The Complete Plan

College Mindset provides a personalized plan for each student. By going through the topics covered in the Complete Plan, students are guided through the college search and admissions process. Along the way, students are also encouraged to develop valuable life skills.

Build Self-Knowledge

  • Complete assessments that will identify your personality type, how you learn, and potential major and career options.
  • Explore (and challenge) your assumptions about college.
  • Discuss how you learn and how college curriculums differ.
  • Sample questions:
    • What classes do you do well in? Why?
    • What do you envision for your college experience: location, size, learning environment, etc.?       

 

Explore College Options

  • Learn the best ways to research colleges.
  • Organize the information you collect so that you can compare options.
  • Identify abstract details about colleges that may be important to your search, such as campus culture, traditions and values.
  • Compile your list of college criteria (items may include location, size, academic majors offered, merit scholarships, financial aid, etc.).
  • Sample questions:
    • How do majors differ at colleges?
    • What resources are offered?
    • What is the area surrounding the college like?
    • Are there financial parameters you need to consider in your college search?

 

Establish a Plan

  • List your academic (course selection) plan.
  • Brainstorm ideas for your extracurricular plan.
  • Review a standardized testing plan.
  • Sample questions:
    • What extracurricular activities can you participate in to show your talents and interests?
    • What is the best way for you to prepare for the SAT and ACT?
    • How many challenging courses should you take?

 

Compile a Balanced College List

  • Identify specific colleges that meet your criteria.
  • Attend college fairs and plan college visits.
  • Learn your chances of admission at each college on your list, making sure you have a balanced list of reach, obtainable, and likely schools.
  • Sample questions:
    • What are the pros and cons of each college?
    • How will each college review your application?

 

Create an Application Plan

  • Review application deadlines and create a plan for completing each application.
  • Put together a resume.
  • Brainstorm ideas for essays.
  • Identify people to write your letters of recommendation.
  • Sample questions:
    • How do you want to manage your college applications?
    • What do you want colleges to know about you? Where will you include that information on your applications?
    • What does your essay say about you?

 

Make Final Decision and Transition

  • Discuss college options.
  • Collect information you need to make an informed decision.
  • Explore pros and cons of each option.
  • Discuss common challenges students face as they enter college.
  • Identify resources at the college you will attend. 
  • Sample questions:
    • Which college option is the best fit for you and your family?