Somerville Junior College Planning NightJanuary 12th, 2017

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember.Involve me and I learn

College Readiness

Academic Preparedness

Refers to the academic knowledge and skills students need to succeed in college. These include content area proficiencies and key cognitive strategies that span content areas, such as the ability to formulate and solve problems, conduct research, and construct an argument or complete tasks with precision or accuracy.

Academic Tenacity

Defined as the “underlying beliefs, attitudes, values and accompanying behaviors that drive students to embrace and engage with challenging work, and to pursue academic achievement,” and is also key to students’ academic success both before and throughout college

2016 Trends

Establish A College Budget

Junior YearGPS

Common Application & Naviance

Two separate programs that are used together throughout the college application process

Common App - Simply the Application - Preferred method (if available) - allows students to apply to several colleges by filling out a single application (supplemental questions/essays may be required by individual schools)

Naviance - “Warehouse” for all supplemental school documents - transcripts, resumes, letters of recommendation (teachers and counselors)

• College & Career Search tools

Other Applications - Individual by school and Coalition

FAFSA - What is it?

● Free Application for Federal Student Aid - Administered by the U. S.

Department of Education

● Determines eligibility for federal financial aid

● REQUIRED for all students applying to college (2yr or 4yr)

● Available beginning in October 2017 for students applying in the fall of 2018-

19, using tax data from 2016 (ppy)

College Scholarship Service Profile OR “CSS Profile”- What is it?

● Distributed by the College Board for non-federal student financial aid

● Private & Prestigious Institutions require it - nearly 400 colleges, universities,

professional programs, and scholarships

● Detailed student and parent financial information - much more detailed than the FAFSA

● Cost: There is an initial application fee of $25, which includes one college. Each additional

report costs $16.00.

● Visit www.collegeboard.org for a complete list of colleges and universities that require the

PROFILE

Dear Colleague:

We would like to remind you that Boston University's deadline for financial aid

applications is February 1, 2016. We encourage all families to explore opportunities for

financial assistance.

Boston University requires two applications for financial aid consideration:

CSS PROFILE

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The PROFILE and the FAFSA can both be filed online via the BU Financial Assistance

website. After a student files these forms, the PROFILE and FAFSA processors will send

email acknowledgments, which may include instructions on additional steps that must

be taken. Please encourage your students to read these emails carefully to be sure their

applications are complete.

Applicants who submit both the PROFILE and the FAFSA by February 1 can expect to

receive a financial aid decision by early April.

If you or your students have questions about Boston University's financial aid process,

please contact BU Financial Assistance at finaid@bu.edu or 617-353-2965. I truly

appreciate your help in making this important information available to your students.

Sincerely,

Julie Wickstrom

Director of Financial Assistance

Testing Plan & Prep• Choose ACT or SAT and put all energies toward one test -

Both tests are equally accepted by colleges and universities across the US

• Take the test twice, then consider the other (if needed)• SAT - use PSAT scores in collaboration with Khan

Academy • Subject Tests - up to 3 required by most competitive schools

Testing Trends

• January (2017) - Final administration • SAT - New date offered in August 2017 (SHS location TBD)

• Test Optional Applications

Qualities Admissions Counselors are looking for in Prospective Students

• Challenging high school curriculum

• Grades that represent a strong upward trend

• Solid scores on standardized tests

• Passionate involvement in a few activities demonstrating leadership and initiative

• Letters of recommendation that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character

traits and an interest in learning.

• Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting and well-rounded student

body.

• A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s personality, values and goals.

• Enthusiasm in attending the college. Demonstrate interest via visits, Facebook,Twitter.

• Work and community service experiences that show dedication and responsibility.

• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity through reading, school, and leisure pursuits.

Structuring Your ListThree categories: Probable, Target, Reach

• Probable: Your GPA and test scores are above the average admitted student; likely acceptance

• Target: Your GPA and test scores are a close match to the average admitted student; 50/50 chance

• Reach: Your GPA and test scores are below the average admitted student

8-10 schools; 2-4 in each category

Finding a Good Fit• Academic and testing admission fit

• Determined by COLLEGE• Do your scores and grades fit the school profile

• Social & Academic Fit• Determined by the STUDENT• Does the school have your major, interests, social life?

• Financial fit• Determined by FAMILY• Can you afford the school? Consider hidden costs and aid

Essay Writing • One of the only places on application where you have control

• Answer the question/prompt presented

• Edit and re-edit; Multiple drafts are normal

• Share with a peer, teacher, parent(s), counselor

• Draft these now-save yourself the panic in 12th grade! Essay writing

takes time and you want to present your best work

• Supplemental essay

Build Your Resume• Activities• Community Service• Employment• Awards• Hobbies• Talents• Unique experiences• Summer experiences• Home responsibilities (caring for animals, siblings, family members,

helping with family business, etc.)• Don’t undervalue anything you do. This is your place to shine!

Admission PlansRegular Decision

• Non-binding

Rolling Admission• Non-Binding

Early Action• Non-binding

Early Decision • Binding

Presenting Yourself to Colleges

• Clean up Facebook, Twitter, and all social media pages! Check your privacy settings

• Be professional in emails and all other correspondence• Email address, screen name, password• Google Search yourself! (Web and image search)• Keep your communication formal; no text slang

• Dress appropriately for tours, and especially interviews

College Counselor UpdateJeremy Hudson

College Fair• April 5th, 2017 – 6:30 to 8:30pm in HS Gymnasium

• Last year we had over 80 colleges & universities

• All NJ schools represented & many from Northeast

• Excellent way to gather information quickly

• Ability to make an impression on admissions reps

Questions to Ask College Representatives

• Questions about students• How would you characterize the majority of your

students?• Ex. Hofstra says “Grit”

• Social Life & Campus Activities• What do students do for fun?• Many schools have an student activities board that

creates fun event for students, such as concerts

Questions to Ask College Representatives (cont.)

• Campus Facilities• What kind of facilities does the student center

have?• Many schools make this a hub for student

involvement with many activities going on.

• Academics• How would you characterize the academic pressure

and workload?• Are there research possibilities with the faculty?

College Visits to SHS• This fall we had approximately 100 schools visit

• Students sign up in Naviance to visit with the school

• Many colleges track student interest through these meetings (contact card)

• A great way to obtain an overview of colleges and programs

• Visits are generally small and participatory

Campus Visits• Best way to learn about a school

• Tracked by admissions

• 3 excused visits per year

• Optional add-ons• Overnight visits• Lunch in cafeteria• Sit in on a class• Interview

Comparative:Rutgers vs. Purdue

• Rutgers• AVG GPA = 3.5• ACT = 28• SAT CR = 575• SAT M = 620

• Last year 92 applied and 51 were admitted

• Purdue • AVG GPA = 3.5• ACT = 27• SAT CR = 575• SAT M = 630

• Last year 6 applied and 6 were admitted

National Association of Colleges & Employers

Career Readiness Competencies• Leadership – Consider taking on a leadership role in a club, activity, or

sport.• Written Communication – Our school offers a college writing course

through RVCC during the 12th grade year. Consider taking advantage of this opportunity.

• Teamwork – Many courses requires students to collaborate on group projects. This theme will continue after high school.

• Problem Solving – Increasingly, employers are looking for individuals who can identify and solve problems.

• Verbal Communication – The ability to express complex information into everyday speech.

RVCC• Open enrollment• Placement test• Limited accommodations for students with learning

disabilities

RVCC PROGRAMSDual Enrollment ProgramConcurrent Enrollment ProgramAssociate’s Degree ProgramsCertificate ProgramsJob Training ProgramsThe Honors College

NJ STARS1. Top 15% of the graduating class

2.Scholarship that covers the cost of tuition at NJ community colleges

NJ STARS II1. Must earn an Associate’s Degree.2.Minimum 3.25 GPA

3.$2,500 scholarship per year to a 4-year NJ college or university

NCAAAccording to NCAA:

1. Only 2% of high school athletes are awarded athletic scholarships

2. Student-athletes and their parents must have realistic expectations about receiving an athletic scholarship

3. Academic, not athletic achievement, is the most reliable path to success

NCAA1. Potential Division I & II Athletes must register

with the NCAA Clearinghouse2.16 core courses3.Recalculated GPA4.Minimum 2.3 GPA5. GPA/SAT sliding scale