make a lit of questions to ask during the visit
Take an unofficial copy of your transcript with you on the visit
Take a walking tour with a student guide and meet an admissions counselor and a Financial Aid Officer
4. APPLICATION
The Application component of the College Selection Process can be very involved. Gather the application and review this with your parents and counselor
TO DO: Consult with your counselor on an appropriate list of Reach, Realistic, & Safety Schools.
Follow the instructions in pulling your application materials together!
Know your deadline!
Plan Well: try to have all applications out by Thanksgiving of your Senior Year.
Questions to ask when visiting college: