BASIC INFO SECTION
Any college worksheet worth its salt is going to begin with the following columns: – School Name – Type (Public or Private) – Geographic Region – State – City – Student Body Size – Full-Time Undergrad Students
ACADEMIC SECTION
Next, your student should include details regarding certain admissions requirements and data to help them determine whether they can land merit-based scholarships from a particular school. Here are a few to add: – SAT/ACT Requirements – Top 25% on Test Scores – Average High School GPA for Incoming Freshman – Percentage of Freshman without Need Receiving Merit Aid – Average Merit Award for Freshman without Financial Need.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SECTION
Then, your student should add columns for certain financial aspects of selecting a specific school, including: – Total Cost (Tuition, Room and Board, Supplies, etc.) – Average Percent of Need Met – Average Undergraduate Financial Aid Package – Average Undergraduate Need-Based Award.
PERSONAL CRITERIA SECTION
Finally, your student should add a few extra columns based on what’s important to them. One can be a “personal school rating score,” a reflection of their gut feeling about whether they would like to attend college there.
(...And Avoid Student Loan Debt)