FastWeb Guide to College Search and Admissions

FastWeb has a college search function that will allow you to search for a college that fits your needs, which you can access here.

However, you might be wondering what else you need to think about in order to make the right selection. Check below for more things to think about:

• Size: Large schools can offer diversity, while small schools are more intimate.


• Location: Close to home or halfway across the country? Urban or rural?


• Academic Standing: Do the school's academic standards match your goals? Sometimes a big name school is not the best option.


• Social Environment: What kind of community do you want? Close-knit and slow-paced? Studious and focused?


• Living Arrangements: Dorm life is fun, but commuting can be more affordable.


• Field of Study: Does the school offer a good program in the major you plan to pursue?


• Classroom Environment: Small, intimate classes? Or big lectures?


• Affordability: Tuition, room and board, books and supplies-it all adds up. What's your college budget?


• Availability of financial aid: Are you going to need assistance?


• Selectivity: How do you measure up to the school's incoming freshman class (average GPA, test scores, etc.)? What are your chances for admission?


• Consult your guidance counselor. Ask for college information such as brochures and guidebooks.


• Attend a college fair. Bring a notepad and talk one-on-one with school representatives. To find out about college fairs in your area, ask your counselor or visit the College Fair Directory.


• Surf the Internet. Learn more about your favorite schools by visiting their Web sites. Check out FastWeb's college search to discover your college matches.


• Ask for advice. Discuss your options with parents, friends and your high school counselor. No one will have the "right" answer, but they can give you a fresh perspective.


• Ask your friends in college. They can tell you about day-to-day college life. Learn from their mistakes and benefit from their experiences.


• Visit the campus. Call the college directly to schedule a tour, or ask your guidance counselor if your school arranges group trips. Take notes during the tour and get the student view by spending some time wandering around and talking to current students.

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While FastWeb has a lot of useful information on colleges, you still must submit your application directly through your prospective college. Check below for what must be submitted on a typical application:

• The General Application: Don't leave anything blank unless the application tells you to. Make sure all information is accurate and legible. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call the university's admissions office. Did you wait until the last minute? Submit your application online.


• Transcripts: Make sure these are sealed. Delivery usually takes 4-7 days, so if you haven't done it, order them immediately. Your school may charge a fee for sending transcripts, usually $2-$5 per transcript.


• SAT/ACT Scores: When you took the test, you had the option of sending your scores to the schools of your choosing. If you need to send scores to additional schools, contact the test board immediately. Delivery takes 3-4 week.


• Letters of Recommendation: Many colleges require these to be sealed - ask the admissions office. Make sure you have the number of recommendations required in the application.


• Essays: Double-check spelling. Make sure your name and social security number are on every page, as well as the essay's title or number. If you've recycled an essay, make sure you've matched the correct university with the right essay.


• Work Samples/Portfolios: If required, be sure you've included your name, social security number and the project name on every item. Don't send the original - make a copy.


• Reply Cards: These should be stamped and self-addressed.

Check with your prospective college on exactly what needs to be sent in on your application and whether an online or paper copy is preferred.

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Meet with your counselor. Discuss your career goals and the classes you should take. Many selective schools require college preparation classes that include three or four years of coursework. Plan your high school curriculum early to be sure you're covered.

Master basic academic skills. Strengthen your reading, writing and vocabulary skills. Improve your typing skills and become familiar with the Internet. Knowing your way around a computer will come in handy throughout high school and college.

Explore your interests through your classes. Whether it's chemistry, world literature or calculus, your classes give you a chance to find out what you like. Take classes in a variety of subjects that interest you.

Perform community service or get a part-time job. Extracurricular activities show that you're a well-rounded individual and you know how to manage your time efficiently.

Research summer programs. Many colleges offer arts camps and college prep courses during the summer for high school students. These programs are a good way to develop your talents and get your foot in the door with colleges.

Do your best in your classes. Remember: Class rank and G.P.A. are key factors in college admissions.

Take honor-level and advanced placement courses. Enroll in courses at a community college. Your high school transcript will show admission committees you are up to the challenge of a competitive college environment.

Take a "virtual" campus tour on the Internet. Visit the homepages of schools that interest you. Also attend college fairs to meet admission representatives and obtain course catalogs. If possible, plan to visit campuses yourself to get a first hand account of the school's culture and social life.

Prepare for college entrance exams. Your scores can determine what scholarships you qualify for and what college you attend. Ask your counselor about services that offer ACT and SAT preparation classes and practice tests. Keep track of the dates and deadlines for the tests.

Learn about financial aid options. Don't let the cost of a college education scare you. Attend financial aid seminars hosted by local schools. Ask community businesses and organizations if they offer college scholarships. You can also search scholarship databases on the Internet like FastWeb to apply for awards that match your interests and career goals.

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Check these links:

High school freshman
High school sophomore
High school junior
High school senior

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Free Materials: Start with the free publications available at your high school for students taking the SAT I or SAT II. Taking the SAT I features test-taking tips, as well as a sample test, the correct answers, an answer sheet and scoring instructions. Taking the SAT II features sample questions and describes the format and content for each Subject Test. Ask your guidance counselor for a copy.

Books: If you want more in-depth advice, and are willing to pay for it, practice manuals abound. Priced anywhere from $10 to $50, these books typically offer test-taking strategies, expert advice and practice tests. Many include a CD-ROM featuring sample tests and other interactive options. When selecting a book, check the date of publication (the more recent, the better), reviews and the number of practice tests included. And check your local library to see if you can get access to the same books for free.

Software: The fastest growing segment of SAT/ACT preparation materials is CD-ROM software. The key advantage to SAT/ACT preparation software is its ability to tailor a training program to your needs. You start with a diagnostic test that assesses your strengths and weaknesses. The program then creates a personalized course of study, featuring sample tests, hundreds of review questions, multimedia teaching aids, helpful test-taking strategies and progress trackers. SAT/ACT software is priced around $25.

Traditional Prep Courses: Prep courses typically span a 10-week period, meeting once a week on Saturdays. The cost for these courses ranges from $500 to $1,000. There are a number of different prep course providers, including: The Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com), Kaplan (www.kaplan.com), Sylvan Learning Centers (www.educate.com) and The World's Best Prep Course, Inc. (www.bestprep.com). Prep courses are typically led by highly trained individuals and consist of orientation sessions, class sessions and practice tests. Also included are home study materials such as books, flashcards and software. Prep courses are generally considered to be the most intensive form of SAT/ACT preparation.

Online Prep Courses: An online test prep course may better accommodate students with increasingly busy schedules. Some companies currently provide SAT prep courses over the Web. A virtual mirror of traditional prep courses, features include lectures in streaming video, practice tests, e-mail help, test-taking strategies and intensive practice exercises. Also included are physical study aids such as books and flashcards. As an added benefit, an online SAT course can cost significantly less than its offline counterpart and may fit better in your schedule.

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Familiarize yourself with the following key terms to help you better understand the admission process:

Acceptance Form: This form documents the student's receipt of an award letter. The form usually includes a space to indicate acceptance of offered aid, declination of all or part of the package and some means for requesting an appeal to modify the award. Acceptance letters and award letters are frequently combined into a single document.

Admit-Deny: Some schools will admit marginal students, but not award them any financial aid. Very few schools use admit-deny, because studies have shown that lack of sufficient financial aid is a key factor in the performance of marginal students.

Associate Degree: A degree which is granted to a student who has completed a two-year program (64-66 credits) and is equivalent to the first two years of study for a Bachelor degree. An Associate degree may be further specified as an Associate of Arts (AA) (granted to students who have completed a two-year program in liberal arts) or an Associate of Science (AS) (granted to students who have completed a two-year program in the sciences).

Associate of Applied Science (AAS): A degree that is granted to students who have completed a technology or vocational program. It is generally considered a terminal degree as it prepares students for immediate employment upon graduation. In some cases, the credits earned while completing an AAS can be transferred to a Bachelor degree, but only when specified by the school or program in question.

Award Letter: The form which notifies the student that financial aid is being offered. The award letter usually provides information about the types and amounts of aid offered, as well as specific program information, student responsibilities and the conditions which govern the award. The Award Letter often includes an Acceptance Form.

Bachelor or Baccalaureate Degree: A degree which is granted to a student who has completed a four-year program (120-128 credits). The most common types of Bachelor degree programs include the Bachelor of Arts (BA) (for students of liberal arts) and the Bachelor of Sciences (BS) (for students of science).

Campus-Based Programs: The term commonly applied to those U.S. Department of Education federal student aid programs administered directly by institutions of postsecondary education. Includes: Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Work-Study (FWS) programs.

Commuter Student: A student who does not live on campus; typically "commuter" refers to a student living at home with his or her parents, but can also mean any student who lives off-campus.

Cooperative Education: In a cooperative education program, the student spends some time engaged in employment related to their major in addition to regular classroom study.

Credit (or Credit Hour): The unit of measurement some institutions give for fulfilling course requirements.

Early Action: An early action program has earlier deadlines and earlier notification dates than the regular admissions process. Unlike the Early Decision program, the early action program does not require that a student commit to attending the school if admitted.

Early Admission: Procedure used by colleges which allows gifted high-school juniors to skip their senior year and enroll instead in college. The term "Early Admission" is sometimes used to refer collectively to Early Action and Early Decision programs.

Early Decision: Some colleges offer the option of an early decision to students who meet all entrance requirements, are certain of the college they wish to attend and are likely to be accepted by that college. Students participate in the Early Decision plan by indicating their desire to participate on their college application. The decision regarding admission is made by mid-December of the student's senior year in high school, as opposed to the regular admissions notification of mid-April. A drawback of the Early Decision program is that students will have to commit to a school before they find out about the financial aid packet. A student can apply early decision to only one school.

Open Admissions: Students are admitted regardless of academic qualifications. The school may require an additional probationary period during which the student must earn satisfactory grades to ensure continued enrollment.

Out-of-State Student: This term generally applies to students applying to a public college or university. Tuition rates are lower for state residents; out-of-state students must pay a higher rate of tuition until they have established the legal residency requirements for the state.

Remediation: Students who are not fully prepared for college academically are often required to complete remedial classes. The courses are designed to bring the student up to the level required for satisfactory college-level performances. Such courses are usually not granted credit towards graduation.

Rolling Admissions: Students' applications are considered when all required credentials have been submitted. There is either no deadline or a very late deadline; qualified students are accepted until classes are filled. Applicants are notified of admission continuously throughout the enrollment period.

Selective Admissions: Admissions procedure used by colleges and universities, where additional standards and criteria are required. Usually for specific programs or departments.

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FastWeb will only be useful for international students seeking study in the U.S. If you are planning on studying at a college or university outside the U.S., FastWeb will be unable to meet your needs. For additional information on how to apply to a U.S. school as an international student, we encourage you to visit our partner's site: www.edupass.org.

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What are you trying to achieve? Why are you going back to college? Is it for professional development? A personal goal? Career change? Identifying your reason for going back for a degree can help you form a realistic timeline with attainable goals.

Flexible scheduling. Does your school offer all of the required courses for your major at times that will work for your schedule? Check whether your school offers distance learning programs (sometimes online) or independent study options.

Alternative credit opportunities. Check out course credit for life or work experience. Some schools have individualized school-specific testing programs. Others will allow you to take CLEP. (College-Level Examination Program) tests for college credit (although you may still have to pay a fee to ensure that these credits appear on your transcript).

Special aid and scholarships. Worried about paying for college? Check out new categories of financial assistance and scholarships that take into account a broad range of factors, including life experience. Some schools offer "childships" (childcare scholarships) or will pay a portion of daycare costs for qualified students.

Location and a strong commuter support system. Will you have easy access to administrative offices outside of traditional business hours as well as parking or convenient access to public transportation? Some schools offer commuter lounges with common rooms, lockers and even showers and sleep facilities.

Specialized student services center. New student services centers can find you the assistance you need, offering everything from tutoring specialists to discounted child-care centers.

A "non-traditional" students' association or informal student groups. Want a voice on campus? Look for the appropriate student organization at your school. These groups can play an integral part in your educational career, giving you advice, keeping you up to date on relevant tax laws and acting as your advocate with the college administration.

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