College Bound Juniors
Greetings Juniors! Junior Year is a great time to research colleges, scholarships and prepare to take the SAT in April. The more preparation you have done, the more relaxed you will feel senior year. Review all pieces of my College and Career webpage for resources, opportunities and ways to pay for college.
Greetings Juniors! Junior Year is a great time to research colleges, scholarships and prepare to take the SAT in April. The more preparation you have done, the more relaxed you will feel senior year. Review all pieces of my College and Career webpage for resources, opportunities and ways to pay for college.
Career and College Newsletters - Juniors
Career and College Newsletters - Juniors
Frequently Asked Questions about College
Frequently Asked Questions about College
How to Apply for College
How to Apply for College
All college applications will be submitted online, electronically through the colleges official web page. Many colleges also participate in the COMMONAPP, which is an online program where you can submit one application to multiple colleges. Most colleges open their application system on or around August 1 of senior year.
All college applications will be submitted online, electronically through the colleges official web page. Many colleges also participate in the COMMONAPP, which is an online program where you can submit one application to multiple colleges. Most colleges open their application system on or around August 1 of senior year.
Colorado Colleges and Universities that participate in the COMMONAPP: Colorado College, CU Boulder, UCCS, University of Colorado Denver, Western Colorado University, Regis University, Metropolitan State University Denver, Naropa University, Colorado College, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado School of Mines, CSU Ft Collins, UNC, University of Denver, Ft. Lewis College
Colorado Colleges and Universities that participate in the COMMONAPP: Colorado College, CU Boulder, UCCS, University of Colorado Denver, Western Colorado University, Regis University, Metropolitan State University Denver, Naropa University, Colorado College, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado School of Mines, CSU Ft Collins, UNC, University of Denver, Ft. Lewis College
How to Pick your Top Choice Colleges
How to Pick your Top Choice Colleges
Pick your top choice colleges based on:
Pick your top choice colleges based on:
- Location of college (how far do you want to travel?)
- Size of student body/campus
- Cost of tuition. ** This is very important, you want to make sure the cost of your education is a good fit for you financially!
Is it important to you to be a part of Greek Life? An Honors Program? ROTC? Research whether the college will offer you these kinds of programs and experiences.
Is it important to you to be a part of Greek Life? An Honors Program? ROTC? Research whether the college will offer you these kinds of programs and experiences.
It is recommended that students apply to 3-5 schools.
You want to make sure that it is a good fit for you and what you need to feel successful and supported!
You want to make sure that it is a good fit for you and what you need to feel successful and supported!
CollegeScoreCard
CollegeScoreCard
A free resource to compare different colleges. Use it to see which colleges offer which majors, how much it costs to attend, student enrollment and much more! CollegeScorecard Website
A free resource to compare different colleges. Use it to see which colleges offer which majors, how much it costs to attend, student enrollment and much more! CollegeScorecard Website
Tips on Best Planning for College While In High School
Tips on Best Planning for College While In High School
If you are considering pursuing college after high school, please make sure you are completing any necessary course work in order to be eligible for admission to the college of your choice! Some schools require specific course completion (foreign language/science etc) while in High School, so it is best to plan early!
If you are considering pursuing college after high school, please make sure you are completing any necessary course work in order to be eligible for admission to the college of your choice! Some schools require specific course completion (foreign language/science etc) while in High School, so it is best to plan early!
If you are interested in a specific college, please be sure to visit their college/university webpage to review all admission requirements for admission, including course selection in High School that will make you the most competitive.
If you are interested in a specific college, please be sure to visit their college/university webpage to review all admission requirements for admission, including course selection in High School that will make you the most competitive.
Ways to Pay for College
Ways to Pay for College
Ways to Pay for College
Ways to Pay for College
Grants: Money from the Federal Government, college/university or private companies or organizations. Most grants are need based and do not need to be repaid.
Grants: Money from the Federal Government, college/university or private companies or organizations. Most grants are need based and do not need to be repaid.
Scholarships: Money that is earned or given for a variety of reasons such as academic, athletic or persona attributes or affiliations. Some scholarships are need based and some are not. They do not need to be repaid. **Most Scholarships a student earns will come directly from the college itself. If you apply to multiple colleges, if accepted, you can apply for scholarships to each to compare offerings and help decide where you want to attend. You MUST let each college know your final decision of where you will attend by May 1 of your senior year.
Scholarships: Money that is earned or given for a variety of reasons such as academic, athletic or persona attributes or affiliations. Some scholarships are need based and some are not. They do not need to be repaid. **Most Scholarships a student earns will come directly from the college itself. If you apply to multiple colleges, if accepted, you can apply for scholarships to each to compare offerings and help decide where you want to attend. You MUST let each college know your final decision of where you will attend by May 1 of your senior year.
Work Study: Money that is earned from work typically on campus while in college. Work Study money comes from the federal and state governments or from the colleges and does not need to be repaid. This money is not usually available to upfront pay the colleges bill but can be used for living expenses throughout the term.
Work Study: Money that is earned from work typically on campus while in college. Work Study money comes from the federal and state governments or from the colleges and does not need to be repaid. This money is not usually available to upfront pay the colleges bill but can be used for living expenses throughout the term.
Loans: Any of the above ways to pay for college can be used in any combination. Any remaining balance of tuition will require the student to borrow money. Loans are money that are borrowed from the federal or state governments, a lender or a private source. Loans must be repaid upon graduation, when the student leaves school or drops below half time. Both parents and students may use loans to pay cost os attendance. Loans do typically accrue interest while in college at a set rate. Subsidized loans start accruing interest after the student completes a degree, while unsubsidized loans start accruing interest right away.
Loans: Any of the above ways to pay for college can be used in any combination. Any remaining balance of tuition will require the student to borrow money. Loans are money that are borrowed from the federal or state governments, a lender or a private source. Loans must be repaid upon graduation, when the student leaves school or drops below half time. Both parents and students may use loans to pay cost os attendance. Loans do typically accrue interest while in college at a set rate. Subsidized loans start accruing interest after the student completes a degree, while unsubsidized loans start accruing interest right away.
The FAFSA is the universal application to apply for all types of financial aid. This should be the first place you start to search for financial aid and borrowing money to pay for college. For more information and to apply, visit Studentaid.gov.
The FAFSA is the universal application to apply for all types of financial aid. This should be the first place you start to search for financial aid and borrowing money to pay for college. For more information and to apply, visit Studentaid.gov.
Free Colorado Application Day$
Free Colorado Application Day$
Free Colorado Application Day$
Free Colorado Application Day$
Every year for a few days in October, any application you submit to any participating college in Colorado will waive the application free. This saves Colorado students hundreds of dollars every year. All state college in Colorado participate. Be sure to keep an eye on your email for more information on this date. (College application fees cost anywhere from $25-100 each).
Every year for a few days in October, any application you submit to any participating college in Colorado will waive the application free. This saves Colorado students hundreds of dollars every year. All state college in Colorado participate. Be sure to keep an eye on your email for more information on this date. (College application fees cost anywhere from $25-100 each).
Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE)
Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE)
Did you know that if you choose to attend a college that participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Program, that you can receive a reduced cost of tuition, so that you will pay less than Out of State Tuition Costs? Click here to learn more.
Did you know that if you choose to attend a college that participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Program, that you can receive a reduced cost of tuition, so that you will pay less than Out of State Tuition Costs? Click here to learn more.
Participating states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Participating states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
SAT Practice Tests and Prep
SAT Practice Tests and Prep
Every Junior can take the SAT for free one time in April of junior year. You can choose to register to take it again or on another date through collegeboard.org
Every Junior can take the SAT for free one time in April of junior year. You can choose to register to take it again or on another date through collegeboard.org
Looking for SAT practice tests? The Khan Academy is a great FREE resource that has partnered with CollegeBoard. CollegeBoard writes the SAT, so they are the most reliable source for SAT prep.
Looking for SAT practice tests? The Khan Academy is a great FREE resource that has partnered with CollegeBoard. CollegeBoard writes the SAT, so they are the most reliable source for SAT prep.
By creating a free Khan Academy student account, students are able to take eight official full-length SAT practice tests including two SAT with Essay practice tests, access thousands of practice questions, video lessons, and hints, and receive study and test-taking tips. In addition, students can personalize their SAT practice by taking eight diagnostic quizzes or seeing personalized practice recommendations based on the student’s PSAT results by linking their College Board and Khan Academy accounts.
By creating a free Khan Academy student account, students are able to take eight official full-length SAT practice tests including two SAT with Essay practice tests, access thousands of practice questions, video lessons, and hints, and receive study and test-taking tips. In addition, students can personalize their SAT practice by taking eight diagnostic quizzes or seeing personalized practice recommendations based on the student’s PSAT results by linking their College Board and Khan Academy accounts.
It is recommended that each student spend at least 6-20 hours preparing for the SAT, at least 2-3 months in advance of your test date.
It is recommended that each student spend at least 6-20 hours preparing for the SAT, at least 2-3 months in advance of your test date.
ACT Test
ACT Test
Did you know you can also take the ACT? Most colleges accept either the SAT or ACT test. If you are interested in taking the ACT, you can sign up at ACT.org. VRHS does not offer the ACT.
Did you know you can also take the ACT? Most colleges accept either the SAT or ACT test. If you are interested in taking the ACT, you can sign up at ACT.org. VRHS does not offer the ACT.
College Bound Athletes
College Bound Athletes
Visit the College Bound Student Athlete page for resources and information. If you want to play your sport in college, it is possible you have academic eligibility requirements to fulfill before graduation.
Visit the College Bound Student Athlete page for resources and information. If you want to play your sport in college, it is possible you have academic eligibility requirements to fulfill before graduation.