This document provides guidance on planning for college. It discusses factors to consider in choosing a college, such as environment, opportunities, major, location, and size. It outlines different admissions deadlines and application requirements, including transcripts, standardized test scores, and essays. It offers tips for successful applications, such as proofreading essays, getting recommendations from core teachers, preparing for standardized tests, and scheduling campus visits. The overall document serves as a guide for high school students on navigating the college admissions process.

1. PLANNING FOR
COLLEGE
By Michael Porter
Admissions Counselor
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

3. Factors Affecting Your College Choice
 College environment
 Extracurricular opportunities
 Profession
 Major
 Geographic location
 Community
 College size
 Concerns
What are your top 4-6 criteria in selecting a college?

4. Deadlines
Non Restrictive
• College will let you know
by a certain date
Regular
Decision
• College admits throughout
the admissions cycle
Rolling
Admission
• College will send you a
decision earlier
Early
Action
MAY 1ST CONFIRMATION DATE
Restrictive
• If admitted, you are
committed to that
school
• The school may
hold your
application for
regular decision
Early
Decision

6. Admissions Application
Official High School Transcript
• normally sent directly from the high school to the college
• schools typically get a school report listing things like AP classes offered, how many students in a class, etc.
• colleges might require mid-year grades
Standardized Test Scores
• go to act.org (ACT) or collegeboard.org (SAT) to request official copies
• some schools are able to take ACT/SAT scores from you transcript, but not all
• senior year be sure to mark your top schools to receive your scores on the test
Application Form (Common Application or school’s website)
• personal information
• honors and awards
• extracurricular
• employment
• summer activities
• essays
• disciplinary action
• application fee or fee waiver
• signature

7. Essay
 Tell a Story
 don’t write what you think they want to hear
 show your personality
 Proofread
 strategy: read essay from bottom to top
 no “thnx” or “B4”
 grammarly.com
 Get a Second Opinion
 listen with an open mind
 Stay Focused
 really read the essay prompt
 add substance to some of your
achievements

8. Testing
 ACT
 SAT
 AP Exams
 IB Exams
 FREE TEST PREP
 Khan Academy, khanacademy.org
 ACT, act.org
 SAT, satpractice.org

9. Recommendations
Who?
 Teachers
 core academic subjects (history, math,
science, languages)
 teachers who know you well
 recent years (junior and senior)
 Guidance Counselors
Tips:
 What are things you would like your
recommenders to highlight?
 Why did you choose this specific
recommender?
 Give recommenders PLENTY of time

10. Campus Visits
What To Do
 Research the school before to ask
insightful questions
 Request academic appointment if
available
 If not, contact a professor/department
 Search school’s event calendar in
preparation for your visit
 Attend an information session
What Not To Do
 Do the campus tour and jet
 Try to register last minute for peak times
(fall break and spring break)
 Two visits in the same day
 Skip the on campus meal
 Neglect getting the business cards of
people you meet

11. PLANNING FOR
COLLEGE
Michael Porter // michaelp@utk.edu // 865-946-8687
A copy of this presentation is available at
tinyurl.com/Life-After-School