allowing them to work at the college while they earn their degrees. First, however,
students must gain admission to college. What will they have to do to get in?
5. Students may generate other questions. Discuss why students chose the questions
they did. Point out that everybody is different, and there are colleges to meet each
individual’s needs. Some people will prefer a small school, a women-only school, a
military school, or a school that reflects their values. (Many students select a college
based on its athletic reputation; you might talk to your students about whether this is a
good criterion.) Use the “How Not to Decide on the College for You” handout to
discuss the wrong reasons to choose a college.
PROTEAM DREAMQUEST CURRICULUM
7-47
MODULE 7:
4. Tell the students that before they can begin to apply for student grants, scholarships,
and loans, they have to choose a college. It is a very important first step. Tell them
to pretend that they are now ready to choose a college. Ask each group to generate
five or six questions that one might ask if one is choosing a college. Here are some
examples:
v How big is it?
v How much does it cost?
v How far from home is it?
v Does the college’s student body reflect geographic, racial, and socioeconomic
diversity?
v Whom do I know who goes there and can tell me about it?
v Is it coed? (admits males and females)
v What majors does it offer?
v What kind of reputation does it have?
v Is it urban, small town, or rural?
I Can Plan for a Successful Future
3. Divide students into groups of four or five. Ask them to begin by listing the things
that a student must do from now until the end of high school to prepare for achieving
his goal of attending college. The purpose of this activity is to stress the kinds of
things that colleges look for when they consider a student for admission. It is true
that two-year colleges have a more open-door policy, but students must still finish
high school and prepare themselves well enough to succeed. If they want to go to a
four-year college — which they must do eventually in order to become a teacher,
lawyer, doctor, engineer, architect, etc. — then they will have to be even more
successful in high school. Students may need some help with their lists, which should
include:
v earning good grades
v taking college prep courses like algebra
v getting involved in extracurricular activities such as clubs, student government,
and sports (many colleges look at this closely as a sign of motivation)
v preparing for the Exit Exam and the SAT
v getting good teacher recommendations
(This would be an excellent time to bring a high school counselor or college
admissions officer to class.)