How can I best prepare myself to tackle the college selection process? How can I keep this process from causing too much stress?

1. College Preparation Awareness
Brandywine Heights HS
December 21, 2018

2. Tackle the process with the 3 Cs
COMMAND
CONNECT
CALM

3. COMMAND
• Difficult at times but necessary.
• Among the 1st in a long line of big decisions
you’ll make in your lifetime.
• How can I take command today?
– CHECKLISTS!

4. Why Checklists?
• It’s simple and easy
• Breakdown larger pieces of the process…”How
do you eat an elephant?”
• Provides a map on what to tackle 1st, 2nd, etc.
• Much of this is done for you!
Collegeboard Big Future

5. What matters to colleges?
Visit Campus
 Research events on college
website.
 Sign up for a visit
 Tour campus
 Dress? Like a student…a
serious student
 Got Questions? Prepare
some and ask them yourself
Sensible Course Selection
 Rigor without rigor mortis
 Dual Enrollment?
 Summer courses at local
CC?
 Summer courses at college
of choice?
 Can’t change the past but
talk to us about it.

6. What about admission applications?
 Common App or School
App? Preference?
 Need rec. letters? How
many? Ask now!
 When should I apply?
 Is there a fee?
 Is an essay required?
More than one?
Simple Essay Writing Formula
 How my life was before
 What happened to me
 How I responded
 How my (life, perspective,
etc) changed
Bonus: How this prepared me for
your school

7. CONNECT
• Command required communication
• Who communicates?
• What mediums of communication are acceptable?
Preferred?
• How??
• Practice…yeah, we’re talkin’ about practice!
• Scripts are good plus you get to work on writing skills

8. When I connect with colleges, I will…
Ask thoughtful questions
Answer any questions asked of me
Speak directly to the tour guide and
admissions counselor
Meet/connect with faculty and staff members
Meet/connect with alumni
Ask my GC and/or teachers for help

9. CALM
• A fun time of your life.
• Trust and enjoy the
process
• Step away from it at
times
• Note what you’re
learning about yourself
Tips to say cheerful
Exercise
Spend time with friends
and family
Travel
Volunteer
Play music
Have FUN!