Junior College Planning Night Class of 2017 Howard High School

Tonight’s topics will include:  Overview of The College Process  College Admissions & Applications  Standardized Testing  Organizing your College Search  The HoHs Transcript Packet  Resources

 Four presentations to fit your needs: 1. Square 1 I am new to the college admissions process and do not know where to start. My student has not started the college search. My student has not signed up for the SAT and/or ACT. 2. Middle of the Road I am aware of the college admissions process. My student has begun a college search. My student has signed up for the SAT and/or ACT. 3. End in Sight I am aware of the college admissions process. My student has begun a college search, has taken their SAT and/or ACT. My student has visited colleges or will visit over spring break. 4. First generation to college My student will be the first in our family to attend college.

1. Square 1 Presentation Auditorium Ms. Grieve, School Counselor Mrs. Sutter, School Counselor 1. Middle of the Road Presentation Cafeteria Mr. Glenn, School Counselor Ms. Snyder, School Counselor 2. End in Sight Presentation Media Center Mrs. Hildreth, School Counselor Mr. Mindel, School Counselor 3. First Generation to College Presentation Student Services Career Center Ms. Veronica Valentine

Square 1 WHERE ARE YOU? I am new to the college admissions process and do not know where to start. My student has not started the college search. My student has not signed up for the SAT and/or ACT.

 Junior year = reach for your best  The college process should begin now.  Junior year = last chance to show colleges completed work (academics), maturity, growth  There is still time to improve your application package that you will send to colleges.

 What is the Right College?  Your friends’ first choice?  US News & World Report’s #1?  An affordable college?

 It is not about the “best” college, it is about finding the right college.  The right college is where a student can be happy and successful.

 Self Assessment:  Who are you?  What do you want to do?  What have you done so far?  How hard have you worked in high school?  How involved are you in the life of the school?  What makes you unique? Naviance is a great tool to help guide you!  College Assessment:  Where do you (think) want to be?  Narrow the field of possibilities  Create a working list, a tentative list, and then a final list (this can be evolving )

 There are more than 3300 colleges and universities in the United States alone.  HoHs students generally submit 4-8 college applications.  Research and guidance helps students narrow their lists of prospective schools.

 Keep your options open. There are excellent colleges everywhere.  Big colleges in small places  Small colleges in big places.  Don’t get fixated on one name brand.

 Public Schools generally have lower tuition  Private Schools often give out more financial aid  With scholarship money it can be more cost effective to attend the private school  It is getting harder to get into Maryland State Schools and a little easier to get into the private schools due to the economy.

 Universities offer: ◦ a wide variety of majors and ◦ extra curricular activities, ◦ plus living/learning communities.  Community Colleges offer: ◦ the chance to take pre-requisites and General Education Requirements in a smaller more intimate environment at a discount.  We have excellent community colleges in our area with honors and specialized programs.

 Naviance Family Connection allows family and school to work together  Keep information in one place  SEARCH for Colleges  Create a list of schools student is interested in attending  Create a resume, create a personality profile, RESEARCH!  Career SEARCH  Monitor progress of applications

 Website connection/auth/login/?hsid=howardhs connection/auth/login/?hsid=howardhs  Username  Password  Not registered? Never visited? your School Counselor for assistance

Reach- Fit- Safety  A student’s final college list will likely contain 4-8 colleges and universities  Each college or university will be classified as a “Reach”, “Fit”, or “Safety”  The bulk of the student’s list should be FIT. For example, if student applies to 8 schools, 4 should be FIT, 1 or 2 REACH and 1 or 2 SAFETY  Every college on the list should be a school the student would happily attend.  There are more than 3300 choices in the U.S., so there is no reason to apply to a school you don’t want to attend.

 Geographic location: area of the country, weather and lifestyle  Size and diversity: student body, average class size, and dorm life  Academic Opportunities: what and how you will study  Personal Opportunities: activities, jobs, internships, study abroad, friends  Reputation  Student Profile: do you have what they want?

 Do you have a career in mind?  Are there specific majors that interest you?  Is there depth and diversity within the academic programs?  Can you change your major if you change your mind?

 Who teaches undergraduates?  Do professors hold regular office hours?  Which is the driving force – teaching or research?  Will your instructors know your name?  Faculty:student ratios appear in all college and university publications and on their websites

What do you want the student body to look like?  Big?  Small?  Religious Affiliation?  Conservative?  Liberal?  Diverse?  Like you?  From all over or just from Maryland?

 Anonymity or personal relationships with the faculty?  Commuting or dorm life?  Urban, Suburban or Rural location?  Driving distance or flying distance from home?  Every student should apply to at least one school as a resident. The idea of commuting may be less desirable a year from now.

Is there a different learning opportunity that appeals to you?  Connecticut College’s honor code  Sarah Lawrence’s seminar system (NY)  St. John’s College Great Books curriculum (MD)  Northeastern’s co-op program (MA)  Ursinus- liberal arts plus approach (PA)  Special 5-year Master’s programs available in some fields

 Maryland is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Academic Common Market, which includes 16 states. If your major is not offered in Maryland other  member states will give you in-state tuition for  that major. Information available at:

 Admissions officers review student files and make selections based on standards and needs of the college.  They look for students who are: Varied in terms of demographics and diversity Outstanding based on academics and scores Special Admits (legacy, athletes, special talent, etc.) Previously underrepresented students

 is a small freshman class  is a large freshman English class Look for the following:  What is the average GPA of accepted Freshmen  What percentage of applicants are accepted  What are the average SAT scores

 Spring Break is an excellent time to visit colleges. Questions to ask: 1. What makes this college stand out? 2. What do you do here on weekends? 3. What’s been your favorite class? 4. How many people on campus do you recognize? 5. What don’t you like about your school?

A transcript: a record of final marks for grades 9-11 and mid year 12th grade marks High School Profile SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, and AP test scores Teacher and counselor rec letters Personal statement/essay Application; personal information, high school information, details of extracurricular activities Notes from campus/alumni interview Record of student contact

 Colleges look at the transcript as the best indicator of past performance and future potential.  Colleges evaluate not only the grades received but also the courses taken and hope to see that a student has selected a challenging course load.

Having all great grades is best, but colleges also appreciate a steady improvement. When is the grade point average (GPA) computed? Junior year grades are extremely important. A mid-year transcript with first semester senior year grades (and midterm grades) will be sent to all colleges to which the student applies.

Colleges and universities are interested in your best work, so they will generally use your best scores in the evaluation process even if they do not use Score Choice. Students received PSAT results mid-December.  Use the results to focus on your SAT preparation.  Talk to your teachers and school counselor if you need help with your SAT study plan. We recommend that your student take the test with the writing. It is not optional in our opinion. We recommend that you take the SAT and at least a practice ACT.

 Test dates are available at:  and  Prepare for SAT and/or ACT  Has your student created and linked their PSAT results to the Khan Academy?  Be aware of testing dates and deadlines so you can register for your tests on time.  Take the May SAT administration at Howard High School. Registration deadline is April 8 th

 Some colleges do not require standardized test scores Academic strength is determined by the transcript and the GPA Test-optional colleges will often require additional materials If a student’s standardized test scores are not in line with his or her GPA, test-optional applications remove them from consideration. One word of caution: some schools put a grade qualification on who can apply test optional

Create a preliminary list of colleges Attend at least one college fair Take the SAT and/or ACT (May and June Administration) Take any needed Subject Tests in June Identify and plan an effective summer activity, such as a job, sustained volunteer position or college coursework. Attend Spring Open Houses; call colleges to schedule summer tours and interviews

Use the summer wisely and effectively Review and adjust the college list through research and campus visits Call colleges to schedule fall tours and Interviews Revise and finalize a general college essay Begin the common application Search for Scholarships

1. Naviance 2. Encourage your child to work hard this year. Junior Year is critical. 3. Decide which teachers to ask for recommendation letters. 4. Make sure your junior takes the SAT and/or ACT 5. Talk to your child about college. Discuss finances for college. 6. Meet with your School Counselor 7. Encourage your junior to start a resume and start a scholarship search.

 Interest in Junior College Night/Breakfast part II? ◦ Learn more about the college application process and steps ◦ Learn about the common application ◦ Learn about the in-house transcript packet  Communicate/meet with your School Counselor