Timeline to Making a CollegeDecisionSteps Students in Grades 10-12 Must Take Before Entering College

BRYAN CONTRERASVice President of K12 & Partnerships, myOptions

MELISSA CAPERTONDirector, American College Application Campaign

How to Build a Balanced College List

Bryan Contreras

Vice President | K12 & Education Partnerships

MyOptions

AboutUR ENIM AD MINIM VENIAM

myOptions, a non-profit organization, is the nation’s largest free college

and career planning program. Our voluntary platforms offer free assistance

and valuable resources to students, parents/ guardians, mentors and

educators nationwide.

www.myoptions.org

OUR PURPOSE

Our Program Approach

• Serves students, educators, and mentors.

• Provides a mobile app for students.

• Delivers personalized college and scholarship

information.

• Produces reporting and progress monitoring tools

for educators.

Student Web ExperienceUPDATED CONTENT, SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH, AND NEW DASHBOARD

Student Mobile ExperienceUPDATED CONTENT, SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH, AND NEW DASHBOARD

7

How to Start the College Search Process

College Search is a Journey

Students should consider the “life cycle” in building a

balanced college list.

० It takes time. Build a calendar.

० Self-exploration & self-reflection

० Team beats individual…Don’t do this alone!

Know Your Numbers

Students need to use data and information

in building a college match list.

० GPA, Rank, and Test scores

० Strength of high school course load

० Research college admissions

requirements

8

Initial List Balanced

ListMatch List Final List

Life Cycle of Building a College List

1. This process takes time for students and families, and for some can take months and multiple semesters.

2. Students should utilize all their resources: parents/ guardians, teachers, school counselors, mentors, coaches, and

online data sources.

3. Students that spend time working on these lists early and often will ultimately enroll in a stronger “match” college,

which leads to higher persistence and completion rates.

9 / 10th 11th 12th Early Fall

9

Know Your Numbers: GPA, Rank, & Strength of Courseload

• GPA is based on your grades, attempted credits and strength of courseload in high school.

• Class Rank is based on your GPA and how you compare to other students in your graduating class.

• Strength of course load Did you take the hardest courses offered at your high school? **Very important…colleges will receive a high school profile sheet from all high schools.

• You will use all your academic data to build a final college list.

• You want to maintain or increase your GPA, and you want to keep a full courseload.

• You will be awarded scholarships based on your academic achievements.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? HOW DO THESE FACTOR INTO A “BALANCED” COLLEGE LIST?

Grades 11 & 12Grades 9 & 10

Which High School Courses Should I Take?

On Level vs Advanced

In general, the more

selective the college, the

stronger your high school

course load should be. Be

sure that your GPA

increases & that you

maximize course offerings.

Dual Credit

For some students this will

help students earn college

credit while still in high

school, which can help

keep college more

affordable and shorten

completion times.

Electives & Athletics

These courses and

expereinces build unique

skills and knowledge that

students can use to help

shape college lists.

10

How do co-curriculars, community service, and

part-time jobs help shape college lists?

Self-Exploration

All three experiences give

you a chance to dig deep

and learn more about

yourself. Colleges are all

different, and each will

require you to contribute in

different ways.

Build Relationships

You will forge new

friendships, learn to work

through conflict, and

connect with your peers or

adults outside the

classroom.

Exposure & Visibiity

You will learn about people,

places, jobs, and careers

through your interaction

with your community

outside of school. People

also learn more about you.

11

12

What Do I Need to Know About College Choice & Affordability?

For 9th and 10th Graders:

Students should know that college is a match to be

made not a prize to be won!

० Colleges reward hard work ethic and grades

० Financial need vs merit based aid

० Keep your families and school mentors

closely aligned

For 11th and 12th graders:

Students should know that college is a match to be

made not a prize to be won!

० GPA, Rank, and Test scores- all matter!

० FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid)

० Keep affordability in focus as you build a

balanced college list

० Don’t surprise your family or school mentors!

Preparing for and Completing College Applications

• Research and building your list

• Collecting the information

• In-person support

• Next Steps

Research & Building Your List

• Three things to consider:– Match (Reach, Match, Safety)

– Fit

– Cost

• Number of applications

• Resources to support research

College Research Worksheet available under “Student Resources” at:

https://equityinlearning.act.org/acac/resources/site-coordinator-materials/

Collecting the Information

• Know the deadlines

• Commonly asked questions

• Transcripts, essays,

recommendation letters, test

scores

• Resources to support

College Application Worksheet available under “Student Resources” at:

https://equityinlearning.act.org/acac/resources/site-coordinator-materials/

In-person Support

• American College

Application Campaign

• Support preparation and

completion of applications

• School and community

support

Registration available for schools in spring 2020 at: https://equityinlearning.act.org/acac/

Next Steps

• Application fee

• Completing application

• Connecting with colleges

• FAFSA completion

Next Steps for Students After Applying available under “Student Resources”

at: https://equityinlearning.act.org/acac/resources/site-coordinator-materials/

Thank you

BRYAN CONTRERAS

Vice President of K12 & Partnerships, myOptions

MELISSA CAPERTON

Director, American College Application Campaign