College Planning Handbook

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BUILDING A COLLEGE LIST College Websites College websites (usually using the common format of www.collegename.edu) are an easy way to start a basic search. They are full of information and will answer most initial questions about a college. The following are suggestions to guide your search: • General information: How large is the college and where is it located? Is the school part of a consortium? What is the retention rate for freshmen? • Entrance requirements: How many years of foreign language are required? What are the testing requirements? Do you need to take SAT Subject Tests? Does the school use the Common Application? Are there supplemental essays required? Is this a test optional school? • Degree requirements: Most college websites have online catalogs, allowing you to explore the course offerings and major requirements for different programs. What percentage of required credits is mandated as part of a core curriculum and what percentage are electives? Or, does the college have an open curriculum? • Department websites: Do the required courses appeal to you? Are the courses offered each year or every other year? How many full professors are in the department? How many of the faculty are part-time, adjunct professors? What is the studentfaculty ratio? • Study abroad: What are the school-sponsored programs? When can you go? • Cost and Financial Aid: Is in-state tuition a consideration? What merit scholarships and need-based financial aid are available? • Career Development: How many students engage in internships? What percentage of graduates have jobs or have been admitted to graduate school? What career services does the college offer to students? • Videos, virtual tours and photo galleries of the campus.

Naviance/Student Naviance/Student is the name given to the Naviance portal for a student and her family. Naviance/Student affords our students and families the opportunity to gather information, view statistical data relative to prior Sacred Heart applicants, research college information and create customized searches to support their individual process. A wealth of information is at one’s disposal via this user-friendly, intuitive platform. Naviance is a national leader on the college application submission and informational tracking landscape. Through Naviance, counselors can see where each student is applying, her standardized test scores and GPA, send documents to colleges electronically, and keep track of decisions (acceptances,

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