This presentation tackles the basics of the college admissions process.

1. PLANNING FOR
COLLEGE
By Michael Porter
Admissions Counselor
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

3. Factors Affecting Your College Choice
 College environment
 Extracurricular opportunities
 Profession
 Major
 Geographic location
 Community
 College size
 Concerns
What are your top 4-6 criteria in selecting a college?

4. Deadlines
Non Restrictive
• College will let you know
by a certain date
Regular
Decision
• College admits throughout
the admissions cycle
Rolling
Admission
• College will send you a
decision earlier
Early
Action
MAY 1ST CONFIRMATION DATE
Restrictive
• If admitted, you are
committed to that
school
• The school may
hold your
application for
regular decision
Early
Decision

6. Admissions Application
Official High School Transcript
• normally sent directly from the high school to the college
• schools typically get a school report listing things like AP classes offered, how many students in a class, etc.
• colleges might require mid-year grades
Standardized Test Scores
• go to act.org (ACT) or collegeboard.org (SAT) to request official copies
• some schools are able to take ACT/SAT scores from you transcript, but not all
• senior year be sure to mark your top schools to receive your scores on the test
Application Form (Common Application or school’s website)
• personal information
• honors and awards
• extracurricular
• employment
• summer activities
• essays
• disciplinary action
• application fee or fee waiver
• signature

7. Essay
 Tell a Story
 don’t write what you think they want to hear
 show your personality
 Proofread
 strategy: read essay from bottom to top
 no “thnx” or “B4”
 grammarly.com
 Get a Second Opinion
 listen with an open mind
 Stay Focused
 really read the essay prompt
 add substance to some of your
achievements

8. Testing
 ACT
 SAT
 AP Exams
 IB Exams
 FREE TEST PREP
 Khan Academy, khanacademy.org
 ACT, act.org
 SAT, satpractice.org

9. Recommendations
Who?
 Teachers
 core academic subjects (history, math,
science, languages)
 teachers who know you well
 recent years (junior and senior)
 Guidance Counselors
Tips:
 What are things you would like your
recommenders to highlight?
 Why did you choose this specific
recommender?
 Give recommenders PLENTY of time

10. Campus Visits
What To Do
 Research the school before to ask
insightful questions
 Request academic appointment if
available
 If not, contact a professor/department
 Search school’s event calendar in
preparation for your visit
 Attend an information session
What Not To Do
 Do the campus tour and jet
 Try to register last minute for peak times
(fall break and spring break)
 Two visits in the same day
 Skip the on campus meal
 Neglect getting the business cards of
people you meet

11. PLANNING FOR
COLLEGE
Michael Porter // michaelp@utk.edu // 865-946-8687
A copy of this presentation is available at
tinyurl.com/Life-After-School