College and Career Exploration
College Prep Information
Whether you plan to prepare a resume, look for a job, go to college, attend a vocational/technical school, or enter the military, the information in these sites will help you plan for your future.
Please be aware of the differences between non-profit educational-related websites and those that are represented by a proprietary or for-profit company or organization. Not all education-related information found on the web is accurate.
Links for Scholarships and Other College & Career Resources
Financial Aid Information:
Department of Education (Student Loan Information)
FAFSA on the Web (also in Spanish)
Indiana Student Financial Aid Association
National Association of Financial Aid Administrators
State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI)
The Financial Aid Information Page
U.S. Department of Education (also in Spanish)
Free Scholarship Searches:
Colleges, College Scholarships and Online Degrees
MACH 25—Breaking the Tuition Barrier
Education-Related:
ACT Test Preparation and Registration
NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete
Job Hunting Online:
Cool Works.com—National Park/Resort Jobs
Department of Workforce Development
Why Visit Colleges?
A key part of deciding which college to go to is finding a good fit. A great way to glean more information is to visit a college in person. It can help you determine whether a college is the right place for you. A visit also gives you the chance to talk to students, faculty, and financial aid and admission officers.
A campus visit is your opportunity to get a firsthand view of a college. A college catalog, brochure, or website can only show you so much. To really get a feel for the college, you need to walk around the quad, sit in on a class, and visit the dorms. Ready to schedule your visit? Navigate to the admissions page of the college of your choice and follow the steps provided.
CLHS Policy for College Visit Days
The School Counselors acknowledge that juniors and seniors can benefit from visits to colleges during the school day. These visits can be very helpful to students as they make college choices. The policy is as follows:
- Juniors and seniors may make two verifiable college campus visits per school year.
- These visits must include an interview with a college admission representative.
- The student must pick up a Verification of Visit form from the Student Services office at least one day before the visit.
- The student must have the college admission representative sign a verification form. The student then returns it to Student Services the day he/she returns to Concordia.
- If these guidelines are followed, the student will not be marked absent for those two days of school.
- If these guidelines are not followed, the student will receive an unexcused absence.
- School visitations within a 60 mile radius of Fort Wayne can only be excused for a half a day.
Questions to Ask when Visiting a College
It is important to know what questions you want answered before you visit a college. Below are some questions you may want to ask outside of the typical questions regarding, majors, cost of attendance, and admission standards.
Learning Facilities and Resources
What is the average size of classes?
What are the facilities like?
Are there enough quiet places on campus to study?
Where are the quiet study places?
What kind of help is available to students? Career Counseling? Job placement? Skills improvement?
Are there scholarships in your field of interest?
What part-time or work-study jobs are there on campus that might give you experience in a field that interests you?
Faculty and Student Body
What is the background of the faculty?
What percentage of the faculty has advanced degrees?
Who teaches the undergraduate courses, professors or graduate students?
Do students talk with faculty members outside of class? Are there formal meetings?
Informal gatherings?
Are there clubs or organizations where you can meet students and faculty with your interests?
How many students are there?
What kind of admissions policy does the school have, open or selective?
How diverse is the student body?
What percent of each year’s entering class graduates from the school?
Curriculum
What is a reasonable course load?
Are there required courses that all students must take?
How do you know which classes to take?
When do you declare a major?
What is the advising system like?
How do students get feedback on their progress?
How do you get an advisor, do you choose one or is one assigned to you?
If you are beginning at a regional campus or a two year school, will your credits transfer
if you want to go to the main campus or a four-year school?
Will all the credits you earn transfer, or will only some of them? Which will transfer?
Living Environment
What types of living arrangements are available for the students?
Do students have to live on campus?
Do most students live on or off campus?
Are there co-ed residence halls or floors?
Are there “quiet” floors?
Are special living arrangements available such as learning communities or wellness dorms?
Can you choose your own roommate?
What types of meal plans are available?
What recreational, cultural, and social opportunities and facilities are there?
What support services are offered to help students with their personal lives?
Coping strategies, Personal health and safety, Counseling?
What do students do on weekends?
Are you comfortable with the school’s balance of social and academic life?
What kind of health care facilities are available?
How do students get around? Is there a campus transportation system?
Are you allowed to have a car on campus?
Is there enough parking for all students?
Is there a charge for parking?
What are the costs other than tuition?
Are there program fees, technology fees, lab fees, or health fees?