       
Selecting a CollegeOne of the most critical decisions facing the college bound student is to decide which college presents the best fit. Like most decisions the process involves identifying the most critical factors and weighing their importance against the large quantity of choices available.Choosing the right college is probably one of the most important decisions you and your family will make. The college choice you will make will determine where and how you will spend important years in your life. The programs we have designed at College PowerPrep prepare you and your family to move through the college selection process in a comfortable and confident manner. The process can be overwhelming. These programs will apprise you of procedures that will enable you to gain greater comfort and confidence with the college selection process. The following are areas in which I have found students have questions, and are often the source of frustration:
Assessment of Academic Strengths Assessment of Academic StrengthsWhen college admission officers evaluate applications they weigh the degree of difficulty of an applicant's course work. Therefore, you should plan a demanding college preparatory course of study through your entire senior year - four years of English, plus three or four years of math, science, social studies and foreign language. If you aspire to enroll in a highly-selective institution, you should set academic challenges according to your capabilities. For example, a B grade in an advanced placement or honors level course will impress an admission committee more than an A in a regular course will. As you pursue your course of study, assess what strengths and interests develop. Prepare to document your talents and focuses on future applications.
Extracurricular ActivitiesSimilar assessment can be done with respect to your contribution to activities outside the classroom. Colleges want to attract students who are going to make a positive contribution to the ambiance of the campus. Key phrases often used by admission personnel to describe traits they seek in applicants include "sustained commitments" and "a sense of diversity". Applicant folders are evaluated with a search for students who have in-depth involvements in only a few activities over a sustained period of time, rather than those who spread their commitments over a broad spectrum. It is not unusual for colleges to rate applicants on a scale for personal qualities as well as academic performance.
Standardized TestingStudents are dealing with misconceptions in this area. Contrary to popular belief, testing is not the most important criterion for admission to college. There are very few institutions that consciously place testing at the top of a list of standards for selecting students. Another misconception is that an applicant only needs to take one of the two testing options - either the ACT or the SAT I. In fact, there are relatively few institutions which require students to submit score reports from only one program; thus giving applicants the option of reporting scores from either testing program. The bottom line, of course, is that applicants should produce the strongest testing profile possible by examining all options that colleges provide and assessing their ability to take the tests.(For more recommendations and answers to questions about testing Click on the Strategies For The College Boards) Click here for Your Next Steps Selecting a College | College Board Strategies | Junior Yr. Timetable | Senior Yr. Timetable Financial Aid |