Bartlett High School

GUIDANCE

GUIDANCE

College Information

"And research shows that good decisions lead to happy college students: one study of Indiana high schoolers found that those who spent more time investigating college options made the best choices and were the most content during their undergraduate years." - (U.S. News and World Report, Sept. 11, 2000)

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
USE CAREER CRUISING &
COLLEGEVIEW.COM

DO A COLLEGE/TECH SCHOOL SEARCH

FILL OUT REQUEST FOR COLLEGE APPOINTMENT & MEET WITH COUNSELOR

DETERMINE A LIST OF 3-8 SCHOOLS YOU WILL EXPLORE

EXPLORE ON THE INTERNET

ATTEND COLLEGE VISITS IN BARTLETT CAREER CENTER

VISIT/CALL ADMISSIONS OFFICE TO SET UP:
AN OFFICIAL CAMPUS TOUR

A MEETING WITH ADMISSIONS FINANCIAL AID OFFICER

A MEETING WITH AN INSTRUCTOR IN YOUR AREA OF INTEREST

INTERVIEW CURRENT STUDENTS

AFTER YOUR VISIT:
Take notes and write down your thoughts about your experience on campus

CAREERS?
Use Career Cruising to help determine areas of interest-possible careers, college majors,etc

Check out how much & what kind of education needed

PLAN & ACT results include results on your career inventory - compare to Career Cruising

Make an appointment with your counselor/career specialist

Consider a Job Shadow opportunity

Talk to parents, relatives, friend's parents about their careers

COLLEGE SELECTION
Selecting a college or university requires work. However, the benefits can make the difference between a so-so experience and a terrific college education. Ideally students will select a college that fits with their personality as well as their education and career goals. This process entails some introspective self analysis and exploration of universities. Essentially, students must answer this question: "Under what living conditions do I prosper academically and socially?" Then they match this information to colleges and universities.

Fortunately there are a variety of computerized college search programs which assist with this process. They prompt students' self analysis by requiring students to choose from a variety of options such as - size of institution, major areas of study, housing options, extra curricular activity options, geographic location, etc.

At Bartlett High School students can use the CareerCruising website which can be accessed from any computer (school, home, library, etc.). Students will need to see their guidance counselor for the User Name and Password. There are also internet websites which will allow students to do college searches. However, it is important that each student first complete some self analysis about what they are looking for in an institution of higher education. Then the student can use a computerized search program to find a suitable college or university. Students who skip this self analysis process run the risk of having a dissatisfying college experience.

So, finding the school that fits with your dreams, goals, personality, and ability is very important. Where do you start? What do you consider? Well, start by seeing your counselor and considering these points:

How introverted or extroverted am I? Would I like to attend a large, medium or small size school?
How much quiet time and privacy do I need for optimal performance? Do I want a roommate?
What do I want to study?
How far away from home do I want to be?
How often will I want to come home?
How academically oriented am I? (How motivated am I to learn?)
How much study time can I stand?
What activities do I enjoy?
What kinds of things are currently occurring in my life which might affect my academic performance or happiness? (For example: boyfriend /girlfriend, financial obligations, family difficulties)

College Admission Testing

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PERFORMANCE ON STANDARDIZED TESTS:

Get a good night of sleep the evening before the test.
Eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Most testing centers forbid any food and drink in the room and only provide one ten-minute break.
Relax. Remember the ACT and SAT can always be retaken. Colleges understand that many students take these exams two or three times.
Read all instructions carefully before the test begins. Don't waste test time reading them at a later time.
Pace yourself. Most people have enough time to answer all of the questions. Answer the "easy" questions first and then go back and answer the more difficult ones.
There is a difference between guessing on the ACT and the SAT: For the ACT, your scores are based on the number of correct questions you have, so it is to your advantage to answer every question. For the SAT, you don't have to answer each question correctly to receive a good score. If you have no idea of an answer, perhaps you should not answer the question and move on. On the other hand, if you can eliminate an answer or two, your chances of being correct just increased, and you may wish to answer the question.
If you make a mistake, erase completely. Extra marks on your answer sheet will most likely affect your scores.
Review your work if you finish early to see if you missed any questions or double marked an answer.
The SAT AND ACT TESTS have penalties if you work on a different section, either a past test or a future one, so don't do it. Your scores will be voided and you won't get your money back.

Procedures for Applying to a Four Year College or University

1. Obtain an application for the College or University of your choice. Many Colleges and Universities now offer on-line applications to make this process easier and more expedient. Some applications may be available in the Guidance Office.

2. If you have completed a paper application, return it, along with a self-addressed stamped business envelope, any necessary recommendations, and application fee to your counselor. Fees range between $20.00 and $100.00. If you have completed an on-line application, there may be a counselor recommendation that you need to print out and bring to your counselor. Otherwise, let you counselor know what school you've applied to on-line and make sure you have submitted all the necessary information.

3. Obtain Transcript Release Form from the Guidance Office.

4. Fill out Transcript Release Form and return it to your counselor.

5. If you are submitting a paper application, your Counselor will check over the information, sign the application and turn over the entire packet (application, check, recommendations, transcript request form, and stamped envelope) to the Bartlett High School Registrar. If you are applying on-line, your Counselor will make sure you have submitted the necessary information and turn over the remaining submissions (recommendations, transcript request form, etc.) to the Bartlett High School Registrar.

6. Bartlett High School registrar will mail your application and transcript on the following Tuesday or Friday.

7. After you graduate, you must ask the Registrar, IN WRITING , if you wish to submit a final transcript to a College or University.

Timelines
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - allow at least 2 weeks for counselors or teachers to write these letters.

APPLY EARLY - Colleges and Universities observe their deadlines. DO NOT wait until the last minute to begin applying.

EARLY DECISION/EARLY ACTION deadlines are usually Nov. 1, Nov. 15, or Dec. 1. Students applying to selective universities have a greater chance of being admitted if they apply early.