College Coach's Playbook Table of Contents
Introduction
Intro.1: What we will cover in our program
Intro.2: Overview of High School Timeline:
Freshman year
Sophomore year
Junior year
Senior year
Topic 1:Extracurricular Activities and Summer Programs/Jobs
1.1 Extracurricular activities
1.2 Summer programs
1.3 Career Exploration
1.4 Resume
1.5 Common Application Activities List
1.6 Example Common Application Activities List
1.8 Tips for how to write the Common App Activities List (Ethan Sawyer)
1.9 Coalition Activities Example/Structure
1.10 Student Notes
Topic 2: Courses and High School Transcript
2.1 Courses and High School Transcript Overview
2.2 Senior course selection
2.3 Senior year grades
2.4 Transcript Tips
2.5 Potential courses for senior year
Topic 3: Standardized Testing
3.1 Overview/Differences
3.2 Do colleges have a preference for ACT or SAT?
3.3 SAT Subject Tests (College Board)
3.4 TOEFL
3.5 Do you need to take the “Essay” part of the SAT/ACT?
3.6 Test-optional schools
3.7 Test-flexible schools
3.8 Timeline for testing
3.9 Test-prep options and cost
3.10 Extended time for standardized testing for IEP/504 Students
3.11 Score Reporting/Score Choice
3.12 Superscoring
Topic 4: Developing the College List
4.1 College List Overview
4.2 Final College List: 7-10 Schools
Topic 5: Visiting Colleges
5.1 College Visitations
5.2 Questions for College Visits
Topic 6 Steps to Research Your Colleges Online
6.1 Using College Planner Pro
6.2 General Info:
6.3 College Website – Academics
6.3 College Website – College Catalog
6.4 College Website – Study Abroad/Away
6.5 College Website – Student Life
6.5 College Website - Career Services
6.6 College Website – Admissions
6.7 YouTube
6.8 What does the campus look like?
6.9 Cost (can my family afford it?):
6.10 Preliminary School Visitation Plan (Schools, dates) Worksheet
Topic 7: The Application Process
7.1 Regular Decision
7.2 Early Decision (ED):
7.3 Early Action (EA)
7.4 Early Decision II
7.5 Rolling
7.6 Priority
7.7 Single Choice Early Action (SCEA):
7.8 Restrictive Early Action (REA):
7.9 What to consider between options
7.10 Possible outcomes
7.11 Types of Applications
7.12 Deadlines
7.13 Things to keep in mind:
7.14 The “Additional Information” section of the Common Application
Topic 8: Recommendation Letters
8.1 Who to ask:
8.2 When to ask:
8.3 How to ask:
Topic 8 Worksheet: Preliminary list of recommenders:
8.4 Naviance/eDocs
Topic 9: The Interview Process and How to Ace It
9.1 Why Interview
9.2 Types of Interviews
9.3 Interview Timeline and Considerations
9.4 What to wear
9.5 What to expect
9.6 How to prepare
9.7 Two Key Questions
9.8 Troubleshooting
9.9 After the Interview
9.10 Interview Tips
9.10 Handout: Practice Interview Questions
Topic 10: The College Essay Process and How to Ace It
10.1 Main essay (650 words maximum)
10.2 Supplements
10.3 Tips on Essay Writing:
Topic 11: Support on Campus for students with learning differences
11.1Academic Support in College
11.2 Seeking Support
Topic 12: Mental Health Support
12.1 Mental Health Support Overview
12.2 HANDOUT - Questions to Ask About Mental Health Support Services
12.3 Mental Health Resources
12.4 Talk to these People (not Admissions!)
12.5 See who has a Chapter of Active Minds
12.6 Read this Book
12.7 Think About…
Topic 13: Special Interest Groups: Athletes/Artists/Musicians & Actors
13.1 Athletes:
13.2 Artists/Performing Artists
Topic 14: Financial Aid and Scholarships
14.1 Personal Best College Coaching Financial Aid Presentations and Webinars
14.2 Merit Aid and Tuition Discounts:
14.3 529 Plans
14.4 Government Money
14.4 Institutional Money
14.5 NJ Stars I and II, other state awards (HESAA.org)
14.6 Sticker shock
14.7 Tuition insurance
14.8 Scholarship Sources
Topic 15: What to Do After Admissions Decisions Are Made
Topic 16: Random (but important) information