Elective - College Planning
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Final transcript, appropriate college-ready math courses, college list
Lesson Outline
Review of current coursework & grades...
Discuss allocation of math credits...
Identify senior year required coursework...
Begin college list...
Develop accommodation plan...
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Exploring College Options
Lesson Outline
Discuss Agricultural Interest...
Topics for 'Meet Me" video...
Assess special interests as they relate to the College Resume...
Discuss unique accomplishments, cultural identity, and talents, and how such attributes create a 'memorable' college applicant...
The College List...

Assignment
N/A
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
Will schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss college goals & options.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Getting Prepared for College
Lesson Outline
1.) Create a college resume using the format on the template we reviewed during our meeting. (You can also find attached.) Remember to add hrs/wk wks/yr. As you complete activities add them to your resume. Your goal should be to develop a resume that is meaningful to you & memorable to an admissions counselor. A solid resume should showcase leadership, service, character, & scholarship in a thematic way that is unique to you.

2.) Try to join as many honor societies as you can. You might even suggest that your school inquire about starting a few chapters of their own!

3.) We talked about you starting a club of your own. I think this is a fabulous idea and I recommend that you follow through with this if possible.

4.) More and more colleges are offering students the opportunity to include their ZeeMee link with their application. I recommend that you start thinking of creative ideas for your ‘Meet Me' Video. You can create an account by clicking on the link: https://www.zeemee.com/sign-up

5.) You should start thinking about creating a college list. Be sure your list is balanced and includes Reach, Reasonable, & Safety schools.Try to limit your list to 10 schools if applying out of state. 1-2 Reach, 5-6 Reasonable, 1-2 Safety. DO NOT INCLUDE SCHOOLS ON YOUR LIST THAT YOU WOULD NOT SERIOUSLY ATTEND. EVERY COLLEGE ON YOUR LIST SHOULD BE A PLACE YOU COULD CALL HOME FOR 4 YEARS. This can be done over time, however, along the way you might hear about a college that you would like to know more about. Here are 3 websites I find helpful and often recommend to students:
www.collegedata.com Find all the data you need about a college in one place. Type the name of the school in the search box.
https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/explore/ Find many interesting lists of schools
www.collegeexpress.com Great general info about colleges along with suggestions
www.unigo.com Get student perspectives on various aspects of a particular college

Things to consider when creating your college list: size, location, cost, majors, minors, internship/ co-op opportunities, non-academic clubs & activities, study abroad programs, Greek life,

6.) Create a SAT/ACT Testing timeline. You should try to achieve your ideal scores by the end of junior year. (Work on preparing college applications during the summer prior to senior year and submit early fall…SO WAITING UNTIL SENIOR YEAR TO TEST WILL PUT TOO MUCH ON YOUR PLATE AND NOT GIVE YOU SUFFICIENT TIME FOR RETAKES. SAT/ACT tutoring may be beneficial as well.

7.) Challenge yourself with rigorous courses, but make sure your schedule reflects a ‘workable’ balance.

8.) Consider attending a summer program at colleges that offer opportunities in your area of interest: https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/summer-programs/ Also, just about every college offers something for high school students during the summer. Deadlines are early so plan appropriately.

9.) Think about who you will ask to write your letters of recommendation: academic & non-academic

10.) Above all, maintain a solid GPA-strive for more A’s than B’s and NO C’s!
Assignment
Included in outline
Session Minutes
120
Minutes Student Attended
120
Session Date
Lesson Topic
College options
Lesson Outline
Application fee waiver...
SAT, ACT, PERT scores...
Personal Statement...
Letters of Recommendation...
Applying for summer session...
FAFSA...
Updated college resume...
College list...
Timeline...
Assignment
Write a rough draft personal statement
Session Minutes
150
Minutes Student Attended
150
Session Date
Lesson Topic
College Advising
Lesson Outline
Review college options-4 year- 2year/ transition-2 year
College ready test scores...
Test optional / test flexible colleges...
Discuss SAT/ACT timeline & test prep...
Develop admissions strategy...
Assignment
Register for March 10 SAT test and / or obtain permission to test on March 7th School Day SAT. Begin test prep ASAP. Send me an unofficial transcript.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Please let me know if Megan is able to participate in the March 7th School Day SAT. If that is not an option please advise her to register for the March 10th SAT test as well as the April ACT test.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
SMU supplement & application review
Lesson Outline
Create outline for SMU essay 2...
Discuss activity short essay for UF...
Develop 'additional info' supplement for Coalition...
Discuss 'additional info' for common app...
Assignment
write a few paragraphs about the congressional award-(gold) you are involved in. Complete SMU supplement #2.
Session Minutes
75
Minutes Student Attended
75
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Review common app and coalition
Lesson Outline
Review CA...
Review Coalition...
Review supplements...
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Session Date
Lesson Topic
College essays and resume
Lesson Outline
Reviewed CA activities...
Edited resume...
Identified CA Recommenders...
Reviewed and edited UF essay...
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Common app USF and coalition
Lesson Outline
We worked her resume and USF personal statement.
Assignment
College Resume
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Session Date
Lesson Topic
common app essay
Lesson Outline
Discuss common app essay, coalition & essay supplements.
Assignment
supplement essays and coalition application
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60