ASCERTAIN WHICH SCHOOLS MEET YOUR CRITERIA

Talk frequently to Mrs. Nurse who will make many suggestions.

Write early for information about each of the colleges on your list. (Remember that college literature is promotional, i.e., designed to attract students.)

Talk to people who may have had experience with one or more schools: faculty, friends, family, your school alumni currently attending college.

Attend meetings conducted at school by college representatives. Nearly 100 colleges send representatives each year.

Visit one of more of the colleges on your list. Remember that you can get an understanding of size by visiting campuses or institutions.

For those students who can not take actual campus visits try a virtual tour. An excellent website for virtual tours is www.campustours.com.

TRY TO DETERMINE IF YOU MEET THEIR CRITERIA

Have you demonstrated that you can do the kind of academic work each college demands of its students?

Although test results are only one factor in the selection process, they do count. Are your scores within the range presented by most successful candidates to a particular college? If not, are you being realistic?

Do you think you have some special talent or interest that will supplement a solid academic record and enhance your candidacy? Do you play a musical instrument? Are you involved in community service? What have you done at your school besides attend classes?

USE COMMON SENSE

Apply to four to eight colleges. You should apply to no more than five or six schools unless there are very unusual circumstances. You should have at least one -- preferably two -- where you and Mrs. Nurse are reasonably confident of acceptance. You must like your schools. Another two or three on your final list should look like good possibilities. You may want to include one that seems to be a "reach" given your record of grades, scores and activities.

It is imperative to be very serious in the selection of schools for your final list. Do not be led astray by the supposed prestige of a school or its popularity with other members of your class. There are no "best" colleges. There are only colleges appropriate for you.

Click here for sites I recommend to help you with your search.

Print out the worksheet below to help you with your search:    pdf version

Name:

Testing:
PSAT:_______________________________

SAT:________________________________  GPA Junior Yr:_________

ACT:________________________________ GPA Senior Yr:_________

A.P. ________________________________


College Characteristics:
Location(s): _____________________________________________________

Type of Institution: ________________________________________________

Student Body Gender:_____________________________________________

Enrollment size: _________________________________________________

Major/ Degree: __________________________________________________

Special Interests/Programs/Incentatives/Sports:
______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

PRELIMINARY COLLEGE LIST REACH
(Less than 50% chance of admission)
_________________________ ______________________________ _________________________
_________________________ ______________________________ _________________________

POSSIBLE (50/50 chance of admission)
_________________________ ______________________________
_________________________ ______________________________
_________________________ ______________________________

LIKELY (Greater than 50% chance of admission)
_________________________ ______________________________
_________________________ ______________________________
_________________________ ______________________________