College Planning 101 Lets get started Junior Year

Let’s get started… Junior Year (or earlier) • Start thinking about the types of

TESTING ACT and SAT • Most schools accept both test types of tests and

The Campus Visit • Participate in a group visit, visit event, or schedule an

Meet With An Admission Counselor Questions to expect from your college admission counselor: •

Senior Year… • Narrow your list of schools (but keep your list balanced) •

The Application • Apply using the college’s application (www. jewell. edu/apply) or with the

ESSAY • Help your admission counselor get to know you! Make the application process

Letters of Recommendation • Ask someone who can speak to your work ethic, intellectual

RESUME • Keep a record of your high school accomplishments and activities (this will

Senior Year (continued)… • Narrow your list again • Where were you accepted? •

Financial Aid • Apply to college early to receive information on additional scholarships •

Questions? Becky Poskin Assistant Director of Admission and Recruitment poskinr@william. jewell. edu

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College Planning 101

Let’s get started… Junior Year (or earlier) • Start thinking about the types of schools you might be interested in attending • Big/Small • Public/Private • Close to home/Far away • Liberal arts/Research • Etc. etc.

TESTING ACT and SAT • Most schools accept both test types of tests and do not have a preference • William Jewell College accepts both ACT and SAT (Scholarships start at a 24 or an 1150) • Jewell’s institutional code is 2394 for ACT and 6941 for SAT When to take the ACT or SAT • Test early and often (to a point). • Register for tests at least one month before the test date • Test dates • ACT (www. actstudent. org) – September, October, December, February, April, June • SAT (sat. collegeboard. org) – October, November, December, January, March, May, June How to prepare • Books, online courses, personal tutors, and classes are available to help you prepare for the exam (www. kaptest. com, www. princetonreview. com; https: //getsmarterprep. com) Test Optional • William Jewell College offers a Test Optional application that allows students to submit alternative admission criteria in place of a test score. • Visit www. jewell. edu/testoptional or speak with your admission counselor for more information.

The Campus Visit • Participate in a group visit, visit event, or schedule an individual visit • • • See the campus! Meet with faculty members See the faculty/student interaction Talk with current students Meet your future classmates

Meet With An Admission Counselor Questions to expect from your college admission counselor: • How does this college fit your interests? • What are your goals? • What activities are important to you? • What are you interested in studying? • What are you passionate about? Questions to ask your admission counselor: • Tell me more about my intended area of study. • What do students do for fun, on or off campus? • What is the college’s placement rate? • What is the average class size? • What are the residential policies on campus?

Senior Year… • Narrow your list of schools (but keep your list balanced) • 1 -3 “Reach Schools” • 1 -3 “Target Schools” • 1 -3 “Safety Schools” • Ready, set, APPLY!

The Application • Apply using the college’s application (www. jewell. edu/apply) or with the common Application (www. commonapp. org) • Submit an official high school transcript • Submit official ACT or SAT scores • Submit essay if necessary • Submit letter/s of recommendation if necessary • Some schools charge an application fee ($50 - $100) • Jewell’s application is free • Fee waivers are available

ESSAY • Help your admission counselor get to know you! Make the application process personal. Show off your writing ability. • Personal statement or answer a specific prompt (250 – 650 words) • Consult a teacher, counselor, peer, etc. when working on your essay. Be sure to edit and revise before submitting! • William Jewell College requires an essay with application “The world needs _______. Why? ” (250 words)

Letters of Recommendation • Ask someone who can speak to your work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and character • Ask teacher, coaches, counselors, community leaders, or church leaders • Allow adequate time for the letter to be written and sent • William Jewell College requires letters of recommendation for the following: • Test optional applicants • Oxbridge Honors Program (www. jewell. edu/Oxbridge)

RESUME • Keep a record of your high school accomplishments and activities (this will come in handy for college applications as well as scholarship applications. • Include • Honors and awards • Activities: sports, arts, clubs, organizations • Leadership positions • Camps and conferences • Community service • Work experience

Senior Year (continued)… • Narrow your list again • Where were you accepted? • Any special offers? • Revisit schools: talk to admissions, faculty, alums, current students

Financial Aid • Apply to college early to receive information on additional scholarships • William Jewell College’s priority deadline was October 15 th • Ask about talent and departmental awards • Jewell offers awards in music, theatre, debate, journalism, and athletics • File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after October 1 st • Talk with your guidance counselor, teachers, and community leaders to learn about community awards and scholarships • Check out scholarship databases (www. scholarshipexperts. com, www. fastweb. com, www. scholarships. com, www. collegeboard. com)

Questions? Becky Poskin Assistant Director of Admission and Recruitment poskinr@william. jewell. edu