Week 1: Career Choice: It’s important to focus on the final goal of college, a career. This week, we’ll explore careers and look at some tools to help make good choices. We’ll also cover vocation, charism, and additional topics relevant to career choice.

Week 2: How to Choose a College, Part 1: We’ll look at different criteria that students should consider for college choice, explore websites about colleges, and learn some of the basics of the college search process.

Week 3: Financial Aid: What is it? Who qualifies and how? We’ll take a good look at paying for college and dispel some myths surrounding financing college. Finally, we’ll discuss how financial aid works, how to apply for financial aid, and how loans may be avoided (as well as when to use them).

Week 4: Choosing a College, Part 2: This week, we’ll work on refining the search for the college that’s right for you and what to do on a college visit. We’ll also cover special situations like student athletes, musicians and artists, disabilities, and minorities.

Week 5: Testing: We’ll discuss college entrance tests (the ACT, SAT, and CLT), their differences, and why you should prepare for these tests. We’ll also cover additional testing and ways to get ahead with college admissions: the AP tests, CLEP tests, and dual enrollment.

Week 6 & 7: The Application: We’ll talk about the Common App, independent applications, deadlines, and the “all important” college essay.

Week 8: The Acceptance: We will discuss award letters, appeal letters, and final college entrance details. Have your questions ready.

Course Description: This course will cover the basics of the college admissions process. Students will use several tools to thoughtfully consider career options. Students will create a list of colleges that will meet their needs academically and financially. Students will learn how to prepare for and successfully navigate the application and admission process.

Course materials: Everything is provided by the instructor or online FREE.