Overview
The purpose of this course is to teach students how to correlate their interests, academic history, and extracurricular activities with career options. The course also provides a detailed explanation and coordination of the college admissions process. Students develop a list of potential colleges and/or universities which match their academic interests and abilities and social interests. Counselor advisement guides the students through completion of college applications. This includes extensive preparation for standardized college admissions tests. In addition, students are shepherded through the financial aid process: how and when to apply for federal and state financial aid; how to identify scholarship opportunities; and how to negotiate a financial aid package to the student’s advantage.
Goals
By the end of the course the student is expected to have mastered the following topics:
- Career Exploration – Students relate their interests, academic history, and extracurricular activities to career options;
- College Research – Students develop a list of potential colleges and/or universities based on their academic and social interests;
- College Admissions Process – Students understand of the application timelines and college admissions requirements; they complete standardized tests, a personal résumé, and college essays.
- Financial Aid Process – Students understand the financial aid process, how and when to apply for federal and state financial aid, and how to identify scholarship opportunities.
Resources
Many resources are drawn upon for the students’ explorations. They may include but are not limited to:
- The latest edition of Cracking the SAT, by Princeton Review
- The latest edition of Cracking the ACT, by Princeton Review
- Barron’s ACT 36: Aiming for the Perfect Score, by Anne Summers M.A., Krista L. McDaniel M.A., Alexander Spare, and Jonathan Pazol
- The Book of Majors, 2nd edition, by The College Board, New York.
- 2009 College Handbook, 46th Edition, by The College Board, New York.
- Arco the Unofficial Guide to College Admissions, by Shannon Turlington, Arco.
- Peterson’s Handbook for College Admissions: A Family Guide
- Additional handouts and printed materials to support (but not replace) the assigned text.
- Lectures, internet research, class discussions, and guest speakers will also support the course curriculum.