Guidance Counseling Department » Step Three: Finding the Right College

Step Three: Finding the Right College

Now that you know what major you need to study, its time to start looking at colleges.
 
  • Naviance
  • CollegeBoard
  • How to find the right college(s) for you?
  • College lingo that you need to know
Naviance is a comprehensive software focusing upon: career readiness, college research, supporting document submission and additional academic applications.  
 
New to Naviance:
 
College Events
 
Naviance has a new section for finding virtual tours under the "Find your Fit" in the Colleges" tab called "College Events".  Students will be able to register for online virtual tours as well as other campus events through this system! 
 
 
RepVisits!
 
Students can meet virtually with representatives from colleges and universities under the "Colleges I am thinking about" tab.  Once on the page, students should look for the "College Visits" tab and a calendar of upcoming virtual meetings will be provided. 
 
Please refer to the link below for directions regarding RepVisits and College Events:
 
 
 
 
 
You've identified the career that you'd like to work in.  You know what college major you need to get to that career.  Now you need to look at what schools will both: get you that major; be a good fit for you.  CollegeBoard has a College Search engine that lets you enter criteria that you're interested in.  Put in what you're looking for and let them narrow down the search.
 
You'll need your account information to log in.
 
CollegeBoard College Search Tool
 
College search engines, the internet and all those flyers you're getting at home are a great way to start your search, but now you really need to start talking to people who know the school.
 
Attending a college fair is a great way to learn about a lot of colleges without actually having to travel.  Just remember: this may be your first impression of their college but it's also their first impression of you.  Make sure you prepare.
 
After you narrow down your list of potential colleges to the ones you think you want to go to, then its time to go visit the college while classes are in session.  Nothing will give you a better idea of how the school "feels" to you than actually being on campus with the students.  Check the college's website for planned admissions events, take a tour with a student guide, meet an admissions counselor and maybe even sit in on some classes.
 
Also, consider attending The Hackettstown College Fair & Planning Night.
 

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES - NJ SCHOOLS

 

Be sure to call the college in advance to verify the date and time as some of these dates may change. Many schools request that you register before coming to an open house. See your school counselor for more information. Many schools besides those listed offer open houses. Call your prospective colleges and universities for their schedule. It is an excellent idea to include both open houses and college tours in your college exploration. The open house allows you to see many of the activities available on campus while the traditional college tour lets you experience the college in a more typical environment.

 

 

 

Information from www.njsca.org website under "resources" and "college open houses".  For updated information please reference the source site (https://www.njsca.org/college-open-houses)

COLLEGE FAIRS

 

College Open Houses- Pennsylvania
 
https://www.njsca.org/pa-open-houses

Be sure to call the college in advance to verify the date and time as some of these dates may change. Many schools require that you register before coming to an open house.  Click on the college's name link to be taken to their Open House Website, if available.
 
The information is provided by the NJSCA (New Jersey School Counselor Association)
For the most updated information, please reference the source website: https://www.njsca.org/pa-open-houses

 

 
 

 

NY & CT OPEN HOUSES

https://www.njsca.org/ct-ny-open-houses
 

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York & Virginia College Open Houses

Be sure to call the college in advance to verify the date and time as some of these dates may change. Many schools require that you register before coming to an open house. Click on the college's link in the left column to be taken to their Open House website, if available.

 

For the most updated information, please reference the source website (www.njsca.org) and reference the following link: 

College Terminology 
 
http://www.collegeprep101.com/college-terminology.html