The Elk Grove Unified School District is committed to providing students and families with quality post-secondary information and planning resources. These resources for parents and students will assist in navigating through college preparation, testing, the application process, scholarship and financial aid information and other post-secondary career choices.
College Prep Resources
Planning for college is an exciting time for students. But for many it can prove to be a daunting task. The resources in this section are intended to help parents and students understand the steps that they should be taking in high school to prepare them for post-secondary education.
Graduation Requirements
College Entrance Requirements
Year-by-Year Planning Guides/Timelines
Calculating your GPA
Student NCAA Eligibility Athletes
Testing Information
College Planning Resource Links
Finance Resources
Scholarships
FAFSA
College Choices
Types of Schools
Colleges and Universities
Degrees
College Fairs/Visits
Selecting a School
The College Application
It’s one of the most daunting tasks of the college preparation process – the college application. Just one application can seem monumental and it’s recommended that students select five to eight colleges to apply to.
Helpful Tips
The Essay
Letters of Recommendation
Interviews
Career Planning
Academies and Pathways
Explore Career Technical Education
Post-Secondary Alternatives
Military
The Resume
Job Applications
Job Interview
Work Permits
EGUSD Career Centers
College Prep Resources
In order to prepare its students for colleges and careers, the Elk Grove Unified School District has some of the most rigorous graduation requirements in California. The Board of Education believes that students will be better prepared for colleges and careers if they are challenged in high school. The district has increased its graduation requirements several times in the past 15 years, and students have always risen to the challenge.
Link to Graduation Requirements
College Entrance Requirements
High school students who receive A, B, or C grades in A-G courses get a boost towards college and careers.
Click here to learn more about College Entrance Requirements
Year-by-Year Planning Guides/Timelines
The following guides provide parents and students year-by-year planning tips for college preparation.
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Calculating your GPA
A = 4.0 B = 3.0 C = 2.0 D = 1.0 F = 0
AP classes may add 1 point (i.e., A = 5.0, B = 4.0, etc.)
A student’s high school grades are one of the key factors in college admissions. Students are advised to keep track of their GPA. To calculate your semester’s GPA, see the points above. You may notice that a 4.0 is an A average.
- Place your grade and points on the lines provided
- Add all points for your classes and place in the total
- Now divide the total number of classes taken ( 6, 7 or 8 ) by the total points you have earned.
- See the following example and fill in your grades and points.
Student NCAA Eligibility Athletes
For student-athletes planning on playing a college sport, navigating the territory of preparing for college requires another twist in the road. For college-bound student-athletes, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center is an important step in the journey.
The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the academic and amateur credentials of all college-bound student-athletes who hope to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics. The registration fee is $65 for U.S. students and $95 for international students. There is only one fee to register for the Eligibility Center, which covers both the academic and amateurism certifications. Fee waivers for the registration fee are given only if a student has received a fee waiver for the ACT or SAT. If a student was not granted a fee waiver for the ACT or SAT, they will not be eligible for a waiver of the certification fee.
The steps to become eligible as a college student-athlete vary depending on the NCAA division. Steps to achieving eligibility are as follows:
Freshman and Sophomore Years
During your freshman and sophomore years, work hard to get the best grades possible. Take classes that match your high school’s list of NCAA courses. The Eligibility Center only uses approved core courses to certify your initial eligibility. If you fall behind in completing your requirements, use summer school sessions before graduation to catch up.
Junior Year
At the beginning of the year, complete your registration at the Eligibility Center. Register to take the SAT or ACT – or both – and use the Eligibility Center code “9999” as a score recipient. This will send your score directly to the Eligibility Center. Double-check to make sure the courses you have taken match your school’s list of NCAA courses. Ask your high school counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center at the conclusion of your junior year. If you have attended more than one high school, you will need to send transcripts from each high school you attended. The Eligibility Center will not accept faxed transcripts or test scores. Make sure you check-in with your counselor to determine the amount of core courses you’ll need to complete your senior year.
Senior Year
If needed, make sure you take the SAT or ACT again. The Eligibility Center will use your best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score. Continue to take your college-prep courses and make sure your courses match your school’s list of NCAA courses. Review your amateurism responses and request final amateurism certification on or after April 1 – if you’re enrolling in your school in the fall or October – for spring enrollees. Continue working on getting the best grades possible to ensure you graduate on time – in eight academic semesters. After graduation, be sure to ask your high school counselor to send your final transcript to the Eligibility Center with proof of graduation.
Testing Information
Students planning to attend college should be aware of a number of tests that they may need to take for college entrance. Students interested in college or university degrees should be aware of the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the American College Test and Advanced Placement Tests.
College Planning Resource Links
- CaliforniaColleges.edu
Full complement of resources for two-year, four-year, public and private colleges in California only. - It’s Nacho – YouniversityTV
College videos when you want to get a preview and can’t get to the university due to time or cost. - The Princeton Review
A college match website, also includes school rankings. - Roadtrip Nation
Collegeboard.com’s college and career planning website. This is a free service for students who took the PSAT. Students received an ID code on their PSAT Score Report to use on this website. - California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
Offers a description of California community colleges, programs and services. - California State University – Apply
Cal State Apply is a website designed to help students and their families learn about the California State University (CSU) system. The CSU website assists students in planning for college, in selecting the appropriate CSU campus to attend, in planning how to finance their education and in applying for admission. - University of California Admissions
A website with information on applying to the University of California system. - Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
Connections for all California private colleges and universities - Western Undergraduate Exchange
Through the Western Undergraduate Exchange students in western states may enroll in more than 140 two-year and four-year college institutions at a reduced tuition level. - Peterson’s
College matching service and specific major information. - XAP – Career Exploration – Bridges
Explore your career and educational options while tracking your information in an electronic portfolio. See your counselor or career center technician for school id and password. - Career One Stop
Connect to relevant links, resources, salary ranges, salary data, resume writing tips and more. - California Career Zone
A new way to explore exciting jobs and occupations that California has to offer and to learn about what career paths interest you. - Balancing School & College Sports
Offers tips and expert advice on how to stay on top of your game in the classroom and on the court (or wherever you play).
Finance Resources
The options for financial aid and scholarship resources are endless. Here are some of the top choices for each topic:
Financial Aid
- Net Price Calculator Center – The Net Price Calculator Center provides an easy tool to allow students and families to enter information about themselves and find out the net price of any given college – that is, the price after subtracting the scholarships and grants a student are likely to receive.
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – This site plays a central and essential role in America’s post secondary educational aid.
- Princeton Review – A variety of scholarships and financial aid for college, business, graduate, law and medical school can be found here.
- Financial Aid Shopping Sheet – Many colleges and universities have adapted a shopping sheet that provides personalized information on financial aid and net costs as well as general information on institutional outcomes — all in a standardized format. This tool provides an easy way to make clear comparisons among financial aid offers from different schools.
- FinAid! – The SmartStudent Guide to financial aid.
- GoCollege – The collegiate website for financial aid and scholarship information.
Scholarships
- Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation – Scholarships only available to senior students in the Elk Grove Unified School District. The Elk Grove Community Foundation generates, manages, endows and distributes post secondary scholarships to the area’s youth.
- Scholarships.com – An electronic database of scholarship opportunities for all students.
- FastWeb – The premier online resource for paying and preparing for college.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund – Scholarships geared for students of Hispanic descent.
- CollegeScholarships.com – A scholarship search service helping students since 1995.
Scholarships
Scholarships can be a very helpful solution in solving financial aid challenges for incoming college students. They also require a significant amount of time devoted to research and completing applications. However, scholarships can provide a large payoff in the end if you prepare correctly. Read on for more tips about scholarships.
Searching for Scholarships
- Don’t wait until your senior year to start searching for scholarships. There are many different types of scholarships – there are even scholarships for elementary school students! If you wait until your senior year to start your research, you’ve waited much too long.
- Make a list of your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, jobs you may have held, career plans and unique attributes about you. Also include what your parents do and who they work for. This list will help you determine what scholarships you will be eligible for.
- When using scholarship search engines (such as FastWeb or Scholarships.com), make sure you answer every single available question to ensure the most matches for potential scholarships.
- Make sure you look for scholarships that might be offered in your area. Elk Grove Unified School District students are very lucky to have the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation. The Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation provides post-secondary scholarships for local youth. Click here to visit the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation website.
- Leave no stone unturned in your scholarship search! Check your State Department of Education as well as colleges on your list. Scholarships are everywhere – you can find them if you’re willing to look!
Applying for Scholarships
- Once you have decided to apply for a scholarship, start working on your application early and don’t wait until the last minute. Starting early will help ensure less mistakes on your application.
- If your scholarship requires an essay, make sure you personalize your essay. Scholarship committees are looking to get to know you and the essay portion of a scholarship application presents the perfect opportunity to highlight positive qualities about yourself.
- Type your scholarship applications, if possible. Typing your application ensures that your application will be legible.
- Make sure you PRINT out a copy of your scholarship application to proofread before sending off your application. Printing for editing purposes helps tremendously in catching more errors. Also – be sure to have others – such as teachers, parents, other family members – proofread your essay.
- Be sure to make a photocopy of your entire scholarship application packet before mailing it. Send the application packet by certified mail so you can track it.
Scholarship Resources
- Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation – Scholarships only available to senior students in the Elk Grove Unified School District. The Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation generates, manages, endows and distributes post secondary scholarships to the area’s youth.
- Scholarships.com – An electronic database of scholarship opportunities for all students.
- FastWeb – The premier online resource for paying and preparing for college.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund – Scholarships geared for students of Hispanic descent.
- CollegeScholarships.com – A scholarship search service helping students since 1995.
- Sixt Scholar Program – Founded in 2014, the Sixt Scholar Program offers five high school seniors graduating in 2017 the opportunity to receive a $5,000 scholarship and become a Sixt scholar.
FAFSA
You’ve finally finished all of your college applications and they are safely in the mail. But guess what? Your college application process still isn’t finished! It is now time to begin the march towards obtaining financial aid to help pay for your college education.
If your parents are completely financing your college education, consider yourself to be one of the lucky ones! But if you are like the majority of the college-going population, the financial aid process has only just begun. Your journey will start with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA
Everyone who is applying for financial aid has to fill out the FAFSA. This form is available in your school’s Career Center, your counselor’s office or online. Although students can complete a paper FAFSA application, the FAFSA can be filled out online for faster processing. Use a paper FAFSA application first as a rough draft, then fill out the online form.
Your FAFSA will help you determine your financial need – based on a college’s cost and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Types of Financial Aid
There are many different types of financial aid out there. Four of the most popular types of financial aid are:
- Grants – Students do NOT have to repay grants. They are typically given for athletics, academics, special talent, need-based, etc.
- Scholarships – Students also do NOT have to repay scholarships. Scholarships can be awarded for athletics, academic excellence or special talent.
- Loans – These must be repaid. There are two types of loans: federal loans and alternative loans.
- College Work Study – Work study allows colleges to hire students for employment to pay their own way as they attend college. You do not repay the money earned.
There are also two different types of student loans – federal and alternative loans.
- Federal loans are guaranteed by the US government.
- Alternative loans are guaranteed by private guarantee agencies.
College Choices
Choosing the right college or university is an important decision. Parents and students should take time to explore all the different opportunities available to them. The following information will help you better understand post-secondary choices and provide you guides as to the questions you should ask both yourself and the institutions that you are interested in.
Types of Schools
There are many types of colleges, universities and other post-secondary options to fit different career choices and student personalities. High school students should begin early on to figure out what type of school they would like to attend. The summary below will get you started.
Universities
Universities are typically larger than colleges. They usually offer more majors, research facilities and graduate programs. Class size can be significantly larger. It is not unusual for a graduate student to teach a class under the guidance of a professor.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and students may have more interaction with their instructors.
Community Colleges
Community colleges offer a degree after the completion of two years of full-time study. They frequently offer technical programs that prepare you for immediate entry into the job market. The Sacramento region is served by the Los Rios Community College District. Los Rios has four campuses: American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College.
For students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution after completing their studies at a Los Rios school, each Los Rios campus offers Transfer Admission Guarantees (TAG) options. The TAG program provides eligible students guaranteed admission to a UC campus college and academic term of choice, but not necessarily for impacted majors – if a student satisfies certain requirements for admission to a UC while at their community college. Los Rios schools offer TAG options to seven University of California campuses – Davis, Irvine, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz – as well as to the University of the Pacific. American River College also has TAG options with Bethany University, Golden Gate University, Humboldt State University and Santa Clara University. Folsom Lake College offers TAG options with Golden Gate University, California State University, Monterey Bay and St. Mary’s College of California.
Although the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) does not offer a TAG option, Sacramento City College does participate in the Transfer Alliance Program with UCLA. By completing five honors classes and maintaining a cumulative 3.2 grade point average, Sacramento City College has an 80 percent acceptance rate into UCLA.
Agricultural, Technical, and Specialized Colleges
Technical or vocational schools prepare students for specific careers. A career college is a private or public institution that offers certifications and degrees in a variety of career-specific fields. Some of the most popular subjects and careers include:
- Accounting
- Art and Design
- Automotive
- Business Administration
- Cosmetology
- Court Reporting
- Culinary Arts
- Dental Assistant
- Electrician
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Fashion Design
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
- Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Information Technology
- Medical and Technical Careers
- Nursing
- Paralegal
- Plumbing
- Real Estate
Specialized Private Schools
Single-Sex: All four-year public colleges and most private schools are co-ed. In terms of single-sex colleges, there are about 50 specifically for men and about 70 specifically for women. Some may enroll a few men or women.
Religiously Affiliated Colleges: Some private colleges are affiliated with a religious faith. The affiliation may be historic only or it may affect day-to-day student life.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Some colleges in the United States were created for black students. They were founded at a time when African Americans were not allowed to attend most other colleges. Today, these colleges are known as historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs. While HBCUs may recruit students of all ethnicities, black students are usually the biggest group on campus. This gives African Americans a unique opportunity to experience an educational community in which they are a part of the majority, often for the first time.
Hispanic-Serving Institutes: There are about 135 institutions designated by the federal government as “Hispanic-Serving.” At these schools, Hispanic students comprise at least 25 percent of the total full-time undergraduate enrollment.
Military: Members of the U.S. military service maintain the U.S. national defense and join as either enlistees (with a high school diploma) or as officers (with a college degree). Although some service members work in occupations specific to the military, such as fighter pilots or infantrymen, many work in occupations that also exist in the civilian workplace, such as nurses, doctors, and lawyers. Members serve primarily in 5 branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. Or, some serve in the Reserve components of these 5 branches, and in the Air National Guard and Army National Guard. (The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security.)
Enlisted personnel typically do the following:
- Participate in, or support, military operations, such as combat or training operations, or humanitarian or disaster relief
- Operate, maintain, and repair equipment
- Perform technical and support activities
- Supervise junior enlisted personnel
Officers typically do the following:
- Plan, organize, and lead troops and activities in military operations
- Manage enlisted personnel
- Operate and command aircraft, ships, or armored vehicles
- Provide medical, legal, engineering, and other services to military personnel
Colleges and Universities
College Navigator
College Navigator is an interactive website that provides detailed information about different institutions, including programs and majors, admissions considerations and more.
Below are links to a variety of educational institutions including UC, CSU, California community colleges and private colleges.
California Colleges
Learn about admission requirements, how to apply, and more for all higher education segments in California.
Cal State Apply (CSU System)
Link to the 23 state universities for information on admissions, campuses, majors and more.
CRC Program Exploration
Visit your local community college programs from this link.
University of California (UC System)
This link provides you the opportunity to explore the 10 UC campuses, apply online, research majors and more.
Local Community Colleges
Click here to link to all the local community colleges within the Los Rios Community College District.
eCampus Tours
Features a 360 degree virtual college tours of over a thousand college campus.
Historically Black Colleges
Link to a list of prominent historically black colleges. You’ll find access to the common application, scholarships and schools.
CollegeWeekLive
CollegeWeekLive is the world’s largest college fair, with hundreds of colleges and universities from around the world and tens of thousands of students participating.
CSU and UC Admissions
Since the Class of 2003, the University of California and California State University systems agreed to adopt the same courses required for freshman admission – making it easier for high school students to prepare for admission to both systems. High school course requirements are as follows:
- History/Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. History or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American Government AND 1 year of social science) – 2 years
- English – 4 years
- Math – 3 years (4 years recommended)
- Laboratory Science – 2 years
- Language other than English – 2 years
- Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama/theater, music or visual art) – 1 year
- College Preparatory Elective (chosen from the University of California A-G list) – 1 year
Students are also encouraged to earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in the above courses with no grade lower than a C.
For students applying to a UC who are California residents – if a state resident student who has met the minimum requirements and isn’t admitted to any UC campus to which they apply, that student will be offered a spot at another campus if space is available, provided:
- The student ranks in the top nine percent of California high school students – according to the UC admissions index, or
- The student ranks in the top nine percent of their graduating class at a participating high school (referred to as “Eligible in the Local Context” (ELC)).
Validation of “D” grades in foreign language and math: Both UC & CSU require that applicants have a grade of “C” or better in each term of the required “a-g” courses except that a “D” grade may be validated with a higher grade in the second semester or the next higher level course in foreign languages and mathematics. Even though the course requirement has been validated, the “D” grade will still remain in the grade point calculation.
Validation of language other than English: Both UC & CSU can validate the requirement for two years of language other than English with a first semester college level course in that language. The college course must show that the first semester of college study is equivalent to two years of high school study. Higher levels of either high school or college level language other than English courses can also validate lower levels of the same language courses.
Click here for more information about CSU admissions guidelines.
Click here for more information about UC admissions guidelines.
Degrees
Certificate or Diploma
These non-degree offerings can lead to employment in an occupational field. In EGUSD, several Explore Academies and Pathways programs offer them.
Associate’s Degree
Community/junior colleges offer Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees for two years of study, similar to what is offered through a four-year college. After earning an A.A. or an A.S., students may choose to transfer to a four-year college to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded on completion of technological or vocation programs of study. Some careers, such as nursing, require only an associate degree.
Bachelors or Baccalaureate Degree
Colleges and universities offer four- or five-year, full-time programs of study (or its part-time equivalent). The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees are the most common. Other colleges award very specific degrees, such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.).
Teacher Certification
Teachers are required to have a credential from the state that declares that they have completed certain mandated-requirements and have passed teaching examinations. Each state has individual requirements for teacher certification. All states require certificated teachers to have a bachelor’s degree. To learn more earning a teaching credential in California visit: www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/default-prospective.html.
Combined Bachelor’s/Graduate Degree (or Joint Degree)
A combined Bachelor’s/Graduate (or Joint Degree) are sometimes available at colleges and universities for students who wish to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s or first-professional degree in less than the usual amount of time. In most programs, students apply to the graduate program during their first three years of undergraduate study, and begin the graduate program in their fourth year of college.
Graduate Degree
After completing a bachelor’s degree, you may decide to pursue an advanced or graduate degree. In general, you can earn a master’s degree after studying for two more years. Studying for four years after getting your bachelor’s can earn you a doctoral degree. Many students go into the workforce after getting a bachelor’s degree and then return to college later to pursue a master’s degree, often one in a different subject area than their first degree.
Professional Degree
Earning a professional degree means completing the academic requirements to become licensed in a recognized profession. For example, if you want to be a doctor, lawyer, veterinarian or pharmacist, you’ll need a professional degree. These programs of study require at least two years of previous college work for entrance, and at least six years of total college work for completion.
College Fairs/Visits
College visits play an important role in finding a school where a student will be successful. College campuses vary greatly in size, location in a community, architecture, facilities and culture. College visits are especially important for students who are thinking about attending a school in a state or area that they’ve never lived in or if the school is far away from family and childhood friends.
To get the best feel for the school, it is best to visit when classes are in session. While visiting a campus it is important to talk to both college officials and current students. Most schools offer campus tours, often provided by a current student. Many also offer high school students the opportunity to stay the night in a dorm to truly experience campus life.
Before You Go
With so many schools to choose from it can be difficult to decide which ones to visit. However, there are several resources available that can help you narrow the search.
Click on the university’s website – This may seem obvious, but you’ll want to take the “virtual tour” and fully explore the resources available on the college website. Some college websites offer online chats so you can talk with current students and admission officers.
Read the college’s printed material – Take a look at the printed material that colleges produce. The course catalog can be especially helpful. It outlines the college’s philosophy and mission statement, as well as providing information about majors, course requirements and offerings. However, when reading the glossy brochures, keep in mind that the university representatives are seeking to portray their school in the best possible light.
Check out the student newspaper – You’ll find links to the college newspaper from the college’s own website. Pay special attention to the issues that seem important to students on that campus – would these be important to you? You’ll also learn about student peeves and activities on campus.
Take a campus tour via video – At It’s Nacho – YOUniversityTV.com you can view campus tours of various colleges. While none of these will substitute for a campus visit, they will help you learn more about the colleges you’re considering.
Visiting the College Campus
Step 1: Select a few local colleges to visit to get experience handling a college visit.
Select several (six or seven) campuses you are thinking about attending. Select public as well as private colleges. Then select a few local colleges to visit. Remember that you are just looking at colleges and that private colleges provide more financial aid, in general, than public colleges and universities provide.
Our local colleges include five kinds of campuses:
- UC – UC Davis
- CSU – California State University, Sacramento
- Private – University of the Pacific
- Community College – American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, Sacramento City College, Sierra College
- Technical/Vocational – Heald College, International Academy of Design and Technology – Sacramento, University of Phoenix, Carrington College California, The Art Institute of California – Sacramento, MTI College, Anthem College, Kaplan College, DeVry University
Step 2: Plan ahead for your tours and visits.
Before you visit the campus, consider some of the options below and create questions in advance of your visit.
- Schedule an interview in the admissions office, if available.
- Review admissions requirements (tests, high school grades, etc.) and get a realistic view by looking at profiles of the previous freshman class.
- Obtain a school calendar and fee schedule.
- Investigate your academic program or major of interest.
- Take a campus virtual tour.
- Learn about the college (departmental strengths, research opportunities, facilities, parking, ease of registration, crime statistics, etc.)
- Investigate types of student support available (academic, personal, psychological and physical) and special programs (education abroad, work-study, intercampus exchange, etc.)
- Investigate career planning and placement programs. Determine the percentage of graduates who go on to higher education and admissions rates of medical/law/business school applicants. Also, ask about employment rates directly out of college, internship and recruitment programs.
- If possible, meet with someone in your major department.
- Stay overnight in a residence hall, if time permits.
- See if the colleges offer a new student orientation. The organized event can cover everything above.
Step 3: The College Visit/Tour
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions while visiting a campus! Ask about the percentage of students who graduate in four or five years and the number of returning sophomores. Ask why students choose to leave, ask about the amount of study necessary for success.
- Visit the library.
- Ask about financial aid opportunities (deadlines, forms required, merit scholarships, percentage of students receiving aid, etc.)
- Schedule a visit with a financial aid officer, if appropriate.
- Meet with faculty. Determine whether professors or assistants teach undergraduate classes.
- Talk with students. Ask what they like and dislike most about the college.
- Sit in on one or two freshman classes – witness class size, teaching style, academic atmosphere, respect accorded to students and teachers, comfort level in classes, etc.
- Find out how students use their out-of-classroom time.
- Become aware of student activities (clubs, organizations, intramurals, etc.).
- Inquire about campus life in terms of dating, social activities, fraternities/sororities, etc.
- Check the residence halls and dining facilities. Envision yourself in the living environment. Try the food.
- Check the adequacy of computer facilities and technology available.
- Examine the surrounding community, determine what cultural and social enrichment opportunities are available and inquire about safety issues.
Step 4: Make a “Quick-Check” list for each college visit.
Making a “quick-check” list can be helpful when visiting multiple schools. If you don’t, the schools will become a blur after visits to several campuses. You can include the following types of information to personalize your list:
- Name of college, date of visit, address and phone number
- Size of student body, tuition/fees and admission requirements
- Personal ranking of location, academics, atmosphere, housing, facilities, class sizes, social life, reputation, financial aid, school size, size of surrounding community, religious affiliation, athletics, special programs, special services, sororities/fraternities, prestige, rigor of programs.
Sample Questions To Ask on College Tours
Questions to ask can be divided into four areas: academic, social, surroundings and general.
A. Academic Questions
- Do professors teach most freshmen courses or do graduate students do much of the teaching?
- What is the attitude of most professors toward students? Are they friendly? Accessible? Willing to give extra help?
- How hard do you have to work to be successful? How open is access to advisors for assistance and/or mentoring?
- How difficult is it to change majors?
- Is the learning environment cooperative or competitive?
- Does the school have adequate computer facilities?
- Some colleges are doing a lot these days in the area of career counseling. How does this college stack up? (One college, for example, devotes certain weekends to exploration of different careers with graduates coming back to tell about what they do and talk about salary, advancements, etc.).
- Is there a Career Planning and Placement Center on campus? How many graduates does it help place?
- What percentage of graduates got jobs last year?
- What percentage of graduates goes on to professional or graduate schools?
B. Social Questions
- What do students do on the weekends? Do many of them go home? Is the campus lively or empty?
- What is the situation with regard to drinking and drugs?
- Are there good places to eat, aside from the official dining halls?
- If the school is not co-ed, what kinds of social arrangements are made?
- How important are fraternities and sororities in campus life? Does most social life depend on them?
- Do theatrical companies, orchestras and other musical groups or outside lecturers come to the campus? If not, are such activities available in town?
- Are groups in the college community involved in what’s going on in the outside world – politics, international relations, community service?
C. Questions about the Surrounding Area
- For non-urban schools, find out what the surrounding community is like. How are relations between residents and students – the so-called “town-gown” relationship?
- What’s the transportation like between campus and town?
- Is any large urban area accessible?
- For urban schools, how safe is the neighborhood? Is housing available in the surrounding area? Is adequate parking available on campus?
D. General Questions
- What kinds of help are available – academic, personal, psychological?
- How are personal problems handled?
- What can you do if you dislike your roommate?
- Are there a lot of rules and regulations on conduct, etc. that must be observed?
- Are there special restrictions on freshmen?
- How safe is the campus?
- Always ask what students like most about the college. Dislike most?
- Also ask, “What’s wrong with this place?” as well as, “What’s the greatest thing about this college?”
- Finally, what is the general attitude toward students by the college admissions officers, registrar, residence hall managers, assistant deans and academic advisors?
Selecting a School
Deciding which colleges to apply to, much less which to attend is a significant life choice that will affect you for years. What are your values? What kind of environment do you want to live in? These and other questions will help guide you to select the proper school.
Location
How far away from home would you like to go to school? 10 miles or 2,000 miles
Size of College
Would you prefer to attend a school with a large enrollment, (30,000 or more students) a small one, (around 1,500 students) or something in the middle? How large would you like the physical size of the campus to be?
Environment
Would you rather attend a community college or other: 2-year institution, 4-year university, urban, suburban, or a rural school? Is the location and size of the nearest city important to you? Do you prefer a co-ed or single-gender school? Does the school’s religious affiliation make a difference to you?
Admissions/Requirements
At what schools do you have a high enough GPA, class ranking, and test scores to be admitted?
Academics
Which schools offer the major(s) that you are considering? What kind of student-faculty ratio and typical class size are you looking for, and which schools offer them?
College Expenses/Financial Aid
Does your college choice match your financial ability? How expensive a school can you afford to attend? Consider tuition, room and board, and other expenses including the application fee, deposits, etc. How many students receive financial aid at the schools you are considering?
Housing/Facilities
Would you rather live on campus, in a dorm, or commute to school from home? What type of academic, medical and recreational facilities should your college have?
Activities
What kind of clubs and organizations (including fraternities and sororities) do you want college to offer? What types of athletic activities (including intramural teams) should be offered by the school you choose to attend?
Special Programs
Do you need a school with services or programs for the learning disabled? Would you like to study abroad? Do you plan to continue your ESL studies in college? Are you looking for an honors program?
