10. What are the extracurricular organizations like? Do students actively
participate?
11. What is the level of guidance like from your Faculty Advisor?
12. If you were able to do it again, would you still choose this college?
As you tour the campus, ask yourself ...1. Are the buildings in good repair?
2. Are there new buildings as well as older ones?
3. Is the lab equipment up-to-date and plentiful?
4. Are rooms in the residence halls pleasant? Quiet enough to study in?
5. Are common areas in the residence halls attractive? Are there laundry and kitchen facilities?
6. What is the cafeteria like?
7. If attending a class, do the students seem interested and challenged? Is
there good rapport between professors and students?
8. Are the grounds well kept? Safe?
9. What is the surrounding neighborhood or town like? Would I feel
comfortable here?
If you are interviewed you will probably be asked about your academic background, interest, hobbies, goals, and why you are interested in the college. It's natural to be nervous, but try to relax and see it as a conversation in which you ask questions, too.
In your interview, you could ask ...1. What is distinctive about this college?
2. Does the college have academic programs, including internships, co-ops, study abroad, etc. that fit my interests?
3. Will I be expected to bring my own computer? If not, will I have easy access to a computer? Is there wireless technology?
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the college's advising system?
5. How many students will there be in the courses I am likely to take in my first year? Are those courses taught by professors or graduate assistants?
6. What extra-curricular activities am there on campus? What are the facilities like?
7. Are there new program or facilities that will be available in the next couple of years?
8. What are the college's recent graduates doing now?
9. Is it likely that I will be admitted? Should I be doing anything else to increase my chances of admittance?
10. Does the college have a need-blind admissions policy (meaning that the amount of financial aid you need will have no effect on whether of not you will be admitted)?
When your visit is over, ask yourself....1. Were the people you met friendly and candid?
2. Did you feel that the students were the kind of people you'd like to get to know?
3. What did you think about the quality of instruction? The social atmosphere? The campus setting?
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR COLLEGE VlSIT-Speak with an Admissions Counselor. In many cases, especially in smaller colleges, this same professional staff member will be reading your application later in the year. An appointment is usually required.
- Tour the Campus. Most college tour guides are current students and are excellent sources of information. Look at the key facilities, including the library, the freshman residence halls, academic buildings, computer stations, and recreational areas. Read the bulletin boards to see what activities and campus issues are highlighted. Ask whether you will have access to the facilities as a first year student.
- Meet and talk with current students. Explore student satisfaction with the
college, campus issues, activities, security, and diversity.
- Meet with some faculty members. If possible, attend a class in an academic arm of interest to you. Talk with a professor in your intended major. Ask about class size, access to faculty, office hours, research opportunities, internships, tutoring and other special programs.
- Pick up printed materials. Most Admission Officers have information that is not mailed to all prospective students. Get a copy of the campus newspaper, publications, and yearbook. They offer a wealth of information-both good and bad-that accurately inform you about campus life.
- Investigate areas of special interest. For example, ask about intramural and varsity athletics, fine arts facilities, student government, student publications, fraternities and sororities, off-campus housing, etc.
- Take a close look at the area around the campus. Ask both the Admission Office staff and individual students about both the neighborhood and the town or city, and whether you can find the cultural and social opportunities you may be looking for.
- Take careful notes during your visits. You will probably be visiting several colleges and will need to refer to notes to refresh your memory.
- If you are with your parents or someone else, consider splitting up during the visit. Then be sure to compare your individual experiences and impressions.
TEN QUICK TIPS FOR A BETTER COLLEGE VISITI. Be prepared. Research each college and prepare some questions for your interviewer and tour guide.
2. Be yourself. Dress comfortably but neatly. Be relaxed and friendly and participate in conversations.
3 . Make an appointment. Do so well in advance of your planned visits.
4. Be on time!
5. Do not try to do too much-if you try to see more than 1 or 2 colleges per day, it will be difficult to get an accurate perception of those institutions.
6. Take notes. Write down your impressions immediately.
7. Meet people. Ask to talk to students and professors. Be brave and have lunch at a dining hall.
8. Observe everything. Notice whether classrooms, the library, residence hall rooms, dining halls, and recreation areas are well maintained, comfortable, and functional.
9. Don't wait. Try to make your visits before you apply to the school, so you can determine if you and the college are a good match. Do not procrastinate so that it becomes too late to fit them all in.
10. Have Fun!!
NCAA EligibilityThe NCAA was founded in 1906 and makes the rules governing eligibility, recruiting, and scholarships in college sports for their member schools. The NCAA counts most large colleges and universities as its members and divides schools into competitive divisions: I, II, and III. In football, schools in Division I are also divided into Divisions I-A and I-AA.
HOW TO QUALIFYBefore you can be eligible to play college sports, the NCAA requires you to be certified. o register. prospective student athletes should access the registration materials by visiting the clearing house website at
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net . From the home page, click on "Prospective Student-Athletes," which will link you to the necessary information.
We strongly suggest that is you are interested in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution that you use this online registration. rather than completing the paper form. However, if you wish to pay by cash or check you need to complete the paper form. You may access additional forms by visiting the NCAA website at
www.ncaa.org or visit
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and click prospective student athletes. If you do not meet their requirements before you graduate high school, you will not play in your freshman year in college. The certification requirements are as follows:(note - some of these requirements will be changing for the class of 2008)
DIVISION I1. You must graduate from high school.
2. You must earn a grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in at least 16 academic courses from grades 9-12. These courses include at least four years of English, three of math, two of social science, two in natural/physical science, four in additional courses such as languages, and one additional course in English, math, or science.
3. You must have a combined score on the SAT verbal and math sections based on the Qualifier Index which can be found on the NCAA website or at the guidance office. For example, if your GPA in the 16 indicated core courses is a 3.0, then you must get a 620 on the SAT to qualify.
DIVISION II1. You must graduate from high school
2. You must have a grade point average of at least a 2.3 in the 16 academic courses as indicated above
DIVISION IIIThese requirements currently do not apply. Eligibility for Division III schools is governed by institutional and conference rules.
It is generally best to register after your junior year grades appear on your transcript. You can obtain registration materials from the Guidance Office. You will need to fill out the student-release form completely, and mail the top (white) copy of the form to the clearinghouse along with the $18 fee. The pink and yellow copies of the form are kept by the Guidance Office.
SAT scores may be taken from your high school transcript or be sent directly to the clearinghouse by marking code 9999 in the appropriate space when you register for the SAT.
Keep in mind that these standards are for athletics eligibility only. It is not a guide to your qualifications for admission to college. Under NCAA rules, your admission is governed by the entrance requirements of each member school.
If you decide to pursue an athletic scholarship, the first question you should ask yourself is whether your sports skills are good enough. Remember, even if you do win a scholarship, few players go on to play professionally, and the primary purpose of an athletic scholarship is to reduce the cost of your college education.