The document provides an agenda for a meeting with a college counselor to discuss the college planning and selection process, including factors to consider when choosing colleges, an overview of standardized testing, the importance of getting involved in high school activities, and resources for researching colleges like websites and books. It emphasizes that education is a process rather than being focused on a single outcome, and that students should apply to a range of schools including at least one where they are likely to be admitted.

1. Welcome
Coffee with the College Counselor

2. Agenda
Collective role in college planning and
Selection
College planning and selection 101
Thinking about college - outside the box
Family Connection

3. Begin with
The End
in sight

4. Education is a process, not a product.
Students are learners, not customers.
College is a match to be made, not a prize
to be won.

5. Higher education
Over 4500 colleges and universities
In California
In the United States
In the world

6. Admissions to four-year universities
are determined by eligibility and
selectivity.

7. Factors to consider when choosing where to
apply to college
Type of school
Size
Location
Student body
Admission
Cost
Academics
Campus life
Other factors
DON’T be overly impressed by:
-rankings (different methodologies are used to achieve rankings)
-only one person’s opinion
-colleges’ advertising and recruiting
-and, to some extent, reputation (often not based on student engagement – keep
an open mind.)
Two pieces of advice:
1. Apply to a variety of schools, but make sure your list includes at least one school that is
likely to admit you and that you would happily attend.
2. Never apply to a college whose offer of admission you would not gladly accept.

8. Tests – a necessary piece (maybe)
SAT Reasoning Test (aka SAT I)
ACT
Take in spring of junior year – relax for now
SAT Subject Tests (aka SAT II)
Take at end of year you take the class that best
prepares you for the subject. Consult with
teachers and college counselor!

9. Get (stay) involved
Find your passion
Depth of involvement is more significant
than breadth
Develop leadership
More isn’t always better

10. The Family Connection
To explore colleges and understand how Saint
Mary’s students fare in admissions
www.connection.naviance.com/saintmaryschs

11. Useful Websites
www.connection.naviance.com/saintmaryschs
www.californiacolleges.edu
www.csumentor.edu
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
www.collegeboard.com
www.actstudent.org

12. Selected Books
College Unranked, edited by Lloyd Thacker
Colleges That Change Lives, by Loren Pope
Looking Beyond the Ivy League, by Loren Pope
The Fiske Guide to Colleges