Purpose Post Secondary Options Knowing Yourself College Admissions Essay & Standardized Tests College Search/Finding “The One” Recommendations

Personal and Emotional You are helping your child begin the transition into young

adulthood Long period of “Letting Go”

Factual and Rational You are helping your child find schools that seem to be a good fit The key is a “good fit,” academically and socio-emotionally.

You can help by: Suggesting schools that seem to be a good match Visiting schools with your child Helping keep deadlines straight Allowing your child to have a voice.

How many colleges are in the United States?

4-year College/University 2-Year College Vocational School Begin a career Armed Forces

Public (funded by local and state governments) (in-state tuition)

Private (funded by tuition fees, endowments, other private sources)

Liberal Arts Universities Fine Arts College Community colleges Single-Sex schools

Military academies Religious affiliated

institutions Historically ethnic

schools Technical schools-

Location: Distance Travel Expenses City, Suburb, Rural Weather

Major/Area of Focus Campus Size Difficulty of School Religious Affiliation Public vs. Private

Reach Schools

Match Schools

Safety Schools

How Do I Search?

Collegeboard.com Petersons.com Naviance U.S. News & World Report The Princeton Review

Grab a copy of the campus newspaper. Observe surrounding neighborhoods. Contact current students you might know. Ask your tour guide questions! Bring a camera. Bring a checklist. Shake hands. Leave with a business card. Best time to visit – spring/fall.

At a college fair … What type of student enrolls here? Are there internships/co-op

experience/career placement? What type of extra-curricular/club are on

campus? When should I schedule a campus visit? Do you conduct interviews? Is your college accredited?

During your visit… Application types/deadlines/fee waivers Financial aid types/deadlines Best time to apply Required paperwork (resume, portfolio, letters of

rec.) Scholarship application Admissions requirements Point of contact Acceptance rate SAT/ACT GPA – weighted/unweighted? Do they recalculate?

Transcripts (including senior year) Course Levels/Rigor Class Rank (if available) School Profile Essay(s) Letters of Recommendation (Counselor,

Teacher, Other) SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests

Activities Demonstrated Interest Development of Special Interest Interview Notes Special Talents Awards/Honors Leadership Roles When the application was submitted

“If you’re not interested enough in a particular college to spend the necessary time on the application, that will be clear.”

Regular Admission Rolling Admission Early Action Early Action-Single Choice Early Decision

Transcript Review

◦What is my overall GPA? (weighted vs. unweighted)

◦What courses have I taken? Could I challenge myself more?

◦Senior year classes assessment (call colleges!)◦Strength in certain subjects ◦AP/College Credit

Length Create a list of essay

questions vs. topics Your essay is NOT a

resume! Reflects the students’

character and values Introduction is

important Be sincere Proofread, proofread,

proofread

Read out loud Answer the question

without stating the question

Caution: When using the name of a college

Use vivid descriptions Stay upbeat (resolving

life’s difficulties) Choose a moment

rather than an event

Brainstorming … List of personal achievements - Why did you join? How did

you contribute? How would your friends characterize you? Favorite book, movie, artist, historical figure. Recall childhood interests – how did they shape you? Role models It is ok to write about failure Career plan Travel experience Risks taken

SAT Reasoning SAT Subject Tests ACT

Recommendation: Take both SAT and ACT

Critical Reading Mathematics Writing

Most widely used admission test Each section is out of 800 (2400 total) Often reviewed using only CR + Math Aptitude Test Most students take in May Registration Deadline: April 6th www.collegeboard.com(Note: October is the last test date that makes scores available in

time for early decision and early action programs).

Subject-Specific Additional opportunity to showcase

yourself Often Required by Top-Tier Schools The score is out of 800 Most students take the Subject Test in

June Check college/university admissions

requirements Used for course placement, as well

English Reading Math Science Writing (Optional)

1-36 score No Skipping! Performance Test Most students take in June (registration deadline

is May 4th) (the ACT is also available in April) www.actstudent.org

www.commonapp.org Large list of participating schools Allows students to complete the

application once and send it to multiple schools

Includes forms that must be submitted by school counselor(s) and teachers

Submitting – wait for confirmation email before closing the page!

Anyone can view public sites Only post what you are comfortable

having others see Use caution when contacting

admissions counselors through message boards and blogs

Create an appropriate email address Avoid inappropriate ring back tones

Forms – FAFSA, CSS Profile, NCP (divorced or separated families)

Www.fafsa.ed.govwww.collegeboard.com

DEADLINES!!!! Direct Costs- Tuition, Fees, Room& Board Indirect Costs –Travel, books and program fees. Estimated Family Contribution EFC: based on info from

financial aid documents Assets: Checking or savings accounts Income: 2012 Federal Tax Return and W2s

Types of aid- Need or non-need based grants, academic/athletic scholarships, local/independent awards, loans, Work-Study Hours

Only by visiting will you be able to truly decide what campus feels right

Apply to an average of 6 schools

Make the college process a constant conversation in your every day life.

Start a “College Search Folder”

Transcripts List of Activities, Honors, Awards, Community Service Colleges you are considering Scholarships to look at next year SAT/ACT scores

March: Visit College Fairs Research Scholarships (Naviance, Fastweb) Consider Pre-College Programs

April: Visit Campuses! Registration Deadline for May SAT

May: Take SAT Registration Deadline for June ACT Identify Teachers Who You Will Ask for Recommendations

June: Take ACT

Summer:

Internships/Shadow opportunities Search Sort through mail Visit Finalize list of colleges Review applications Draft essay NCAA Clearinghouse

Fall/Winter/Spring:• Guidance policies – right away • Complete applications - mid-December• File required financial aid forms - January • Review financial aid awards – March• Investigate alternative loan options – April • Monitor Grades • Revisit colleges for accepted student days• May 1st – National Deposit Deadline

Before you apply: right to receive factual and comprehensive information from colleges and universities about their admission, financial costs, aid opportunities, practices and packaging policies, and housing policies.

When Offered Admission: wait to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid until May 1