There are more than 3,000 colleges you could attend! So how do you know where to begin? Below are some useful questions to ask yourself as you begin the college search:

• What do I want to study? What kind of job do I want in the future? What problem do I want to solve?

• Where is my family in terms of finances? How much financing will I need?

• Have I visited a community college, a liberal arts college, and a large public university so I can compare?

• Do I want to go to college in Oregon or further away from home?

• Do I want to live in a dorm or in an apartment my first year?

• Do I like big cities or rural places?

• Do I want to go to a large public university or a small college?

• What activities do I want to do while I'm in college? Do I want to join a club, play an intramural sport, volunteer, or work part time?

• How selective are the schools I'm interested in?

• What do I want to study? What kind of job do I want in the future? What problem do I want to solve?

Website to help you find a school and compare your options: 

• http://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

A great website for exploring all colleges and careers: 

• www.princetonreview.com

College rankings and listings to help you find the right match for you

• www.ous.edu 

Great resource guide and workbook through The College Place - Oregon and ECMC. (English and Spanish)

• ​www.ecmc.org/students/opportunities-guide-workbook.html 

US Department of Labor: Compare the US market for the job industry

• www.careeronestop.org/

What should I be doing?

College Checklists

freshmen & Sophomores:

1. Determine which classes you want to take over the next three-four years and pass your classes. 

2. Look for ways to increase your experience and develop your resume. 

3. Volunteer. 

4. Get a job. 

5. Make a difference. 

6. Visit as many colleges as you're able. 

Juniors:

OCTOBER - DECEMBER:

1. START LOOKING FOR COLLEGES!!!

2. Start volunteering in the community.  It makes you a better, well-rounded applicant to schools & scholarships.

3. Look at the schools that you are thinking of applying to.  Do they have entrance exams?

4. Research scholarships.

5. Check out the college visitation calendar to see if any of the visiting schools sound interesting.

6. Attend the education nights, see calendar for dates and times.

7. Start your OSAC packet- www.getcollegefunds.org

JANUARY - JUNE:

1. LOOKING FOR COLLEGES!!!

2. Narrow list of colleges and attend college fairs.

3. Check out the ACT & SAT board and take the tests in the SPRING.

4. If colleges require them, take achievement tests.

5. If applying to a specialty school, start to prepare your portfolios, audition tapes, writing samples.

6. Check to see if schools have a campus preview day.

7. When registering for next year’s classes ensure you maintain a rigorous course load and that your schedules meet minimum requirements for colleges.

JULY - AUGUST:

1. LOOKING FOR COLLEGES!!!

2. Create list of schools that you will request information from.

3. Visit campuses, stay overnight, sit in on classes and have an admissions interview.

4. If you are in athletics, ask your coaches if they know of any scholarships.

5. Register in NCAA Clearinghouse.

Seniors: 

SEPTEMBER:

1. Create FAFSA ID, prepare materials to fill out FAFSA/ORSAA on October 1st!!

2. Sign up and take the ACT or SAT.

OCTOBER:

1. October 1st FAFSA/ORSAA OPENS!!! Do it RIGHT AWAY.

2. If possible, visit or collect information on colleges that are the most interesting to you.

3. Draft your scholarship applications/essays and find someone to proofread them.

4. Make sure you know all deadlines.

5. Sign up to take or retake the ACT or SAT.

6. Request transcripts by using the link at the top of the home page

       ***See Mrs. Lanthrum in the Career and College Center if you have any questions.***

NOVEMBER:

1. Figure out who can be your references. (example: Teachers, Counselors, Managers)

2. Start collection of letters of recommendation.

3. Schedule admission interviews.

4. Apply for SCHOLARSHIPS!!

DECEMBER:

1. Revise all application essays.

2. Check application deadlines.

3. If you have yet to visit your college(s), make sure to do so over Winter Break.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY:

1. Have you turned in all your college application(s)?  If not, do so ASAP.

2. Make sure to complete your FAFSA by January 31st.

3. Look into more scholarship opportunities

MARCH & MAY:

• Double check your SAR reports.

• Carefully look over award letter(s) from your college(s).

• Check into community college opportunities and apprenticeships.

• Fill out FINAL TRANSCRIPT request.

• If all your college needs are met… relax and prepare for GRADUATION!!