College 101
Jill Brown, Counselor PTSA Meeting 10/11/11
Discussion Points
• College Process/Timeline/Organize• College Selection• Area Admission Facts• Rankings, Lists and More!• Family Role• Student’s role
College Process and Timeline
• Freshman Year/Sophomore Year• Encourage students to take rigorous
courses• Encourage student to get involved in
sports, clubs, and activities• Start talking to your student about
post-secondary goals• Get to know your Counselor/Teachers!
College Process and Timeline
Junior -- Fall• Encourage students to take rigorous
courses (AP/Honors Courses)• Encourage student to take leadership
roles in sports, clubs, and activities• Take PSAT - Fall• Attend College Fairs and College Rep
visits in Career Center • Start Touring Campuses and talking to
Alumni
College Process and Timeline
Junior -- Spring• Take SAT/ACT• Meet with Counselor to discuss college options• Find out if schools require SAT II (Subject Tests)• Attend “Junior Weekends”• Register for a rigorous Senior Schedule• Have your “list” of colleges picked out and
schedule visits• Work on a personal statement - over summer• Download Common Application
(www.commonapp.org)
College Process and Timeline
Senior Year• Take SAT again or for the first time• Fall - Application Deadlines
UW - December 1st deadline is new
• FAFSA Form - January 1st • Wait, Wait, Wait (rolling/batched)• May 1st - universal decision day
Picking the “right” college
• Majors & Educational Programs• Location and Size• Costs & Financial Aid (WUE)• College Religious Affiliation• Campus Activities/Student Life• Support Services• Admissions Policy, Retention,
Graduation Rates
The Final List(open to modification!)
• College List5 colleges1 “dream” school2-3 “mid-range” schools1 “safety” school
Introspection helps to find the “fit”
• Who you are and what characteristics are you looking for?
• Do you like being an observer or a participant?
• Are you religious? • Do you want to stay close to home or go
somewhere new? • Do you see yourself at a liberal arts
college, or do you prefer the comparative anonymity of a major research university?
Introspection means finding the “fit”
• Do student-teacher ratios matter?• Do you plan to join a fraternity or
sorority? • Diversity?• Apply to schools with budget in
mind, but don’t let it shut the door.
• Urban, rural, do you need a car?
Private vs. Public
Washington Public SchoolsUW, CWU, EW, WSU, WWU, TESC
Washington Private SchoolsSU, SPU, UPS, PLU, GU,
Whitman . . .
Public vs. Private
Differences• Cost(Private schools may offer more financial aid)
• Class size/Campus size• Range of majors/degrees• Student services, activities and sports• Application procedures• Professors vs. Grad Students
Washington State Colleges
Fall 2011College Average
GPAAverageSAT
Average ACT
AdmitRate
UW - Seattle 3.65-3.93 1750-2030 26-31 59%
WSU 3.14-3.75 980-1190 21-27 83.3%
WWU 3.33-3.80 1560-1850 23-28 78%
SU 3.3-3.9 1570-1900 24-29 71%
UPS 3.29-3.80 1730-1990 26-30 51.8%
Good News
• There are 2,272 Four Year Schools• College acceptance rate is above 70%• More selective institutions don’t
guarantee a more satisfying college experience
• Students gain more through a solid student/teacher relationship and involvement in activities
Western Undergraduate
Exchange• 150 percent of the host institution’s
regular resident tuition. Certain majors only
• Applies to State College only– States that participate
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
How can you support your student?• Encourage them to take rigorous courses• Supportive environment• Listen to fears, hopes, goals• Discuss openly the family
goals/expectations regarding college• Encourage college visits or College Fairs• Occasional reality checks ($$, gpa)• Timelines, organization and “scheduled”
meetings
Be informed and realistic
• Major/minor offered• In ball park on GPA , SAT/ACT
scores• Location• Size of student body• Activities/clubs/sports offered• Cost for four years
Rankings, Lists, and more
• Rankings - USNWR, NCCE(on-time grad rate, endowment, retention)
• Comparing with others - “your kid is going where?”
• Stress, money and awaiting aid• You are the consumer -make the choice
that is best for you and your family
What students should be doing?
• Discuss college plans with SC counselor• Attend college fairs/attend college
representative meetings/tour campuses - VISIT!
• Ask questions• Get a standardized testing plan• Study hard - take challenging courses• Get involved at school or community• Participate in summer enrichment
activities, leadership camps, volunteer!
Upcoming EventsCollege Scholarship work sessions will be the first and third Thursdays of the month at lunch, starting Oct. 6th – Career Center Wednesday, October 26 – College Essay Feedback Session #1 – 3:00 – 5:00 pm (Pre-registration required) Tuesday, November 2 – College Application Work Session #1 – 3:30-5:00 pm Tuesday, November 9 – College Application Work Session #2 – 3:30-5:00 pm Tuesday, November 29 – College Essay Feedback Session #2 – 3:00 – 5:00 pm (Pre-registration required) Wednesday, November 30 – Financial Aid Night – 6:00 – 7:30 pm Sunday, Ja nuary 22 – College Goal Sunday – 2:00 – 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 1 – FAFSA Deadline for ALL COLLEGES (regardless of application deadline)
Helpful Websites
www.collegeboard.comwww.act.org www.wois.org (eca312)http://wiche.edu/wuewww.fafsa.ed.govwww.ncaa.orghttp://nsse.iub.edu/faq/pfaq.cfm
Questions?
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