| Researching and Applying to Colleges
Before searching for colleges, it's important to first list potential career interests and possible majors. You should also brainstorm possible college selection criteria. Consider things such as academic programs, reputation, region of the country, size, extracurricular activities, visual and performing arts opportunities, class size, available scholarships and funding.
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Possible college planning and search sites:
Visit the school counseling office to view brochures and applications from a variety of colleges.
To apply to multiple schools at the same time, use the Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx. There are now 391 schools in 42 states and the District of Columbia that are members of the Common Application. View the website to find out if the list includes schools of interest to you.
Consider viewing schools included in the Western Undergraduate Exchange. This is a program that allows students in participating western states to attend selected state schools for considerably less than the cost of out of state tuition. Find more information at http://wue.wiche.edu
View the admissions page of schools to which you may apply to view application requirements.
A good link to research various career options is O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
Below are the links to Arizona four-year universities:
Arizona State University: http://www.asu.edu/
Northern Arizona University: www.nau.edu
University of Arizona: http://www.arizona.edu/
Grand Canyon University: http://www.gcu.edu/
Prescott College: http://www.prescott.edu/
College Application Fee Waivers
Fee waivers for college applications are available to those who qualify. There is a fee waiver request form available through the NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling). Fee waivers are also available for the SAT and ACT. Waivers are limited and are based on financial hardship and are distributed on a first come, first serve basis. See below for related links to College Board, ACT, and NACAC.
http://www.nacacnet.org/CareerDevelopment/Resources/Documents/AppFeeWaiver09.pdf
http://www.nacacnet.org/CareerDevelopment/Resources/Pages/FeeWaiverFAQ.aspx
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/fee-waivers
http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/feewaiver.html
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
Please allow the recommender at least three weeks to prepare your letter of recommendation. The more time you allow, the less rushed the author will be in preparing the letter. You must also provide the following:
- a stamped envelope with the proper address and/or the email address for the recommendation form when completing online applications
- the date by which the recommendation is due
- a completed information form: see below
When requesting a letter for Ms. Beaudreau and Mrs. Wilder, please provide the above information in addition to information about you provided by 2-3 teachers. They can use the information form below as a guide, email us with information or provide a copy of an already prepared letter.
Ideally, each recommender will provide slightly different information and a slightly different angle on why you are right for a particular college, scholarship or program. Also, all parts of your application should work together to form a cohesive picture. Providing information from your teachers to Ms. Beaudreau and/or Mrs. Wilder assists us since we’re new to the school and don’t have the opportunity to observe you in the classroom, but also, allows us to synthesize the information provided by others and ensure all components work together.
WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HONOR REQUESTS RECIVED LESS THAN THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE AND WITHOUT THE PROPER SUPPORTING INFORMATION. ALSO REMEMBER, YOU DON’T WANT SOMEONE TO RECOMMEND YOU IF THEY SEEM RELUCTANT TO DO SO. YOU WANT TO CHOOSE INIVIDUALS WHO’LL ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMEND YOU AND BE HAPPY TO USE THERE TIME IN PREPARING THE RECOMMENDATION.
Supporting Information
*Please answer on a separate piece of paper and keep this sheet for your own records.
You may also provide a resume if desired.
Why are you a good fit for this particular university or scholarship?
If not answered above, what are your future goals?
What will make you stand out from others who are applying?
Describe an area/class in which you excelled academically.
Discuss any extracurricular, service or leadership activities that may assist you in this application. |
