Memo to Those Hosting Dave

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WHO ARE YOU? WHAT KIND OF COLLEGE IS THE BEST FIT?
Distribute to audience for Dave Marcus presentations

This handout summarizes exercises in Acceptance: A Legendary Guidance Counselor Helps Seven Kids Find the Right Colleges ─ and Find Themselves, by David L. Marcus. Published by Penguin Press.

For more information, see www.DaveMarcus.com

KNOW YOURSELF – Conduct an honest self-assessment*

1. What are your habits?
a. Studious
b. Not into enjoying studying and learning
c. Mixture – study hard, party enthusiastically on weekends

2. Are you an active learner?
a. Do you participate in classroom discussion?
b. Do you reach out to teachers before or after class?

3. Is the physical environment important to you?
a. Are you looking for a campus-based setting?
b. Are you looking for the energy of a city?
c. A small campus? A large “rah-rah” university? Or something in between?
d. Is distance a consideration? Access to home important?

4. Is the makeup of the student body a major consideration?
a. Conservative vs liberal (socially as well as politically)
b. Politically active vs complacent
c. What are your feelings regarding diversity
i. Racial
ii. Ethnic
iii. Gay, lesbian

5. Big-time athletic program vs little interest in watching or participating

6. Greek life a factor?

7. Weather/climate: Would you prefer to see snow or sun in January?

8. Do you feel you lack direction? Are you burned-out? Should you consider a "gap" year to work, study, and do community service under the guidance of a mentor?

* We recommend that a student do this assessment on his or her own. Separately, each parent should fill it out to describe the son or daughter. Then get together to compare answers. (This is intended for 11th and 12th graders, but younger students can answer some of the questions.)

by Gwyeth Smith and David Marcus