UPenn - Applying to College 101
- Offered byCoursera
Applying to College 101 at Coursera Overview
Duration | 15 hours |
Start from | Start Now |
Total fee | Free |
Mode of learning | Online |
Schedule type | Self paced |
Official Website | Explore Free Course  |
Credential | Certificate |
Applying to College 101 at Coursera Highlights
- Flexible deadlines Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
- 100% online Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
- Beginner Level
- Approx. 15 hours to complete
- English Subtitles: English
Applying to College 101 at Coursera Course details
- Applying to College 101 empowers learners of all backgrounds to demystify and better understand the college search and selection process, combining the expertise of an Ivy League admissions office and a leading college access and success organization. Led by expert educators, including Whitney Soule, Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Sean Vereen and Sara Woods, Co-presidents of Heights Philadelphia, this free course will help students, family members, college counselors, and any curious learner to navigate each stage from the start of the college search process through preparing your applications to colleges.
- This course includes a variety of videos, readings, and activities all designed to encourage self-reflection, information sharing, and moments of connection.
- In this course, you’ll learn about:
- 1. The organizational skills you’ll need to be successful in this process
- 2. Important financial aid resources and how to make college affordable
- 3. How to better understand your story and how it connects to what interests you and what colleges look for
- 4. How to find your right college fit
- 5. The steps and materials needed to complete your college application
- This course is designed for students who are planning to apply to college soon (11th graders and 12th graders), but the activities and videos can still be useful for students who are earlier in their college search journey as they plan for the future. Regardless of where you are in your understanding of the college search process—from those who are the first in their family to pursue a bachelor’s degree and who may be trying to figure out where to even begin to those who are well on their way to preparing an application this course provides a road map to helping you move through this journey in your own way and on your own time.
- This course is open to the public, asynchronous, and self-directed without a facilitator. Please note although this course is designed by the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), this is not a course about applying to Penn.
- The course is also intended for students who may not have access to college counseling – if you attend a school that offers college counseling, your counselor is the best source of information on applying to college.
- This course is for students who are applying to college for the first time, intending to pursue undergraduate degrees at a four-year institution in the U.S.
- If you are an international student attending a school outside the U.S. interested in learning more about navigating the U.S. university system and application process, we recommend enrolling in this course: Applying to US Universities.
Applying to College 101 at Coursera Curriculum
You’re Applying to College! Where to Begin and Getting Organized
Welcome to the Course!
Ask a College Student: What Were Your Motivations for Applying to College?
Need to Know Info: An Introduction to the Application Process
Tips & Takeaways: Rethinking Your Activities
Need to Know Info: Identifying Your Support Systems
Pep Talk: Practicing Gratitude in the Admissions Process
How to Use the Course
How to Use the Workbook
Meet the Team Behind the Course
Please Take This Pre-Course Survey
Workbook: What Are Your Motivations for Going to College?
Why Go to College?
Your Timeline for Preparing to Apply
Workbook: Your College Application Timeline
Workbook: Your College Application Materials Checklists
Exploring Different College Application Platforms
Workbook: How Do You Spend Your Time Outside the Classroom?
Why Support Systems Are Important
Workbook: List Your Support System
Workbook: Write a Note of Gratitude
Module 1 Summary
Deadlines and Application Materials
All about Financial Aid and Affording College
Need to Know Info: Understanding College Affordability
Need to Know Info: How Colleges Can Offer Extra Financial and Social Support
Need to Know Info: An Introduction to Financial Aid
Ask a College Student: How Did You Talk to Your Family about Affording College?
Ask a College Student: What Did You Wish You Knew about Paying for College?
Pep Talk: Applying for Financial Aid
College Costs and Affordability
Components of Financial Aid
Learning about Scholarships
Understanding Financial Aid Award Letters and Loans
Making the Most of a Net Price Calculator
Applying for Financial Aid
Module 2 Summary
Affordability and Accessing Extra Support
Understanding Financial Aid
Why Your Stories Matter and Identifying Your College Goals
Need to Know Info: Why Your Story Matters
Tips & Takeaways: Telling Your Story
Ask a College Student: What Questions Were You Asking Yourself as You Imagined Your College Experience?
Pep Talk: Embracing the Journey to College
Ask a College Student: How Did Your Interests Evolve from High School to College?
The Value of Self-Reflection
Workbook: I Statement Chart
The Career Self-Assessment
Workbook: Explore Your Interests and Tell Your Story
Workbook: Create Your List of College Priorities
Preparing Academically for College
Module 3 Summary
Researching College Options and Finding Your Best Fit
Need to Know Info: Understanding Your College Options
Pep Talk: Deciding Which Major to Apply For
Ask a College Student: What Experiences Helped You Choose Your Major in College?
Need to Know Info: Finding Your Communities in College
Tips & Takeaways: Engaging in Your College Communities
Ask a College Student: What Helped You Determine What Was Important to You as You Shaped Your College List?
Need to Know Info: How to Make the Most of Your Campus Visit
Tips & Takeaways: Questions to Ask on Your College Visit
Ask a College Student: What Helped You Determine That a School on Your List Might Be a Good Fit?
Exploring Different Colleges and Majors
Campus Life
How to Make the Most of College Search Engines
Workbook: Create Your List of Potential Colleges
Advice on Campus Visits
Module 4 Summary
Understanding the Differences Between Schools
Understanding College Communities and How to Make the Most of a Campus Visit
Preparing Your Application Materials
Pep Talk: Preparing a Strong Application to College
Need to Know Info: How Colleges Review Your Applications
Need to Know Info: How Admissions Officers Review Academics
Need to Know Info: How Admissions Officers Review Your Essays
Need to Know Info: How Admissions Officers Review Your Activities
Need to Know Info: How Admissions Officers Review Your Recommendation Letters
Pep Talk: Getting Ready to Submit Your Applications
Ask a College Student: What Advice Would You Give to Students Applying to College Now?
Grateful for You
All about Testing
Best Practices for Writing in College Applications
Workbook: Writing Your Essays, Activities List, and More!
Advice on Recommendation Letters
All about Interviews
Module 5 Summary
Course Summary
Please Take Our Post-Course Survey
Understanding How Colleges Review Your Applications
Applying to College 101 at Coursera Admission Process
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