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Where to begin THE search...
As you make the most of your summer through internships, service projects, jobs, and let’s not forget a little bit of fun and relaxation; the thought of driving more deeply into the college search hangs over you. Up to this point you have been inundated with brochures in the mail, e-mails with exciting college offers and probably even some calls from colleges across the country. In the near future you will have to move from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat in this process. Instead of colleges contacting you, you will need to contact them by completing applications.
How do you maneuver this process with a clear sense of direction? Here are a few tips for this time of year.
- Make a list of what you have enjoyed most about your high school education. For example what teaching methods teachers used, specific classes (what about them did you like?), extra-curricular activities, or classroom styles engaged you in the learning process.
- Identify what you hope to get out of your college education. (Hands on experience, inquiry based learning, leadership possibilities, study abroad experience, service opportunities, new life-long friends, etc.
- Narrow down the geographic area of where you would be interested in attending college (i.e. - West Coast, Virginia, 20 miles from home, etc)
- Using the criteria identified determine which colleges still fit for you. Start eliminating colleges that don’t meet the criteria that really are the most important.
You may be wondering why I don’t list what you want to major in. I come from the philosophy that you don’t need to know what your major is before you start college for 85% or more of the careers out there. I will blog on this another time.Don’t worry and it take the process in small steps. You won’t have to do all the driving, the colleges will continue to be proactive in reaching you; but you need to reach back at some point. So grab the steering wheel and start driving…don’t forget to buckle up it will be a fast ride.
- City of College Dreams:
A Very Brief Biography
Brooke Konopacki is the Vice President for Student Access at Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Madison, Wisconsin.
She travels to high schools and community organizations to speak on access to college, specifically targeted to first generation and low income students and families. She is an active member of both the Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling and the National Association of College Admission Counseling.
Comments
Got to get started.
Our last born is now in the 8th grade. After enrolling one in college this year, I feel the need to start very early on the road to College.
Not only do I want this information, but I think it is needed info for our small junior high students to take with them prior to entering high school. They have alot of decisions to make during that short 4 year haul, and they effect them into the road to college.
Scholarships will be very important. If they are in the gifted classes as my son is, they are offered to take the ACT starting in the seventh grade for $60.00. I think the amount is high. But I don't know if this is something considered very important to do no matter what the cost at this age level.
Input on this would be great. And, any suggestions as to where to start applying for scholarships at this age.
Thanks,
Got to get started
Getting started too soon?
I don't think that you can ever get started too soon in sending a message to students about preparing for and getting into college. Sending a message is usually free.
I do worry a little bit about the commercialization of services such as testing at such an early age. There are age appropriate tests that your school may opt into such as EXPLORE; but taking an exam that is designed for juniors in high school and charging you for it may be over the top. Age appropriate tests have specific purposes that assist the school in gauging where a student needs to develop and potentially any gaps the school may have in their curriculum.
Most important right now is exposing them to the college scene (campus tours, pre-college programs, college or career camps, etc) and making sure they are taking challenging courses that will prepare them for a successful college career.
Scholarships starting in 8th grade are going to be very targetted and may be for camps versus college. Still good though. They are also more likely to be local. Now it is important to start building a curriculum and actvity resume that will win the scholarships down the road. Also important to develop good study habits now.
Good luck!
Brooke Konopacki
Vice President for Student Access
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
ACT and Gifted and Talented Students
Some gifted and talented programs recommend that middle school students take the SAT or ACT at an early age, not as a precursor to college, but as a test to access certain programs especially created for very high achieving students. Rocky Mountain Talent Search, for example, is affiliated with the University of Denver, and uses the tests as both a sort of contest, but also a gateway to other programs. So it's good to ask who is doing the "recommending" that your children should take these tests so early. And to ask them why.
Mark Montgomery
http://greatcollegeadvice.com
Mark Montgomery
Independent College Counselor
http://greatcollegeadvice.com
Older Students
I have a BS in Business Management and am currently working for a wonderful non-profit organization. I got into a conversation with my 9-year-old grandson about "what do you want to be when you grow up?" With every idea he presented, I tried to stress the importance of college, good grades and getting scholarships so he can go to college.
But after talking to him for a while, I realized that when I was 9 years-old, my dream was not to be an executive coordinator for a non-profit. My dream was to be an artist.
I would like to go back to school and learn about Latin-American art and culture. I also want to incorporate that knowledge and learn to sculpt.
I can find the time to go to school and I'll do it one class at a time if I have to. But, living with an extended family, (husband, step-daughter, grandkids), where am I going to get the money to realize MY dream of going back to school and becoming an artist?
Where does an older student begin THE search?!
Re: Older student
As an older student you are typically more focused in a new career plan or just a passion outside of work that you want to expand your knowledge.
For this reason I recommend visiting the websites of the colleges in your area. Doing a major search is one option if you want a bachelor's degree or higher. The other option is to do a course search if you have a specialty topic (Latin American Studies).
I find that as an adult I enjoy reading the course descriptions for what I might learn from the course. When I was in college I was crossing off the courses as I took them to meet the requirements for graduation.
Recently I went back to search for a certification program that was specific to my career goals. In a situation like this I listed out all the criteria I had to make the program work for me (When and where classes are offered, how many courses to complete certification, cost per credit, knowledgeable and current professors, etc.) Then I called each of the colleges with the certification and surprisingly there was only two of the six colleges that fit my life.
So be prepared in advance to know what requirements you have to make it fit your life and your goals.
Good luck!
Brooke
Brooke Konopacki
Vice President for Student Access
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
ACT and Gifted and Talented
Mark, as part of the Midwest Academic Talent Search, my daughter's taken the Explore test in grades 3 through 5 and just took the ACT as a sixth grader. Last year, I asked the gifted coordinator in our school district why we'd continue to take the tests. Her reply was for practice. The more I read about the National Merit Scholarship program, the more sense this makes.
I want to go to our local "career center" for adult education.
I am 64 and want to go back and get a CPT certification to work in medical billing in a hospital or Dr.'s office.
I can't figure out how to afford it and send my daughter, who is adopted,to college. She is on an IEP for reading so she needs to have help since she is Bi-polar and has absent mal seizures.
I need some input to help me accomplish this in the situation that I have at this time.
Money for a private missionary school.
My son wants to go to a missionary school in another state. Are there any scholorships available for something of this nature. We live in North Carolina and the school is called Kairos in Kansas. Thank you. kcgp60 [at] yahoo [dot] com
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