College Exploration Unit

Researching Colleges

Students can use their personal and career interests to identify and research college options to give them an understanding of the different communities that exist for their lifestyle choices. Students will evaluate their options using various resources to understand their post-secondary alternatives and which community would be the best fit based on their interests.

Link to Scavenger Hunt

Link to Summative Assignment:

Helpful Links

Finding a Major

Quiz for Majors

US News Guide to College Majors

US Schools

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search

International Schools

https://studyabroadaide.com/#studyabroad-homepage-university-search-section

Helpful Tips for the Assignment

Overview: Why is this college on your list? What intrigues you about this college? What is important to you about this college e.g. geography, majors, etc.? (OFFER YOUR PERSONAL OPINION HERE)
Culture: How would you describe the culture of the school? What are the demographics? What types of students go to this school and what type of environment do they cultivate on campus? What is campus life like? Tell me the details. Where is it? What is city size? How many students go there? Weather, too! 3-5 sentences
- https://www.appily.com/colleges
- https://www.niche.com/ - rankings, student diversity, campus life, student reviews
- ttps://www.unigo.com/colleges --student topics
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search: See campus life
- https://www.collegefactual.com//
- https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-search
Majors:List and explain 3 popular majors that exist at this school. Explain what they are in 2-3 sentences Be sure to go to the university’s website. Go to the school’s website. Also, check out https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
- For majors, please go to academics, undergraduate programs, and find the right school.
  1. UT'S Business School Majors: https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/undergraduate/bba/academics/majors/
Strengths of the school: What do you see as the strengths of the school? What are some advantages for going there? Consider what the school is rated highly in. Consider academics, community, extracurricular activities, etc. 2-3 sentences, https://www.niche.com/ - ratings of school, rankings
Admission requirements: What do they require for admission? Be as specific as possible. Create a list.
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search OR https://www.cappex.com/colleges
- Go to the University's website to get specific information about admission such as...
  1. UT Austin: https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/freshman-admission
  2. Texas A&M: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/freshman
  3. Texas State: https://www.admissions.txst.edu/future-students/apply-for-admission.html
  4. Texas Tech: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/admissions/apply/status/first_freshmen/
  5. UT Dallas: https://enroll.utdallas.edu/freshman/criteria/
Your personal reflection about the school and what you found interesting/helpful: Overall, what did you like or dislike about the school? What information intrigued you, confused you, etc?

College Search and Information:

Go to one of the following resources to search for your top THREE educational options:

4 Year and 2 Year Colleges
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search (SEE MAJORS, CAMPUS LIFE, ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS)
- https://www.unigo.com/college-match (SEE STUDENT TOPICS AND STUDENT REVIEWS, ACADEMICS)
- https://new.cappex.com/register/matches/preferences/ (ADMISSIONS, ACADEMICS, MAJORS, CAMPUS LIFE)
- https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges/ SEE RANKINGS, STUDENT DIVERSITY, CAMPUS LIFE.
Trade Schools & Technical Colleges
- https://www.onlytradeschools.com/texas/ (HVAC, Electrician, Plumber, Dental Assistant)
- Texas State Technical College: https://www.tstc.edu/ (Health, Aviation, Construction, Manufacturing, Computers)
- Welding ACC: https://sites.austincc.edu/welding/
- HVAC ACC: https://www.austincc.edu/academic-and-career-programs/areas-of-study/design-manufacturing-construction-and-applied-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-technology
- ACC Continuing Education: https://continue.austincc.edu/
- Automotive Schools in Texas
  1. https://edurank.org/engineering/automotive/texas/
  2. https://www.universities.com/find/texas/best/trades-and-careers/automotive
  3. Sam Tech: https://samtech.edu/
  4. Lone Star College: https://www.universities.com/find/texas/best/trades-and-careers/automotive
  5. Texas State Technical College: https://www.tstc.edu/programs/AutomotiveTechnology/
  6. https://www.prepler.com/best-colleges-for-automotive-mechanics/texas
  7. Programs around the US that offer a bachelors in Automotive Engineering
    1. https://www.bachelorsportal.com/search/bachelor/automotive-engineering/united-states/page-2
    2. https://www.cappex.com/articles/match-and-fit/2020-best-colleges-automotive-degrees

International Schools

https://www.compounder.eu/en/blog/top-german-universities/top-german-universities-with-high-acceptance-rate-in-2024

Military Path

Pathways in the military: https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces
Interested in college and military at the same time
- ROTC (program at colleges to help students become officers in the military)
  - https://www.todaysmilitary.com/education-training/rotc-programs#:~:text=The%20Reserve%20Officers'%20Training%20Corps,officers%20in%20the%20U.S.%20Military.
  - https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/rotc-colleges-in-texas.html
- Interested in college after the military through the GI Bill
  - What is the GI Bill? How can it pay for college after service:
    - https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/#:~:text=GI%20Bill%20benefits%20help%20you,how%20to%20apply%20for%20them.
  - Military Friendly Colleges in Texas
    - https://www.educationconnection.com/top-military-friendly-colleges/in-texas-tx/
  - How can I do college and military at the same time?
    - https://www.nu.edu/blog/can-i-be-in-military-and-college-at-same-time/
    - https://www.columbiasouthern.edu/blog/blog-articles/2022/may/getting-a-degree-while-in-the-military/

College Lists

International Colleges: https://www.uwc.org/schools

2020 Top Ivy League Schools Ranked: https://www.niche.com/blog/list-of-ivy-league-schools-ranked-and-reviewed/

Best Schools in Texas: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/tx

Best National Universities: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities

20 Best Affordable Colleges in Texas: https://affordableschools.net/affordable-bachelors-degree-colleges-texas/

Historically Black Colleges in Texas: https://uncf.org/programs/texas-impact

College Virtual Tours

Virtual Visits:

https://www.campusreel.org/

https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/

Worried about money for college? We will discuss scholarships and financial aid this spring to learn more.

Admission Requirements

UT Austin: https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/freshman-admission

Texas A&M: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/freshman

Interested in sports?

https://www.educations.com/articles-and-advice/improve-your-chances-of-being-awarded-a-sport-athletic-scholarship-in-the-us-19135

Common Data Sets

Search for your college and CDS in google to see the college's Common Data Sets. Common Data Sets are collections of data about standardized questions about a college's university's admissions and financial aid process.

UT Austin: https://reports.utexas.edu/common-data-set

Texas A&M: https://abpa.tamu.edu/reports-catalog/student

SMU: CDS

Georgetown University: CDS

Baylor: CDS

UTD: CDS

UNT

Cost of Attendance

Go to the University's website and search for the Net Price Calculator in order to see realistically what the cost of attendance will be.

UT: Net Price Calculator

Texas A&M: Net Price Calculator

Myintuition: Quick College Cost Estimator

College Board's Net Price Calculator

College Fly In Programs

Students can apply for a fly in program where the university will fly you in for a session. This is only available at select schools.

https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/colleges-with-fly-in-programs/

https://www.questbridge.org/resources/fly-in-programs

https://getmetocollege.org/what-colleges-look-for/2023-fall-diversity-visit-programs

Unit: College Exploration

Nov - mid Dec

CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING

KEY CONCEPT

COMMUNITIES: groups that exist in proximity defined by space, time or relationship. Communities include, for example, groups of people sharing particular characteristics, beliefs or values as well as groups of interdependent organisms living together in a specific habitat.

Students will learn about different college COMMUNITIES and what differentiates each college.

College Search Digital Notebook Assignment

You are about to embark on an important journey to learning about different colleges that meet your interests and about what colleges are looking for in ideal candidates. By understanding the expectations, you will better prepare yourself for planning for college.

Go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search and do the college search based on your interests, or you can visit https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges/ for a college search. You can also check out college reviews at https://www.unigo.com/colleges. You can even take a virtual tool at https://www.campusreel.org/ & https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/. Learning Express also has a search tool if you need additional ideas.

Make a list of 5 colleges/universities which interest you. Show the list to me. Then begin to research each and complete information for the five.

Overview: Why is this college on your list? What intrigues you about this college? What is important to you about this college e.g. geography, majors, etc.?
Culture: How would you describe the culture of the school? What are the demographics? What types of students go to this school and what type of environment do they cultivate on campus?
Strengths of the school: What do you see as the strengths of the school? What are some advantages for going there?
Admission requirements: What do they require for admission?
Your personal reflection about the school and what you found interesting/helpful: Overall, what did you like or dislike about the school? What information intrigued you, confused you, etc?

Rubric in the instructions