**Looking for a less intensive, once/week version of this class? Check out the ongoing version: http://bit.do/beyondacceptanceongoing

College Applications & Planning = In Process. Decision Letters = Coming Soon!... Now What?  

This intensive, discussion/informative style course (with some videos and a guest speaker) is packed full of information that will empower students to take control of their college education. We look at the college degree as the frame of a puzzle, and we examine the various puzzle pieces that are available in college to complete their degree to make students as competitive as possible upon graduation. College is simply too expensive of an investment to not know how to make the most of one's college experience. 

While this course was designed for students completing a four-year degree, those students completing two-year degrees will equally benefit. If a student plans to earn a two-year degree, please message me upon enrollment so I can ensure they receive applicable information during class!

**This course assumes basic familiarity with the idea of college; students who have not yet begun any college search or are not familiar with what college is may not be ready. This course is recommended for juniors and seniors and those sophomores who have begun their college search.

Course Schedule:
*Note: Students will be provided an actual sample college syllabus to read prior to the first class in preparation for a class discussion.

Class 1: To begin, we'll look at things to consider when selecting a major, including how a career goal can direct your planning. We'll discuss college syllabi, focusing on how to read them and deducting how a college class is different from a high school class. We'll also introduce the College/University Catalog, utilizing it as a 'contract' empowering students to take charge of their own major and graduation date via understanding of a four-year plan.

Class 2: We'll start off with examining when and how to ask for help when it's needed. We'll then focus on effective and appropriate communication with college faculty and staff. Few students know how to appropriately communicate with professors, but those that do have a much easier time obtaining the response and help that they need.  *The second half of this class will include a guest speaker: a current professor at a top 10 public university!

Class 3: We'll dive into federal Financial Aid, with an introduction on student loans (subsidized and unsubsidized). We also introduce the difference between debit and credit cards, including a discussion on using credit wisely.  We'll briefly discuss the importance of time management, organization, budgeting, and conclude with a discussion on taking notes.
 
Class 4: We'll discuss four important pieces of the college puzzle: extra curriculars, internships, study abroad, and job application preparation. We'll touch on the 'best advice I ever received from a professor' and help students begin to organize their own personal five and ten year plans. Finally, we'll go over my personal method of writing cover letters that, in my personal experience, has resulted in a 50% success rate of landing that all important interview.

*This course is structured to cover the content listed above. However, I also try to cater to my students, so if a particular class seems to need more time or shows more interest in one area, my default is always to focus on my students' needs. This may mean that, on occasion, another topic may not be covered as thoroughly as planned due to time constraints.

**This course requires a minimum of two students to run. If only one student has signed up, parents will be notified at the one-week mark and 24 hour mark prior to the class' planned start date. Want to avoid this? Check out the ongoing version of this class! The ongoing version will run with only one student if needed! http://bit.do/beyondacceptanceongoing

***Recordings will not be shared for this class to protect learners' privacy.