The document discusses three main points: 1) Why attending college is important and the risks of not graduating. 2) What to consider when choosing a college such as academics, finances, housing, activities and safety. 3) How to get into the college of your choice including grades, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and other factors considered in admissions.

1. Surviving College Admissions : Answers and Solutions for the Concerned Family Barry N. Liebowitz International College Counselors *Voted “Best College Advisor” Miami Sun Post www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 658-4570

2. Table of Contents Why should I care about which college my child attends? What should I look for when choosing a college for my child? How does he/she get into the college of choice? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

3. I. Why should I care about which college I attend? Just 54 percent of students entering four year colleges in 2001 had a degree six years later — and even fewer Hispanics and blacks did…. After borrowing for school but failing to graduate, many of those students may be worse off than if they had never attended college at all. (MSNBC) www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

4. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Academic Aspects What academic factors are considered during the admissions process? What is the average class size? Are professors accessible outside of class? What is the typical way to get in touch with a professor? Email? Phone call? Do you usually get in all the classes that you need to register for? On average, do professors or graduate students teach freshmen level classes? Are there academic scholarships available through the school? Are there tutoring services available on campus? What are the college's most popular academic programs? What is the grading system like at this college? What is the attendance policy? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

5. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Financial Aspects What is the cost of attendance? If you have financial need, will you be able to get a financial aid package that meets all of your demonstrated need? What percentage of students receive financial aid? Are there work-study jobs available on campus? Off campus? If you don't qualify for work-study, what other jobs are available near campus that you could apply for? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

6. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Financial Aspects Bright Futures Scholarship Florida Pre-Paid Program 529 Plans External Scholarships www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

7. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Housing/Food Aspects Are you required to live on campus your first year? What percentage of students live on campus all four years? Are the dorms single sex or coed? Are there community baths in the dorms? What are the rules for students living in dorms? Do the dorms have laundry facilities? Do the dorms have computer labs? What types of meal plans are available? What hours may students access food services? How many restaurants/cafes are on campus? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

8. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Social Aspects How do students spend their free time? What are the most popular extra curricular activities? What do most students do on the weekends? Stay on campus? Go home? Are there sororities and fraternities on campus? How many students participate in Greek life? Are parties allowed on campus? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

9. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Community/Transportation Aspects Do you like the surrounding city or town? Is the city or town big enough for your taste? Does it have a variety of restaurants, museums, nightclubs, parks, and movie theatres? Is the city or town small enough for your taste? Is it rural and peaceful? Will you have to have a car to live on campus? Can you walk to most restaurants, nightclubs, etc.? What is the city's public transportation system like? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

10. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Athletic Aspects Is the college considered an athletic school? Are there athletic scholarships available? What sports are played at the school? Do athletes have to miss a lot of classes in order to participate in games? Do athletes have their own dorms? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

11. II. What should I look for when choosing a college? Safety Aspects How safe is the campus? How often are crimes reported? How are safety issues addressed? Is the campus well lit? Are there emergency phones on campus? Is there a pick-up service for students walking at night? www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

12. III. How Do I Get Into the College of My Choice? Academic Rating: Grades, grades and more grades Strength of schedule www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

13. III. How Do I Get Into the College of My Choice? Note about Standardized Tests: DO NOT save all standardized testing until your junior year. As early as 9th or 10th grade, students, should try to take at least one or two SAT Subject tests in areas that correspond with their classes. Popular tests to take in 9th and 10th grade include Biology, Chemistry, Math Level I and IIC (although we don't typically like Math level I as it is a difficult test on which to do well). In 11th grade, space out the tests -- use the November and January test dates to take the SAT I's (using the March/April date as backup) and save May and June for SAT Subject Tests and AP exams. Try taking the ACT as well- schools accept either test- and sometimes the ACT can be used in lieu of the SAT. www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

14. III. How Do I Get Into the College of My Choice? Extracurricular Rating*: Strength in extra-curricular Current contributor on campus Likelihood for contribution on college campus Go deep instead of broad. Being President of 1000 clubs that do nothing is not that impressive! * Does not include recruited athletes who receive slightly different treatment www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

15. III. How Do I Get Into the College of My Choice? Summer Activities to consider : Language and Cultural Immersion Community Service Internships Outdoor Adventure Pre-College Programs Specialized Sports Performing Arts and Fine Arts Science and Environmental Studies Film and Photography Leadership Training SAT Prep Model UN and Politics Computers and Web Design And more…. www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

16. III. How Do I Get Into the College of My Choice? Personal Rating Letters of recommendation Interviews Essays Other facets of the application that help provide a snapshot www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

17. III. How Do I Get Into the College of My Choice? Extras Geography Legacy Minorities Athletes Special talent/ Interest Special cases International www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719

18. IV. Conclusion College is a match to be made, not a race to be won. -Elise Ackerman College Advisor, American Heritage www.InternationalCollegeCounselors.com (954) 253-5719