prep guide
COLLEGE
Spring 2 014
Applying For College Smart Packing Tips Choosing The Right Major Scholarship Tips Application Timeline Extracurricular Activities
at Casper
College
INSIDE
n e p O w o N
Applying for college...............................3 Improving test taking skills...................4 College prep for
freshmen and sophomores.................5
Summer activities...................................7 Application timeline...............................8 Choosing the right major.......................9
Scholarship tips....................................10
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College in the Fall? It’s time to apply Applying to college may seem like a daunting task, but taking the effort one step at a time can make the whole process manageable. “Applying for college may seem like a lot of work,” said Schylar Canfield-Baber, campus outreach manager for nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation (SAF). “But if you start early and move through the checklist item by item, you’ll be done before you know it.” According to Canfield, the summer before a student’s senior year is the best time to begin researching colleges of interest. Students should apply to about five colleges and narrow their choices over time based on factors including college acceptance, fit, and more. While many college applications are due in the fall of a student’s senior year, each college is unique and applicants need to be mindful of deadlines. In order to ensure that deadlines are met, students should keep a list of application requirements and associated deadlines. In addition, read the application instructions and follow them closely. Any empty blanks or missing documents could delay applications or result in denial. It’s often a good idea to follow up with the Admissions Office to ensure that applications were received. Be prompt if the Admissions Office requests clarification or additional information. Some schools require essays, while others prefer letters of recommendation. Some schools even require personal interviews or auditions with potential students. Be prepared for whatever is needed. Of course, students also will need to submit their ACT and SAT scores, provide high school transcripts, research scholarships, pay any fees that are owed, secure housing on campus, visit with financial aid administrators, and the list goes on. Many websites provide lists for students to refer to as they progress through the application process and these can be helpful to serve as a guideline. Some lists include: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/college-applicationchecklist, http://collegeadmissions.testmasters.com/basic-steps-college-admissions-process/. Plus, many colleges and universities provide lists specific to their schools on their websites. “Also, students should never underestimate the willingness of college admissions staff members to help students and families to properly complete the application process,” said Canfield. “This willingness to help extends to the areas of financial aid, academics and so on. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.” In addition, SAF outreach managers are available to provide free assistance with the admissions process, along with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion, money management counseling, and more. Find an outreach manager near you at http://smartaboutcollege.org/outreach.jsp. Student Assistance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Montana corporation that provides students with knowledge and tools to pursue and fund their postsecondary education. Funds generated by SAF are returned to Montanans in the form of education grants and public benefit programs - to date more than $27 million.
For more information, visit www.safmt.org or www.SmartAboutCollege.org
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How to improve test-taking skills
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Metro Services Students are periodically tested to gauge their progress on a variety of subjects. Although testing can be an effective way to determine a student's understanding of a given subject, not every student performs well on tests. Test-taking comes easily for some but not so for others. Nerves or trouble concentrating can foil the best students. However, there are ways for students to improve their test-taking skills.
Preparation Most tests are given with prior notice, enabling students to prepare for them well in advance. Sometimes teachers and professors will surprise students with a quiz. These pop quizzes are used to judge how well students are absorbing the information and if they have been paying attention. When in class, continually jot down
notes and create an outline of important information. The teacher may provide hints about the upcoming test, including emphasizing specific areas of focus or even revealing the format of the test. Contrary to what some students believe, teachers want their students to succeed. Therefore, your teacher may offer a review session the day before or be open for questions prior to the test if further clarification is needed. Studying with others can shed new light on a subject. Studying difficult subject matter with peers may help students grasp the materials better than they did in class. Classmates may have some tricks they've developed, including pneumonic devices for putting facts together.
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The day before and the day of the test
Try to remain positive through the test. If you feel yourself getting nervous, take a few deep breaths and regroup. In addition Prior to a test, make sure you eat and to these tips, there are other ways to apget enough rest. While it may be tempting proach the test. to pull an "all-nighter," you will not perform • Do the easiest problems first. If you do well on the test if you are tired from having not know a question, skip it and move on. studied all night. Review the material and There may be clues later on in the test that put the main ideas or formulas onto a help you go back and answer skipped sheet that can be quickly reviewed. Review questions. it many times and then put it away. Have • Always read the entire question. Skima good meal, relax and try to get at least ming could find you missing important eight hours of sleep. instructions. On the day of the test, wake up and • Look for words that may help you dearrive on time or even a few minutes early termine the answer, such as “all,” “never” for your class. This can help to calm your or “none.” They may present clues to the nerves and enable you to squeeze in some answer. last-second studying. • Pay attention to your work and only your work. Do not be distracted if others finish The test itself before you. Make sure you have the supplies need- • If there is time, go back and look over the ed for the test. This may include pens or test. Make sure that all the questions have pencils, a calculator, a textbook if you are been answered and check for any careless allowed to reference, or any other supplies mistakes. Proofread any essays and short the teacher allows. Have a watch available answer questions. so that you can pace yourself during the test. Avoid using a mobile phone during the Preparing well for a test, remaining calm test, as the teacher may misinterpret that and checking over your work can help as cheating. students who struggle with test-taking do their best.
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College Prep: It’s for freshman & sophomores too! Courtesy of SAF
Seniors, seniors, seniors! It seems like when people talk about college preparation, they immediately focus their attention on high school seniors. Makes sense, but freshmen and sophomores can be proactive, too. “Obviously there will always be plenty of work to be done in your junior and senior years in high school,” said Schylar Canfield-Baber, outreach manager for nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) at Montana Tech. “It only makes sense to check as many items off the list as early as possible.” Here are some tips to get you started:
Identify a goal
Check the map
activities look good on your college into adulthood. Some suggestions application, but they allow you to be a include purchasing a daily planner to part of your high school community. write down assignments, or spending time with a teacher or tutor who can help Be your own advocate you hone your study techniques. Don’t understand something in class? Need help filling out your schedule? Ask! Challenge yourself High school is no time to coast. You are your own best advocate, so find Invest in yourself by taking rigorous core your voice and let people know what you classes like Algebra II. Also, consider tak- want to do with your future. ing dual credit and advanced placement SAF outreach managers are available Explore your opportunities to provide free assistance with preparclasses. Potentially, you could graduate Your freshman and sophomore years ing for college, money management from college sooner. are good times refine your goals by counseling, and more. Find an outreach exploring your options. Use websites like manager near you at: Get involved the Montana Career Information System School isn’t all homework and tests! (MCIS) at mtcis.intocareers.org/ to research your interests, careers, postsec- Get involved in extra-curricular activities http://smartaboutcollege.org/outreach.jsp ondary schools, scholarships, and more. like yearbook, sports, band, or any other club. Not only do extra-curricular This research may help you refine your goals for the future.
It is hard to reach a goal if you aren’t heading in the right direction. Check with your school counselor regularly to make sure you are taking the right classes and will have all of the credits you need to graduate from high school and meet the requirements for acceptance into the postsecondary program of your choice.
It is too soon for most students to select a career, but it’s a good idea to figure out whether college, trade school, or another path will be part of your future. Many Get organized, manage your decisions over the next few years will be time, learn to study made based on this goal. These skills are going to serve you well throughout high school, college and
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Lazy days of summer?
Get up off that couch! Courtesy of SAF Spring is drawing closer, and for many students, their thoughts are already straying to the lazy days of summer. Ok — we’ll give you a couple weeks of sitting on the couch, but why not get some things accomplished this summer as well?
EXPLORE
MONTANA
STATE UNIVERSITY BIG IDEAS AND BOLD ADVENTURES
Here are some ideas for young adults looking to recharge their batteries and be productive at the same time.
Get a summer job For many students, this option is a “no brainer.” It’s a great opportunity to earn some cash while gaining important work experience. Don’t forget to set aside some money each paycheck to help pay for college!
Job shadow What better way to learn if your career interest is right for you than by finding out firsthand? Ask someone you know who is working in your area of interest if you can follow them for a day or more to see what the job really entails, or let your high school counselor know you want to participate in job shadowing.
Use your In-State Advantage* at MSU, Montana’s premier university.
Volunteer Summer is a great time to volunteer your time to help others. Walk dogs at the humane society in your town. Lend a hand at the local food bank. Mow your neighbor’s lawn. To find other ways that you could make a difference in your community, visit www.serve. mt.gov.
Take a class Check with community colleges, museums, etc. to see what types of classes they offer in the summer months. This is an opportunity to explore your interest areas or try something new. Look and apply for scholarships: Seniors in high school and college students should make looking, and applying, for scholarships part of their plans for summer vacation. Just a couple hours a week could make a major difference in how much their family needs to pay out of pocket for postsecondary education. Some helpful websites include: http://www.fastweb.com/ and https://mtcis.intocareers.org/materials/portal/home.html. Take practice ACT and SAT tests: Studies show that students who take practice ACT and SAT tests do better than those students who don’t. Visit http://homeworkmt.org/ to take free, practice ACT and SAT tests. For other ideas for summer activities, check out SmartAboutCollege.org.
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Application Timeline Green Shoot Media
NOVEMBER
Applying for college can be a long, time-consuming process, but it's easier if you take it one step at a time and know what to expect. Here's a month-bymonth guideline for what high school seniors can expect as they go through the admissions process.
AUGUST
Compile a list of colleges that you want to apply to. Experts recommend categorizing them into three areas: "safe" schools that you should easily get accepted into, "match" schools that are a good fit for your academics, and "reach" schools that are a long shot but still worth applying for. Check the websites of these colleges to find out their admission requirements, including their application deadlines. For schools you're most seriously considering, now can also be a good time for an on-campus visit to see it in person. You should also review your high school class schedule to make sure you're meeting all the requirements for your target colleges, including any foreign language courses or special English or math classes that may be required.
SEPTEMBER
As soon as school starts, plan on scheduling a meeting with your guidance counselor to make a road map for your college application process. You'll want to write down all the deadlines for when applications are due — usually Dec. 1 for freshman applicants, but check with each school to make sure — and take particular note of any early decision deadlines. You should also start requesting letters of recommendation from teachers, bosses, church leaders and anyone else who can offer a positive, honest opinion about you. Now is the time to start working on your college essays, too, and you can boost your college resume by looking for leadership positions, volunteering and taking on some extracurricular activities.
OCTOBER
If you haven't done so already, take the SAT and/or ACT tests as appropriate for your situation. Depending on your school's application deadline, October may be your last chance to get test scores submitted to the school on time. You should also start to narrow down your list of college choices. Gather as much information as you can on everything from financial costs to student life, and complete as many in-person campus visits as possible. Use this month to get extremely organized, with a chart of every application requirement and its associated deadline: financial aid, letters of recommendation, essays and application forms.
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This is the month when you should be putting the finishing touches on your regular admissions applications, which are typically due in December. Have teachers, counselors and parents review your college essays, and double-check each of the applications to be sure you're meeting all the requirements. It's also important to not let your grades dip at this time. It's not uncommon for senior-year grades to slump, but this is a bad sign for college admissions agents.
DECEMBER AND JANUARY
With your regular admissions applications finished and polished to perfection, Dec. 1 is the deadline to actually submit them for most schools. You'll want to do a lot of double-checking to make sure other people are doing their part of the job: getting the right, up-to-date high school transcripts submitted and letters of recommendation mailed off. You should also do lots of digging into available scholarships and completing your FAFSA form as early as possible if you plan to apply for financial aid.
FEBRUARY AND MARCH
You may begin receiving some acceptance letters now, but be thoughtful about making your final decision. You'll want to compare financial aid offers and make in-campus visits before picking one definitively. Students who filed a FAFSA form should receive their Student Aid Report (SAR). You'll want to make sure all the information on it is correct. Keep researching and applying for scholarships that can help you no matter where you choose to attend.
APRIL
Keep all the information you receive from schools organized. You may want to compile them in folders labeled "accepted," "rejected" and "waitlisted." If you've decided not to attend a college after receiving your acceptance letter, it's a good courtesy to send them a letter letting them know you have ruled that school out.
MAY
If you haven't done so already, finalize your decision and start to make financial plans for attending your chosen school. Let the school know about any scholarships you have received. Also take note of any deposit deadlines, because many colleges require a deposit by May. 1. Sometimes you can request an extension if you need more time. You can take AP exams to get college credit before you leave high school. And finally, do the polite thing by sending thank-you letters to everyone who helped you get into college — from teachers and counselors to your mentors and family members.
Choose the Right Major Green Shoot Media
Some people are lucky enough to find their career passion from an early age. For many of us, though, choosing a field of interest can be downright intimidating. The choice between accounting and financial analysis, for example, may not sound very vast, but the intricacies of each are diverse indeed. As such, difficulties in choosing a major are the driving force behind many college students opting for an “undeclared” designation. Experts advise students to settle on a major by the time they earn about 60 credit hours.
Do Your Research
Read, watch and listen to everything you can related to information on careers and emerging industries. A great resource to start with is the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), a publication by the U.S. Department of Labor that shares thorough information for nearly all jobs in the U.S. economy. Use the OOH and other print, video or radio resources to educate yourself on salaries, job outlooks, working conditions and required education. Career centers are also a great place to pick up informational packets, pamphlets and flyers that can help educate students on available majors.
Discuss Your Options Talk with your advisor, parents, other family members and friends about your options. Sometimes the people around us have a better understanding of our key attributes and how we can leverage them into a successful career. Academic advisors are trained in guiding students toward choosing appropriate courses, pursuing scholarship opportunities and maintaining extracurricular activities that tie in with the requirements of their prospective majors.
Take an Assessment
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Your high school should be able to supply you with a skills assessment test that will help link your proficiencies with various career options. Assessments are not meant to be the lone strategy in choosing a major, rather one of many pieces to the puzzle. You can find a variety of free online assessments that require little time and effort in discovering the job options that excite you. Simply fill out information related to your key strengths and interests, and discuss the results with your parents.
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Scholarships: A student’s best friend Courtesy of SAF
Looking for ways to stretch your college savings? Scholarships can help, and deadlines arrive quicker than you think. Take some time in the next couple of months to visit with your guidance counselor, and contact the financial aid office at the postsecondary schools you want to attend. (About 90 percent of scholarships are awarded locally and at the schools that students attend.) Search websites including the Montana Career Information System (http://mtcis.intocareers.org/), FastWeb.com, scholarships.com or Collegeboard.com to find scholarships for which you might qualify. Remember, scholarships are available to students for reasons ranging from academic success, to athletic prowess, to volunteer efforts — there’s something for everyone. By identifying scholarships for which you would like to apply early, it will allow you time to ask coaches, teachers, and others for letters of recommendation. Plus, you won’t be rushed to complete application forms, write essays (if required), and put your best effort
into attaining some money to help pay for school. Be sure to pay close attention to deadlines! Many scholarship committees place a great deal of emphasis on the essays that accompany scholarship applications.
Keep the following in mind: • Grammar and spelling count. (You aren’t texting a friend!) • Promote yourself by talking about extra-curricular activities, paid and volunteer jobs and more. • Share your personality and creativity through your essay in order to set your application apart from others. • Be enthusiastic about the scholarship for which you are applying and explain how receiving it will help you achieve your goals. • Ask for help. Have a teacher, parent or friend edit and critique your application. • Follow up. Make sure your application was received, and ask if additional information is required. Once you are notified that you have received a scholarship, accept it in order to assure that funds
are reserved for you. Finally, remember to extend your gratitude for the investment in your academic future by sending a thank-you note. Nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation is available to provide free assistance with scholarship searches and preparation, in addition to FAFSA completion.
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