Anna Grow – College & Career Advisor MARCH 2018

Follow me on Twitter @NPHS_CCC301-753-1759

THE COLLEGE SEARCH: NARROWING THE FIELD

There are over 3,800 colleges and universities in the United States.
How do you find the one that is right for you?

Some important factors to consider:

  • Location
  • Close to home or far?
  • Do you want to live at home or on campus?
  • Do you want to be able to drive home on weekends or only fly home for breaks?
  • Rural, suburban, or urban?
  • Rural campuses allow students to focus their attention on-campus, but internships and part-time jobs could be limited.
  • Suburban campuses provide a campus environment, but provide more opportunities and possible distractions off-campus.
  • Urban campuses allow for the hustle and bustle of city life. There are endless opportunities for internships and part-time employment, but also for distraction.
  • Size
  • Small Schools: Small schools have under 2,000 students. Class sizes will be similar to those in high school and you will have a great deal of opportunity to get to know faculty and get involved on campus.
  • Medium Schools: Medium sized schools range from 2,000 to 15,000. Class sizes may be larger than you are used to at North Point, but smaller when you are in your major classes. You may have more opportunities than at a smaller school, but may not have an opportunity to get to know everyone on campus.
  • Large School: Large schools have more than 15,000 students. Many classes are held in lecture halls and some are taught by graduate students. Activities and academic options are endless, but it can be challenging to get involved. A large school allows you to disappear into the crowd if desired.
  • Curriculum
  • Many large universities offer different and specialized majors. However, you may be required to apply to these programs as a senior in high school.
  • Liberal Arts involve the study of the basics, such as literature, languages, history, math, science, etc. It is similar to the subjects you have taken here at North Point, but goes much deeper. It teaches you how to use your mind in any area. Basically, you learn how to think.
  • You may find a school that will offer a varied curriculum including both liberal arts courses and some specialized fields.

The College List
As you begin to make a general list of schools that interest you, try to keep three categories in mind. Your final list should have schools that fall within the (1) safety, (2) middle ground, and (3) long shot categories. “Safety” schools are those schools for which you are a good candidate, i.e.; you meet and surpass most of their entrance criteria. “Middle Ground” schools are schools where you should have a good chance of being admitted and you would be happy there. “Long Shots” are schools in which the competition is very high but where you would like to attend. As long as you have applied to some other less competitive schools, then you can safely take a chance on a very competitive one.

It is a good idea to start with a large, general list of schools and begin to narrow your choices as you find out more information. You are free to apply to as many schools as you wish. However, application fees do add up and are non-refundable. Theygenerally run between $35-$65. Also, too many choices can create confusion. Some students are certain where they want to attend and that they will be admitted. For others who are less certain, it is not unreasonable to apply to five or six schools, allowing for schools in all three categories.

VISIT A COLLEGE: BE AN EXPERT

It is hard to figure out if a college is a good fit without spending time on the campus and talking to students who have been there a year or more. Even if the college is local or a community college, visit the campus. If your family cannot travel to a college, consider that many colleges now offer virtual tours. To help you prepare for a visit to a college campus, there are some key things to keep in mind.

Plan Ahead:

A campus visit goes quickly, so you and your parents should have a plan for the visit. Here are some things to consider:

  • Visit websites for information about tours and open houses, as well as campus maps, and parking information.
  • Ask about visiting a class or two. Ask which ones are open to visitors, when they are open, and how to go about getting into the class for a visit.
  • Look at the college website and catalog. Think about what you want to learn on campus and try to figure out where you can find that information while on campus.
  • Fit in additional activities that will give you a better sense of campus life, such as eating in the cafeteria and reading a copy of the student newspaper. Watch how students interact with one another and think about if this were an environment, you would feel comfortable.
  • Schedule enough time to see and do all you want to do on campus and in the area. It may be easier to visit a college during the summer or winter break, but try to go when school is in session. It will give you a better feel for campus life.

What to Bring:

  • Comfortable shoes – campuses can be spread out, and you may be walking for a long time.
  • Layered clothing – some buildings may be well air-conditioned and some may not.
  • Pen, paper, and a list of questions to ask.
  • Anything the college may have asked you to bring.
  • Money for lunch, parking, and other incidental expenses.

Questions To Ask During a Campus Visit

A college guide will tell you some, but not all, of the things you need to know. Always go prepared to ask the admissions office staff and students on campus questions. Here are a few questions to get you started:

For Students

  • Are you happy here? What do you like best? What would you change if you could?
  • What kind of extracurricular activities are available to students?
  • Did you have trouble getting the classes you wanted?
  • Is the dorm room we are seeing typical for a 1st-year dorm room? Do you know how big a typical 1st-year dorm room is?

For the Admissions Office

  • What percentage of first-year students return for their second year of college?
  • What is the graduation rate for students here? How much does that rate vary if students are… low-income? African American? Latino?
  • What is the average amount of time it takes students to graduate?
  • What is the average size of general education courses here?
  • For how many years are students guaranteed campus housing?

ASSESSING YOUR CREDENTIALS

Your application and high school transcript are the culmination of the many choices you have made throughout your high school career. College admission counselors scrutinize your academic record, which indicates not only your ability but also your desire to learn. Did you choose to take the tougher courses? Have you decided to drop foreign language? Have you taken courses outside high school or during the summer?

Colleges look at your transcript first. SAT scores are, in most cases, used to add objectivity to the decision. For example, if two strong North Point students are applying to the same college and both have very similar academic records, the SAT scores may help to differentiate between the two. Also, in the situation where there are two very similar students with strong academic records from two different schools, the SAT scores may help to determine which school’s program is stronger and which student is the better candidate.

Some colleges will also use the student’s rank in class in order to determine how the student compares to classmates. Your class rank is determined by your cumulative GPA at the end of your junior year with extra weight given to certain honors/AP classes. Seniors will receive a new ranking at the end of the first semester and again at the end of their senior year.

Are you wondering how colleges view lower honors/AP grades versus higher academic grades? Do colleges take into consideration how much harder the classes are? The answer is “yes”. Colleges like students who challenge themselves, but a “C” is still a “C” and students should strive for “A”s and “B”s if they want to go to four-year colleges.

Do you wonder what a college described as “selective” or “competitive” means? These terms are used to describe colleges that have many more applicants than they are able to accept.

Example: Georgetown University is considered highly selective. They accept one student for every five that apply. The exact degree of competitiveness may vary from year to year and/or based on your major.

What is the difference between applying to a large institution versus a small or private school? Some large schools such as University of Delaware and University of North Carolina use minimum GPA and SAT scores because of the large number of applications and state laws. However, many small or private schools are able to use a more personal approach in the selection process. Well-written essays, interviews, special interests, and talents can play a role in the admission process, and in some cases may compensate for slightly lower academics.

If you have questions, you can consult , ask admissions counselors, or visit the Career Center.

Research and Compare Colleges

CappexConnect Online at connect with colleges, faculty and admissions, watch live presentations from a variety of institutions and learn more about specific colleges — or college in general.

Career Cruising:Interest and Skills Assessments - Career Profiles - Multimedia Interviews - College and Financial Aid Info - Electronic Career Portfolio - Resume Builder , Username: nphs, password: eagles, student’s account: Username: cc08-000 and student’s ID number

College Majors 101 Students learn about majors, students get recruited by Universities for them

What can I do with this major?Go to or

College Navigator from the US Dept. of Education, Find the right college for you:

College Visits Tours are led and supervised by trained staff and high school counselors. Complete list Tours are set up across the United States and Canada. Register online and call 843-853-8149 for details

College Week LiveVirtual College Info free and available online

Common Application - Over 500 schools accept this application:

EDU, Inc. Common Black CollegeApplication: 51 member institutions, one $35 application fee-

Virtual tour:

Login: 2018 Password: Apps18 (case sensitive)Free Information: All students at NPHS have access to college admissions, grade level planning calendars, checklists, SAT and ACT college testing, links to the Maryland college system websites, over 600 other pertinent web links, information for student athletes desiring to play Division I and II collegiate sports. User name and password is given under the icon.

Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success

This is an online college application system that allows high school students, grades 9-12 to set up an account and begin learning about the application and financial aid processes. The platform includes three main features:

  • Virtual Locker. Students can collect and store information that may be useful when they apply, academic documents, essays, written work, extracurricular activities, videos, photos, visual arts/music
  • Collaboration Platform. The teachers, counselors, employers, and mentors who are supporting the student’s college search and application can offer feedback.
  • Application Portal. Students select the information from their Virtual Locker that they wish to include with their application to Coalition member universities.

There are 95 public and private universities across the U.S. that comprise the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. The University of Maryland, College Park started using the application beginning in mid-August 2017 for students seeking freshman admission to the university.

Maryland Resources

MDgo4itis a valuable resource for juniors and seniors. It includes deadline dates for State financial assistance, tips on preparing for postsecondary education, college admission information, and resources on careers.

College 411 – A Student Guide to Higher Education & Financial Aid in Maryland – go to

Academic Common Market tuition savings program for college students who live in the 16 states that are members of the Southern Regional Education Board and want to pursue a degree not available in your home state yet pay in-state rates.

ARTSYS The articulation system for transferring courses from one Maryland University or College to another,

MHEC Handouts in the Career Center

  • 2018-2019 Scholarship Guide - MONEY FOR COLLEGE – A Quick Guide to Cash for College & HOW TO GET IT
  • Howard P. Rawlings Program of Educational Excellence Awards
  • Maryland Legislative – Senatorial & Delegate Scholarships Guide
  • DO YOU NEED MONEY FOR COLLEGE? Federal Student Aid at a Glance 2018-19

College Representative Visits

Juniors and seniors sign up in the Career Center and have your agenda book signed by Mrs. Grow. This is your pass to attend.

Frostburg State University3/6 1A8:30

Navy Recruiter3/12NEST11:00 – 11:55Front lobby

Marine Recruiter 3/15NEST11:00 – 11:55Front lobby

Cairn University3/19 3B2:00

Bethany College3/21 3B1:00

College of Mount Saint Vincent3/26 3A1:00

College Fairs, Tours, & Open Houses

Black College Expo 2018 BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY, Saturday, March 3, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Get accepted on the spot, application fees waived, scholarships, band auditions, workshops and MORE, for more information and to buy tickets to attend this event, go to:

NACAC National College Fairs Find the college that’s right for you, start your college search for free, Montgomery County Agricultural Center, Gaithersburg – April 1011, Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, Landover –April 13, register free: to receive fair details, avoid lines onsite, and share your contact information with your choice schools.

Spring College Fair Chopticon High School April 12, 6:00 pm, meet with representatives from universities, private colleges, and trade schools, for more information, contact Mrs. White at or 301-475-0215 x38139

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Meet and Greetfor admitted and interested students, March 28, 5:00 pm, Bowie Comfort Inn Conference Center, 4500 Crain Hwy., Bowie, MD, info or call admissions 410-651-6410

MTM Foundation Historically Black Colleges & Universities Tour

Spring Break 2018March 27-31 Grades 9th-12th

Visit: Delaware State University,North Carolina A & T University, Morehouse College, Spellman College, Morgan State University, Clark Atlanta University, North Carolina Central University, Norfolk State University, Howard University, Hampton University, Bowie State University. Cost: $650.00 per person email MTM1Foundation @gmail.com or contact Mr. James Henderson 443-768-6939

COLLEGE TOURS

MTM Foundation Ivy League College Tour 2018

March 22 – 26

Brown University ● Columbia University ● Massachusetts Institute of Technology ● Princeton University ● Harvard University ● Yale University ● University of Pennsylvania, in addition: ● Pennsylvania State University ● Babson College

Cost: $650.00 per person to register and more information:

Contact Mr. James Henderson 443-768-6939 or email:

National Alumnae Association of Spelman College

Southern Maryland Chapter - Annual Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) College Tour

Virginia State University, Shaw University, Bennett College, North Carolina A&T University, Johnson C. Smith University, Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, South Carolina State University, Claflin University, Norfolk State University, Hampton University April 2 – April 6, Cost: $499.00 per person, To reserve a spot call Daria Valentine 301-758-2054 or Crystal Curry 240-394-9006 Email:

Research Jobs & Careers

BrainTrack’s Career Guide This guide offers in-depth career profiles as well as degree and wage statistics for over 300 occupations that commonly require college or university education.

Career Coach:

Career Cruising: Interest and Skills Assessments - Career Profiles - Multimedia Interviews - Electronic Career Portfolio - Resume Builder

Careers in the Electrical IndustryStudents can see Mr. Gascon, NPHS Electrical Construction instructor for Apprenticeship opportunities for high school graduates with IBEW. First-year students earn approximately $51,000 while participating in the tuition-free program. Thegraduates of the program earn up to $84,800 per year plus benefits once they become journeyman electricians.

Career One Stop- sponsored by the US Dept. of Labor

Child Care Aid at St. Charles Children’s Learning Center at the College of Southern Maryland CSM is seeking CHILD CARE AIDES at the St. Charles Children’s Learning Center located on the La Plata campus. Apply online at Go to Temporary Opportunities and then click on the position for Temporary Childcare Aide (CLC-2009). Information flyers are available in the Career Center.

Dental Assistant Training contact Dr. Coleman, 703-963-8969

DOD Website to Help Youth Explore Pathways for Their Future: this website presents career, college and the Military as options, allowing students to explore all possibilities and gain insight into each option. More than 1,000 civilian and military career fields and nearly 7,000 accredited colleges and trade schools are featured.

Employment Information: The Maryland Job Service: 175 Post Office Road in Waldorf, Maryland. Office hours for Job Service referrals are from 8:00 am-3:00 pm daily. Maryland Job Service: 301-645-8712 or

Federal Government Jobs – Opportunities for jobs with the Federal Government: