WELCOME Our Guiding Principle College is a match to be made, not a trophy to be won.

Tonight’s Agenda Timeline of the College Process –Spring / Summer / Fall 2016; Spring 2017 Finding the Right Match Organizing your College Search Where to go from here? …the search begins!

Timelines What to do…When…How…

Now… this semester Juniors attend the College Planning Night for Juniors Begin researching colleges and developing a list of schools of interest Attend the RMACAC National College Fair at the University of Denver on Sunday, April 24 th, 2016 from 1:00pm – 3:30pm Discuss college with your family and begin exploring resources (including FHS Counseling and College/Career Center website) Take the state-mandated ACT test at FHS on Tuesday, April 19 (no need to register). Register and take SAT I / SAT Subject Tests By AUGUST you should have a list of universities you will apply to in the fall Keep your grades up! This semester is extremely important for your college admissions!

Summer 2016 Research colleges and develop list Visit colleges and gather information Write at least one application essay Register for and prepare to retake ACT and/or SAT in the Fall Fill out Common Application www. common app.org www. common app.org Coalition Application Start researching scholarships and develop a timeline for deadlines

Essays Resume Research scholarships Visit schools Volunteer Re-take ACT/SAT

Fall Semester 2016 September –Attend Senior Application Night in early Sept –Attend a Senior ICAP Lesson in your LA class –Firm up your list of colleges, get applications, request letters of recommendations from teachers –Attend College rep visits at FHS and College Fairs October/November –Complete the FAFSA - You will be able to access, complete and submit the FAFSA anytime between October 1, 2016 through June 30, –Attend College rep visits at FHS and College Fairs –Fill out applications online, write college essays, finalize college list with counselor, re-take SAT/ACT if necessary –Submit completed applications for early deadlines if desired December –Continue to submit completed applications

Early Decision / Early Action What? When? Why?

Early Decision (ED) A binding agreement between the student and the university in which, if accepted, the student must attend the university. A student can only apply ED to one university.

Early Action (EA) Allows a student to apply early, and hear about admission decisions, before the normal deadline. A student MAY be able to apply EA to more than one university. (there are exceptions) The student is not committed to attending the university once accepted.

Early Decision: Who Should Apply ? Students who: –KNOW definitively that they want to go to only a particular university –PLAN to apply to a competitive liberal arts college, and are generally qualified but may not be highly competitive –PLAN to apply to an Ivy and are HIGHLY qualified to attend

Early Action: Who Should Apply? Students who: - have strong academic record up to the end of their junior year –are highly organized and have all paperwork completed very early –will continue their academic momentum throughout their entire senior year… no cases of “senioritis” in December!

Spring Semester 2016 January –Submit requests for mid-year transcripts –Finalize and submit your FAFSA February/March –DO YOUR SCHOOL WORK - if your grades drop, universities will be notified and your admission could be rescinded! April/May –Decide which college/university you wish to attend and send your deposit by May 1

Finding the Right Match FOR MORE INFO... See handout for more detailed information

Finding the Right Match... What should you be looking for in a college ? –Program –Place –People –Price

Remember… It is important to remain… –Open-minded –Realistic –Willing to critique one’s own strengths and weaknesses –Willing to put in the time to research!

What about the place? Public vs. Private Size Distance Weather Rural, Suburban or Urban

What is the program? Majors and graduation requirements Class size Academic calendar Study Abroad Programs Credentials of faculty Internships and career planning Honors programs; theme dorms

Who are the people? Think of college this way… 168 hours in a week: 56 hours Sleep (33%) 15 hours Class (9%) 30 hours Study (17%) 67 hours Free time (40%) Who do you want to spend more than 40% of your time with?

Who are the people? College’s “personality” Ethnicity and religion Activities and organizations Diversity

What about the price? Take time to have an honest conversation about finances and come up with a NUMBER. This NUMBER should represent the amount of money your family can comfortably contribute each year to paying for university. Don’t be too quick about dismissing schools because of the price tag.

What about the price? Keep in mind… Most universities believe parents and students should be the first source of financing. Think of the cost of college as an investment that will pay dividends over a lifetime rather than a four-year expense.

But how do you pay? Different sources of Financial Aid and Scholarships –Need based financial aid (both federal and institutional) –Merit scholarships –Private sources of scholarships –See FHS Counseling and College/Career Center website for detailed information

Who is the person? Know thyself! Transcript Test scores Extra-curricular activities Learning Styles Academic Comfort Level Personality

Factors Influencing Admission Decisions (NACAC Survey of Colleges 2012) ImportanceVerySomeLittleNone Grades in College-Prep Courses Strength of Curriculum Admissions Test Scores (ACT, SAT) Grades in all courses (overall GPA) Essay or Writing sample Student Demonstrated Interest Counselor Recommendations and Teacher Recommendations Extracurricular Activities

College Entrance Course Requirements English4 years Mathematics4 years Social Studies3 years Science3 years Foreign Lang.2 years Fine Arts1 year **minimum requirements – many colleges have additional requirements! Check the college websites for specific freshman entrance requirements.

Admissions Tests SAT Reasoning SAT Subject Tests ACT (with or without Writing) Students should start NOW to identify which admissions examinations will be required for their colleges!

Where do we go from here? Start researching universities Discuss options as a family Access online resources Request information from universities Visit, if possible, over the summer Register for the SAT / SAT II / ACT DON’T DELAY YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH - START TODAY! DON’T DELAY YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH - START TODAY!

Organize your Search CCC website –Extensive information about college searching, planning, and more! Family Connection/ Naviance –Each FHS student and parent has a personal login –Personal Profile –College Search –Prospective colleges can be added or deleted –Scattergrams show odds of acceptance in relation to other applicants

FHS Counseling and College/Career website (CCC)

Helpful Links Documents News Home Page Naviance / Family Connection – Home Page ` Bonnie Schneide Helpful Links

Turning the Tide…

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Staying Sane and Getting in… Do your research and be realistic… There are over 3000 colleges and universities in the US – Private and Public Liberal Arts Colleges University Engineering or Technological Colleges Professional Degree Granting Schools Community / Junior College

Advice from 2016 senior class Start early (don’t procrastinate) Look for schools that will be a good fit for you, don't pick a school because of its name. Ask for help on your essays from teachers, parents and counselors Pay attention to deadlines Do credit recovery classes before you apply Start over the summer

The Search Begins… Begin researching colleges! Check out College Websites/College Search Engines, FHS CCC website, and follow the FHS CCC Twitter Talk to current students or alumni of the colleges (teachers/friends/relatives) Breathe!

Thank you for coming!