Foundations of Foundations of College PlanningCollege Planning

College Workshop #1

November 17th, 2014

COLLEGE WORKSHOP COLLEGE WORKSHOP SERIESSERIES

WORKSHOP #1Foundations to College Planning Monday, November 17, 2014- 7PM – MHS Main Campus Auditorium

Massapequa School Counselors Eileen Lind and Laura Vitiello will present a comprehensive view of the entire college admissions process. This will include detailed timelines, broad ranging themes, and current trends.

WORKSHOP #2 College Search and Selective Admissions

Monday, November 24, 2014 – 7PM – MHS Main Campus AuditoriumPaul Weber, Executive Assistant for Guidance will discusspersonal anecdotes and experiences related to selective collegeadmission and emphasize essential components to successful applicants.

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE ADMISSIONS PROCESSADMISSIONS PROCESS

• Know what colleges are looking at: major factors in application review

• Know what colleges are looking for: how factors are evaluated and decisions reached

COLLEGES LOOK AT…COLLEGES LOOK AT…

• High School Academic Record

• Standardized Test Scores

• College Essay

• Extracurricular Involvement

• Letters of Recommendation

• Special Talent

TRANSCRIPTTRANSCRIPT

• Academic History

• Final Grades

• Regents Exam Grades

• Courses

• Grade Point Average

QUALITYQUALITY OF COURSEWORKOF COURSEWORK

• Take the MOST CHALLENGING Courses You Can Handle (Acc., AP, College Level)

• SOLID Academic Foundation• 4 YEARS: English, Social Studies, Math,

Science, LOTE + Electives

• School Profile

SENIOR YEAR SENIOR YEAR COURSESCOURSES

• AVOID Senioritis!

• Appear on Transcript

• Senior course grades are forwarded to colleges

• BEWARE OF DROPS!

TESTINGTESTING• SAT REASONING TEST

• 3 hours 45 minutes:

Critical Reading (200-800)

Mathematics (200-800)

Writing (200-800)

• SAT SUBJECT TESTS

• 1 hour per subject test (200-800)

• Check with individual colleges for testing requirements!

• “Score Choice” - SAT Score Reporting Policy

www.collegeboard.com

TESTINGTESTING

ACT with writing option• Curriculum based:

ENGLISH

MATH

READING

SCIENCE• Score: 1 - 36

• Required Writing Component

www.actstudent.org

Remember, test scores are only ONE factor used for college admission and scholarship

decisions.

THE ESSAYTHE ESSAYWho Are You?

• Specific questions to answer• Personal experiences• Your preferences, values, thought

process• Follow specific instructions on

application • Proofread! Grammar and spelling

count!• Get feedback!

EXTRACURRICULAR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

• School clubs & activities• Athletics• The Arts• Community service• Summer experiences• Employment• Quality not quantity• Commitment & depth of experience• Leadership and growth over time

• ACTIVITY RECORD

* SPECIAL TALENTSPECIAL TALENT *Athletics• Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse www.eligibilitycenter.org• Athletic Profile• Contact Coaches

Fine Arts• Portfolio• Audition

LETTERS OF LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONRECOMMENDATION

• Counselor Letter

• Teacher Letters

–11th or 12th grade

Content Area Teachers

• Coaches, Employers, Community Leaders, Volunteer Coordinators

Let’s Focus on College

Remember...decision making is a PROCESS, not an event!

Successful college searches begin with

knowing who YOU are and what matters most

to YOU!

COLLEGE SEARCH COLLEGE SEARCH FACTORSFACTORS

• SizeSize• LocationLocation• Programs of study Programs of study • Admissions policyAdmissions policy• CostCost• College affiliationCollege affiliation• Campus activitiesCampus activities• Support servicesSupport services

RESOURCESRESOURCES• Websites• College Rep Visits at MHS• MHS Mini-College Fairs • Spring College Expo

Hofstra University, April 21st • NAVIANCE

www.connection.naviance.com/massapequa– Access college placement reports through

Naviance

LIST, LIST, COMPARE, COMPARE,

VISIT!VISIT!• Create a college comparison

CHECKLIST

• CONTACT the Office of Admissions

• SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS for your campus visits

MAKE THE MOST OF MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISITYOUR VISIT

• Meet with an Admissions Counselor• Verify admission requirements• Discuss your chances for success:

– Internship– Graduation– Job Placement

• Students… Show YOUR Interest!• Always follow up with a “Thank You”

note/email!

CHECKLIST FOR A CHECKLIST FOR A CAMPUS VISITCAMPUS VISIT

• Take a campus tour• Investigate the neighborhood• Campus security• Investigate academic program(s)• Meet with faculty members, coach, etc.• Check facilities• Speak with students• Inquire about housing on & off campus (Is it guaranteed?) • Transportation facilities to and from campus• Ask about financial aid opportunities• Spend the day with a student

– Weekend activities– Attend a class– Spend the night in a dorm

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• Sign-up for challenging senior courses in subjects including: math, science and foreign language

• WORK HARD!

YOURYOURJUNIOR YEARJUNIOR YEAR

TIME LINETIME LINEJunior YearJunior Year

• Attend MHS Financial Aid Workshops - January 5, 2015• Junior Interview- meeting with counselor

- Appointments begin end of March• Do college searches- Naviance, www.collegeboard.com• Visit college campuses• Spring College Fairs• Take standardized tests:

- SAT Reasoning – Jan 24th, March 14th, May 2nd, June 6th - SAT Subject Tests – June 6th - ACT with Writing – April 18th, June 13th

During the summer During the summer months…months…

• Research schools

• Begin working on essay

• Visit campuses

• Use your time wisely…

TIME LINE:TIME LINE:Senior YearSenior Year

• Grade 12 Parent Workshop – Fall 2015• Students meet with your counselor• Attend MHS College Fairs and Private Visits• Retake standardized test – October/November• Finalize your college list and apply… Be aware of early deadlines!• Attend MHS Financial Aid Workshops January 2016

It’s YOUR Future—Take responsibility for

it!

…I hope kids and their parents will go into the college application process realizing that it is not

necessarily fair, it’s not necessarily meritocratic, and even if they do everything “right”, they still can’t be

assured that they will get what they think they want. I hope that, understanding this, families will refocus their efforts, away from attaining the Holy Grail of

admission to a particular elite school and toward the realization that there are many great colleges and

universities in this country, many places where students will be happy and can acquire a good

education. And, if they don’t get into their dream school it is only their application that is being denied.

~Rachel Toor~Former Admissions Officer , Duke University

Next time…

College Search and Selective Admissions