College Career
College Planning
Selection
Admissions Requirements
There is usually a checklist on the college website that lists the requirements for each school. This is a great wake up call for students who may need to improve GPAs or test scores before they submit their final applications.
Test Scores
Students can take placement tests multiple times and their best set of scores will be used for the application. As long as the student has an initial test score to send with the application, they can continue to take the tests and submit improved scores after the deadline as well.
Tuition and Costs
College websites usually have a chart based on students who will live on campus and those who will not. This is another wake up call so that students can plan for tuition payments with financial aid, scholarships, and parent support.
Program Requirements
Students who have decided on their major may be able to view the college’s program requirements and take classes through Running Start and/or High School that will give them a head start on entry-level requirements.
Two-Year Colleges vs. Four-Year Colleges
* BHS staff are available to students and parents to discuss the best option for each student.
* Two-year colleges are now offering more four-year degrees as well as developing strong partnerships with local four-year colleges to help the increasing costs of college.
* Two-year colleges average cost per year is approximately $4,500 while four-year colleges average between $15,000 and $25,000 per year and private four-year colleges average $35,000 and up.
Technical & Training Programs
* Technical College or training programs are designed to help students directly enter the workforce through the completion of the program.
* Most programs average between 6 months to 2 years.
* It is important to make sure that the certification or degree that is earned is recognized by the industry and will ensure your student the position they want upon completion of the program.
Additional College Selection Information
* USnews.com - Best Colleges 2013
* CollegeBoard.com - Find A College
* CollegeBoard.com - College Matchmaker
* Community & Technical Colleges - WA State
* Peterson's - Comprehensive Guide to College Information
* Western Undergrad Exchange - Website for Washington State students wanting to enroll in a participating OUT-OF-STATE two-year or four-year public college at a significantly reduced non-residency rate.
Compare Colleges
There are several websites that allow you to compare colleges side by side based on criteria that you create to understand how to make the best choice for you. Below are links to websites that can help you:
* CollegeBoard.com - Compare colleges side-by-side on the Big Future website * CommunityCollegeReview.com
* LiberalArtsCollegeReview.com
Application
The college application process requires students to be highly organized and many students need support through this process. College tuition costs are on the rise, and admission deadlines are earlier due to the recent increase in student applications.
4-year College Application Deadlines
Each four-year college/university has different application deadlines for early action/decision application, regular application, test requirements, financial aid, and scholarship decisions. It is very important to check the website for your prospective college/university for all of their required admission deadlines.
Common Application
Many colleges now use the Common Application to save time and be more efficient. This allows students to send one application to all colleges that accept the Common Application. You can check on the college’s website under Admissions to see if they are a part of the Common Application pool. There is usually an application processing fee attached to each application so please be aware of this if you apply to multiple schools.For more information regarding the Common Application, visit www.commonapp.org.
College Application Tools
Collegeboard.com offers great tools to help students stay organized through the applicaitons process.
College Essay/Personal Statement
If students are applying to colleges that use their own application, it is crucial that the student has developed effective responses to the essay questions. Our staff is willing to help edit these responses and help students through the process as long as we are given a reasonable amount of time before the deadline.
- College Essay / Personal Statement Outline Activity
- New Personal Statement Prompts
- Personal Statement Samples
- College Essay Skills & Samples (Sample questions and essays at CollegeBoard)
- UW Freshman Admissions Writing Sample Tips
Entrance Testing
Every two-year or four-year college requires students to take a placement test to confirm the skill level students are entering college. Higher scores will ensure a higher chance of students earning a spot in the college of their choice.
PSAT
Available to sophomores and juniors who would like to take a preliminary version of the SAT to practice for the official test. High scores may allow students to be eligible for scholarships. PSAT information can be found at collegeboard.com (This test is only offered once a year in October).
* The PSAT Official Test is scheduled every October. Information about testing dates and costs will be announced at school.
* Official Student Guide to the PSAT
* Practice Tests at www.testprepreview.com and March2Success.com
SAT
Students applying as freshman directly from high school to a four-year college or university may be required to take the SAT. Subject tests are offered for students who may choose to apply for a specific program or college that encourages it or if a student tests better by subject.
* SAT Test Information available at www.collegeboard.com
* SAT Test Register Online
* SAT Test Fees
* SAT Test Dates
* SAT Practice at CollegeBoard.com
* SAT Test Question of the Day at CollegeBoard.com
* Practice Tests at www.testprepreview.com and March2Success.com
ACT
Four-year colleges may require ACT testing for students who are applying as freshman directly from high school. Subject tests are offered for students who may choose to apply for a specific program or college that encourages it or if students test better by subject.
* ACT Test Information available at www.actstudent.org
* ACT Test Register Online
* ACT Test Dates
* ACT Test Prep
* ACT Test Question of the Day
* Practice Tests at www.testprepreview.com and March2Success.com
Accuplacer Test
Two-year colleges may require this test if students are applying as freshman directly from high school. If students pass the Reading and Math sections at college level, their scores may be valid for up to two years. Free practice tests are available through these sites:
* http://demo-test.accuplacer-test.com
* www.testprepreview.com
* www.collegeboard.org/accuplacer
* www.accuplacer-test.com
* www.tacomacc.edu/testpreparation
ASVAB
The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.
* Practice Tests at www.testprepreview.com and March2Success.com