10th grade AVID college project

Timeframe: 1 term

Objectives:

Students will learn about the factors to choosing a college.

Students will learn about different colleges from across the U.S.

Students will be able to write a professional letter of request.

Students will be able to identify the main characteristics of a college.

Students will be able to create a PowerPoint to summarize their findings.

Students will be able to practice their oral presentation skills.

Steps:

1.  Have students brainstorm a list of universities from across the U.S.

2.  Take students to computer lab to look up colleges they are interested in investigating

3.  Make a class list of the college each student will research. No duplicates! The college must be outside of the San Diego area.

4.  Take students to computer lab to type letter of request (see template below). Mail letters in school envelopes. The information should be sent to AVID teacher at school.

5.  After all students have received their informational brochures and have time to read through information, take students to computer lab to create PowerPoint presentation (see guidelines of what should be in PP).

6.  The oral presentation will be their final exam for Term 1.

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO DO THAT RELATE TO CHOOSING A COLLEGE:

1.  Factors to choosing a college PowerPoint (students take Cornell Notes)

2.  Articles: students can do a jigsaw with this activity (small groups each get one)

  1. “It’s About You Choosing Them”
  2. “Should You Use College Rankings?”
  3. “Small Schools”
  4. “Religiously Focused Schools”
  5. “Urban Schools”
  6. “Rural Schools”

3.  website www.actstudent.org/college/factors.html

  1. have students print out the worksheet from this website and rank their top five factors listed

4.  website www.princetonreview.com

  1. tab “college”
  2. tab “schools and majors”
  3. tab “counselor-o-matic”
  4. after students complete the questionnaire it will give them a list of which colleges are the best “fit” for them; they can print out the list to turn in and perhaps do a summary of why each college is a good fit for them)

5.  website http://studentcenter.ja.org

  1. find a college

October 23, 2009

Office of Admissions

Name of University

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear Admission Officer,

I am currently a sophomore at El Cajon Valley High School in the AVID program. I would like information about your campus such as the academic programs your school offers, tuition information, housing information, and any other general information pertinent to prospective students.

Please send the requested information to my AVID teacher:

El Cajon Valley High School

Elizabeth Fagaly, AVID Coordinator

1035 East Madison

El Cajon, CA 92021

Thank you for taking the time to answer my request. I am anxious to learn more about your school.

Sincerely,

First Last name