Winter Activity - College Comparison Assignment

Winter Vacation is a wonderful time to allow students to rest and relax.  However, I also believe that Winter Vacation can be an excellent opportunity for students to review and practice pertinent skills through research and project-based learning.  Below is the Winter Activity that I assigned to my 6th Graders.  I cannot wait to hear their dialogue about the project and process.

 Team Lynx Language Arts

College Comparison Assignment

Please Complete During Winter Vacation!

Important Due Dates!

January 6, 2014 (Blue Day Students)

January 7, 2014 (Orange Day Students)

As a team, we have analyzed College Road Trip in conjunction with Walk Two Moons (our class novel about a life-changing road trip).  We watched as Melanie (the protagonist from College Road Trip) grappled between Northwestern University and Georgetown University.  We even determined if Sal (our protagonist from Walk Two Moons) should attend Northwestern or Georgetown.  We looked at key factors such as expenses, distance from home, historical facts, majors offered, and diversity. 

Now it is your turn to find an ideal college for yourself…three to be exact!  Use the template below to document the characteristics of each college you are researching.  Review all the qualities of each college to determine your first choice, second choice, and third choice.

		Name of College:	Name of College:	Name of College:
ACADEMICS	Does this college offer a 2-yr degree and/or 4-yr degree?
	Is the major you’re interested in offered at this campus?
	Is the college you are interested in accredited?
	What is the typical class size?
ENVIRONMENT	How big is the campus?
	Is the college located in a rural or urban setting? How far is it from home?
	What is the size of the town the college is located in?
	If the college is in a rural area, how far is the city from the college?
	How big is the student population?
	Male/female ratio
	What is the ethnic breakdown of the student population?
	Is the college religiously affiliated?
COLLEGE EXPENSES	How much is tuition and fees?
	How much is room and board?
	Estimate amount needed for books, supplies, transportation, food, etc.
	How much does it cost to apply to the college? If accepted, how much is the deposit?
FINANCIAL AID	What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
	What forms must be submitted?
	What percentage of students receive financial aid?
	What kinds of scholarships does the college provide?
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS	When is the deadline to apply?
	Which admissions tests do you need to take?
	What is the average SAT or ACT scores, GPA, and rank of the incoming students?
	Is this a “safe,” “match” or “reach” school?
HOUSING	What are the residence hall requirements?
	What kinds of dining options are available?
ACTIVITIES	What kinds of clubs or organizations are you able to join?
	What kinds of athletic or intramural programs does the college provide?
	Are there opportunities to participate in fraternities/sororities?
	What kinds of resources are available to help you do well in your first year of college?
Contact INFO	Admissions office Email: Phone number:
College choice ranking: